Dickinson

Identity politics and queer romance are the main parts of the plot. The main story centers on the passionate romantic relationship between Emily and her sister-in-law Sue. It explores themes of hidden sexual identity, fluid attraction, and gender nonconformity. Alongside this, the show explores black identity and struggle through the stories of Henry and Betty, who run a secret abolitionist paper. The show uses its characters to explore modern ideas of feminism and LGBTQ+ liberation.

The series heavily critiques traditional Western social structures. It portrays 19th-century family life, Christian values, and traditional marriage as toxic and repressive. Traditional gender roles are shown as highly flawed, and housework is ridiculed. Emily’s father represents patriarchal control and male entitlement, while her brother's traditional marriage is shown as a deeply unhappy prison. The show frames these historic settings to attack traditional conservative family norms.

The show radically changes historical figures to fit modern political and social-justice goals. It reimagines Emily Dickinson not as a quiet, private, and religious 19th-century woman, but as a bold, Gen-Z-style feminist rebel who fights the system. Her debated relationship with Sue is turned into an explicit, highly modernized lesbian romance. Other historical figures, such as Walt Whitman and Sojourner Truth, are rewritten to emphasize modern queer and activist identities.

Traditional viewers and conservative critics directed notable backlash at the show, calling it woke revisionism. Online complaints criticized the series for injecting modern identity politics, explicit queer themes, and Gen-Z dialogue into the life of a historical poet. Critics argued the show was cringey and disrespectful, calling the inclusion of feminist slogans, modern race politics, and hip-hop music forced pandering.

The key creative team has a strong history of making woke, feminist, and identity-focused content. Creator Alena Smith (Woke score 80) is known for centering queer stories and feminist critiques. She is joined by writer Ziwe (Woke score 95), famous for her race-conscious comedy, and Darlene Hunt (Woke score 65), who focuses on feminist dramas. Key producers like Lynn Nottage (Woke score 90) also have strong backgrounds in promoting social-justice stories.