TV Show review
Review basis: 2 seasons, 16 episodes · through July 14, 2020
November 25, 2018 · TV-MA · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Dirty John is a true crime anthology TV series. Each season tells a real story of a relationship that turns dangerous and violent. Season one shows a wealthy interior designer who marries a charming con man who lies about everything and targets her family. Season two follows a traditional housewife who murders her ex-husband and his new girlfriend after a bitter divorce and court fights. No woke elements appear in the core stories, dialogue, or marketing. The show sticks to the real events without adding identity politics or lectures.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Dirty John.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent lead roles match the real white American subjects in both true stories. Some supporting roles add incidental diversity, but it stays unemphasized and does not drive casting or story. No identity signaling or story mismatches appear.
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue stays on personal deception, family conflict, romance, and legal fights. No activist speeches or identity-based arguments.
Identity-driven story themes
Both seasons tell classic true crime tales of manipulation and betrayal inside heterosexual marriages. Themes center on individual psychology and power in relationships, not race, gender identity, or representation.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Season one notes police and courts failing to stop a clever con man. Season two shows messy divorce court battles. These are story facts about bureaucracy and personal fallout, not modern activist attacks on patriarchy or Western systems.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. The series adapts real historical people and events directly.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No notable complaints in news or social media treat the show as pushing woke, DEI, or identity politics content.
Creator track record context
Alexandra Cunningham and most writers and directors show standard commercial TV drama careers without activist patterns. Casting directors carry some inclusive reputation from other work. Connie Britton has mild liberal and humanitarian activity. Overall mild.
