Stream on Apple TV
Based on 1 season, 8 episodes · through April 20, 2023
Extrapolations is an anthology drama show. It shows eight stories about how climate change affects humans over many decades. The show is very preachy about saving the planet. It focuses heavily on corporate greed and how rich people harm the earth. The show has a very diverse cast. It features several prominent minorities in major roles, like a Black rabbi. However, the heavy focus is on environmentalism rather than identity issues.
Why 82%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Extrapolations.
Woke representation / casting
The show has a highly diverse cast. Many episodes highlight different ethnicities and backgrounds. Some key roles seem to prioritize representation over story necessity. For example, a Black rabbi is the main character in an episode. The cast also features prominent transgender and gay performers like Hari Nef and Murray Bartlett. However, there are no actual queer storylines or themes in the show. The characters simply exist as part of the diverse near-future setting.
45%
Woke political dialogue
The dialogue is incredibly preachy. It is filled with activist language. Characters constantly argue about climate justice, ecocide, and saving the planet. They lecture each other on the evils of capitalism. Rich executives are shown as cartoonish villains who destroy the environment for money. Viewers criticized the show for feeling like a giant global warming sermon rather than a standard drama.
Production
75%
Identity-driven story themes
The main themes focus on environmental issues and class divides. The series does not focus heavily on race, gender, or sexual orientation. Some minor elements of social justice appear. For example, characters discuss climate justice and how poor nations suffer more. But the primary plot revolves around climate disasters and human survival. Identity politics are kept in the background.
35%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The show presents a strong critique of Western systems. It portrays capitalism and corporate greed as the root cause of global destruction. A massive corporation is shown controlling resources and causing ecocide. Traditional family units and wealthy socialites are often framed as selfish or dysfunctional. The final episode put capitalism on trial in an international court, blaming modern Western society for the crisis.
55%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
The show faced clear backlash from conservative media and viewers. The Daily Caller called the series leftist propaganda. Average viewers on sites like Reddit complained that the show was too preachy. They disliked being blamed for global warming. Many felt the show was a heavy-handed lecture. It was widely labeled as environmentalist propaganda rather than entertainment.
65%
Creator track record context
The creators and writers have a mixed record. Scott Z. Burns is a well-known environmental activist. Writers like Bess Wohl, Dorothy Fortenberry, and Rajiv Joseph have strong records of social justice work. However, other writers like Gregory Jacobs and Ron Currie have neutral records with no activist history. This results in a moderate overall score for the creative team.
38%
