TV Show review
Review basis: 4 seasons, 36 episodes · through February 22, 2024
April 25, 2017 · 43 min · TV-14 · Canceled
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The show is an anthology series that tells the life stories of historical figures starting with Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso then moving to Aretha Franklin and Martin Luther King Jr. with Malcolm X. It covers their personal relationships, struggles, discoveries, and public impact across four seasons. Later seasons give more attention to civil rights activism and the experiences of Black Americans in the face of injustice.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Genius.
Woke representation / casting
Casting matches the ethnicity of historical subjects in prominent roles across seasons. Later seasons use Black actors for Black figures in natural alignment with the story world. No clear quota emphasis or mismatches.
Woke political dialogue
Later seasons include period dialogue about civil rights activism and racial injustices faced by the subjects. No modern activist lectures or ideological slogans.
Identity-driven story themes
Seasons 3 and 4 center the personal and public lives of Black figures amid racial barriers and the civil rights movement. Earlier seasons focus more on individual genius, relationships, and flaws with less group identity emphasis. Recent seasons carry more weight.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Seasons 3 and 4 show historical American racism and obstacles during the civil rights era. Portrayals stay within the documented events rather than reframing as current-day critiques of Western systems or culture.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
A few viewers noted a shift toward civil rights and diversity focus in later seasons. Aretha family opposition centered on consultation rather than content. No major anti-woke campaigns or widespread complaints found.
Creator track record context
Early creators show low activist patterns. Later key contributors such as Suzan-Lori Parks and Gina Prince-Bythewood have repeated creative focus on Black identity and stories of people of color. Anthony Hemingway has moderate inclusive credits.
