Some Netflix viewers have expressed outrage after a TV series crossed a longstanding taboo.
Standards in TV and film are always evolving. We are likely in a golden era for television, with some of the best series ever available on streaming platforms.
However, as these standards shift, it’s easy to overlook how much has changed; what was once off-limits for directors and screenwriters is now commonplace.
Nudity is one of those enduring taboos in the industry, but some shows really push the boundaries. There’s probably someone who has tallied up the number of times nudity appeared throughout Game of Thrones.
Nevertheless, issues surrounding nudity remain, particularly when it comes to an ‘erect penis’.
A Netflix mini-series released earlier this year has upset and disgusted some viewers by featuring a man with an erect penis on screen in its final episode.
The series, titled A Man in Full, is not as explicit as the name might imply.
The plot centers on an Atlanta real estate mogul who must contend with sudden bankruptcy and adversity as his empire starts to fall apart.
The series does include a warning for ‘sex, language, sex reference, sexual images, and injury detail,’ yet there is no specific warning for the contentious scene.
In the concluding episode, Tom Pelphrey’s character, Raymond Peepgrass, has just taken some viagra. He then drops his bedsheet in front of Jeff Daniel’s character, Charlie Croker, to expose the effects.
In spite of this, some viewers have reacted negatively to the scene.
One individual remarked on social media: “I was totally disgusted. Absolutely uncalled for.”
Another commented: “Netflix is softcore p**n.”
“That is so incredibly uncalled-for. Absolutely shameful!” a third commented.
“No one wants to see that. Trust me NO ONE,” someone else added.
Radio 4 contributor Anne Atkins wrote: “Where are the boundaries now, Netflix? A visibly erect penis is not only revolting to many normal viewers but artistically completely unnecessary: a glance down, a raised eyebrow would have done far more.”
On the other hand, many viewers were less perturbed by the scene, pointing out that streaming offers the option to choose what to watch.
In addition, many people responded to the negative comments with humor.
One person quipped: “’Fully Erect’ would it have been cool if it was just like a partial chubby? Lol?”
Another added: “Imagine being terrified by a d**k simply because you saw it on Netflix rather than the hub.”
Another noted “I guess it was a HARD scene for ya’ll to watch huh…”