Summary
Warning: This article discusses darker topics, including shootings, mental health, addiction, eating disorders, sexual assault, and child loss.
Even thoughThe Umbrella Academyis now finished, theseelder emo TV showsare absolutely worth watching.The Hargreeves siblings inThe Umbrella Academyand their respective stories are relatable to many, and while superpowers don’t exist, the struggles of mental health and self-acceptance do. There is a common misconception that the term emo refers to everything dark and gothic, but there is more to the concept than this. For example, a lot of Tim Burton’s movies are considered emo because of his use of bleak cinematography and scary scenes.
However, emo is short for emotional, and anything labeled as such typically allows for personal reflection and a way of delving into one’s own psyche. Several ofthe best TV characters of all timeare considered emo and encapsulate these values. Their stories often focus on their journey to fit in with the world around them. While loads of TV shows have these kinds of characters, storylines, or aesthetics,some titles possess the overall attitude and aura of being emo.
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The Vampire Diariesis a dark, mysterious, and eerie TV show that follows high schooler Elena Gilbert and her intense relationship with two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. The love triangle that develops between the trio is full of angst and pain, especially during Elena’s transformation into a vampire in season 4, but the fact that two siblings are involved makes it even more complicated.The Vampire Diariesleans heavily on themes of loss and identity,and the show often dives into the emotional turmoil of its leading personalities.
The cast of characters inTheVampire Diariesisn’t the only emo thing about the show, though.The best songs inThe Vampire Diariesare rather profound and moving, and each track from bands like The Fray and Florence + the Machine makes any scene instantly better.Even the directional choices throughout the show are quite emotional, and the dimly lit cinematography and overall atmosphereof certain shots result in the dramatics playing out on screen even more impactful.
BoJack Horseman
Cast
Once the famous star of a hit sitcom, BoJack Horseman has fallen on tough times. Stuck in a major career slump and longing to relive his glory days, BoJack attempts to once more become relevant in an industry that has long since turned its back on him. With a few dysfunctional friends at his side, BoJack begins his long-overdue career comeback.
It may not aesthetically appear emo, butBoJack Horseman’s heartbreaking storylines and themes of mental health make it one of the deepest TV shows of all time.The titular character’s alcohol and drug-fuelled lifestyle and the ever-changing peaks and valleys of his washed-up career make him unlikeable at times, but that’s the point of BoJack’s character.BoJack Horseman’s saddest quotesconsist of him reflecting on his mistakes, and while he doesn’t often learn from them, the way he beats himself up for his misdeeds is quite emo.
Characters like Diane and Princess Carolyn and their respective storylines coverthemes of pain and regret and focus on the topics of child loss and depression from a unique point of view.BoJack Horseman’s endingis a perfect and fitting conclusion for the former sitcom star, and it brilliantly encapsulates his journey from the pilot to the finale. The primary reasonBoJack Horsemanis so emo, however, is that each of the characters has their flaws, and their respective battles are painfully realistic and relatable.
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is a drama mystery series that stars Kristen Bell as the titular teen detective who learns the ropes from her father, a California police sheriff. Following a “crime-of-the-week” episode format, each episode sees Veronica tackling new cases while carrying on her High School life, with a more significant, overarching plot carrying between episodes. Veronica’s side career begins following the death of her best friend, which sets off a chain of events leading to several smaller cases.
Kristen Bell’s portrayal of the titular character inVeronica Marsis a prominent figure in emo culture.The show fantastically mixes elements of noir and the present day.While season 1 kicks off with a murder mystery story,Veronica Marsstays angsty long after the enigma is solved.The best episodes ofVeronica Marsexplore the hardships of life, revenge, and the complications of achieving justice. Veronica is a particularly wounded person after her best friend, Lilly, is murdered, but her determination to find out the truth is just as compelling as her damage.
While Veronica is the most emo part of the show, others contribute to its status. Lianne’s issues with alcohol and subsequent abandonment of her daughter, Logan’s attempts at living with grief, and Cassidy’s sexual assault are all about how these respective characters deal with pain in their lives.Veronica Mars’ visual style is quite emo, too, such as during Veronica’s flashbacks, which are layered with a noir huethat adds to the tension of the mystery.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
While a little cheesy at times,Buffy the Vampire Slayeris a fabulously emo TV show.The titular Slayer’s battles against all manner of demons and supernatural creatures are the main focus of the show,but the turmoil and complex feelings that come with it are just as important. Buffy’s relationships with Spike and Angel, two men of different species, are wild and create an awful lot of angst for her throughout the show. Willow is another character who faces plenty of upset and heartache inBuffy the Vampire Slayer.
One of the most profound storylines inBuffyis Willow’s discovery of her sexuality and her search for acceptance. There is a lot of teasing about her relationship with Tara before the two finally get together, although Willow’s misuse of her powers causes friction between the pair. Tara’s death is a devastating butdefining moment inBuffy the Vampire Slayerand never fails to break hearts, no matter how many years it’s been since this storyline aired. Even though the supernatural is the main focus,Buffy’s teenage problems and trivial dramas that come with the characters’ ages are still prominent.
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Freaks and Geeks
Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks is a comedy-drama series centered around several now-popular stars in their first-ever appearances as outcast teenagers dealing with the “hilarious unfairness of teen life.” The friend groups are split into “freaks” and “geeks,” each with their own quirks that resonate with teens today as they try to find their place in the socially complex world of high school.
Despite only airing a singular season,Freaks and Geeksis an emo culture favorite because of its authentic yet pessimistic portrayal of high school life. While there are someharsh realities ofFreaks and Geeks, it is undoubtedly a cult classic. Many of the storylines in the show are typical and cliché of teen years, like when Lindsay breaks up with Nick for smoking too much. However,whatFreaks and Geeksdoes well is brilliantly shine an overly honest light on its characters to highlight their respective flaws,which makes them easier to understand.
Freaks and Geeksis an emo culture favorite because of its authentic yet pessimistic portrayal of high school life.
The most important theme is the unfairness of life, a message that is emphasized in every episodeof the short-lived show.TheFreaks and Geekscast of charactersare all outcasts in different ways, but they find solace and support in one another, and the strength of their mismatched friendships is the driving force of the show.Freaks and Geeksis known for famously failing upon its initial release only to receive significant attention years later, despite its flaws, which perfectly conveys the term emo.
Every season ofSkinsdelved into the daily struggles of a group of average British teenagers and the various ways they deal with them. While each generation of theSkinscast differed, they all shared a common lifestyle. LikeEuphoria,theSkinscharacters all have their own respective issues, ranging from religious expectations to eating disorders, pregnancy, and drug addiction.Generation 1’s Cassie and her storyline are particularly notable, andSkinsis frequently praised for the gritty yet realistic portrayal of her journey.
However,Skins’ biggest strength is its depiction of mental health.In seasons 1 and 2, Effy Stonem is almost exclusively mute, but when she becomes a main character in season 3, she speaks. At no point does the show suggest that Effy’s issues have changed, though, rather that she has moved onto another stage in her life. Grief is also a feeling all the characters experience frequently throughout the show, but it’s always tackled realistically. Although there’s a lot of partying inSkins, the deep and complicated thought processes of the teenagers are always at the forefront of the story.
Twin Peaks
Conceived by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990, Twin Peaks is a supernatural mystery-drama series that brings FBI Agent Dale Cooper to the quiet town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a young woman named Laura Palmer. As Dale continues his investigation of her death, he learns that Laura’s life wasn’t as she advertised it, and the town itself is hiding far more secrets than they let on. The show received a revival for a third and final season two decades later to resolve the cliffhanger left at the end of the second season.
Twin Peaksis a terrificTV show that combines a dark and hypnotic supernatural threat with an initially normal murder mystery.The show’s narrative is best known for its bizarre characters and use of horror tropes to create something that is equally uncomfortable and enthralling. The quest to discover the truth about homecoming queenLaura Palmer’s death inTwin Peaksis a surreal one, but even years later, audiences are heavily invested in multiple obscuretheories about the show. Strangely, many find the absurd creatures easy to relate to.
The show’s narrative is best known for its bizarre characters and use of horror tropes to create something that is equally uncomfortable and enthralling.
Twin Peaksoften sees the appearance of giants, dwarves, and doppelgängers. Their exile from society and the differences they have from humanity aren’t designed to create an emotional response in audiences, yet they have. However,one of the reasons whyTwin Peaksis so popular is that these haunting characters blur the lines between reality and dreams.In a small town, anything is possible, and anyone can be a threat or an ally, a factor that makes it very emo and one thing that proves thatTwin Peakshas changed TV forever.
Daria
Daria is an animated television series that follows Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, sarcastic, and socially awkward teenager, as she navigates high school life in the fictional suburb of Lawndale. The show explores themes of societal expectations, intellectualism, and adolescence, all while highlighting Daria’s unique perspective and dry humor.
Dariais the perfect example of an emo protagonist. The titular character is famously remembered for her sarcasm and frustration with life, two things that many find easy to connect with.Daria Morgendorffer’s lack of self-esteem and skepticism about things like relationships, being popular, and her superficial peers are hilarious overall.While there are several emo TV characters, Daria encapsulates it better than most. She understands how it feels to feel like an outcast and uses humor to cover up the pain she’s experiencing deep down.
Even her iconic deadpan expression is emo.Daria’s dark and comical retorts perfectly reflect the subculture,and the show’s ability to quickly switch between a comedic and analytical tone is impressive. Daria doesn’t fit in with the mainstream societal expectations, nor does she want to, which sets her apart from other characters in this category.Dariais an incredibly underrated show and one that many audiences hope to see revived in the future, especially as her pessimistic outlook on the world is relevant in any generation.
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AlthoughOne Tree Hillinitially doesn’t appear to be an emo TV show, its implementation of the term is subtle, and it can be considered one. The earlier seasons of the show are definitely more emo than others, as, unfortunately,One Tree Hillis aTV show that goes downhill after a time skip, which refocuses on the characters’ adult years. Outside of the standard teenage angst and themes of heartbreak and betrayal,One Tree Hill’s emo label is more literal than other TV shows.
Following the school shooting in season 3, Fall Out Boy frontman Pete Wentz visits an injured Peyton in the hospital.The two even date briefly, although she ends up using a plane ticket he sends her to reunite with her ex instead.Fall Out Boy also perform together in the show. However, its most emo quality is its scoring, andthe best songs inOne Tree Hill, including tracks from Death Cab For Cutie and The Get Up Kids, have accompanied some of the most impactful scenes throughout the show.
Heroesis a fascinating look into the ordinary lives of those with superpowers and how they attempt to continue their day-to-day activities in a world that is trying to reject them.The emotional weight that lays heavily on the chests ofHeroescharacters is ridiculous at times,so it makes sense that they’re considered emo.Heroes’saddest deathsare frequent, and the show doesn’t hesitate to kill off characters at a moment’s notice in cruel and heartless ways.
Zachary Quinto received multiple award nominations for his role as Sylar in Heroes, including Teen Choice( 2007, 2008, and 2009) and the SFX Awards(2010).
The villainousSylar and his many powers inHeroesare a big source of conflict. Characters like Hiro find their new abilities hard enough to live with anyway, but Sylar makes things even harder for him when he murders Charlie.Heroesis completely unfair to its characters, but that’s why it’s so emo. These memorable personalities are dragged into a world they never wished to be a part of, and the show throws them in at the deep end, forcing them into a life of self-doubt and destruction – a definingemo TV showtrait.
