Reflections of the Small Screen

Television has evolved into more than just an entertainment medium but a reflection of modern day culture that offers insights into the various elements that constitute contemporary society. Television can likewise be a learning experience, as many narratives rely on historical facts, scientific theories, and various subcultures for their storylines. While many view television as escapism, there is actually more to the images that are reflected on the small screen than meets the eye, whether one realizes it or not.

24: Jack Bauer for President

The anthology book “Jack Bauer for President: Terrorism and Politics in 24” explores how the television drama influenced the cultural and political climate of the United States after 9/11.

Agent Carter: I Know My Value

The short-lived television spinoff from the Marvel Cinematic Universe follows the exploits of a female government agent as she navigates the male-dominant world of the late 1940s.

The Big Bang Theory and Comic Book Culture

Exploration of comic book culture through the fictional lenses of the television comedy The Big Bang Theory and the factual Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture by Rob Salkowitz.

Dark Skies: History As We Know It Is a Lie

The late 1990s sci-fi television drama intertwines a governmental conspiracy regarding the existence of aliens with actual events from the 1960s to create a fictitious alternate history.

Game of Thrones and Philosophy

Exploration of the book Game of Thrones and Philosophy, with a focus on how the George R.R. Martin book series and HBO drama reflect the writings of Thomas Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli.

Grimm and the Brothers Grimm

Exploration of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and how their fairy tales relate to the television drama Grimm, in which a Portland police detective discovers that the fairy tales of old are actually real.

Grimm and the Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault

Exploration of the various narratives on the television drama Grimm that directly relate to the fairy tales of Charles Perrault, who published them in 1697 under the moniker Mother Goose.

Leverage and The Big Con

Examination of the book The Big Con by David Maurer, which recites the history of the early twentieth century confidence man and how it relates to the television drama Leverage.

The Office and the Financial Crisis of 2008

Exploration of the television sitcom The Office and how the series often acted as a commentary on the difficult economic times that faced the United States during the years it was on the air.

Person of Interest and Minority Report

Examination of the television drama Person of Interest and Steven Spielberg film Minority Report, both of which explore worlds in which violent crimes can be predicted and prevented.

Person of Interest and the Shadow Factory

Comparison of the surveillance system in the television drama Person of Interest and the real-life capabilities of the NSA as outlined in the book The Shadow Factory by journalist James Bamford.

The Philosophy of Felicia Day’s The Guild

Exploration of Nietzsche and nihilism as described in Luke Cuddy’s essay from World of Warcraft and Philosophy and how it relates to the classic WoW-inspired web series The Guild.

Revenge and The Count of Monte Cristo

Comparison of the television drama Revenge and the classic literary work by Alexandre Dumas, with emphasis on the quests for revenge by main protagonists Edmond Dantès and Amanda Clark.

Shakespeare and Star Trek

Andy Kirtland, former artistic associate of the Unseam’d Shakespeare Company in Pittsburgh, discusses the influence of William Shakespeare within the world of the Star Trek franchise.

Sherlock and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Comparison of the contemporary Sherlock Holmes from the British television drama Sherlock with the original nineteenth century iconic detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Warehouse 13: Snag, Bag and Tag

Overview of the Syfy Channel television drama that follows a pair of Secret Service Agents who travel the globe collecting mystical artifacts of the past for warehouse located in South Dakota.

Watchmen: Nothing Ever Ends

Set in 2019, the HBO mini-series serves as an unofficial continuation of the Watchmen graphic novel and uses racism in America as its catalysts similar to the original’s use of the Cold War.

White Collar and Catherine the Great’s Music Box

Examination of the mythology from the first two seasons of the television drama White Collar, which includes a music box once belonging to Catherine the Great and pilfered Nazi artwork.

White Collar and the Culper Ring

Exploration of the spy ring used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War and the “Identity Crisis” episode of White Collar, which contains links to the history of the Culper Ring.