Secrets, I have a few!

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
Netflix, Miniseries.

There are essentially three types of truths (or secrets if the situation arises). The first is the one which is common knowledge that is no secret. It is the one you do not mind sharing with the rest of the world. Information on your background, ethnicity, place of childhood and education background will encompass this category. With the easy availability of personal data online, the demarcation between private information and the public domain becomes increasingly blurred.

In the second category, it could include something done not at the proudest moment. This truth may be only shared amongst individuals who would not spill the beans no matter what. There is some kind of unwritten rule - bro code, tribal honour, mafia or gang loyalty and business secret - which will fall into the category. God forbid, access to these truths by individuals with ill-intent would be disastrous and make someone fall from grace. However, every type of secret has its price in the real world. It could be used as a bargaining chip when the cookie crumbles.

Then there is the third secret you need to carry to the grave. This secret may be so detrimental that it may damage your reputation, career or family relationship. Others may use their yardsticks or wilfully create a ruckus to paint a heinous picture of you and your acts, an unforgivable one. Some may be forgiving as Man are fallible, especially if you are family. Different yardsticks are assigned to other people.

Just how far this third secret can be protected? Is it necessary to stay to your word when you raise your hand in court and promise to tell the truth and the whole truth and nothing but the truth? The aftermath when they bare your insides can be pretty devastating. In essence, this is the premise of this movie, among other things.

With the breakdown of community feelings and familial piety, every man or woman is an island. A modern person finds it more fulfilling to explore personal development by hopping from one community or family to another. With the tweaking of familial bonds, exposing the third secret to your family (or your other half) may prove disastrous too.

As the ugly court trial of Depp and Heard reveals, nothing is sacrosanct or stays within the confines of the bedroom's four walls. A bond so tough can sometimes crumble like dominos. A sweet affair can turn sour overnight. Every putrifying detail is laid bare for scrutiny. Recording devices just add more zing to this carving ritual. With their holier-than-thou speak, armchair critics will take their time to slow cook, dissect, expose, crucify, and exsanguinate you. Honesty is not always the best policy.

The miniseries tell about a Cabinet minister accused of rape by his researcher-cum-fling. They had a small affair which they mutually ended but then this. All these come as a total blow to the minister personally and his family. There is actually more than meets the eyes. The minister shares a dark secret with the Prime Minister, which goes way back to their shared alma mater. The prosecuting officer also has a personal score to settle with the minister.

What is rape, and what is consensual sex between two mature adults? What is implied consent, and at what point does this end? How far would a spouse support the significant other's shenanigans? These are some of the dilemmas this story tries to explore.

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