Dietland Review: Belly Of The Beast (Season 1 Episode 6)

Therapy is in session on Dietland Season 1 Episode 6, “Belly Of The Beast.”

Most of this episode feels like therapy. I think therapy is very helpful in real life, but as a means to move a narrative forward on a television show, it’s not that effective. It comes across as hitting the viewer over the head with it.

The messages they try to send with this approach are good messages—therapeutic bits of wisdom.

Verena: Anger is not a finite thing. It can’t be expunged with one good airing. But it can be directed. You can give it a voice. That makes it bearable.

It’s just not working for me as a storytelling device. I, like Plum, feel like I’m being played with. Every scene with Verena makes it seem like I have to work towards a breakthrough, rather than be entertained and thrilled by the plot’s twists and turns.

Verena isn’t the only one doling out the advice. It comes at Plum from all angles, from different people, in different forms. Sana provides it in the way of their budding friendship, Leeta imparts some via diary, and Marlowe leaves it behind in her pornographic art installation.

All of these moments play their part in helping Plum to direct the anger—”the fire”—inside her, but each one is too heavy-handed to have that develop organically.

Plum’s role in this is still the best part. Her reactions to everything being thrown at her are authentic. The break in her voice when she talks about Dominic’s betrayal is heartbreaking and so real. Her frustration at everything happening to her becoming a teachable moment by everyone is understandable.

Not everything is therapy on this episode, but enough of it is for them to acknowledge it through dialogue. Dominic asks Verena if she is going to charge him for her time.

Focusing so much on this takes away from some really interesting things that are developing on the sidelines. Leeta and Julia’s relationship between each other and their connection to Jennifer being the main ones.

The scene of Julia taking off her disguise is poignant and moving, as is her cuddling with Plum and Plum talking about how it affected her afterwards.

I had been wanting to see something happen with the character of Julia since Dietland Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” but had already given up on it from the turn the story took on Dietland Season 1 Episode 2, “Tender Belly.” Four episodes later, and here it is.

This show really has a roundabout way of getting to things—to the interesting things—and that can be frustrating. Sometimes, like with Julia, it pays off, and other times it moves us further away from what is interesting.

Unfortunately, I see the latter happening with Kitty. She started out as this very unique character that is shallow, but also has depth; who is evil, but relatable.

On this episode, she’s just shallow and evil. Her dialogue, I think, is meant to be shocking, but comes off as being vulgar purely for the sake of being vulgar.

Kitty trying to seduce Dominic is a weak point in the plot, and seems to be unnecessary at that. It might be because the character of Dominic is weak. His anger after he is denied a face-to-face with Plum seems forced.

I’m not sure if it’s Adam Rothenberg’s portrayal or how his character is written, but my interest level drops whenever he’s on screen.

My relationship with this show runs hot and cold, and that erraticism takes its toll. I love the messages they are sending and their intentions, but the execution is leaving much to be desired.

What did you think of this episode of Dietland? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Dietland airs Mondays at 9/8c on AMC.

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