The Effect of Polin

Apparently, thanks to YouTube Watch History, I happened to watch the video below on May 30, 2024. 

And in watching it, something about it caused an internal shift in me and made me somewhat of a fan of this guy from the critically acclaimed Netflix show, Bridgerton.  Mind you, this video was recorded prior to their current media storm for Season 3, and the current fanfare that has left little fangirls swooning and shipping their coupledom. Something about the video sheds light on his motivation and the background to his career as to how this current role is his first much-needed big break and why, as you watch him during their multiple "Polin" interviews, you can keenly observe how he looks somewhat nervous, self-aware, and is doing everything in his power not to screw it up, not to say the wrong things, to sound more interesting than he is self-conscious, to soak it all in, to ensure that he doesn't lose this opportunity. 

I particularly was touched at the point he said he called his mum and started weeping. Most men will never admit to that, calling their mum first and also crying. But in his precocious self he willingly admitted it. How endearing! To be honest, I would do the same when my first big break comes because when you really think, your mum's been that one constant source of support in your corner. 

As for the other half of Polin, the petite vivacious bosomy blonde bout of fresh air. I happened to watch Derry Girls during lockdown in 2020. And out of the 4 ladies featured in it, she was the one I responded to the most - maybe the curvy bosoms seemed like a shared similarity, who knows. I remember Googling her to find out that she was actually the oldest person in the bunch. Then, when I saw her in the 1st season later that same year, 2020 I instantly followed her on Instagram.  My gut had instinctually told me she would go places beyond an Irish based TV show and unsurprisingly, I was right. Her personality is so much larger than life that if she doesn't blow up after this, Hollywood has done her a disservice. 

I often or not tap into these fan-frenzied shows because I am a lover and observer of pop culture and the healing effects of the escapism it affords us from our sordid realities. In my observance, I have come to know that the more you stick around you'll realise that most of them, their stardom comes and goes, like a fad, and some of them, very few of them are able to forge a long lasting career out of them. They just have to know what to do with the media attention and spotlight, harness it into more illustrious projects, observe what the fans are responding to and most importantly, always keep them wanting more.