Siren: New Fantasy Era — Upgraded Mermaids

Mermaids have always been a source of fascination for us – from the whimsical and beautiful Princess Ariel in the animated Disney film to the terrifying creatures that the Harry Potter franchise showed us, it’s clear that these mythical beings have captivated audiences for years.

Without a doubt, this inexplicable interest in mermaids is the reason why Siren is a resounding success.

ANOTHER TYPE OF CREATURES

A fantasy drama series that premiered in 2018 on the network, Freeform, Siren follows the tale – pun intended – of a small coastal town called Bristol Cove, situated in Washington. Famous for its urban legends involving the mysterious fabled creatures of the deep sea, the townspeople suddenly find themselves caught up in a murderous rampage as a mermaid attempts to seek revenge against local military forces who had abducted her beloved sister.

Rather than Disney’s rather childish and innocent interpretation of mermaids, the show harkens back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, whose mythologies told of exquisite-looking women who lived underneath the sea – homicidal maniacs singing beautiful songs that served to lure sailors and men to their deaths.

Ryn, the protagonist of Siren, is much like these mermaids of bygone days, albeit with human legs rather than a fishtail. She wreaks havoc upon the town of Bristol Cove, sparing no one as she attempts to find answers to her sister’s kidnapping. Along for the ride are the marine biologists Ben and Maddie, both of whom reflect our limitless fascination with creatures who look just like us yet are wholly different.

The fantastical elements of Siren, as well as its new and radical depiction of mermaids, make it a series worth watching. Rather than mythological creatures, the show presents mermaids as humans, going through a wide range of emotions and forming deep connections with their loved ones.

ARE MERMAIDS DIFFERENT FROM PEOPLE?

However, Siren never fails to note exactly how and why mermaids are different from human beings; their supernatural powers and otherworldly strength make them unstoppable and this, combined with the bonds that they form with their fellow merpeople, spells tragedy for us.

To add to that, Eline Powell’s performance as the murderous Ryn is fascinating to watch – sort of like Game of Thrones meets The Little Mermaid but set in present times. The sheer brutality of her rampage, when juxtaposed with her love for her sister, allows the audience to simultaneously feel fascinated and repulsed by her.

Viewers are notorious for never rooting for creatures who murder human beings in cold blood but everything about Siren – from its storyline to the phenomenal writing and Powell’s gripping acting – holds merpeople in a more sympathetic light, even if they do kill innocent residents.

In the end, the audience is forced to feel both compassion and revulsion for mermaids. More than that, though, the show asks them to consider whether the terror that the merpeople subjected the residents of Bristol Cove was warranted, especially since they themselves had been victimized by humans.

A fantastical drama that brings forth a whole slew of philosophical questions? Well, sign us up!

CHRIS MUELLER AKA FISHERMAN ON PAYPHONE X

By the way, Chad Rook, who played Chris Mueller, a fisherman who was taken to the military base after being injured by one of the characters of Siren, is available on Payphone X.

Don’t miss a chance to get a video greeting or announcement by Chad. Maybe, you’ll be the one who knows all secrets of mermaids!

Images courtesy of Netflix.