"Rotten" is, at times, a very interesting and worthwhile television series. And, at others, it seems directionless and confusing. In other words, some episodes are well worth seeing...and others not. The problem is that the underlying philosophy of the program seems difficult to determine.
Episode one, about honey production and the adulteration of honey coming from China is the best of the six shows. It presents a strong case and is quite compelling. But, this isn't the case with other shows...which often seem to contradict themselves. For example, in the episode about garlic, the show spends much of the time attacking one particular mega-corporation....and then, in a big switcheroo, then attacks its competitors and makes you wonder WHO is the bad guy. Another example is the show about the poultry industry. The first half of the show is about some local chicken producers who were attacked by an unknown culpret and their chickens killed....but then, suddenly, it becomes an attack on a Brazilian mega-corporation! To make matters worse, after spending all that time attacking the Brazilian corporation, the show admits that there was a huge shakeup in the industry and this same Brazilian corporation had to divest of many of its companies around the world! Talk about a lack of focus!!
I wish the show had chosen to simply dealt with food adulteration like the first episode. And, oddly, one of the most famous adulterated products, olive oil, is never even mentioned in the series.
Overall, some good, some very bad....a series that can be compelling and frustrating.
Episode one, about honey production and the adulteration of honey coming from China is the best of the six shows. It presents a strong case and is quite compelling. But, this isn't the case with other shows...which often seem to contradict themselves. For example, in the episode about garlic, the show spends much of the time attacking one particular mega-corporation....and then, in a big switcheroo, then attacks its competitors and makes you wonder WHO is the bad guy. Another example is the show about the poultry industry. The first half of the show is about some local chicken producers who were attacked by an unknown culpret and their chickens killed....but then, suddenly, it becomes an attack on a Brazilian mega-corporation! To make matters worse, after spending all that time attacking the Brazilian corporation, the show admits that there was a huge shakeup in the industry and this same Brazilian corporation had to divest of many of its companies around the world! Talk about a lack of focus!!
I wish the show had chosen to simply dealt with food adulteration like the first episode. And, oddly, one of the most famous adulterated products, olive oil, is never even mentioned in the series.
Overall, some good, some very bad....a series that can be compelling and frustrating.