Ratched (2020 TV Series Review)
- Feb 10
- 5 min read
The 2020 television landscape was significantly impacted by the arrival of a character who had long haunted the annals of cinematic history. Ratched, a high-profile Netflix psychological thriller, was designed to serve as a visceral and stylish Nurse Ratched origin story. Created by Evan Romansky and developed by the prolific Ryan Murphy, the series invites viewers to re-examine the life of Mildred Ratched before she became the iron-fisted tyrant of the Oregon State Hospital. This One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest prequel turns back the clock to 1947, moving the setting to Northern California to explore the psychological complexities and internal darkness of its titular character. Through its eight-episode first season, the show attempts to demonstrate that true monsters are made through experience and environment rather than being born.
Series Profile
• Director Name: Ryan Murphy (Pilot), Nelson Cragg, Michael Uppendahl, Jessica Yu, Jennifer Lynch, Daniel Minahan.
• First Release Date: September 18, 2020.
• Number of Seasons: 1.
• Rating: Listed on IMDb.
• Country of Origin: United States.
• Original Release Network: Netflix.
• Distribution: Netflix.
• Original Release Network: Netflix.
Synopsis and Plot
The Ratched TV series begins in 1947 when Mildred Ratched arrives in Northern California seeking employment at Lucia State Hospital, a leading psychiatric institution. The hospital is at the forefront of new and often unsettling experiments on the human mind, led by the brilliant but troubled Dr. Richard Hanover. Mildred presents herself as the quintessential professional nurse, but she is actually on a clandestine mission to save her foster brother, Edmund Tolleson. Edmund has been admitted to the facility after a brutal killing spree involving four priests.
To secure her position, Mildred uses blackmail and manipulation, eventually gaining the trust of Dr. Hanover after covering up a patient's suicide in his office. As the story progresses, the plot delves into a series of "mercy killings" and experimental therapies, including ice-pick lobotomies and boiling water immersion. Mildred navigates professional rivalries, particularly with head nurse Betsy Bucket, while forming a deep romantic connection with Gwendolyn Briggs, the governor's press secretary. The season culminates in a desperate escape as Mildred and her allies flee to Mexico, only to be tracked years later by a vengeful Edmund, who vows to kill her.
Critics’ Response and Accolades
The critical response to this Nurse Ratched origin story was notably divided. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 61% approval rating based on 96 reviews, with a consensus that highlights its undeniable style while noting that "salacious plot holes" and "cartoonish characterizations" sometimes undermine the production. Metacritic assigned it a score of 50 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews" from 32 critics. Nicholas Barber of the BBC gave it a perfect five-star rating, praising it as a "superb" and "blackly comic melodrama" with accurate depictions of brutal 1940s psychiatric treatments. Conversely, other outlets like TVLine were harsher, calling it Ryan Murphy's "emptiest effort yet".
Despite the mixed critical bag, the show was a major contender during the awards season, particularly for its technical brilliance. It received several Golden Globe nominations, including Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actress for Sarah Paulson. At the Primetime Emmy Awards, the series was recognized for its Period Costumes, Hairstyling, and Makeup, as well as a guest performance by Sophie Okonedo. It also earned nominations from the GLAAD Media Awards and the Critics' Choice Super Awards.
Cast and Characters
• Sarah Paulson — Mildred Ratched
• Finn Wittrock — Edmund Tolleson
• Cynthia Nixon — Gwendolyn Briggs
• Jon Jon Briones — Dr. Richard Hanover/Dr. Manuel Bañaga
• Charlie Carver — Huck Finnigan
• Judy Davis — Nurse Betsy Bucket
• Sharon Stone — Lenore Osgood
• Corey Stoll — Charles Wainwright
• Vincent D'Onofrio — Governor George Wilburn
• Sophie Okonedo — Charlotte Wells
Main Characters Description
• Mildred Ratched: A calculating nurse who manipulates her way into Lucia State Hospital to save her foster brother from execution.
• Edmund Tolleson: Mildred’s mentally unstable foster brother, whose murder of four priests sets the central events in motion.
• Gwendolyn Briggs: The Governor’s campaign manager, who falls in love with Mildred, representing a potential for goodness in Mildred's life.
• Dr. Richard Hanover: The ambitious director of Lucia State who hides a past medical failure involving a wealthy patient's son.
• Nurse Betsy Bucket: Mildred's professional rival at the hospital who eventually becomes the facility's leader and an ally.
• Huck Finnigan: A kind-hearted, war-disfigured orderly who is later promoted to head nurse after exhibiting strong moral fiber.
Production
The development of the Ratched TV series was the result of a high-stakes bidding war between Netflix, Hulu, and Apple, with Netflix ultimately securing a two-season order. Ryan Murphy spent a year obtaining the rights to the character and the blessing of the Saul Zaentz estate and Michael Douglas. Filming for the first season took place in early 2019 in Los Angeles and 20th Century Fox Studios, with the historic Adamson House in Malibu serving as a key location. The production is noted for its saturated color palette and a score by Mac Quayle that pays homage to classic noir.
Seasons
• Season 1:
◦ Number of Episodes: 8.
◦ Release Date: September 18, 2020.
◦ Years in Air: 2020.
◦ Description: The season follows Mildred as she infiltrates the Lucia State Hospital, saves her brother from the electric chair, and eventually flees the country as a target of his wrath.
Although a second season was initially ordered, it was confirmed in early 2024 that the series was canceled and would not return to Netflix.
Spin-offs and Adaptations
The series is a direct prequel to the character of Nurse Ratched from Ken Kesey's 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the 1975 film adaptation by Miloš Forman. The character herself has inspired various international cinematic interpretations, including the Indian films Thalavattam (1986), Manasukkul Mathappu (1988), and Kyon Ki (2005).
Ratings and Review
Upon its release, the Ratched TV series became a massive hit for Netflix, ranking number one in the Nielsen streaming rankings with 972 million minutes viewed in its first week. Netflix reported that 48 million members watched the series within its first 28 days, making it one of their most successful original Season 1 launches of 2020. While the review scores varied, viewers were clearly drawn to the "thoughtful and beguiling" nature of this psychological exploration.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Ratched is a One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest prequel that details the 1947 origin of Nurse Mildred Ratched.
🗝️ The series stars Sarah Paulson and was developed by Ryan Murphy following a major bidding war.
🗝️ The show received mixed reviews from critics regarding its plot but earned high praise and multiple award nominations for its visual style and performances.
🗝️ Despite its initial popularity and 48 million viewers in its first month, the series was canceled after its first season.
🗝️ The plot centers on Mildred’s attempts to save her foster brother, Edmund, from Lucia State Hospital using manipulation and blackmail.
Keywords: Ratched TV Series Review
Ratched TV Series Review
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