Get with it, Doel!

Get with it, Doel!

From Kompas

Being crazy about the TV film series Si Doel Anak Sekolahan III (Doel, The School Boy III), I am getting increasingly worried about the story's theme and the characters representing the Betawi ethnic group. It appears they have nothing to be proud of.

Doel, who should actually be a guiding figure, is walking around with a depressed face. He is pessimistic, non-creative and appears to have a dubious job.

Atun, who took a hairdressing course, opened a hair salon afterwards, but closed the business later for lack of customers and chose to work elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Mandra, who was getting nowhere, is always landing in trouble spots. Zaenab, after dropping out of a French language course, has grown more indifferent toward life with each day.

Why is it that since the death of Babe Sabeni not one of the characters shines through in this film series?

Like Karyo, for instance, who succeeded with his batik business. Alas, he does not represent the Betawi people. It is such a pity that an attractive TV series is increasingly featuring inconsistent themes and has derailed from its original concept, i.e. that Betawi offspring are, in no way, behind the times.

RINA

Jakarta