The show appears to focus heavily on identity politics, with character backgrounds (race, gender, sexuality) front and center, often outweighing authentic development or meaningful conflict. Several characters are introduced seemingly for representation’s sake rather than narrative fit, making it feel forced and formulaic. The story at times pauses for messaging rather than progressing naturally, so viewers may find the characters’ personal journeys take a back seat to ideological checklists.

‘Friendly Rivalry’ seems determined to invert traditional roles, often depicting familial and religious figures as outdated or misguided. Masculinity is frequently played for laughs or treated as toxic, while female and queer characters are consistently shown as wiser and more admirable, regardless of actual story context. This trend might come across as dismissive of long-standing cultural values to many viewers.

The show rarely gives airtime to perspectives that don’t reflect the latest cultural orthodoxy. Traditional views are typically delivered by cartoonish or bigoted side characters, while dissent is quickly corrected or ridiculed. There’s very little sense of pluralism or open debate, a clear case of narrative monoculture.