Angst — we've all heard this versatile term used when describing the latest high-drama television program, or within our own lives, but never has the word been more appropriate than to define the melodramas of Generation X.
Teen angst dramas, as they are sometimes referred, tend to deal with heavy subject matter that won't be seen on a Must See TV lineup. Topics of the supernatural are common, from sci-fi to demonology and everything in between.
The WB and UPN are home to most of these insanely popular shows like Smallville, the young Clark Kent caper that gave the frog network its highest rated premiere to date.
The hot new show joins the rankings along with its housemates Charmed and Angel, and the rival network's Roswell and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Even FOX has hopped onboard the gravy train with its hit Dark Angel.
Imagine for a moment that you're not just a regular college student, but you have the added responsibilities of having superpowers, or that your body is just a host for the real you — an alien.
Pretend that regardless of the plans you've made for your life, you have a greater calling that involves saving the world, or that you have to keep the fact that you're only half human a secret — not that announcing who you are to everyone is on your to do list.
These instances paint a grim picture far from reality. It just makes you want to cue the violins, right?
And if the traumatic storylines haven't convinced you that angst fits the profile, their haunting theme songs of love lost, wanting to fitting in, magic or the dark underworld should easily persuade any naysayer.
It's like a warning to the viewers that happy endings don't always exist in their world, and heartache is absolute.
And yet, these shows are cult-like in their achievement, with a large following in the 16-24 demographic. Ironically, this same audience is dealing with issues different than that of their peers of the past.
So the question is is, why are the dramas so successful? Besides having an abundance of attractive cast members, there has to be some winning formula these shows are privy to which their predecessors did not have. One reason would be the writing. The creative storylines and snappy dialogue help to create a culture within the show's universe.
Then there's the reasoning that regardless of the dramatic events going on in their lives, the young viewers take comfort that it will never get as bad as it has for the unlucky characters.
A good example is perhaps the most tragic story of them all involves Buffy, who spent most of her teen years loving a member of her prey, and living with the fact that one intimate moment caused her lover to lose his soul and go out on a killing spree. What's worse is that she had to send his demon form to Hell.
And you think you've got relationship problems.
