Three years later, fans still aren’t over Normal People. The popular TV show adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel follows an intense relationship between Connell (Paul Mescal) and Marianne (Daisy Edgar Jones) from high school to university, addressing various issues such as mental health, family, and belonging. The show has become a touchstone for viewers to evaluate their personal growth over the past three years, particularly for Gen Z and Millennials who are nostalgic for the early days of lockdown, which for some felt like a needed break from stressors like work and school. But even today, Normal People has a significant presence on TikTok, with the hashtag #NormalPeople having over 7B views and a subculture of young people devoted to “sad girl culture” who make fan edits from the show and worship Rooney, Fleabag, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, and other artists who have helped them through tough times. The popularity of the show has also brought renewed attention to Rooney’s novel, with quotes from the book like “I’m not a religious person, but I do sometimes think God made you for me,” frequently shared online. Many viewers find comfort in the ambiguous ending of the show, which seems to reflect the uncertainty of the current point in time. (Mashable)
