Unveiling the Most Jaw-Dropping Moments of I'm A Virgo Season 1

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Season 1 of I'm A Virgo. True to director Boots Riley's distinctive style, the show features moments that are both wildly entertaining and thought-provoking. Riley, known for his directorial debut Sorry To Bother You, blends metaphors and surreal visuals to explore important social concepts. I'm A Virgo continues in this vein, bringing Riley's unique approach to television with fresh characters and an amazing lead actor.

In the series, Jharrel Jerome portrays Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Oakland native, alongside a talented cast including Mike Epps and Walton Goggins. The show follows Cootie as he navigates the challenges of the outside world, away from the safety of his home. Along the way, he encounters wholesome characters who help him on his journey of self-discovery. Jerome brilliantly captures Cootie's awkwardness and the complexities of being a giant Black man. With Riley's satire and storytelling, the show offers a nuanced and humorous exploration of social issues, while delivering expressive and exciting moments.

10 The Hero's Bill Cosby Sounding AI In I'm A Virgo

9 Cootie's Asphalt Royalty Gig In I'm A Virgo

In the novel I'm A Virgo, a crucial aspect revolves around Cootie's parents sheltering him in their modified home due to concerns that society will eventually marginalize, stereotype, or discard him for being a tall Black man. When Cootie finally ventures outside, he is swiftly noticed by executives from Asphalt Royalty who exploit his image, falsely claiming to hire him for a modeling assignment at a shopping mall. Unfortunately, this job serves as confirmation of his parents' fears, as Asphalt Royalty uses Cootie in their advertisements, portraying him as a criminal, a hypersexualized lover, and perpetuating other clichéd depictions of Black individuals.

8 Elijah Wood's I'm A Virgo Cameo As Studious Guy

A surprising and unexpected moment occurred when Elijah Wood made a brief appearance as a studious guy in the hit movie "I'm A Virgo." In this scene, Cootie approaches a man deeply engrossed in his studies at the local Bing Bang Burger and asks what he's reading. To everyone's astonishment, the man reveals that he is researching the intricacies of the death penalty with the intention of improving the humaneness of the criminal justice system. Wood's character proposes a unique approach to dealing with a suspect before their execution by suggesting that the executioner place a comforting hand over the accused's heart and administer the lethal injection in a more compassionate manner prior to carrying out the death sentence.

7 I'm A Virgo's "Great Polypheme" Cult

Similar to the character "Studious Guy," in the film I'm A Virgo, the cult is used as a symbolic representation by Boots Riley. This cult represents individuals who sincerely attempt to empathize with and support oppressed stories but ultimately fail in their endeavors. Led by an intrusive cult leader (Robert Longstreet), the I'm A Virgo cult closely shadows Cootie, extolling him for enduring a challenging existence and anointing him as the "Great Polypheme." This pseudo-religious title allows them to seek profound insights and knowledge from the seemingly incomprehensible perspective of marginalized communities. As the story progresses, the cult becomes increasingly presumptuous, culminating in a shocking and graphic attempt to explore Cootie's thoughts.

6 The Hero's Assassin Reveal In I'm A Virgo

Similar to the significance of "I'm A Virgo" and the overall message of the series, "The Hero" delves much deeper than its initial portrayal. Boots Riley emphasizes the importance of developing The Hero as more than a one-dimensional villain, but rather as a character with a complex inner narrative, mirroring the complexity of humanity. This is exemplified in "I'm A Virgo" through the inclusion of an assassin whose sole purpose is to eliminate The Hero throughout the entire season. However, it is later revealed that the assassin was hired by The Hero himself, driven by the desire to find purpose and serve as a protector and defender of good.

5 I'm A Virgo's Lost Episode

Throughout the majority of the series, snippets of the fictional cartoon sensation called "Parking Tickets" from "I'm A Virgo" were featured. These segments were used by Riley to illustrate society's sometimes unhealthy attachment to media and their inclination to become fixated on the meaning of life through various forms of expression. One particular episode of Parking Tickets, which was never aired on the imaginary television network of "I'm A Virgo," gained notoriety for causing viewers to experience an existential crisis and enter a trance-like state that lasted for several days. This "lost" episode serves as a prevalent metaphor throughout season 1 of "I'm A Virgo" and eventually becomes a tool of diversion in a crucial scene of the series.

4 The Shrinkage Of The Lower Bottom People In I'm A Virgo

3 I'm A Virgo's Love Scene

Bear, portrayed by Craig Tate, belongs to the most oppressed narratives within the community of I'm A Virgo. This community, residing in a poverty-stricken area referred to as the "Lower Bottom," is forced to tirelessly hustle in order to survive. In a twist of events, Bear awakens one day to discover that he and his entire community have been magically reduced to the size of insects. This significant transformation serves as a poignant representation by I'm A Virgo, highlighting the detrimental impact that harsh socio-economic circumstances can have on an individual's power and authority.

In line with the strangest moment in Sorry To Bother You, I'm A Virgo presents an unconventional and somewhat uncomfortable love scene between Cootie and his love interest Flora (played by Olivia Washington). Initially, viewers are uncertain about Cootie's ability to engage in a successful intimate encounter with Flora. However, this moment serves a purpose of humanizing Cootie – illustrating that even giants are capable of experiencing love. Riley employs the awkwardness of an approximately 8-minute-long love scene to emphasize that if a giant can be viewed as inherently human during such an intimate act, it should be equally effortless to recognize the humanity of all individuals, regardless of their appearance or demeanor.

2 Scat's I'm A Virgo Death

Cootie's life beyond his residence is a series of distressing incidents, but he is fortunate enough to encounter a trio of companions who help bring balance to his coming-of-age tale. One of these companions is Scat (Allius Barnes), who goes out of his way to find a figurine of Cootie's beloved cartoon character. However, while returning home with Cootie's surprise, Scat tumbles from his bicycle and is impaled by debris from the street. This event serves as a stark demonstration of the profound socio-economic inequalities that certain individuals face. In I'm A Virgo, we witness Scat being denied medical assistance (due to lack of insurance and absence of visible bleeding). Tragically, he succumbs to his injury just outside the hospital.

1 I'm A Virgo's Wild Ending

I'm A Virgo's first season concluded with a powerful and thought-provoking scene, encapsulating Boots Riley's profound metaphors and captivating moments. This politically charged and surreal cut scene exposes The Hero's significant contribution to the never-ending cycle of suffering endured by Cootie, his loved ones, the Lower Bottom community, and beyond. I'm A Virgo asserts that The Hero holds great responsibility in shaping perspectives, perpetuating violence disguised as lawful actions, and fueling capitalist predicaments for all those affected by his role as a supposed guardian of righteousness.