In her book "Bad Feminist," Roxane Gay discusses the significant weight we often place on popular culture to perform well and represent societal values. When a piece of pop culture emerges that is deemed not entirely bad, it can be seen as a beacon of hope. This expectation can be overwhelming, as it suggests that entertainment must continuously measure up to high standards of ethics and representation.

Gay highlights how this pressure can lead to disappointment and frustration among audiences, especially within marginalized communities. She points out that while we seek validation in popular culture, the reality is that it cannot always meet our expectations. Instead of placing excessive responsibility on these cultural artifacts, we should recognize their limitations and enjoy them for what they are, while still striving for better representation and inclusivity.