ABSTRACT
The impact of images, especially those broadcast on television, and their possible danger to democracy has sparked numerous debates and has been a major source of concern in many countries. The television series studied here have little to do with programs that impose a single line of thought or address the lowest common denominator. The French writer, Serge Daney, once wrote that it was simple common sense to recognize that all American series were not of the same quality.2 Any risk of manipulation through images or by the media would disappear if these are accompanied by clear explanations and if school curricula included work on the reading of television texts and decoding their messages. Quality television series propose real challenges and offer knowledge about the legal system, encouraging audiences to embark upon pertinent refl ections. Television does not endanger democracy but production policies can do so if instead of counting on the curiosity and intelligence of television viewers, networks seek only to hypnotize, if not numb, viewers between commercials. If the parade of images only offers a one-dimensional representation of the world, or of French society, without letting the viewer have an active say in the choices made, then it is unfortunately clear that those in charge of programming take the public for fools and certainly not for demanding citizens, capable and desirous of informative entertainment despite a long day at work.3
