Absentia is a series that creates mixed reactions online! To begin with, a large portion of the audience, without any doubt, is very much in tune with it, while others are rather apprehensive about its ominousness. The reception to Absentia, being both positive and negative, is not just a momentary perception; it is a perfect reflection of the strong, divisive nature of the tone, plot, and emotional weight of the show.A Reddit user commented,"It's not just serious. Dark. Not fun at all. Torture. I don't think I got past the first episode. Loved her dearly, but I'm not down for that kind of violence."Comment byu/Nastia_dream from discussion inCastleTVThe narrative depicts a former missing FBI agent, Emily Byrne, portrayed by Stana Katic, who is supposed to be dead and eventually comes back after six years with absolutely no memory of what had occurred. Once she comes back, her world has changed so much: her spouse has a new wife, her child is almost a stranger to her, and fresh instances of violence are constantly occurring.That in itself is very gripping and dramatic for the series' beginning, but the show continues to offer the viewer the same intensity by dealing with problems such as trauma, conspiracy, and even the most savage types of violence, among others. This very darkness is, in fact, the main reason why a lot of people are drawn to the show; on the contrary, it is also the reason why some people choose to stay away from it.What causes the attraction and discomfort of many viewers in AbsentiaAbsentia’s unflinching, heavy tone right from the startAbsentia makes a very brutal emotional tone. This is neither a light crime show with some family issues sometimes, nor does it consistently go to the dark side. As per Common Sense Media, the show's “very disturbing scenes” consist of torture, near-drowning, and also very violent actions, among others.The use of such elements here is not only for the shock factor; they are all deeply rooted in the show. Some fans consider this darkness as the greatest strength of the show: it generates real tension, and the consequences feel scarily personal. For many others, though, the uncompromising intensity is a real emotional taker.And this is precisely the reason for the love-hate reaction: people who adore Absentia are getting entrapped in its emotional stakes; the majority of the people who are on the edge are, more often than not, prevented from joining by its despondent character.Emily Byrne's emotional and psychological struggleOne of the major reasons for Absentia's attraction to a great number of viewers is the show's focus on trauma and identity. Emily Byrne's life after her disappearance is a real mess: apart from the fact that she has no recollection of her six-year-long absence, she will have to win the family's trust back, whom she lost.Her husband is now a father to another child, and her son has never met her. The emotional nuances of the audience are in harmony with those who endorse character-oriented drama. Emily's psychological conflict, forgetting, feeling guilty for living, and suffering from PTSD, seems to be real and very hurtful.Still, for certain viewers, that very emotional burden could be excessive. The show does not shy away from portraying the entire suffering she experiences, and that raw representation can be quite challenging to absorb over time.High-stakes conspiracyWhat begins as a private enigma rapidly develops into a massive plot. The show Absentia, over its three seasons, fearlessly captivates the viewers with its organ trafficking, secret operations, biological weapons, and treachery story arcs. These dramatic arcs not only keep the viewers on the edge of their seats but also drastically change the stakes of Emily and her associates’ lives.This escalating situation is actually what many of the fans admire: Absentia does not become very small in scope or predictable. Yet, according to some others, it is a show that goes beyond limits at times and becomes unbelievable, or its story becomes way too complicated. Those very elements that enthral audiences, the secret networks of double agents and ever-present threat, are also those that attract criticism from supporters of more earthbound thrillers.Production realities through the fan's eyesThe most negative remarks from the fans have come either from viewers who notice the production limitations or from viewers who question some of the narrative decisions. Comments on Reddit-for example, in the r/CastleTV thread-discussed scenes perceived as poorly produced, implausible, or underdeveloped.For instance, a Redditor commented, "I got bored of it mid-way season 2. It felt low-budget. You could tell it wasn't filmed in the US""Same. I’ve tried watching it twice. Got further through the second time but wasn’t fussed on finishing it." said yet anotherAnother said, " It is a very dark and foreboding mystery/thriller but it does not rate very high on the realism scale. That being said Stana is fantastic in it. And for three seasons it is relatively short. So yea your own judgment. But again I enjoyed it."However, this criticism is not made from a negative standpoint; in fact, most of it is rooted in the hope that the show would realize its lofty vision. Nonetheless, even among the critical opinions, there is often acknowledgment of Absentia’s plus points: ambiance, suspense, and the portrayal of real emotional crises.The constraints of production enter the dialogue, yet they do not necessarily lessen the admiration for the show’s primary virtues.Therefore, the love-hate reaction to Absentia is a real thing, which is evident. It is not superficial, but a serious issue; it is precisely how the show manages-or sometimes fails-to balance darkness and thrill, emotional pain and suspense, personal trauma and great conspiracies.Absentia is the perfect film for those viewers looking for a tough and tense thriller with emotional depth. However, critics say it's overloaded with heavy tones and far too big of plot, and the emotional ride has been too exhausting. After all, no matter the side you're on, it is impossible to argue that Absentia is never boring.It takes risks and is straightforward about them. Its goal is to explore human weakness, bloodshed, loss, and forgiveness, all the while keeping the audience guessing. Ultimately, what a lot of viewers perceive as a drawback is instead a major advantage.The love-hate reaction is one of the elements that define Absentia, thus making it much more than simply another thriller: it is a profoundly disturbing, profoundly human tale that puts uncomfortable questions forward, and sometimes ceases to provide tidy answers.Also read: Absentia Season 2 cast and characters: Throwback to the new and returning actors in the second installment of the series