Upamanyu Biswas
While Prime Video’s ‘The Better Sister’ centers on a murder mystery, the show’s main attention lies in deciphering the complex family dynamics linking estranged sisters Chloe and Nicky. As the former is the editor-in-chief of a renowned magazine publication, “The Real Thing,” she finds herself constantly being scrutinized by the public media from dawn till dusk. It turns her life into a complicated mess, one that only attracts undue attention amidst a sensitive murder investigation that threatens to upheave her entire existence. To that end, navigating the treacherous terrains of her corporate responsibilities is only one side of her headache, as Chloe also has to deal with the dubious shenanigans of her husband Adam’s law firm, Braddock and Braddock, which turns out to be linked with a much larger conspiracy behind the scenes. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Real Thing is a Fictional Magazine That Adds to the Worldbuilding
“The Real Thing” in ‘The Better Sister’ is a fictional magazine crafted by the show’s scriptwriters Olivia Milch, Regina Corrado, Ariel Doctoroff, Brittany Dushame, and Lauren Stremmel. It is seemingly inspired by another fictional magazine, namely “Eve,” a feminist-oriented magazine run by Chloe in Alafair Burke’s eponymous novel that serves as the source material for the Prime Video show. In the book, “Eve” is described as a once-struggling brand that gains immense recognition after Chloe transforms its image by reporting on impactful stories. As such, the magazine’s prime focus is on shining a light on female figures in the country who faced social injustices in their career and lives, which is captured in the “Them Too” series. It serves as a small porthole into real life, especially as movements such as #MeToo are evoked through the magazine.
Although “The Real Thing” may be branded as a separate entity, it shares a lot of similarities with “Eve.” In essence, the two are primarily centered on political content and social commentary, making them integral to an ever-changing society looking to evolve every day. The magazine takes on a more tangible role in the series, particularly because its offices serve as a backdrop within the narrative. For filming, the crew set up shop in New York City, New York, using many real-life neighborhoods to authentically showcase the reality of Chloe’s life as a socialite within the area. Therefore, it is likely that the scenes featuring the office buildings of “The Real Thing” are shot in existing establishments in and around the city, including a studio environment for the interiors. It helps build a sense of realism, even though the magazine is ultimately fictional.
Braddock and Braddock is Essential to the Central Mystery
Like “The Real Thing,” Braddock and Braddock is a fictional law firm brought to life by the show’s creative team. Its counterpart in the novel is named Rives & Braddock, another fictional organization that serves as its primary inspiration. Both in the show and the novel, the law firms play a vital role in the corporate crime subplot involving Adam and the Gentry Group. The firm facilitates the latter in making some incredibly shady international transactions, breaking several legal frameworks while also assisting in breaking several human rights guidelines set to protect worker exploitation. At one point in the narrative, the firm’s senior-most member, Bill Braddock, is believed to be Adam’s killer, especially because the latter was prepared to turn into a whistleblower for the FBI.
Therefore, both Braddock and Braddock and Rives & Braddock have a similar impact on the story, even though they may have slightly different names. They essentially help orchestrate a massive criminal empire and perpetuate a ring of corruption while slipping past everyone’s attention, including the authorities. However, this later proves to be a boon for Chloe and Nicky, who manage to use the firm’s notoriety to orchestrate a set of events that serve a beneficial outcome for them. To that end, the firm has a significant role to play on multiple levels, even though it remains partially sidelined from the main action for large chunks of the narrative. Filming for Braddock and Braddock likely took place in the Manhattan region of New York City, specifically on 700 Broadway. It helps ground the building in reality despite its fictional roots.
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