Common Side Effects’ creators see the US healthcare system as the show’s villain
In Adult Swimas Common Side Effects from Joe Bennett (Scavengers Reign) and Steve Hely (American Dad!), the discovery of a strange mushroom that can heal any sickness or injury is either a miracle or a doomsday scenario, depending on who you ask. The plant is a godsend to people suffering from debilitating illnesses, but its curative properties make it an existential threat to powerful pharmaceutical companies. And while all Marshall Cuso (Dave King), the showas hero, wants to do with his fungus is help people in need, thatas enough to make the American Drug Enforcement Administration label him as a menace to society.
Imminent danger is always right around the corner as Marshall goes on the run in hopes of finding a way to spread his mushrooms far and wide. Often, he feels like the showas only character who has a conscience and wants to do good in the world. But when I recently spoke with Bennett and Hely, they explained that even though the people around Marshall might seem terrible, the showas true villain is the (American) healthcare system they have all been forced to live within.
Marshall knows that he canat really relax or trust anyone (aside from his pet torto …