Lance Oppenheim’s three-part HBO docuseries ‘Ren Faire’ is an example of toeing the line between amusing and venerating overly eccentric subjects – this is a quote from a friend I had a conversation with who was taken aback when I advised him that I was analyzing a docuseries of a ‘Succession’ themed drama at a Renaissance fair. ‘Is it supposed to be a mockumentary?’, he inquired, and to this, the answer is twofold. Amusing yes, but the docuseries mainly shines a light shining the darker side of the human condition, the sheer obsession behind every innocent action. It Is safe to say that these individuals do not find the art of kettle corn or Renaissance cosplay even a tad bit funny. In the case of Oppenheim’s series, though it sometimes feels like it gets a little warmly dialed up, it makes sense when we put it in the context of the world of Renaissance fairs where certain things some people might consider satire or comedy are regarded as sacred and earn enormous respect.
You are not likely to forget too soon King George Coulam, the aged multi-millionaire who started the Texas Renaissance Festival, which happens to be the biggest event of this kind across the globe. Coulam is rich, to say the least, his profile on a dating site where he tries to find a woman half his age who qualified him as a sugar daddy registers him in a not less than $100 million bracket and, well, suffice it to say that the adjective sharpy would be the most polite way to describe him. Coulam rules over this venture in a real-life Royally manner, clearly more invested in this whole operation than what can be put down as a toxic work environment. When not in pursuit of a woman to share his last ten years on earth, he roams the office, berating his staff. The variety of dates offered to possible candidates for marriage at Olive Garden, where Coulam insists on wearing a natural breast, are wonderful docu-theater moments, the moments of that docuseries when this show tends to look more ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ than ‘Succession.’
Well, turkey legs in an abandoned field combined with engagement in the Renaissance event are just part of the many facets of Coulam’s empire.
The Texas Renaissance Festival is well organized but it would have been better if a bit more time was spent on an overview given the scale of the event including the many customers, shops, and restaurants among other things. And Coulam, whether it is about the lavish ‘rococo’ house he owns which he virtually interprets as excess, or the little town he created around the festival that he runs as the mayor, delights in sharing his accomplishments. This powerful figure has established himself as judge, jury, and executioner in this little world he has built, and appears eager to select a successor, though the ways he acts and the judgments he makes become more and more erratic. It’s tough being king.
During the period of “Ren Faire”, three new candidates were nominated for the throne of ‘Coulam’ Jeff Baldwin, Louie Migliaccio, and Darla Smith. Baldwin really stands out as he seems to be a strong contender, as he is an affectionate person who loves acting and finds comfort in The Musical: Shrek. Baldwin is once again a manager who is ideal yet successful at managing the activities of the festival. Although he does have tendencies to interfere as King George is skeptical of his skills to run the festival, he is adamantly set on the fact he wants to hire a wife who can do the job, even if she is qualified and trained for it. King George on the other hand is an enigmatic elitist type, having various jarring traits that can be rather abrasive on tougher days. It seems that Jeff has displayed toxic behavior on a couple of occasions but compared to other workers he does seem relaxed about it, however, George is different. Using the analogy: ‘If King George is Logan, then Jeff is Kendall as he is the only one who stands out as the central figure that everyone admires except for his father.’
The battle for the throne is where a kettlecorn vendor Louie Migliaccio comes in out of nowhere. He has a huge bankroll from a family of wealthy donors and is determined to buy out George’s legacy after building several companies on the Ren Faire property. As Louie and Jeff fight it out, vendor coordinator Darla Smith joins the mix of power battles. King George’s Court has a mix of other personalities who come in and out. However, Oppenheim takes rather too seriously the aspect of this business related to “Game of Thrones.” There exists a type of “Ren Faire” that incorporates a more realistic setting, not so exaggerated, primarily because there are plenty of the “ordinary” folks surrounding George and his heirs. As an illustration, one of his assistants assists him in updating his more than a dozen online dating profiles and takes him out to the Olive Garden and other such places. I wanted a whole episode about how he feels regarding all of this, and what he thinks about it.
Nevertheless, the insulated, tight POV in “Ren Faire” works, because quite one approaches it like I do. It helps us feel just as unhinged as George and the series remains interesting with George’s ever-changing tensions. He is a man who is driven around his kingdom, complaining over hat-less crowds or shouting at his cohorts about lack of preparation. He is respected, but equally feared, and is a man who looks so helpless at many instances except in the context of his fair. He makes for an interesting character in a docuseries, not because of his irritation to lesser mortals’ comments, but due to how delusional he is, for he is used to being praised and admired for ages in the kingdom he has built. It is no surprise that he wants to remain the king. Who would he be if he did not?
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