What Can We Learn About Trauma Triggers From Hulu’s Hit Show, Queenie?

If you haven’t been living under a rock, then I’m sure you have heard of the popular Hulu series, Queenie. The series is an adaptation of the 2019 book written by Candice Carty-Williams.

The show follows its namesake, Queenie Jenkins, a British-Jamaican young adult living in London who has had her fair share of relationship struggles.

As a writer trying to find her place in the world, Queenie in the first episode breaks up with her long-time boyfriend Tom, who happens to be white. As she copes with the breakup, she resorts to casual sex with multiple men, some of whom are her friends. 

As we go through Queenie’s journey with her — a few questions come up. What does safety look like to Queenie? 

And, how do Queenie’s past experiences affect her dating life and relationship with other people around her? 

What is a trauma trigger? 

Similar to us, Queenie’s upbringing affects the way she views the world. From the show, it's not hard to tell that Queenie had a complex relationship with her family. Queenie grew up in a household with her mother and abusive boyfriend, Roy. Roy would verbally and physically abuse her mom and later we learn that she ended up abandoning Queenie. None of this left Queenie’s memory. In fact, as an adult, these memories revisit her and become one of the reasons behind her faulty life choices. 

In clinical terms, this is known as a trauma reminder or trauma trigger. Simply put, a trauma trigger is an involuntary response to a previous traumatic experience. 

Our body has a way of recalling old memories and connecting them with a current event or situation. 

Trauma triggers can be sounds, smells, emotions, or memories. Your trigger may be different than mine, but still nonetheless it can manifest without warning. Triggers have a way of making you feel helpless but just like Queenie, it is a natural response and warning sent from our nervous system. Though it may not be the same situation, your body can register it as similar and react in a way to protect itself. 

How Do Trauma Triggers Show Up in Queenie’s Life?

Throughout the show, Queenie continuously has flashbacks of the abuse her mother endured from her boyfriend. This manifested as panic attacks or sprouts of anger whenever Queenie was in close contact with her mom or when childhood memories were brought up. 

As a child, she would sit in her tub to try to cope with the loud noise and screaming in her home. And in many instances, you can find her as an adult overwhelmed, sitting in her bathtub trying to block out any traumatic memory. 

Her experiences as a child also became the compass for all of her situationships. She found herself going in circles, often meeting the same type of guy in a different body.

Witnessing the abuse of her mother unconsciously taught her that Black men were not safe — therefore she only dated white men. She also spent her time friend-zoning the guy who actually desires to pursue her. Self-sabotage, maybe? 

As she goes on her journey to self-love we find Queenie facing some tough realities in therapy.

One being that she deserved to give herself better: in relationships, in her family, and in her career. She shouldn’t just settle for what was given to her. 

The other reality acknowledged the fact that although she tried to steer away from it — a lot of her decisions mimicked her childhood. She was a lot like her mother. And, what she saw growing up was a guide for her until she learned better. 

Queenie isn’t perfect and as we watch her journey to growth, we can sympathize with her. All of us are affected in some way by how we grew up, whether positively or negatively.  

Maybe you didn’t have a warped relationship with your mother. Or maybe rebounding with different dudes isn’t your coping method of choice. But, like Queenie, we all have experienced situations that can lead us to feel triggered. However, it is our response that makes the difference.  

Begin Your Healing Journey at Restority Space

You’re not alone and speaking to a therapist about your experience can be a great first step to overcoming trauma. Therapy can help you figure out how to navigate childhood experiences as an adult to become a better version of yourself.  

I would be honored to support you in your journey to healing. 

Schedule a 15-minute consultation with me here.