This chapter discusses late socialist Eastern European domestic drama serials or “soap operas.” These were developed in the late socialist atmosphere of political and economic thaw, which turned increased attention to women, consumerism, and the family as the microcosm of the socialist nation. Such serials were carefully planned to strike a desirable balance between demonstrating political conformity to socialist ideals and gently mocking the realities of those ideals. However, this residue of propaganda was balanced by social satire and humor. The conduits were almost invariably women, who were able to navigate both spheres with success. The main case studies are...