"Weekends - they are widely celebrated, cherished and for many people they are the only means of feeling free, if only for two days."

Haha I only get one sadly.

"It feels like slavery, probably because it is."

Truth. I have tried to argue a similar point but I have a hard time getting it across to people. If the choice is between starvation and working, it really isn't a reasonable choice. To steal a line from the Series "Rick and Morty" "That's just slavery with extra steps."

"Therefore weekends are a pacifier ..."

That is an interesting way to look at things and I think that you are on to something. I would also point out that our freedom isn't a reward that we earn it is ours by right but the weekend reinforces the idea that work is a prerequisite for enjoying it.