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shadowkatDidn't much like the last post so deleted it. Have been wrestling with what to write in this thing lately. Find that I have lj writer's block. Or just overly self-conscious all of a sudden. (shrugs). So what do I do, I write the below and I keep it unlocked.
Thought about writing a post on Aeryn/Crichton relationship - which has got to be the best romantic relationship I've seen on tv. Sure it has its problems (tv after all) but, all in all, it works. And breaks/subverts a lot of tv rules in the process. The unwritten rule that the leads can't get together until the end of the series or sleep together. They not only sleep together in the first season, they comment on it, and it furthers their relationship. They also sleep together in the third, and fourth seasons. Kiss quite a bit in the second season. Their relationship is based less on adolescent yearning to have sex (I want to, but we shouldn't trope) and more on the cultural differences between them. Also, there's the gender role reversal - in this relationship, Crichton (the male lead) is in the traditional "female" role. He's weaker than she is physically, and more emotional, more vulnerable. She's a better pilot and warrior. She's also more contained. He constantly needs to say I love you, constantly needs to talk about it, and is constantly gabbing, she says very little. All the gender stereotypes are reversed. Also Aeryn is the one that comes from a paternalistic world, she is used to rules and order, and an endzone, while Crichton looks outside the box. But the show doesn't stop there - it does what most tv shows don't do, it allows its characters to remember what happens to them and to change. Aeryn becomes less emotionally contained, more vulnerable, and compassionate as the series rolls forward, while Crichton becomes more contained, less compassionate, and tougher. He goes from a character who would never pick up a weapon, to a character who sleeps with a pulse pistol and names it Winona, it never leaves his side. Aeryn goes from a character that shoots first and asks questions later, who will hit you to get the job done, to someone who prefers a more peaceful approach. She even accuses Crichton at one point of being paranoid in regards to Scorpius, while just a season before she was the one who couldn't trust him or anyone.
The only other TV show I've seen that played with this type of role reversal may have been Buffy the Vampire Slayer - with Spike and Buffy, and Xander with well everyone. But B/S never quite gets to the point that Aeryn/John do. We get distracted by the sexual violence, which unfortunately is a huge trope in urban gothic fantasy featuring vampires (if you hate sexual violence, don't watch or read stories about vampires and werewolves - both are metaphors for it). Say what you will about Farscape - but it doesn't really have sexual violence - except against Crichton, who is basically the most tortured protagonist of all time. Another bit about Farscape? They actually address the whole bit about Protagonist Privilege and how Americans think they can trump everyone else without blinking. I've rarely seen tv shows address this as directly as Farscape does. It does it in several episodes - including the final three hour movie Peacekeeper Wars. Crichton more or less admits that the power he has, he has no right to, no one does, and what he does is inherently wrong. With the best of intentions, he has become little more than an inter-galatic terrorist. And when he tries to go home, he is horrified by the American propaganda machine and the pressure to give the weapons he has discovered to one country to use against others. No matter where he goes, he can't escape violence, he can't escape warfare.
Thought also about doing the Feminist Guide to TV, but this idea is chock-full of potential fail. First, not everyone defines feminism in the same way. Second, people don't particularly like other people telling them what tv shows are politically correct to watch. (I'll watch the bloody Bachelor if I want to, thank you very much (I don't, personally for a lot of reasons I will not bore you with.))
At any rate, I will list the tv shows that I am watching at the moment or have recently watched or loved that I consider Feminist. If a show you happen to love is not on this list and you know I watch it - it does not necessarily mean I don't think it is Feminist, I may have just forgotten its existence or haven't watched it recently so feel ill-qualified to state so. I may look like a walking television encyclopedia, but I'm really not - honest.
Before I do the list of Feminist TV Shows, will state that my definition of Feminism is equal rights for both genders, where women and men are treated equally. Both are villians and heroes. The TV show doesn't necessarily have to pass the Bechdel Test to be Feminist, if it does pass the test - I'll indicate it. Bechdel Test is basically when female characters talk to other female characters about things other than men, and there is more than one female character in the cast.
Feminist TV Shows - that I can think of and have recently watched within last two years.
*Rizzoli & Isles (passes Bechdel Test)
* The Closer
* In Plain Sight (passes Bechdel Test)
* The Good Wife (passes Bechdel Test)
* True Blood (passes Bechdel Test)
* Damages (passes Bechdel Test)
* Farscape (passes Bechdel Test)
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (passes Bechdel Test)
* Vampire Diaries (passes Bechdel Test)
* Gossip Girl (passes Bechdel Test)
* Mad Men
* Dexter
* Brothers & Sisters (passes Bechdel Test)
* Grey's Anatomy (passes Bechdel Test)
* Doctor Who
* Covert Affairs (passes Bechdel Test)
* Leverage (passes the Bechdel Test)
Okay that's all I can think of. If you can come up with more - go ahead.
[ETC - got some weird responses to this question, so am clarifying my intent: on lj yesterday saw several posts about whether it was important to reveal your previous gender and sexual orientation to someone prior to boinking them. And if not doing so, ie - having sex with someone but not telling them you are "transgender" or "bisexual" - is a betrayal of trust akin to rape. This got me to thinking - what if any questions do people need to know the answers to prior to "boinking"? ] So, trying again: a hypothetical question, because I'm curious - before having sex with someoneyou just met, who is really hot, and you are completely turned on by, and it is so completely mutual - (ie. if you met your sexual ideal at a bar who considered you his/her sexual ideal as well) what if any questions would you absolutely have to know the answer to before you hop into bed with him or her? And what would be a deal breaker? What would make you turn them down? Would you care if they were transgender or bisexual? Does this matter? Or perhaps more importantly - do you care if they lie about it? For some of us - sex hinges on trust - so we care more about the lie or having the truth withheld than the actual response. But this poses yet another question - does your partner need to know the answer to those questions?
(I should answer this myself, I know. So, hypothetically?
[As an aside - I'm tempted to see Bernadette Peters in A Little Night Music or at least buy the album, yeah I know Catherine Zeta Jones won the emmy, but she does not have Peters voice and ability to interpret the lines. My favorite - Peters song was Children Will Listen from Into the Woods.]
Anyhow, regarding the above? Uh. Okay this is hypothetical because I've never had this actually happen to me. (Has anyone? On second thought, don't answer that.) But, I'd definitely need to know if they had a condom or protection, because you don't know where that thing has been. I'd also need to know if they were married, engaged, or on the rebound (because, just no.) Outside of that? I don't really care. Though about asking if they have STD's - but seriously folks as John Crichton would state, the answer to that is no. No one is going to tell you they have HIV or STD's. That's why we invented condoms! Was going to say God did, but to my knowledge God had zip to do with it.)
Deal breaker? They don't have a condom and/or they are married or engaged. Or involved with a friend or acquaintance in a romantic way. I learned the hard way NEVER to date or get involved with people my friends are romantically entangled with. It does not end well.
As for the trans question? I think I'd want to know - because that's part of who the person is. Just as I'd want to know if they are bi - because again that is part of who they are. And their ability to tell me - means that they trust me. If they can't tell me? Then there's clearly no trust and we shouldn't be sleeping together. But neither would be a deal-breaker.
As an another aside? If you ever get the chance to see the Broadway Musical Next to Normal - go! It is brilliant. And it doesn't matter who stars in it. The score and story is that good. It did not win The Pulitizer for no reason. Sort of like watching Who's Afraid of Virigina Woolf put to music with bi-polar and child loss issues combined. I laughed and sobbed during this musical. Best one I've seen in quite some time.
Thought about writing a post on Aeryn/Crichton relationship - which has got to be the best romantic relationship I've seen on tv. Sure it has its problems (tv after all) but, all in all, it works. And breaks/subverts a lot of tv rules in the process. The unwritten rule that the leads can't get together until the end of the series or sleep together. They not only sleep together in the first season, they comment on it, and it furthers their relationship. They also sleep together in the third, and fourth seasons. Kiss quite a bit in the second season. Their relationship is based less on adolescent yearning to have sex (I want to, but we shouldn't trope) and more on the cultural differences between them. Also, there's the gender role reversal - in this relationship, Crichton (the male lead) is in the traditional "female" role. He's weaker than she is physically, and more emotional, more vulnerable. She's a better pilot and warrior. She's also more contained. He constantly needs to say I love you, constantly needs to talk about it, and is constantly gabbing, she says very little. All the gender stereotypes are reversed. Also Aeryn is the one that comes from a paternalistic world, she is used to rules and order, and an endzone, while Crichton looks outside the box. But the show doesn't stop there - it does what most tv shows don't do, it allows its characters to remember what happens to them and to change. Aeryn becomes less emotionally contained, more vulnerable, and compassionate as the series rolls forward, while Crichton becomes more contained, less compassionate, and tougher. He goes from a character who would never pick up a weapon, to a character who sleeps with a pulse pistol and names it Winona, it never leaves his side. Aeryn goes from a character that shoots first and asks questions later, who will hit you to get the job done, to someone who prefers a more peaceful approach. She even accuses Crichton at one point of being paranoid in regards to Scorpius, while just a season before she was the one who couldn't trust him or anyone.
The only other TV show I've seen that played with this type of role reversal may have been Buffy the Vampire Slayer - with Spike and Buffy, and Xander with well everyone. But B/S never quite gets to the point that Aeryn/John do. We get distracted by the sexual violence, which unfortunately is a huge trope in urban gothic fantasy featuring vampires (if you hate sexual violence, don't watch or read stories about vampires and werewolves - both are metaphors for it). Say what you will about Farscape - but it doesn't really have sexual violence - except against Crichton, who is basically the most tortured protagonist of all time. Another bit about Farscape? They actually address the whole bit about Protagonist Privilege and how Americans think they can trump everyone else without blinking. I've rarely seen tv shows address this as directly as Farscape does. It does it in several episodes - including the final three hour movie Peacekeeper Wars. Crichton more or less admits that the power he has, he has no right to, no one does, and what he does is inherently wrong. With the best of intentions, he has become little more than an inter-galatic terrorist. And when he tries to go home, he is horrified by the American propaganda machine and the pressure to give the weapons he has discovered to one country to use against others. No matter where he goes, he can't escape violence, he can't escape warfare.
Thought also about doing the Feminist Guide to TV, but this idea is chock-full of potential fail. First, not everyone defines feminism in the same way. Second, people don't particularly like other people telling them what tv shows are politically correct to watch. (I'll watch the bloody Bachelor if I want to, thank you very much (I don't, personally for a lot of reasons I will not bore you with.))
At any rate, I will list the tv shows that I am watching at the moment or have recently watched or loved that I consider Feminist. If a show you happen to love is not on this list and you know I watch it - it does not necessarily mean I don't think it is Feminist, I may have just forgotten its existence or haven't watched it recently so feel ill-qualified to state so. I may look like a walking television encyclopedia, but I'm really not - honest.
Before I do the list of Feminist TV Shows, will state that my definition of Feminism is equal rights for both genders, where women and men are treated equally. Both are villians and heroes. The TV show doesn't necessarily have to pass the Bechdel Test to be Feminist, if it does pass the test - I'll indicate it. Bechdel Test is basically when female characters talk to other female characters about things other than men, and there is more than one female character in the cast.
Feminist TV Shows - that I can think of and have recently watched within last two years.
*Rizzoli & Isles (passes Bechdel Test)
* The Closer
* In Plain Sight (passes Bechdel Test)
* The Good Wife (passes Bechdel Test)
* True Blood (passes Bechdel Test)
* Damages (passes Bechdel Test)
* Farscape (passes Bechdel Test)
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer (passes Bechdel Test)
* Vampire Diaries (passes Bechdel Test)
* Gossip Girl (passes Bechdel Test)
* Mad Men
* Dexter
* Brothers & Sisters (passes Bechdel Test)
* Grey's Anatomy (passes Bechdel Test)
* Doctor Who
* Covert Affairs (passes Bechdel Test)
* Leverage (passes the Bechdel Test)
Okay that's all I can think of. If you can come up with more - go ahead.
[ETC - got some weird responses to this question, so am clarifying my intent: on lj yesterday saw several posts about whether it was important to reveal your previous gender and sexual orientation to someone prior to boinking them. And if not doing so, ie - having sex with someone but not telling them you are "transgender" or "bisexual" - is a betrayal of trust akin to rape. This got me to thinking - what if any questions do people need to know the answers to prior to "boinking"? ] So, trying again: a hypothetical question, because I'm curious - before having sex with someone
(I should answer this myself, I know. So, hypothetically?
[As an aside - I'm tempted to see Bernadette Peters in A Little Night Music or at least buy the album, yeah I know Catherine Zeta Jones won the emmy, but she does not have Peters voice and ability to interpret the lines. My favorite - Peters song was Children Will Listen from Into the Woods.]
Anyhow, regarding the above? Uh. Okay this is hypothetical because I've never had this actually happen to me. (Has anyone? On second thought, don't answer that.) But, I'd definitely need to know if they had a condom or protection, because you don't know where that thing has been. I'd also need to know if they were married, engaged, or on the rebound (because, just no.) Outside of that? I don't really care. Though about asking if they have STD's - but seriously folks as John Crichton would state, the answer to that is no. No one is going to tell you they have HIV or STD's. That's why we invented condoms! Was going to say God did, but to my knowledge God had zip to do with it.)
Deal breaker? They don't have a condom and/or they are married or engaged. Or involved with a friend or acquaintance in a romantic way. I learned the hard way NEVER to date or get involved with people my friends are romantically entangled with. It does not end well.
As for the trans question? I think I'd want to know - because that's part of who the person is. Just as I'd want to know if they are bi - because again that is part of who they are. And their ability to tell me - means that they trust me. If they can't tell me? Then there's clearly no trust and we shouldn't be sleeping together. But neither would be a deal-breaker.
As an another aside? If you ever get the chance to see the Broadway Musical Next to Normal - go! It is brilliant. And it doesn't matter who stars in it. The score and story is that good. It did not win The Pulitizer for no reason. Sort of like watching Who's Afraid of Virigina Woolf put to music with bi-polar and child loss issues combined. I laughed and sobbed during this musical. Best one I've seen in quite some time.
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Date: 2010-08-10 08:43 pm (UTC)