The Trouble With Hawaii 5-0 (2010 series)
I'm sure anyone who's been watching H-50 cannot help but notice just how much the writers seem to be pushing the whole idea of the Steve and Danno 'Bromance'. To my mind it's gotten to the point where it's almost close to being a Clayton's Gay relationship: the Gay relationship you have when you're not really having a Gay relationship (describing something as 'Clayton's' is an Australian colloquialism). Like many 'Bromances', they banter a lot, have 'carguments', are teased by others about their 'relationship'. They also call each other 'babe', show jealousy when one is receiving attention from someone else, and sign 'I heart you'.
So why do I have a problem with this. As a Bisexual/Queer identified person, right now I feel that CBS , and the writers of H50, are pushing the Bromance angle of the show to the point that it's about as close as they can get to Steve and Danno being in a same sex relationship, without actually crossing that line entirely. Why are they doing this? I think they're banking on it getting the fangirls in, I think they're aware of the whole Starsky and Hutch comparison that's been leveled at the show a few times. Basically I think they're doing it for ratings, and to give female fans something to squee about in the hopes that it will draw them in as viewers. Now remember, CBS is also the same Network that chose to censor a male on male kiss at an awards ceremony, when it was replayed on the 'Early Show' - at least one of the men involved in the kiss (Adam Lambert) is openly Gay.
Essentially, in my opinion as someone who does not fall into the category of 'straight', this is the message I believe CBS is sending out with they way they are currently choosing to portray the relationship between Danno and Steve on Hawaii 5-0. It's okay to be 'Gay/Bi/Same Sex Attracted', as long as you're really only doing it for female attention; it's okay for two men to behave as if they could be in a same sex relationship, as long as they are just as quick to do things that prove their Heterosexuality; it's okay for us to push the envelope in terms of a 'Bromance', and hint at the possibility of something more, as long as they're both masculine 'macho' men (thereby once more ultimately ensuring their Heterosexual status); it's also okay for us to portray them this way, as long as it brings in the viewers.
This idea of playing around with the whole 'are they/aren't they' 'will they/won't they', 'do they love each other as more than just friends' - 'it's okay folks they're not like that really - look at how manly they both are' aspects of the Steve and Danno 'Bromance', to me is fetishising, dismissive, and disrespectful towards same sex relationships. We exist as more than just fantasy fodder, Gay/Bisexual/Queer/Same Sex Attracted people are not there for the entertainment of others, our relationships are just as real as any opposite sex relationship, and deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect, and dignity. Something I believe CBS and Hawaii 5-0 are failing to do.
So why do I have a problem with this. As a Bisexual/Queer identified person, right now I feel that CBS , and the writers of H50, are pushing the Bromance angle of the show to the point that it's about as close as they can get to Steve and Danno being in a same sex relationship, without actually crossing that line entirely. Why are they doing this? I think they're banking on it getting the fangirls in, I think they're aware of the whole Starsky and Hutch comparison that's been leveled at the show a few times. Basically I think they're doing it for ratings, and to give female fans something to squee about in the hopes that it will draw them in as viewers. Now remember, CBS is also the same Network that chose to censor a male on male kiss at an awards ceremony, when it was replayed on the 'Early Show' - at least one of the men involved in the kiss (Adam Lambert) is openly Gay.
Essentially, in my opinion as someone who does not fall into the category of 'straight', this is the message I believe CBS is sending out with they way they are currently choosing to portray the relationship between Danno and Steve on Hawaii 5-0. It's okay to be 'Gay/Bi/Same Sex Attracted', as long as you're really only doing it for female attention; it's okay for two men to behave as if they could be in a same sex relationship, as long as they are just as quick to do things that prove their Heterosexuality; it's okay for us to push the envelope in terms of a 'Bromance', and hint at the possibility of something more, as long as they're both masculine 'macho' men (thereby once more ultimately ensuring their Heterosexual status); it's also okay for us to portray them this way, as long as it brings in the viewers.
This idea of playing around with the whole 'are they/aren't they' 'will they/won't they', 'do they love each other as more than just friends' - 'it's okay folks they're not like that really - look at how manly they both are' aspects of the Steve and Danno 'Bromance', to me is fetishising, dismissive, and disrespectful towards same sex relationships. We exist as more than just fantasy fodder, Gay/Bisexual/Queer/Same Sex Attracted people are not there for the entertainment of others, our relationships are just as real as any opposite sex relationship, and deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect, and dignity. Something I believe CBS and Hawaii 5-0 are failing to do.