The Feminist Filter: Go Fish
These are coming more slowly as I've been on the busy side in RL. Moving in with Andrew in a week and a half so, you know, packing and deposits and shit. Fun!
Almost as fun as Go Fish from a feminist lens! Guys, this is awesome! Check it!
Also, gentle reminder to make sure your comments pertain to gender in some way. This is a feminist meta series, and while I understand the urge to do more general commenting on these episodes, I'd like to keep the focus on gender. ♥
Mission Statement:
This series is intended to outline the feminist text of each episode so as to provoke and encourage open discussion. It's not so much about making value judgments about events and/or characters but about analyzing the series from a feminist framework so as to see what patterns and themes emerge.
Rules:
1. If you do not consider yourself a feminist or do not see the point of dissecting a TV show from a feminist perspective, this is not the meta series for you. I don't mean this in a hostile way, however the intended audience of this series is feminists who want to turn a critical eye to the show.
2. This meta series is written well beyond a 101 level of feminism. If you are new to feminism, I ask that you please take a look at this blog for an introduction to concepts that will be discussed heavily here.
3. If you begin to feel yourself getting defensive on behalf of a character (or the show), take a break from commenting. The outlines as posted are not meant to condemn either the characters or the show, but to contextualize the dialogue and events within the patriarchal cultural in which they reside.
4. BtVS is a constructed media. The characters are not actual people but are written, dressed, and directed by a team of outsiders. Criticizing a character for, say, having sex could be a sexist insult or it could be a legitimate criticism of the writers who chose to go that route with the storyline. There are nuances here when discussing a television show, and I ask that everybody be careful about exactly what's being discussed. A couple helpful terms are Watsonian and Doylist. "Watsonian" indicates that the discussion is taking place within the Buffy universe as if the characters are real people. "Doylist" indicates that the discussion is focused on the construction of the narrative and, as such, deals with the decisions of the writers and/or producers.
5. The key goal here is open discussion. I'm not presenting you guys with any brilliant insights; I'm just laying out what's in the episode. Feel free to discuss or disagree with me and others. Also feel free to answer other commenter's questions. The comment section is an open floor.
2.20 Go Fish
I. The Tallies
Criteria for Bechdel Check: The episode must have a) two women in it b) who talk to each other c) about something besides a man.
II. Agency
Criteria for Agency: Do the female characters a) exert power or influence over the plot b) through decisions based on their own characterization? Agency means more than providing information or support that helps the (usually male) characters resolve the conflict.
The Plot: The swim team coach has been putting some steroid-ish chemicals in the steam room that eventually turns the swimmers into fish monsters.
The Big Question:
If Buffy were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No.
If Willow were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
If Cordelia were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
If Nurse Greenleigh were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
III. Bodily Violations
Criteria: In media, women tend to be the ones who go through body transformations or disfigurations. Historically, women have only recently been afforded the right to consider their bodies their own as opposed to being public property. Even today, this is a battle that's still being fought. When female bodies are violated via magical alteration, it echoes the ongoing war to retain control over our own bodies.
In this episode, we have four boys from the swim team who shed their human skin and become fish monsters as a result of illegal experimentation on them. Additionally, while they knew that they were receiving steroids, they weren't aware of the added fish monster chemicals. This body violation is permanent and we last see the boys swimming out to the ocean.
IV. The Feminist Fine-Toothed Comb
Criteria: Do any of the characters engage in sexist dialogue or action, whether overt or subtle? Does it receive an explicit rebuke or does it pass uncommented on? Further, what can be deduced from the various gendered comments that are made by the characters?
V. Objectification Watch
VI. Points to Consider
This entry was originally posted at http://gabrielleabelle.dreamwidth.org/364843.html. There are
comments on the DW side. Comments are welcome on either side. Due to massive SPAM issues on LJ, anon comments are only on the DW side.
Almost as fun as Go Fish from a feminist lens! Guys, this is awesome! Check it!
Also, gentle reminder to make sure your comments pertain to gender in some way. This is a feminist meta series, and while I understand the urge to do more general commenting on these episodes, I'd like to keep the focus on gender. ♥
Mission Statement:
This series is intended to outline the feminist text of each episode so as to provoke and encourage open discussion. It's not so much about making value judgments about events and/or characters but about analyzing the series from a feminist framework so as to see what patterns and themes emerge.
Rules:
1. If you do not consider yourself a feminist or do not see the point of dissecting a TV show from a feminist perspective, this is not the meta series for you. I don't mean this in a hostile way, however the intended audience of this series is feminists who want to turn a critical eye to the show.
2. This meta series is written well beyond a 101 level of feminism. If you are new to feminism, I ask that you please take a look at this blog for an introduction to concepts that will be discussed heavily here.
3. If you begin to feel yourself getting defensive on behalf of a character (or the show), take a break from commenting. The outlines as posted are not meant to condemn either the characters or the show, but to contextualize the dialogue and events within the patriarchal cultural in which they reside.
4. BtVS is a constructed media. The characters are not actual people but are written, dressed, and directed by a team of outsiders. Criticizing a character for, say, having sex could be a sexist insult or it could be a legitimate criticism of the writers who chose to go that route with the storyline. There are nuances here when discussing a television show, and I ask that everybody be careful about exactly what's being discussed. A couple helpful terms are Watsonian and Doylist. "Watsonian" indicates that the discussion is taking place within the Buffy universe as if the characters are real people. "Doylist" indicates that the discussion is focused on the construction of the narrative and, as such, deals with the decisions of the writers and/or producers.
5. The key goal here is open discussion. I'm not presenting you guys with any brilliant insights; I'm just laying out what's in the episode. Feel free to discuss or disagree with me and others. Also feel free to answer other commenter's questions. The comment section is an open floor.
2.20 Go Fish
I. The Tallies
Criteria for Bechdel Check: The episode must have a) two women in it b) who talk to each other c) about something besides a man.
- Bechdel Check: PASS on 3 counts
- Deaths:
Dead boys: 1
Dead girls: 1
II. Agency
Criteria for Agency: Do the female characters a) exert power or influence over the plot b) through decisions based on their own characterization? Agency means more than providing information or support that helps the (usually male) characters resolve the conflict.
The Plot: The swim team coach has been putting some steroid-ish chemicals in the steam room that eventually turns the swimmers into fish monsters.
The Big Question:
If Buffy were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No.
If Willow were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
If Cordelia were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
If Nurse Greenleigh were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes.
- Decisive Buffy: While Buffy is essential in that she has a big confrontation with Coach Marin, she actually doesn't show herself to be too decisive in this episode. The decision to investigate the swim team "deaths" appears to be a group decision on the part of the Scoobies. Xander is the one who decides to join the swim team and shows up to save Buffy at the very end.
The most distinct decision Buffy makes is going to talk to Coach Marin, which ends with her in the water with some horny fish monsters.
III. Bodily Violations
Criteria: In media, women tend to be the ones who go through body transformations or disfigurations. Historically, women have only recently been afforded the right to consider their bodies their own as opposed to being public property. Even today, this is a battle that's still being fought. When female bodies are violated via magical alteration, it echoes the ongoing war to retain control over our own bodies.
In this episode, we have four boys from the swim team who shed their human skin and become fish monsters as a result of illegal experimentation on them. Additionally, while they knew that they were receiving steroids, they weren't aware of the added fish monster chemicals. This body violation is permanent and we last see the boys swimming out to the ocean.
IV. The Feminist Fine-Toothed Comb
Criteria: Do any of the characters engage in sexist dialogue or action, whether overt or subtle? Does it receive an explicit rebuke or does it pass uncommented on? Further, what can be deduced from the various gendered comments that are made by the characters?
- Protagonists (Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, and Cordelia)
1. There is an interesting exchange with Cordelia as Xander is complaining about entitled swim team members:
Cordelia: Xander, I know you take pride in being the voice of the common wuss, but the truth is, certain people are entitled to special privileges. They're called winners. That's the way the world works.
Xander: And what about that nutty 'all men are created equal' thing?
Cordelia: Propaganda spouted out by the ugly and less deserving.
Xander: I think that was Lincoln.
Cordelia: (exhales) Disgusting mole and stupid hat.
Willow: Actually, it was Jefferson.
Cordelia: Kept slaves. Remember?
Cordelia makes her typical appeal to a hierarchical social structure, validating the swim team's entitlement. When Xander brings up the democratic underpinning of the US as "all men are created equal", Cordelia - while she does shallowly dismiss Lincoln - points out the hypocrisy of Jefferson making a play for total equality while he also kept slaves.
This is, of course, putting aside the gendered nature of the "all men are created equal" language.
2. Early on, Xander comments: “You know what really grates my cheese? That Buffy's not here to share my moral outrage about swim team perks. She's too busy being one of them.”
The idea of women as “prizes” or “perks” is inherently objectifying. It's also a common occurrence in athletics for male athletes to be “rewarded” with women. College sports teams' recruiters use prostitutes and strippers to entice young men to their school, for instance. This all ties into the idea of sex as an exchange; as something that women have and men want. With this paradigm, a woman becomes a object of sex.
3. After Buffy's sexual assault by Cameron, she vents to the Scoobies in the library, expounding on the idea of male athletes and their privilege:
Buffy: So I'm treated like the baddie just because he has a sprained wrist and a bloody nose. (considers) And I don't have a scratch on me, which, granted, hurts my case a little on the surface, but meanwhile he gets away with it because he's on the 'aren't we the most' swim team...
The camera cuts to show Xander, Giles and Willow studying a number of books at the table. They all look up at her.
Buffy: ...who, by the way, if no one's noticed, have been acting like real jerks lately...
She notices their expressions of impatience and tries to find some sympathy there. They have none to give.
Strangely, the Scoobies are lacking in sympathy, and even Buffy's monologue undercuts her own victimhood. More on this in the Points to Consider section.
4. In Act Two, Cordelia teases Xander about running away from the fish monster: “Go ahead. Say it. You ran like a woman.”
Running like a “woman” is an insult because being compared to women is an insult, of course.
Xander replies: “Hey if you saw this thing, you'd run like a woman, too.”
At the end of the scene, Xander asks what he can do to help in the current case. Cordelia suggests: “Well, you could go out to the parking lot and practice running like a man.”
5. Gage clues onto Buffy tailing him and confronts her. Buffy's first instinct is to resort to "sex appeal", as she says.
Gage: This me-and-my-shadow act? It's getting old. What do you want from me?
Buffy: Well, um... (exhales nervously) It's a little embarrassing. You see, I'm a swim groupie.
Gage: (unconvinced) Aha.
Buffy: Oh, yeah. (smiles and exhales) You know, there's just something about the smell of chlorine on a guy. Oh, baby.
Gage: (disbelieving) Hmm. (turns to go)
Buffy: (runs around him) Uh, okay, okay, okay. (stops him) Obviously, my sex appeal is on the fritz today, so I'll just give it to you straight.
Buffy's gendered response is interesting, as is her complete lack of success and quick shift to business.
Also, consider how this act (essentially stalking Gage and then coming onto him) would play if the sexes were reversed. What is plainly creepy behavior for a man to engage in becomes ostensibly flattering for a woman.
6. After it's revealed that the swimmers have been taking steroids, the Scoobies have an anti-steroid discussion:
Willow: If steroids are that dangerous, why would they do that to themselves?
Buffy: They needed to win. And winning equals trophies, which equals prestige for the school. You see how they're treated. It's been like that forever.
Xander: Sure. The discus throwers got the best seats at all the crucifixions.
Buffy: Meanwhile, I'm breaking my nails every day battling the forces of evil, and my French teacher can't even remember my name.
The narrative links steroid-use with masculinity. The simple fact is, masculinity as a construct is dangerous. Women tend to live longer than men as a result. The expectations of masculinity encourages reckless and aggressive behavior that is to the detriment of a person's overall wellbeing.
Willow asks why the boys would take steroids if they're so dangerous. She may as well ask why men attempt to fill the masculine role when it's so dangerous. Buffy's answer is apt. Competition, trophies, prestige, privilege.
Buffy brings up the contrast of her situation, a girl who has no choice but to act in a masculine role and how it's not as recognized.
7. As the fish monsters attempt to rape Buffy in the final act, Buffy makes the comment: "Great. This is just what my reputation needs: that I did it with the entire swim team."
Buffy alludes to the specter of slut-shaming, especially in connection with rape. "Slut" as a label is often applied to rape victims as a form of victim-blaming. Buffy appears to show some consciousness of this as she defends herself.
- Antagonists (Coach Marin, Angelus)
1. When Buffy rushes to defend Gage against Angelus' attack, Angelus comments: "Why, Miss Summers! You're beautiful!"
The focus on Buffy's appearance, especially in the midst of a fight, is used to trivialize and dismiss Buffy's strength.
2. In the final act, Coach Marin refers to Buffy as "missy".
3. Furthermore, he forces her at gunpoint to enter into the water where the fish monsters are.
Buffy: So, what, you're just gonna feed me to 'em?
Coach Marin: Oh, they've already had their dinner. But boys have other needs.
Referencing sex as a "need" plays into rape culture which positions men/boys as uncontrollable in their requirement for sexual satisfaction.
See Points to Consider for more about Buffy being offered up to be raped by the fish monsters.
- The Rest (Cameron, Gage, Jonathan, Nurse Greenleigh)
1. In the teaser, Cameron expounds on the ocean by comparing it to "a true mother":
Cameron: A true mother, giving birth to new life and devouring old. (sits behind her) Always adaptable and nurturing... yet... constant... and merciless.
The mother = nurturing comparison is obvious, however Cameron also talks of the ocean being "merciless" and "devouring old", two traits that aren't generally associated with women or mother.
2. In the first act, Gage is playing solitaire with naked ladies on the cards. Right off the bat, we get some objectification of women.
3. While in Cameron's car, Cameron begins to assault Buffy.
Buffy: (smiles) I'm comfy! I'm so comfy, I'm nodding off actually, which is why...
Cameron: (interrupts) Are you wearing a bra? (looks at her suggestively)
Buffy: (in disbelief) What?
Cameron: (grins) Come on. I mean, tell me you haven't been thinking about this ever since last night.
Buffy: What I'm thinking about is that I should probably get out of this car...
She reaches for the door lever, but Cameron quickly hits the master lock button, locking her in.
Cameron: Relax. I'm not gonna hurt you.
Buffy: Oh, it's not me I'm worried about.
Cameron: (snickers) You like it rough!
Obviously, we get his disregard of her attempts to leave, and his reframing her refusal as her "liking it rough". With rape cultural assumptions that women need to be seduced into sex, any measure of refusal becomes an indication that she needs to be "convinced" more fervently.
The underlying belief here is, of course, that the woman can't refuse. Nothing she says will suffice to break through the cultural framework because it can all be interpreted as her "really wanting it". In this case, Buffy resorts to violence to get him to stop.
4. After this scene, we get a pretty textbook scene of victim-blaming between Cameron and Principal Snyder:
Buffy: I wasn't the attacker, Principal Snyder. I was the attacked.
Snyder: That's not how it looked from where I was standing.
Cameron: I don't know what happened. I mean, first she leads me on, then she goes schizo on me.
Buffy: (steps over to him) Lead you on? When did I lead you on?
Cameron: Oh, come on. (to Snyder) I mean, look at the way she dresses.
Snyder's comment that it didn't look like Buffy being attacked to him calls to mind the myriad of rape cases wherein witnesses or video was involved and the jury (and people, in general) still don't see it as a rape. This ties back in to the rape culture as mentioned in #3 wherein almost nothing a woman can do will be construed as a refusal to consent.
We then go on to Cameron's claim that she was leading him on, complete with a comment about the way Buffy dresses. Commentary about a victim's clothing choices are, unfortunately, still common and used to "prove" that she would agree to any and all sexual activities.
This theme is continued when Coach Marin enters.
Coach Marin: (steps over to Buffy) And you...try to dress more appropriately from now on. This isn't a dance club.
After being attacked, Buffy is the one who receives negative sanctions.
5. After Buffy attempts to tell Gage about the threat to him, Gage dismisses her: "Cam told me about your games."
Buffy's "games" being, presumably, her flirting and driving a man to try to have sex with her, only to attack him when he tries. This is the rape culture version of Buffy being sexually assaulted and then blamed for it.
6. After leaving the Bronze, Gage says: "What a psycho bitch, man."
This in reference to Buffy.
7. The conversation between Gage and Angelus is interesting.
Angelus: Gotta be talking about Buffy.
Gage: (stops and faces him) How'd you know?
Angelus: Uh, she and I... had this thing once. Biggest mistake of my life.
Gage: Yeah. My condolences, dude. (turns and goes)
Angelus: (follows) She's a real head-tripper.
Gage: Tell me about it. Girl acts like she's God's gift or something.
Angelus: Who is she? The Chosen One?
Gage: Exactly.
Angelus: You know, what she really needs is for someone to really knock her down off her notches.
Gage: Yeah, that'd be sweet. Anyone in mind?
There is the obvious irony of Buffy being disparaged for acting like she's "God's gift" in an episode about the entitlement of male athletes. However, there's also the suggestion that Buffy needs to be knocked down a few notches.
Cutting women down when they become too confident, assertive, or successful is a common strategy of the patriarchy, and we see the male collusion here of two men wanting to do just that to Buffy.
V. Objectification Watch
- Not only does this episode give us Xander in a Speedo, we also get several shots of boys in steam rooms wearing only towels. The female gaze is salient throughout. Xander even gets a slow pan-up with reaction shots from the girls when he emerges in his Speedo.
VI. Points to Consider
- This episode explicitly highlights the phenomenon of athletic privileges in school, which often links to male privilege, on a wider scale. How does the show assess this aspect of school culture? How about its portrayal of the athletes, specifically Gage and Cameron? And what of the involvement of the rest of the school that enables the culture of entitlement? We see Principal Snyder telling Willow to give Gage a pass, despite his lack of effort, and we see Buffy, a victim of sexual assault, being chastised and dismissed by the administration.
- What about the depiction of Cameron's sexual assault on Buffy? It, strangely, happens in the school parking lot, pointing to Cameron's confidence in his ability to get away with locking a girl in his car and assaulting her (indeed, Principal Snyder walks by and clearly sees when Buffy defends herself).
- In addition to providing commentary on athletic privilege in schools, this episode also tackles the issue of steroid abuse in athletics. It links steroid use with masculinity, and the desire to fit the harsh expectations thereof.
What do we make of the complication of the coach spiking the steroids with fish formula against the boys' knowledge? Does this enhance the metaphor?
- In the middle of the episode, we see Coach Marin throwing Nurse Greenleigh to the fish monsters as food. Later, Coach Marin throws Buffy down to be raped.
Nurse Greenleigh is an older, larger woman while Buffy is young and conventionally attractive. What sorts of messages is the show presenting about who is targeted to be raped and who isn't?
- Let's look further at the attempting gang-rape of Buffy by fish monsters. How does this connect with the metaphor of steroid use and masculinity in this episode?
- There is some ambiguity as to the coach's fate at the end of the episode. He falls into the water where the fish monsters are, and various attack noises are heard. The shooting script says they are "sounds of eating", but that's not immediately apparent and people can easily draw the conclusion that the coach is being raped (to death, presumably) in Buffy's place.
As such, Buffy's quip, "Those boys really love their coach" becomes especially grim.
This entry was originally posted at http://gabrielleabelle.dreamwidth.org/364843.html. There are
comments on the DW side. Comments are welcome on either side. Due to massive SPAM issues on LJ, anon comments are only on the DW side.