You know what amazed me most? That this show managed to be so neutral about abortion in a time when it wasn't even legal. I mean, it would be SO EASY to say, "Oh, that's just how things were," to excuse a negative portrayal of abortion (um, kind of like how they deal with PoC?), but the show doesn't fall into that trap.
And yeah, for real, somebody's giving Joan sugar pills or something.
YES I have never seen that before, I don't think. Apparently a Friday Night Lights character had a neutral, not the end of the world abortion, but the fact that I don't even watch that show and I know that says something about abortion stigma in entertainment.
If anything Mad Men shows a sanitized picture of pre-Roe America. Justified by the fact that it's New York and they're wealthy people, so it's probably true to life, but knowing just what a nightmare that could've been for any of them....urgh.
Oh Joan. Maybe her doctor wouldn't refill the prescription while Dr. Shithead is gone? Still, she is a resourceful lady. There is some weird shit there.
Yeah... well, the FNL abortion started out neutral, lol, until the father's parents turned out to be religious loonies who were furious that some teenager killed their grandbaby and decided to get the school principal fired for merely talking (in a completely neutral way) to the girl who got the abortion. So, all objectivity pretty much went out the window at that point... but at least it was pro-choice?
....and now I have no interest in watching it. I don't know if that's a realistic thing wherever the show takes place, but whoa. How is this WHOLE TOWN up in this girl's cervix? Ugh.
Heh, it's small-town Texas, so yeah, I could kind of actually see that happening.
But the really bizarre thing is that they seemed to totally forget about the girl in their crusade against the principal. It was weird. Her decision didn't matter at all. It's the person who supposedly advised her to get the abortion who gets crucified.
I mean, I guess it fits with the whole idea of vilifying abortion providers - it's not the girl/woman who makes a choice and a person who helps her, it's a confused little lady and someone who takes advantage of her Delicate Condition. There aren't a whole lot of people who make me think I am not cynical enough, but man, anti-choicers...*head shake*
Also, I ♥ FNL, and I do totally recommend watching it, though not particularly for this storyline. The feminism is often iffy, but the portrayal of family is pretty awesome.
And yeah, for real, somebody's giving Joan sugar pills or something.
Reply
If anything Mad Men shows a sanitized picture of pre-Roe America. Justified by the fact that it's New York and they're wealthy people, so it's probably true to life, but knowing just what a nightmare that could've been for any of them....urgh.
Oh Joan. Maybe her doctor wouldn't refill the prescription while Dr. Shithead is gone? Still, she is a resourceful lady. There is some weird shit there.
Reply
Reply
Reply
But the really bizarre thing is that they seemed to totally forget about the girl in their crusade against the principal. It was weird. Her decision didn't matter at all. It's the person who supposedly advised her to get the abortion who gets crucified.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment