My Take on The Raydors
A Healthy Debate
Caveats:
- I have an ear infection and may be high on pain killers right now.
- This is just an opinion, with some ‘facts’ in because yolo.
- Dudes, I’m only 20, so this is a young’un’s approach.
- I’m a fucking accounting major. I do numbers, not feelings.
- I’m bias because of my Catholic beliefs.
- I think our MC debate on Twitter lost focus. I mean, I DID start talking about Sykes’ perfect skin.
- This is unedited because I’m exhausted.
First and foremost, the fact that the introduction of a character who (for now at least) is only appearing in a three episode arc, has caused such a divided opinion amongst the fans is amazing. What is even better, is the debate and the open forum it has given us to discuss the issues at hand. And here’s the thing: We all have opinions, we all see things differently based on our perceptions, opinions, realities, experiences and moral relativism.
Our issue is, of course, Jackson Raydor. He is an addict through and through - he swapped drinking for gambling, and although he says he is a changed man, we have no real proof of this. And here is where the issue with Jackson Raydor lies: Is he good enough for Sharon Raydor?
If I had my way, the answer would be: ‘no. no one is good enough for her because she is perfect and also we should clone her hair’. But, of course, my reality never is accepted. Oh well. So, is he good enough? From what we’ve seen so far - maybe? We really need to wait for the answer to whether or not he has changed - although, with him mooching off Sharon and teaching Rusty to gamble I am erring on the side of he has not changed. But, speaking of addiction, why hasn’t anyone mentioned he is addicted to Sharon Raydor? The idea of her, being married to her, intertwining his life with hers (yes, in an “I can’t quit you” Brokeback Mountain kind of way).
Another thing with him, is his manipulation. He tries to make two days on the couch in to more, he fakes a sore back to try and share Sharon’s bed, he buys people food to get them on his side, he makes Rusty wear reflective glasses so that he can win at cards. In concluding this point, Jackson is an addict and at this stage of the show, I am not prepared to say either way if he ‘belongs’ with our beloved captain.
Which leads to the Twitter debate - should Major Crimes be portraying the issue differently? Here’s where it came to a head: someone had said that they watch Major Crimes for the entertainment values - not for any social issues etc (it’s too late at night to find the direct quote). Some of us, totally disagreed with this person - how else is the general population meant to learn about these issues? My argument was that ‘If we do not use art to push a message, to explore an issue, then why are we making the art?’. And I stand by that. However, I no longer stand by it in this context. As Kathleen pointed out, “Is it Major Crimes’ responsibility to portray reality?” My answer (now)? No. Major Crimes is an entertainment show. First and foremost, it is one in a sea of hundreds of crime procedurals which, for the most part, have the primary goal of earning ratings in order to rake in the cold hard cash.
So, how do we rake in the cold hard cash? We explore issues. We touch buttons. We do things that are so out of character and superfluous to the plot just because we can. And in the case of Major Crimes, its worked hasn’t it? We are arguing extensively about a character that we saw once, who we may only see twice more for the duration of this show. And we are all going to tune in this Monday to see where this relationship is headed.
Speaking of their relationship, I believe that as perhaps the only practising Catholic in this group, I can tackle the Catholic nature of their relationship. Yes, he isn’t the best husband in the world. Yes, he’s a user. Yes, any other woman would probably have divorced his scrub ass already. But not Sharon Raydor. Firstly, let me just say that I believe Sharon is strong in her Catholic faith - she sent her children to Catholic school (one could argue it is the cross-wearing Jackson who decided that) and also her foster son. Yes, she forks out her own hard-earned money in order to send Rusty to a school that teaches Catholic doctrine. Is this something a person not strong in their faith would do? Why else would you send such a troubled boy in to such a strict and ‘moral’(I use that term lightly) school? Also, duh, she stayed married to a douchebag because of religion.
So, Catholicism 101. In the Church we have ‘7 Sacraments’, or, ‘7 deadbolts on your heart’. One of these sacraments is marriage. Sacraments provide us with the graces to carry out our Christian lives and give glory to God and his Work.It’s a big deal to us. You marry someone, you’re stuck together for life. “What has been brought together in the eyes of the Lord, no man shall tear apart” (Divorce is bad, yo). As much as you all might like it to happen,I don’t believe Sharon will take that extra step and divorce Jackson. ‘What?’, you say, ‘But she could at least not be nice to him, make him go to a hotel,’ etc etc. But, is this what Jesus would do? Probably not. As a Christian, Sharon believes in truth, forgiveness and charity. We have seen all these traits in our crazy-beautiful captain. She never mollycoddles Rusty, she tells him the truth and gives him choices to make. She forgives, over and over she forgives. Provenza’s a dick to her? Forgiven. Rusty cheats on his homework? Forgiven. Jack comes crawling back again? Forgiven (but he bares the consequences e.g.: couch sleeping). Of course, she is charitable. She took Rusty in, she lets Jack sleep on the couch.
To conclude my thoughts on their relationship: yeah, it’s different, but it’s Catholic. She feels bound to him through the vows she made and although they are no longer a couple, they are still married and more than likely will continue to be until the day they die. Unless Duff wants to fuck up Catholicism. Because, let’s face it, Catholicism is hard, yo (if you want me to elaborate on that, just ask. I went to THE craziest Catholic course this weekend).
I had a fuck-tonne more points to make but my head is splitting in two right now.
TL;DR? Here are the main points:
- We all have opinions, we all see things differently based on our perceptions, opinions, realities, experiences and morals relativism.
- Jackson’s an addict, and maybe he has changed? Watch this space.
- Is anyone actually good enough for Sharon though?
- Major Crimes is entertainment, not a medium for talking points.
- Sharon is Catholic and doesn’t believe in divorce. Also, as a Catholic, she believes in FORGIVENESS.
Caveats:
- I have an ear infection and may be high on pain killers right now.
- This is just an opinion, with some ‘facts’ in because yolo.
- Dudes, I’m only 20, so this is a young’un’s approach.
- I’m a fucking accounting major. I do numbers, not feelings.
- I’m bias because of my Catholic beliefs.
- I think our MC debate on Twitter lost focus. I mean, I DID start talking about Sykes’ perfect skin.
- This is unedited because I’m exhausted.
First and foremost, the fact that the introduction of a character who (for now at least) is only appearing in a three episode arc, has caused such a divided opinion amongst the fans is amazing. What is even better, is the debate and the open forum it has given us to discuss the issues at hand. And here’s the thing: We all have opinions, we all see things differently based on our perceptions, opinions, realities, experiences and moral relativism.
Our issue is, of course, Jackson Raydor. He is an addict through and through - he swapped drinking for gambling, and although he says he is a changed man, we have no real proof of this. And here is where the issue with Jackson Raydor lies: Is he good enough for Sharon Raydor?
If I had my way, the answer would be: ‘no. no one is good enough for her because she is perfect and also we should clone her hair’. But, of course, my reality never is accepted. Oh well. So, is he good enough? From what we’ve seen so far - maybe? We really need to wait for the answer to whether or not he has changed - although, with him mooching off Sharon and teaching Rusty to gamble I am erring on the side of he has not changed. But, speaking of addiction, why hasn’t anyone mentioned he is addicted to Sharon Raydor? The idea of her, being married to her, intertwining his life with hers (yes, in an “I can’t quit you” Brokeback Mountain kind of way).
Another thing with him, is his manipulation. He tries to make two days on the couch in to more, he fakes a sore back to try and share Sharon’s bed, he buys people food to get them on his side, he makes Rusty wear reflective glasses so that he can win at cards. In concluding this point, Jackson is an addict and at this stage of the show, I am not prepared to say either way if he ‘belongs’ with our beloved captain.
Which leads to the Twitter debate - should Major Crimes be portraying the issue differently? Here’s where it came to a head: someone had said that they watch Major Crimes for the entertainment values - not for any social issues etc (it’s too late at night to find the direct quote). Some of us, totally disagreed with this person - how else is the general population meant to learn about these issues? My argument was that ‘If we do not use art to push a message, to explore an issue, then why are we making the art?’. And I stand by that. However, I no longer stand by it in this context. As Kathleen pointed out, “Is it Major Crimes’ responsibility to portray reality?” My answer (now)? No. Major Crimes is an entertainment show. First and foremost, it is one in a sea of hundreds of crime procedurals which, for the most part, have the primary goal of earning ratings in order to rake in the cold hard cash.
So, how do we rake in the cold hard cash? We explore issues. We touch buttons. We do things that are so out of character and superfluous to the plot just because we can. And in the case of Major Crimes, its worked hasn’t it? We are arguing extensively about a character that we saw once, who we may only see twice more for the duration of this show. And we are all going to tune in this Monday to see where this relationship is headed.
Speaking of their relationship, I believe that as perhaps the only practising Catholic in this group, I can tackle the Catholic nature of their relationship. Yes, he isn’t the best husband in the world. Yes, he’s a user. Yes, any other woman would probably have divorced his scrub ass already. But not Sharon Raydor. Firstly, let me just say that I believe Sharon is strong in her Catholic faith - she sent her children to Catholic school (one could argue it is the cross-wearing Jackson who decided that) and also her foster son. Yes, she forks out her own hard-earned money in order to send Rusty to a school that teaches Catholic doctrine. Is this something a person not strong in their faith would do? Why else would you send such a troubled boy in to such a strict and ‘moral’(I use that term lightly) school? Also, duh, she stayed married to a douchebag because of religion.
So, Catholicism 101. In the Church we have ‘7 Sacraments’, or, ‘7 deadbolts on your heart’. One of these sacraments is marriage. Sacraments provide us with the graces to carry out our Christian lives and give glory to God and his Work.It’s a big deal to us. You marry someone, you’re stuck together for life. “What has been brought together in the eyes of the Lord, no man shall tear apart” (Divorce is bad, yo). As much as you all might like it to happen,I don’t believe Sharon will take that extra step and divorce Jackson. ‘What?’, you say, ‘But she could at least not be nice to him, make him go to a hotel,’ etc etc. But, is this what Jesus would do? Probably not. As a Christian, Sharon believes in truth, forgiveness and charity. We have seen all these traits in our crazy-beautiful captain. She never mollycoddles Rusty, she tells him the truth and gives him choices to make. She forgives, over and over she forgives. Provenza’s a dick to her? Forgiven. Rusty cheats on his homework? Forgiven. Jack comes crawling back again? Forgiven (but he bares the consequences e.g.: couch sleeping). Of course, she is charitable. She took Rusty in, she lets Jack sleep on the couch.
To conclude my thoughts on their relationship: yeah, it’s different, but it’s Catholic. She feels bound to him through the vows she made and although they are no longer a couple, they are still married and more than likely will continue to be until the day they die. Unless Duff wants to fuck up Catholicism. Because, let’s face it, Catholicism is hard, yo (if you want me to elaborate on that, just ask. I went to THE craziest Catholic course this weekend).
I had a fuck-tonne more points to make but my head is splitting in two right now.
TL;DR? Here are the main points:
- We all have opinions, we all see things differently based on our perceptions, opinions, realities, experiences and morals relativism.
- Jackson’s an addict, and maybe he has changed? Watch this space.
- Is anyone actually good enough for Sharon though?
- Major Crimes is entertainment, not a medium for talking points.
- Sharon is Catholic and doesn’t believe in divorce. Also, as a Catholic, she believes in FORGIVENESS.