After doing this assignment I don't want to watch these shows anymore...
I was at work and had a lot of down time, so I watched some online tv!
1. Heroes: Season 2 episode 4
Basically in this episode we see the development of Claire (the cheerleader), a newer character in New Orleans, and a brother-sister combo from Ecuador? trying to get across the U.S. border.
Likes:
-The show does have some multi-racial relationships represented
-While I do have some issues with Claire, the cheerleader, I do like how she acts independently from her father's wishes.
-They include the use of Spanish! Nothing bothers me more when American TV portrays Latinos speaking English when we all know they would be speaking Spanish. They use subtitles and I think it sends a good message about language diversity.
Dislikes:
- many aspects of the plot have a very paternalistic message to them. The dad is trying to protects his daughter Claire, the brother is helping his sister Maya, and everyone in Season 1 at least was trying to save the cheerleader.
-Although it is great to tell the story of immigrants coming to America, they play on the very traditional stereotype of "illegal immigrants" being criminals. Maya has this power where they kill people when they are emotional (ugh) and so they are escaping to America to get help. Not very realistic in the sense that most immigrants are not criminals.
-Again, it's good to try and have some people of color in your show, but the token roles need to stop. We've got the African American dad who is on the run from the police, the African-American girl who works in a fast food place and then two Latinos who kill people because they are too emotional. Give me a break.
2. Scrubs- Season 2, Episode 21
This episode focuses on the theme of weddings and death...an odd combination that Scrubs would have.
Likes:
-I like how this episode did deal with real issues of death, depression and life expectations
-I liked the references to other shows and songs
- I'm running out of likes...it is funny!
Dislikes:
- Again the paternalistic aspect of the show is huge. You've got Dr. Cocks who everyone looks up to and goes to for advice- especially Eliot, the insecure woman.
- I just realized how much I hate Eliot's role. Her whole thing is that she is insecure about herself, and they turn it into making her a little bit crazy. While it is exaggerated, they downplay the seriousness of the effects of the media on women and on their body image.
- The gender roles are so typical. The episode begins with Carla explaining her perfect wedding while her boyfriend clearly does not care at all. Then Eliot describes how she has already bought a dress and has it all planned out.
3. Brothers and Sisters- ABC Sunday at 9pm, the most recent episode
A lot of things happen in one episode. In this episode we see the politician win over Michigan, the gay cupple struggle with friends, and the business woman let loose and hook up with her colleague.
Likes:
-representation of relatively different types of families. We see a single mom, a gay cupple, and a step-mom situation.
-I like how the older mother in the family who's husband died is a very independent woman who is finding love again. The show not only focuses on love and youth, but on older populations as well.
- The show deals with some realistic issues like drug addiction and cheating partners
Dislikes:
- The whole show revolves around this one rich, white, family and does not accurately reflect life for most people
- There are a lot of roles where the woman is supporting the man while he does his thing. Like the politician and his wife and the teen girl and the drug addict. I want to see more women taking control of what they want.
- Naturally, they are all extremely attractive with no flaws of any kind. There is no way one family could have that good of genes.
That's it!