Brief thoughts on Mad Men 212

[ishtar79]

 

I hate Marti Noxon.

 

I should be dedicating my reaction to the episode to squeeing about the badassery of Peggy, and how much I appreciate her increasing confidence and going after what she wants at work (and what a difference it makes from the shy, awkward girl she was in the pilot), but instead I’m wondering why apparently the show is only allowed a certain quota of empowered women at a time and getting bad Seeing Red flashbacks.

 

It’s not that I don’t think the topic of rape shouldn’t be tackled on TV shows, or that date rape isn’t an important topic, especially seen through a 60s lens, or that I thought Joan’s rape was badly handled. It’s just that I hate that it seems the go-to dramatic plotline for female characters, especially female characters owning their sexuality. Given Joan’s gradual loss of ‘I’m a goddess: worship me’ va-va-voom this season, and Marti’s many, many documented issues on the subject, it’s hard not to almost think she’s being punished this season for, well, being Joan. Nothing less than a butcher knife and a game of ‘find the severed penis’ would make it up, but instead we get Joan deciding to stay with her rapist? I’ll tell you, if she actually marries the creep, I’ll be throwing things at the computer screen.

So I’ll say it, Marti, get some fucking therapy and stop ruining my fabulous shows.

 

Comments

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

I've not seen the episode, or even the series, but I recognise the vibe, oh yes.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

It's depressing how common it is.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

Mad Men is all about the prejudice of the 1960s, which was very much into keeping women (and minorities) 'in their place'... it is why I can't watch this show, I lived through that period and I don't see anything redeeming about glorifying it now.

So personally I wouldn't blame Marti for this one.... JMPO of course.

[ishtar79.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say it glorifies it-it's actually been great at showing at least one woman making the first steps towards progress. That's why the rape was so jarring.

And I *always* blame Marti. :P

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

yeah, I get the blaming Marti thing (you aren't the only one) BUT if they showed a lot of empowered women achieving success then it wouldn't be true to the time period, and I don't think it would be true to their mission statement (ie I do think they are enjoying the time when White Christian Males could get away with anything and could keep everyone else down).
I hate this show because I do think it is a nostalgia show.