I don’t normally post about content I’m working with in my thesis, partly just because I have a whole thesis to work through that stuff. But today I feel a rant coming on.
Beverly Hills, 90210 has a knack for being absolutely infuriating. At times it takes a staunchly superior tone and preaches right and wrong. At others, it plays on morally ambiguous melodrama and sexiness. At times it flirts with progressive attitudes, at others, it leans on conservative thinking, and hegemonic attitudes. It all becomes a little insufferable when both attitudes fill the same episode. Lately, it is as though the show cannot decide who to agree with. So many audiences with so many perspectives must be pandered to, no matter what the show “believes.” When faced with uncertainty over how to judge a situation, maybe try reserving judgement? Instead of sitting back and remaining neutral, letting someone else to the talking for a change, 90210 just presents wildly mixed messages, loudly and obnoxiously.
Why simply make the point that guys have a choice whether or not to respect a lady’s wishes or rape her, when you can blame the victim at the same time?!
Why just applaud responsible young women who successfully balance school and raising a baby, when you can call them crazy and emphasize the terrible choices that led her to parenthood at the same time?!
Why make a point of emphasizing the double-standard for boys and girls and sex when you can not only point out the unfair assumptions, but also demonstrate how girls have so much more trouble dealing with sexual readiness than boys at the same time?!
Obviously 90210 was attempting to entertain current issues and modern thinking, but clearly there’s something lacking in the execution. On the whole women continued to be displayed as emotional wrecks. No matter how many “empowering” speeches about equality they give, it’s somehow harder to believe when they show up the next day with irrational fears and relationship drama.
It’s almost sad that these fictional women think they are empowered. It’s like they read the word somewhere and thought it sounded nice, but didn’t stop to think about their own relationships and interactions with the men in their lives.
