Nonspecific TV Show Commentary (trigger warning for rape)

[donutsweeper]

In a recent episode of a current TV show our group of valiant heroes came up against a woman with the power to control people (men in particular). They were warned that it was impossible to resist and the BIGBAD would force them to do her bidding.

So, of course, HEROGUY falls under her spell. He is forced to turn on his teammates and do as she commands (they've made it clear that people under her control are aware of their actions but unable to resist) and they spend the night together. We see them kissing and then later the team (including HEROGUY's current no-strings-attached lover) sees a bed that has obvious been used.

There has been no mention anywhere I've seen that THIS IS RAPE. He wasn't capable of consent, he could not say no. The show not only didn't deal with that aspect of it, but they actually had him apologizing to the lover character only to be punched HARD IN THE FACE.

In fact, the only comments and posts I've seen are in favor of the lover character's actions and cheering her for hitting him, if not suggesting she should have done more. (Well, that and a shipwar that's apparently blowup as a result of a random comment made by the BIGBAD character, but that's neither here nor there.)

I am just so disappointed and annoyed by that reaction. Is it because the non-consenting party in this case was male? Does that make him any less violated?

Bah.

The show was Agents of SHIELD, ep 1x15 btw, if you want to make sure you skip it

Comments

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I was lucky to grow up in a house where I was never taught any prejudice of any sort, and I think I'm not as aware of its existence as I should be. So, I don't like learning about it, necessary, because I wish it didn't exist, but I think it's good that I'm aware of it as a member of the human race.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

There's a lot I hadn't really seen either. Being made aware is a GOOD thing.

I did like the article thinkprogress.org did about last night's SHIELD episode and consent, which I found after I posted this, but oh MY the comments on it. Sometimes society not only disappoints, but scares, me.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

I saw and read that article, and it was really good, but totally agreed about the comments. Holy crap. I do think some of it is people being asses for the sake of it. And I absolutely understand the desire to defend something you love when it does something wrong, and some of them might be coming from that point of view. But an LJ friend of mine have discussed how you can be a fan of something and love something, but not love all parts of it, and that doesn't change that you're a fan or that you love it.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, definitely a few folks were trolling (I hope, anyway).

...you can be a fan of something and love something, but not love all parts of it, and that doesn't change that you're a fan or that you love it.

That's very true. There are a lot of shows that fit that category for me.