Showtime’s new show, SMILF, starring Frankie Shaw as a struggling, single mom with big dreams confronted misogyny in last night’s episode. The show had already established itself as a blend of humor and sentiment in its first two episodes before writer’s of episode three raised the stakes by tackling objectification of women through sexual assault.
That the episode reflected the current emotional climate between men and women was established in early scenes when a female reporter is derided by an athlete who finds humor in a woman asking questions about his sport. The scene was an obvious reference to the post-game press conference behavior exhibited by Cam Newton early this NFL season, but that verbal derision falls into the category of lesser of two evils compared to what followed.
In a later scene set in a diner, lead character, Bridgette Bird, bonds with a man she met only minutes before. She met the man through a job search on Craig’s List, and he had proceded to instill hope in her by informing her a WNBA expansion team was coming to her hometown. Then, at what appeared to be the height of rapport building, and platonic bonding, the scene turned dark. When the camera angle shifted under the table, we see the man’s hand reach between Bridgette’s legs, and grab her vagina. In an instant, Bridgette was reduced from human to object of perverse sexual gratification.
Considering the recent flurry of stories about elite men assaulting women, SMILF exploded to relevence. In one scene the show shone a spotlight on a misogynist culture of enabled by a president who once bragged about grabbing women by their vaginas during his campaign, yet still won the highest office in the world. It’s easy to believe the man sitting across from Bridgette decided to play follow the sordid leader because voters in our country decided such crimes against women are permissable.
Television shows often serve as a platform to portray cultural or emotional climates, and SMILF nailed it. It is one thing to hear about real life incidences on the news, but it’s entirely different to see one play out before our eyes. Considering not a day goes by now without a high profile man being accused of sexual assault, someone needed to underscore the trickle down effect of such heinous acts. It is possible the common man perceives permission to replicate dangerous behaviors exhibited by those in power.
Other scenes in the episode also served to raise awareness to misogyny, although in more subtle fashion. During one encounter with a man, he informs her, “your’re prettier than you think.” Although it seems like an inoccuous comment, it underscores the notion men condition women to rely on validation from external sources. What the comment also suggests is that female self-esteem should be derived from appearance, and nothing deeper, and if a woman cannot find that for herself, the almighty man will instill it in her. It’s a pure example of insidious intent hidden beneath righteous rhetoric.
Tonight’s episode of SMILF was a victory for women, and Bridgette led the charge with her right fist. In what could be described as a moment of catharsis and justified retaliation, the character recoils from the table where her assailant remains seated, and proceeds to break his nose with one well-placed punch.
Bridgette responded for all those women too frozen by fear and shock to retaliate, or report crimes committed against them. Perhaps Frankie Shaw gave future victims a voice, if not a right fist.
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