"That is because this is a fantastical comedy and has no power, I believe, to reinforce anything."
I wish you were right but I'm certain you are wrong. It's just one example. The patriarchy is so strong, and the attitudes are so ingrained, and the smallest challenge to it brings out all of the cries of "PC-PC-PC."
Serial rape (and most rapes on college campuses, for example are committed by serial rapists) is not humorous. I think this episode skates by on the border between humor and bad taste on the strength of the acting and directing--until the scene where Van Blundht attempts to rape Scully. The ending in the prison, and what Mulder says to Scully just disgusts me. Scully is the one who was nearly raped, yet somehow the focus ends up on Mulder's feelings of inadequacy! Ugh.
no subject
I wish you were right but I'm certain you are wrong. It's just one example. The patriarchy is so strong, and the attitudes are so ingrained, and the smallest challenge to it brings out all of the cries of "PC-PC-PC."
Serial rape (and most rapes on college campuses, for example are committed by serial rapists) is not humorous. I think this episode skates by on the border between humor and bad taste on the strength of the acting and directing--until the scene where Van Blundht attempts to rape Scully. The ending in the prison, and what Mulder says to Scully just disgusts me. Scully is the one who was nearly raped, yet somehow the focus ends up on Mulder's feelings of inadequacy! Ugh.