Rescue Me Rescued by Lesbian

Posted by Stephanie Whiteside Categories: Drama, Cable, CBS

FX’s gritty drama, Rescue Me has received plenty of criticism for its portrayal of misogynistic, alpha-male firefighters and somewhat insensitive approach to story lines. One example? The cringe-worthy rape scene in last week’s episode, which ended with Janet actually appearing to enjoy the attack. .

So, how best to rescue this show? Add a lesbian to the mix!

Rumor has it that the show’s creator’s are considering adding a new female firefighter to the show (Diane Farr, who previously appeared on the show, has moved on to CBS’s crime-solving math drama, Numb3rs) and that she will be a “lesbian or somebody who’s extremely capable in the job.”

I wasn’t aware that “lesbian” and “extremely capable” were interchangeable, but as far as stereotypes go, it could be worse. Who knows if it will be enough to redeem the show with female audiences—or lesbians, for that matter—if they haven’t already fled screaming into the night

Read More | After Ellen

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Rescue Me Co-Creator Responds to Critics of Sex Scene

Posted by Christina Furtado Categories: Drama, Prime Time, Cable, Editorial

As many of us know by now, last week’s Rescue Me included a disturbing sex scene that has created quite a bit of controversy.  All over the internet, people have been arguing about to what extent the scene depicted a rape, and about the show’s lack of social responsibility in showing a woman apparently enjoying a rape.  The show’s co-creater Peter Tolan has been posting in response to this controversy on the Television Without Pity message boards.  According to Tolan, “In terms of the scene ... I never wrote the words ‘don’t’ or ‘no’ at any point in the scene, and when I talked to Andrea about the playing of the thing, I pretty much told her that she had to stand up to Tommy—that he had taken so much away from her over the years, that she had to stare him down from a position of strength while he was forcing himself on her. I told her to shame him with the words she was given - to let him know he couldn’t hurt her anymore, no matter what he did.”  Tolan does acknowledge, however, that many viewers interpreted the scene differently, and that the issue of a woman seeming to enjoy a rape had “caused some concern” for them, but he’s very vague about it.  Also, to further complicate matters, there is an interview with Tolan and Denis Leary in which they claim it wasn’t a rape at all. (Beware of some mildly spoilery stuff there.)  Hmm.
 
As I stated in my comment to the post I linked to, I am of two minds about this issue.  On the one hand, it is consistent with the characterization of these characters, and with the sort of two-dimensional portrayal of women on Rescue Me in general: they all seem to be evil, crazy, or some combination of the two.  On the other hand, I do indeed think it’s socially irresponsible in this day and age to portray a woman as enjoying something that could be construed as a rape.  In addition, if Tolan and Leary’s vision of this scene failed to come across to the audience in general, couldn’t the scene perhaps be looked at as a failure, artisically?  Thoughts, anyone?

Read More | Zap2It

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Rescue Me’s Disturbing Sex Scene

Posted by Auburn Scallon Categories: Drama, Cable, Editorial, Gossip

Okay, so I’ve previously accepted that Rescue Me has succumbed to soap opera antics in order to maintain ratings this season. They’re no longer a gritty real-life fire fighter drama. They took things a step too far this week, and I’m not referring to the homosexual blow jobs (I actually applaud them for taking on that story line). Tommy Gavin, after a ridiculous amount of emotional trauma in his life, goes to discuss his divorce settlement with his ex-wife, and in the heat of the moment, throws her down on the couch to prove his manhood. She struggles, fights back, and after accepting that she is currently being raped, sits back, enjoys it and orgasms? What kind of message is this sending?! It’s one thing to portray sex with an ex, but this was a huge step backward in our attitudes about domestic violence. Did this bother anyone else? Let me know your thoughts…

Read More | Cinemablend

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