so, one of my very favorite tv shows in the entire world is JAG. it's about navy lawyers and fighting terrorists and a bare minimum of actual acting. if you know of the show, and know me, it might seem like the exact opposite of what i'd like. let me tell you why i love it so:
JAG just asks so little of you. if your one brain cell doesn't have the common sense to know it should be lonely, you can still enjoy the hell out of JAG. it's the exact opposite of The Wire (which, in case you're wondering, is the bestest thing your TV has ever thought about showing you).
there's a fairly varied cast of characters: some old dude, a black guy, a woman, some non-specific middle easterner, all flanking the lead character, Square-Jawed WASP-y Man. and herein lies the genius of the show: whatever side the Square-Jawed WASP-y Man backs in minute 9 will be vindicated by minute 46. he's never, ever wrong. ever. for, i think, seven seasons JAG was like network television's homage to the dominant paridigm. women? wrong. the elderly? keep trying. blacks? noooo. asians? nuh-uh. gays? fuck off. Square-Jawed WASP-y Man? gooooooooooooooood!
Reflections on my first Writing Retreat
1 year ago
Actually I thought it was about wet hot Iranian-American cleavage and how to cover it up with uniforms. Just 1 guy's perspective.
ReplyDeleteYou realize of course your final point pretty much applies to every series Bellisario has been involved with from Baa Baa Black Sheep through Magnum PI right on to NCIS. Note square jawed Gay suicide Aussie is made the tragic counter foil because he goes down under!