When only four percent of scripted TV shows feature LGBT characters, what’s a gay girl to do? Why, strap on your gay goggles and watch TV along with us, of course! Our handy appraisal scale is better than any old letter grade. Other sites A+. We say, “What about our lezzy-lady feelings?”
Oh dear. First Prime Suspect makes me cringe at the hard-to-watch sexism of the pilot. Then it wins me over with the grit and determination. Now it goes and finally adds another woman who isn’t a victim or an ex-wife and it makes her a rival of sorts for Det. Jane Timoney. Also, three cases in a row that focus on women being killed by men? I’m not super interested in the “Women Die in Gruesome Ways and Jane Solves It” show.
AFTERELLEN BAIT (What enticement did the episode use to reel in gay lady viewers?)
Damn, I like Det. Timoney’s style more and more each week. That pink jacket was nice, and I don’t even really like pink. Other than that, well, this show is going to have to eventually give us more than that — right? Hm.
FEELINGS, FEELINGS, FEELINGS! (Did the episode give you a lot of feelings?)
This is what I don’t like. I don’t like when a show with a capable female lead brings in another apparently capable female but then sets them up in an adversarial relationship. I am not opposed to women being rivals, per se, but I am opposed to a show with precious few women bringing in another woman only for the purpose of making her a foil.
Or, worse still, to bring in another woman to point out why one woman is good and the other bad. So introducing Det. Carolina Rivera to show how she uses her sex appeal to win favor with the male cops, much to Jane’s disgust, is not exactly winning me over. And it doesn’t speak well for the male characters either who pretty much admit that they only like her because she’s a “beautiful woman. Doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder. Laughs at people’s jokes.” Oh, Prime Suspect, you’re better than this — right? Hm.
HATITUDE (What made us tip our hats to Det. Timoney this episode?)
I wonder if they’re going to make it a running gag that Jane is out of shape and can’t run. Because nothing about the way Maria looks would suggest that’s true. Nothing at all.
THAT GUMSHOE THING (Well, this is a crime drama, so how did the detectives do?)
While I’ve already expressed my displeasure with this being the crimes-against-women show so far, I will say that at least this episode gave the investigation of said crime a little more screentime. And I am starting to like the interplay between the other detectives with Timoney. If they were going to be the show’s “villains,” disrespecting and undermining her at every turn, I’m not sure how long I could hang. But they’re finding a respect for each other, however grudging, and I like that.
Though, here’s a question, are cops really allowed to drink on the job that much? Jane, her lieutenant, her fellow detectives. I realize they’re setting up alcohol to be a recurring issue in Jane’s life — raised in a bar, drinks too much, uses it as a crutch, etc. But all this on-the-job drinking seems a little extreme. Or maybe I’m working in the wrong job.
So was the third time the charm for you? Was it a dealbreaker? I don’t know about you, but I think I need a drink.
