No plot spoilers, just disbelief.

[raybear]

So I've finally made it all the way to the most recent episode of Ugly Betty and I got to the end scene where Rebecca Romijn is unveiled and I just......could not stop saying "shut up shut up" over and over again. I am totally mortified. And completely curious. And scared for how this will play out on the show. And....just..... shut up.

I guess I can go back to writing now.



**Spoilers in the comments section, for those who are concerned of such things!**

Comments

[mintwaster.livejournal.com]

Damn. Now I have to watch it.

[raybear.livejournal.com]

watch it sometime today so we can process it at breakfast tomorrow.

[mintwaster.livejournal.com]

I watched 5 episodes last night.

So you want to go to PC at 8:30?

[raybear.livejournal.com]

I'll set my alarm for 8:15.

[drinkasyoupour.livejournal.com]

Natalie and I both sat there with our jaws wide open for like a minute. It was crazy.

[trooper6.livejournal.com]

I've been a huge fan of Ugly Betty. And generally think they've done such a good job with all the issues they've brought up so far. Homosexuality, race...you name it, I've been happy. So...then Rebecca Romijn is revealed. My first instinct is...oh no! Why because I've been taught over and over that the minute a transperson is on TV it is invariably going to be offensive.

Then I stop and I think...isn't it sad that the minute a see transperson on screen I think, "uh-oh."

So, then I think...wait...I've liked this show, and found it sensitive while still being able poke fun...so...why do I automatically think that this show all of a sudden suck with regard to trans issues. But then I think...um...cuz it happens every time? And people are ignorant?

But then I think...c'mon Salma Hayek!

Then I think...but she's a bad guy! Then I think...but so is Vanessa Williams...and she is one of the most sympathetic characters on the show...I look at the "baddies"--Amanada, Mark, Willie...and they are treated well...maybe it'll be okay...or maybe not?

Then I think...but this is a gloss on an outrageous over the top telenovela...and this seems to fit right into the aesthetic of the show...the dad is a murderer...the dead brother comes back as a woman...etc.

So...I suppose it's a matter of let's wait and see.

[raybear.livejournal.com]

Yes, this sums up most of my thoughts as well. I mean, it's sad when I think the best portrayal of a transperson I've seen on tv was in an episode of CSI. And really, I think it's just that Kate Walsh is hot. But you're right, for the most part I 'trust' Ugly Betty, that even though it's going to do things in a fluffy way, it's still mostly right in how it does, while still showing complications. I hope they will remain the same.

And I sort of love that its Rebecca Romijn.

[unscrambled.livejournal.com]

dude, totally. i haven't talked about it with anyone yet, but yeah, i thought--maybe this will be bad. maybe it'll be fine. err. err.

[raybear.livejournal.com]

i can't believe how surprised i was by it, and that it hasn't come up in my skimming of various pop cultures discussions. although, i do recall someone on my friends page saying something to the effect of "there's a trans character on Ugly Betty now - who knew?" but i assumed it was just some side character in
one episode!

trooper6 has some good points above, and i will try to have faith, but really i think in this case, it might be better to assume the worst and then maybe be surpised.

[unscrambled.livejournal.com]

I'm a strong supporter of this strategy in many contexts.

[vfc.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Freya actually guessed the reveal very early in the episode and I was like, "No way will they do that." And then they did. I really hope they don't fall into the standard awful trans jokes.