Re: OT: The Book of Daniel


SarahE wrote:
> "CarolQ" <CarolQFan@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1136623093.309222.159280@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > I was really bothered by the way the show treated Christian's
> > character. His sister and brother constantly made fun of him and we
> > were supposed to laugh along.
>
> See, I thought that was great! To me, it showed a regular sibling
> relationship. Siblings tease each other all the time about a variety of
> things. And they key in on what makes the other uncomfortable quite often.
> So the teasing was right in line with what I would expect (and have seen in
> my own family). I thought it portrayed it all as normal, which is a big
> step up for the portrayal of homosexuals on network TV, IMO.
>
>

Like I said, I found it all too mean-spirited. On the other hand, it's
clear that his family loves and accepts him for who he is. His sister
is doing that cartoon about Peter and his ex-lover and it's being done
in a very respectful way. And I did like her teasing him in that scene
where he meets John Driscoll's character. His being gay is not a
problem with them. However, it clearly is a problem for Peter.

> We were supposed to be so proud of the
> > father for loving his son, as if it is noble to not disown your son
> > after he comes out to you. They never had his son ask, if he's SO
> > supportive, why he allowed him to go on a date with this woman just to
> > please his grandfather.
>
> I didn't get the "we should be so proud of him" vibe at all. Just that he
> is a father who loves and accepts his son, even if he would make different
> choices for himself. And as for "allowing" his son to go on a date to his
> his sexuality from his grandfather - how is that Daniel's doing? The son is
> a grown man and can make his own choices. He didn't have to go on that
> date. He didn't even have to come out to his grandfather in order to NOT go
> on the date. All he had to do was say "not my type." Case closed. And he
> certainly didn't have to do a hugely expensive dinner/theatre date. Though
> the fact that he bought tix to La Cage was hilarious, IMO.
>
>

I don't think Daniel is supposed to be noble for accepting his son at
at all. I'm with Sarah. It's not Daniel's fault that Peter is going
out with that girl. It's Peter's choice. Daniel is clearly agonizing
over how to tell his father about Peter being gay. But he knows it
should be done because it'll make life easier for Peter and he won't
have to deal with things like that. The problem is that Peter is
obviously uncomforable with his sexuality. That scene where he tried
to assure his father that he wasn't closeted (as he made a date with a
girl) spoke volumes.

> > Then I read an interview with the gay man who created the show, where
> > he says in so many words that there's nothing wrong with the character
> > being so down on himself because that's just what WASPS do.
>
> Well as a WASP, I would tend to agree with that to a point.
>
> He also
> > tries to reassure people that he has no "agenda", which I find a very
> > insulting choice of words. When I read that interview I realized why
> > the show had such an odd view of homosexuals.

I don't think the show has an odd view of gays at all, other than they
are as screwed up as everyone else. It would be different if the gay
character was perfect and emotionally together while everyone else was
falling apart. I wasn't offended or insulted by the portrayal of the
characters at all. The only thing that bothered me was the
mean-spirited teasing of the brother. But like Sarah pointed out, that
was a sibling thing. The family obviously love Peter just the way he
is and his sexuality is not an issue for them. It's Peter who has
issue with his sexuality or at least people knowing about it.

Anthony

.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: OT: The Book of Daniel
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