Friday, October 14, 2011
Virgins in Popular Media
So I'd like to get into a huge discussion on this topic but one show in particular has got me irritated......Greys Anatomy. First of all I do like the show, second I am aware of the GLARING inaccuracies that are present throughout the series(a resident AND an attending forgetting how to perform and appendectomy....really?!) that being said I really take issue with the character of Dr.April Kepner. When she first arrived I disliked her character, she was annoying as shit and got McDreamy shot. As the season went on she grew on me, I finally full on LOVED her when she flipped out on the rest of the Greys crew for picking on her for being a virgin. When you think about it, it makes sense. She is a mentally healthy adult, who seems as though she would be the type of person who would prefer long term committed relationships, something that would be quite difficult if you are trying to get into one of the (fictional) best surgical programs in the country. She is focused and meticulous and in order for her to be a good doctor she wouldn't be able to split her focus between a relationship and being a surgeon. So the Greys crew finds out teases her, she flips and basically tells them about themselves and they shut up. She then attempts an ill fated sexual liaison with Dr. Karev, who of course is about as understanding as a rhino is graceful. So far I'm good with where her character was going. They leave this issue alone and she is involved in no romantic relationships with anyone. UNTIL the new Pediatric surgical attending arrives, a middle aged, rude, grump(and not sexy-rude like Dr. House) who begins to pursue her. Now Dr. Kepner is actually really pretty, so I guess because she is a virgin that means she couldn't get a stud like Karev or Avery, but a grumpy ass, middle aged man. Really Greys writers....really? She resists his advances as delicately as she can. Of course he gets ticked off and is rude to her during his remaining time on the show. The most recent episode again brings up her virginal status, the episode is about a visiting surgeon performing a penis transplant. The visiting surgeon is Dr. Avery's mom. Now Kepner doesn't get picked to assist on the surgery but the senior Dr. Avery picks her to help harvest the donor penis. Naturally Dr.Avery ever so tactfully asks "So when are you going to have sex with a MAN?" yes she asks an extremely personal question in the middle of harvesting an organ, where other Dr's and nurses are present. Kepner asks if its "that obvious" and she goes "well your looking at that thing(penis) like its gonna bite you". Apparently if your a virgin, even if you are a fifth year surgical resident, you have NEVER seen a penis. This is an obviously nonsexual situation involving a harvested organ, but you know she "afraid" of it because she is Dr. Virgin. At the end of the episode she is out having drinks with both Dr. Avery's, the senior apparently sent a drink over to a cute guy, who comes over to thank Kepner. Dr. Avery encourages her to go talk to the guy. This is all fine and dandy as long as the writers are not trying to imply that she suddenly decided to have sex with a strange guy in a bar, and well la di da that's taken care of. I'll tell you what I'd LIKE to see, I'd like to see her lose it to Dr. Sloan, because he would take his time and do it correctly. And I'd like to see her NOT faun over him afterward, and him trying to figure out what the deal is. Come on Greys writers get on the ball and don't make her into an inaccurate stereotype.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I find an issue with the way Kepner is treated by the writers as well. I had the same feelings about her as you did- I grew to love her neurotic personality.
ReplyDeleteI am sensing an Avery/Kepner connection though so I'll be forgiving if its headed that way.