“Well, I found myself in a sort
of more patriarchal role. Pointing and scowling.”
So, at last we get an episode
focussing on Tara, and one that confirms the suspicions I’ve gleaned from the
subtleties of Amber Benson’s superb performance; she comes from a family
history of abuse. Even better is that the Tara episode is both written and
directed by Joss Whedon himself. She’s made it at last.
It’s a slow reveal, but from our
first glimpse of Tara’s unpleasant brother we know that her family are
controlling, stifling, and horribly patriarchal, going by the notion that “The
women in our family have demons in them.” It’s an obvious metaphor for
patriarchy in all its worst forms. There’s also an obvious metaphor for family
homophobia, too, in which Tara’s magic stands for her sexuality: Tara’s father
says that she has “evil” in her. And
Tara’s true family, who accept her, are the Scoobies. So far, so nice and
fluffy. And yet, beyond Willow, the Scoobies are awkward with her and, liberal
though they are, are just as awkward with accepting that their old friend
Willow is in a same sex relationship. It’s an important message; homophobia,
like racism and other prejudices, goes beyond the more obvious bigotry.
In other news this episode,
Tara’s party has My Vitriol playing in the background. Blimey. I hadn’t even
thought about that band for years. We also have Buffy moving to her mum’s, as
Joyce is ill. Will she be able to keep up with her studies? And Riley seems
more and more emasculated, taking up more and more of a traditionally female role
in his and Buffy’s relationship. Worse, Willow tells Giles about Dawn being the
“key”, but not Riley. As I’ve always said, she doesn’t love him. And now he’s
visiting vampire bars. Worrying.
No comments:
Post a Comment