Question.1299 - While watching the show, take notes regarding the following: Gender and Sexuality a. What types of roles feature women? b. What types of roles feature men? c. How are men and women portrayed interacting? d. What type of sexuality is shown (heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bi, trans)? Race/Ethnicity a. How diverse is the cast of the show? b. Which roles are given to non-white characters? c. How much screen time is given to different characters? Violence a. What types of violent acts are portrayed in this show? In what context? b. Who are the perpetrators of violence? c. Who are the victims of violence? Sex a. How much sex is shown on the show? b. In what context is sex portrayed and between whom? 3. Based on your notes, write a reflection on your viewing that addresses the following: What kinds of messages – directly and indirectly – did the show give about gender, sexuality, and race/ethnicity? What types of messages did it give about sex and violence? How realistic do you think the show is?
Answer Below:
Disney Plus - Renegade Nell (2024) Season 1, Episodes 1 to 4 (around 3 hours and few minutes observation) Gender and Sexuality a. Women's Roles: Nell Jackson:?Our main protagonist,?Nell?defies female stereotypes, as throughout the series, she is dressed in men's clothing, wields a sword, and desires a life of action rather than societal expectations. Lady Eularia Moggerhanger:?The show's primary antagonist, a manipulative noblewoman who utilizes her societal power for personal gain. Polly Honeycomb:?A vivacious and witty friend and sometimes accomplice to Nell. The Jackson Sisters (Prudence, Mercy, Charity):?Nell's resourceful sisters navigate social dangers and support Nell's actions. b. Men's Roles: Billy Blind:?A mysterious, sometimes supernatural helper to Nell, their relationship leans into partnership and mutual aid rather than traditional romance. Lord Lovelace:?A?villainous nobleman representing traditional power structures?and?he's?a constant threat to Nell. Various Innkeepers/Landlords/Soldiers:?Mostly?supporting roles that sometimes help,?sometimes?hinder Nell, showcasing how men hold various?positions in society. c. Interactions: Nell & Billy:?Their bond is a core of the show, featuring mutual respect and shared goals that challenge traditional male/female romantic dynamics. Nell & Lord Lovelace:?Power struggles and a clash of ideals drive their interactions; while Nell's defiance of male authority is a?key?theme, women tend to lead the show and are the core plot of the series.? Nell &?Sisters:?Shows the importance of female bonds, particularly within a patriarchal society. d. Sexuality: Nell's Gender Fluidity:?Nell's preference for men's clothing and disregard for female societal roles could?be read?as gender nonconformity or possibly even?hinting?at a trans identity. The Kiss with Polly:?A fleeting moment, but it opens the door to potential queer readings of their relationship. Race and Ethnicity: a. Cast Diversity:?Limited diversity, the?cast is heavily focused on white characters. b. Non-White Roles: Supporting Characters:?Some minor characters, like innkeepers or soldiers, feature non-white actors. Potential for Expansion:?With minor non-white characters established, there is potential for storylines to develop these characters further within the world of the show. c. Screen Time:?Nell,?a white woman, undeniably holds the most screen time. Violence a. Types of Violence: Swordfights & Brawls:?Typical?of?period pieces,?showcasing the physical dangers Nell faces. Social/Political Violence:?Threats from figures of authority, like Lord Lovelace, and the constant danger to the poor and vulnerable. Hints of the Supernatural:?Billy Blind's abilities bring forth a more magical form of violence potential. b. Perpetrators: Men in Power:?Lord Lovelace and corrupt figures in authority often enact or threaten violence. Outlaws & Bandits:?Highlighting the general danger of the period, regardless of social standing. Women Utilizing Power:?Lady Moggerhanger shows that women can also be perpetrators of violence within the system. c. Victims: Nell?&?her?Sisters:?They face threats due to their vulnerable position as women on the run. The Common Folk:?Often victims of abuse by those with social power. Sex a. Amount:?Minimal, since it is not a central focus of the show - and also, the age rating of the season is TV-14; with several children in the series around the protagonist Nell exploring their emotional dynamics, there was a need for positioning sexual activity. b. Context & Relationships: Implied Background Relationships:?Some supporting characters have hinted at past or ongoing sexual relationships outside?of?the main plot, but they are?very?vague and unnoticeable. Reflection:? In terms of?gender and power?considering?direct?message, Nell is a force to?be reckoned?with.?In the opening episode, she escapes her wrongful hanging, steals a horse, and fends off attackers, embodying strength and defiance. "I'll?not wear a dress to my own grave!" she declares, rejecting the confines of female societal expectations. Considering?indirect?message, sadly, Nell's sisters represent the restrictions most women still face. While they possess their?own?kind of strength and resilience, they must navigate a dangerous world by adhering to traditional roles. This contrast highlights the limitations of a patriarchal society. Nell's actions,?juxtaposed with her sisters' experiences, open up conversations about gendered expectations.?Lady Eularia, another powerful woman, reminds us that female strength can?be used?for good or ill within the established system. In terms of Sexuality and identity (Direct?Message)?the show remains mainly heteronormative, Nell's?past love for her husband?is just mentioned?verbally.?Yet, her gender-bending presentation and fleeting kiss with her friend Polly raise a tantalizing question about sexual fluidity. (Indirect message) the moment with Polly is significant. While brief, it subtly challenges a strictly heteronormative world and invites viewers to consider?wider?possibilities.?However,?without?further development,?it?remains?a gesture open to interpretation. As it stands, "Renegade Nell" leaves conversations about Sexuality and non-heterosexual identity largely unexplored. By including more diverse LGBTQIA+ characters, the show could facilitate broader discussions about acceptance and identity. In terms of?race and ethnicity (direct message), sadly, the lack of diversity in the central cast speaks volumes. (Indirect message) including minor non-white characters, such as the innkeeper in Episode 3, hints at a world outside the white-dominated focus, which creates a fragile hope that future seasons may offer a richer exploration of race. Without diverse representation, the show cannot offer meaningful commentary on the intersectional experiences of race, gender, and class in this period. Considering Sex, when a magistrate leers at Nell and suggests?she'll?"entertain" the jailers in exchange for favors, it highlights the potential sexual dangers women?faced. This type of implied sexual threat is more prevalent than any overt sexual scene. In terms of violence, Nell's frequent swordfights are thrilling action sequences, but they also underscore the violent nature of her world. When Lord Lovelace sentences a starving boy to whipping, we witness the abuse of power and the harsh reality faced by?common?folk. While in realism, although details of clothing and customs add to the period feel, Billy Blind's supernatural powers bring a fantastical twist. This blend of historical elements and magic creates a unique, though less strictly realistic, experience. "Renegade Nell" effectively portrays the injustices faced by women and the poor living under a powerful, and?mostly?uncaring, nobility. While Nell's heroic actions?are fictionalized, the struggles of the underprivileged feel historically grounded.More Articles From Communication
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