Rescue Me (from Michelle Hazenbush)

RESCUE ME:

I liked watching “Rescue Me.” I think that it’s an interesting show. I am interested to see where the plot takes off after the first episode. During class I sensed some different view points on the show. I can understand why some women wouldn’t like the show. The women in the show weren’t portrayed as most would hope women would be. For example, in one of the scenes a fireman was talking about taking a woman out on a date. He paid for her meal and was being a gentleman. He then continues to tell his friend how she didn’t end up having sex with him and that he was annoyed and upset about this. Although his standpoint on this topic is wrong in my eyes it is realistic to me. Men sometimes think if they do the typical “man thing” like taking someone out for dinner and paying that their payback should be sex. Even though this woman was not shown in the episode I applaud her for standing up for herself and not allowing him to take advantage of her because just because he thinks he earned sex with her.

I think watching "Rescue Me" is a good show to watch in a Women’s Studies class. Just because it doesn’t portray women in the way most women would like to be portrayed it is realistic and makes the viewer realize the truth about how some women are treated and looked at. It also shows the way that some men treat women.

However, not only do I think the way this show portrays women is upsetting being one myself, but I also feel that some men wouldn’t like the male stereotypes in this show either. The men in the show don’t treat women respectably, talk dirty, and are mean or make crude jokes. The article, "The tragedy of the modern guy's guy" talks about many of these similar stereotypes that the men exemplify.

Another male stereotype shown in the show is that men tend to hold in their emotions. The men have long lasting effects of 9/11 that they don’t openly talk about to anyone. Of course the men hold jobs looked at as noble and heroic but it is apparent that they let it go to their heads. Overall I think the show is well written and entertaining and I would enjoy continuing to watch this show in class.