My hatred is once again justified!! (aka Sexism sucks)

[brendala]

So, a few little birdies told me that Mystery Incorporated improved in season two and I should give it another chance (despite all my VERY COMPELLING REASONS to avoid it like leprosy). So I tuned into today's new episode because I had nothing better to do this morning.

Today's episode featured a Puritan ghost who attacks teenagers on Lovers Lane for acting "impure". Specifically, he likes to target the teenage girls for dressing like harlots. When the gang first meets the ghost, the ghost chastises one random girl for her low neckline, chastises Daphne for her short skirt, and when he gets to Velma.....he remarks that he wont attack her because she is "plain, wholesome, and completely un-tempting to the male gaze". No, really. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING! THE SHOW REALLY DID THIS AGAIN!!!!

Apparently, despite the fact that Velma's skirt is shorter than Daphne's, even sexually repressed Pilgrims are so repulsed by her hideous, fat, masculine body that it doesn't bother their orthodox sensibilities to see her traipsing about with her legs exposed (because religious rules about modesty only apply to hot chicks).

Believe it or not, it gets worse...

--The episode shows a couple of teenage boys cheering the ghost on as he tells Velma that she's not hot enough to be attacked for immodesty. Her "friends" are right there as this happens; but none of them say or do anything to defend her. Presumably, it's because they agree with the ghost.

--There's a scene at Fred's house where Shaggy AND Scooby tease Velma by saying "What's wrong? Are you upset that you're not 'tempting' enough to get onto the ghost's hit list?"
Again, I am not exaggerating! This happens! These two are back to behaving like total assholes toward her for no goddam reason!!

--Later in the episode, Velma is sitting in the back of the van fiddling on her laptop while the gang sets traps. Scooby gets into the van, smiles, and snuggles up next to her. At first I thought this show might be attempting a cute Scooby/Velma friendship scene. But, surprise surprise, when Velma asked, "Why are you sitting so close to me?", Scooby replied, "Since the ghost doesn't want you, you're the safest place to be right now!".
Well, at least he's not trying to bite off her face or calling her a slut like he was for half of season one. I guess calling her ugly is somewhat of an improvement. -_-

--At the end of the episode, it turns out the ghost was a pair of teenage boys who teamed up and staged the attacks so they could rescue the "hot" girls and gain their affections. The boys went out of their way to avoid attacking/rescuing Velma because EEEEW! WHAT MAN IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO DATE A FATTIE, AM I RITE?!?!?? I MEAN, JUST LOOK AT THIS MONSTROUS HAM-BEAST!!!!



YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL IT'S A GIRL UNDER THAT FRUMPY TIGHT SWEATER AND MINI-SKIRT!!!!!!



CLEARLY, DAPHNE IS THE ONLY "REAL WOMAN" IN THIS PICTURE!! VELMA'S BODY HAS ICKY BIG BOOBIES AND HIPS AND A BUTT!!! WHAT TEENAGE BOY IN HIS RIGHT MIND WANTS A WOMAN WITH BIG BOOBIES AND HIPS AND A SHAPELY ASS!?!?!? NONE, THAT'S HOW MANY!!!!!
[/end angry bra-burning sarcasm]


**sigh**
I tried to give the-show-that-shall-not-be-named another chance because I heard that one of the other season two episodes was focused on Scooby and Velma trying to become BFFs again. I'm pretty sure that whatever good things happened in that episode were just erased when Scooby teamed up with her douchebag ex-boyfriend to remind her how fat, ugly, and unappealing she is.

This shit has no place in a children's show! It's cruel, inappropriate, insulting to the franchise & characters, and just plain wrong. And a vindictive part of me hopes that the reason this show got shafted with long hiatuses and bad scheduling and whatnot is because some executive realized what a mistake this show was and is doing all s/he can to help it die a quiet death.



I should have known better than to do this again.

FUCK THIS SEXIST FUCKING SHOW AND THE CREEPY MISOGYNIST DOG IT RODE IN ON!!!!!

Comments

[earthstar-moon.livejournal.com]

I have to be admit, I've been wondering of watching the second season because I've heard how Velma gets closer to Hot Dog water Girl as a friend (I know she has a name, but it escapes me.) I've seen some fanart and gifs of them as a couple. ( Take a look at this one: http://itswalky.tumblr.com/post/28870904024/i-have-just-discovered-that-my-hard-drive ) It looks like, is Velma finally getting someone that cares about her? She's getting some respect in the show.

However, SERIOUSLY, they seriously went that route? Were there no female writers/staff members that could have pointed out why exactly this plot was a bad idea? *growls* News flash guys, plenty of guys love women with curves like Velma. *Sigh* This show can hurt my head.

[gullwhacker.livejournal.com]

...Jo, do remember that you in a sweater managed to -break my brain- once. Ahem.

[dqbunny.livejournal.com]

*loves you both*

[brendala.livejournal.com]

The Hot Dog Water thing was the other reason I gave this show another shot. Her relationship with Velma is actually really cute. However, the gang votes to kick HDW to the curb when they get Daphne back and Velma goes along with the decision because.....she's an idiot who can't let go of her "friendship" with a group of assholes.
Honestly, this show could be salvaged if Velma had realized that her old friends were jackasses and decided to forget about them and stick with HDW (either platonically or romantically). But, sadly, characters aren't allowed to act like intelligent and/or decent human beings in this show.

A lot of people are going on about how "progressive" the subtext between Velma and HDW is. But I think the writers are just trying to be OMG!EDGY!NUDGE!WINK! and the end result ended up genuinely sweet in spite of the awful writers.



However, SERIOUSLY, they seriously went that route? Were there no female writers/staff members that could have pointed out why exactly this plot was a bad idea? *growls* News flash guys, plenty of guys love women with curves like Velma. *Sigh* This show can hurt my head.

The cherry on top is the fact that this show's Velma design is way slimmer and more sexualized than all the previous versions. It seriously disturbs me that this kind of running theme is in a children's franchise.
As much as I HATE executive meddling and censorship; I think this show would have benefited from a network censor hanging around the writers' room and telling them, "Hey guys? Don't forget, little kids watch Scooby Doo. So maybe it's NOT a good idea for you to sexualize the hell out of Daphne while bashing Velma's physical appearance every other episode. It's not funny. It's just sexist and mean and not appropriate for this franchise"

I just don't get what the writers are doing. My theory is that the "treat Velma like a she-beast even though she's clearly attractive" thing is supposed to be an ironic running gag that was executed poorly. That's the only explanation that makes sense to me.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

The Hot Dog Water thing was the other reason I gave this show another shot. Her relationship with Velma is actually really cute. However, the gang votes to kick HDW to the curb when they get Daphne back and Velma goes along with the decision because.....she's an idiot who can't let go of her "friendship" with a group of assholes.

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

....that gif. Squee!

And....I seriously have no words here. This show just shattered my brain like little pieces of glass. =___________=

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I get the feeling that the gay subtext was only put there to be ~*edgy*~ and not because they wanted to craft a genuine relationship (romantic or not) between two girls.
I have my issues with the "Velma is gay" fan theory (mainly, the typical reasoning behind it). But I could accept it happening in a new incarnation if it was done right. I have a feeling this show wont keep getting it right for long.


And....I seriously have no words here. This show just shattered my brain like little pieces of glass.

I'd say "try watching it if you don't believe me". But your head could explode if you don't have a high tolerance for sexism and bullcrap. Let me put it this way:
Think about all the romance problems that plagued Legend of Korra. Now imagine those problems magnified by a thousand and remove ANY redeeming features and/or personality traits from the characters. And then imagine Pabu calling Korra a "whore" and trying to bite her. THAT is Mystery Incorporated in a nutshell.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

Jesus Christ. I'm gonna hit the gym and vent out my frustrations before I start doing some serious damage.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I wish I could fly down and join you.

[rezo-eris.livejournal.com]

You could probably guess, but I disagree completely with the "no redeeming features and/or personality traits" thing, and Scooby never called Velma a "whore." If he had, there'd be ALOT more moral guardians complaining than just you.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

...and Scooby never called Velma a "whore." If he had, there'd be ALOT more moral guardians complaining than just you.

He never used that exact word. But he LITERALLY accused Shaggy of "cheating on him" with Velma (in a tone that sounded more like a scorned lover than a friend). He accused Velma of being a home-wrecker; which is more or less the same as calling her a "whore".

Also, I have no doubt that the only reason the MI writers didn't have Scooby call her that was because CN wouldn't let them use naughty words. Having Scooby threaten to attack her is A-OK, but G-D FORBID he use dirty language!
**grumblegrumble**

[rezo-eris.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we all know about the infamous "CHEATING ON ME?" line.

And that is weird. Foul language is wrong. Threatening a woman with violence is A-okay! :(