October 30, 2002 

Context and Screen Time - by Mangababe 

The Sandynistas have had some very interesting things to say with regard to the lack of screen time and context for Kerry's relationship with Sandy as it has been depicted thus far in Season 9.  

To put it plain and simple, we haven't seen any credible evidence of it in the first 4 episodes of the new season - and we've been given lots of information about everyone else and what they're up to.  We've been left to stew about when we're finally going to see Sandy this season, grumble about the lack of screen time our favorite ER doc is getting, gripe that there hasn't yet been one overt indication that she and Sandy are still together, and get offended at the negative comments offered elsewhere on the internet aimed at our favorite couple.  

A book that I'm currently reading -  "The Prime Time Closet - A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV" by Stephen Tropiano - has me thinking about ER’s effort to portray a lesbian couple.   As a consumer of mass media, I'm old enough to remember watching the first lesbian kiss on network TV on "LA Law" (1991), Jadzia Dax's steamy lip-lock with her former wife on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" (1995) and Ellen's coming out in prime time (1997).  Keeping that history in mind, what we've seen so far of Kerry Weaver's coming out (and subsequent relationships) is far more than has ever been shown in the past.  I think it's fabulous...and about damn time.  Score one for The Powers That Be. 

With all of the complaints we Sandynistas have about lack of screen time for Weaver and Lopez... it makes me wonder if we are being too greedy and impatient to expect the same level of on screen development for Kerry and Sandy as for the other heterosexual couples on ER. Is this too much to ask?  I don't think so...especially because Weaver's been a lesbian for two seasons now.  

This summer there was one show that managed to handle the context of a lesbian relationship with style and grace and a minimum of screen time.  I don't mean to digress, but rather use this example to highlight what we Sandynistas are asking, hoping, and praying for. 

HBO's  "The Wire" (I know it's cable...which makes it easier...just bear with me) featured a main character, Detective Shakima Greggs, who also happened to be a lesbian of color. In an early episode, Kima (played by Sonja Sohn) was seen sitting at the kitchen table studying.... when her partner came up behind her to offer words of encouragement, a hug, and small talk about their respective days. The total screen time was probably less than a minute...yet it completely set up the context for her character.   

If I had one favor that I could ask of the writers and producers of ER, it would be to give us that one small bit of context that lets us know that Kerry and Sandy are happy and still together.  We understand that Lisa Vidal has a prior commitment to The Division (most of the Sandynistas watch it, too), which makes it more difficult to work around her availability - but couldn't we have just one small scene that would give us the necessary context for their relationship?  From what we've seen and the way she's been acting, Dr. Weaver could just as well be 0-2 in the girlfriend department.  Is it supposed to be a surprise when we find out that they are still together?    This ER fan would be far less critical about the small amount of screen time devoted to her favorite ER Doc and her Intimate Firefighter Friend - if we got a scene or two within the span of several episodes that gave us the context for the existence of their relationship.

 

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