06-25-2019, 09:50 AM
(06-25-2019, 09:03 AM)GPnative Wrote:(06-25-2019, 07:32 AM)GCG Wrote: I might have mentioned somewhere that we've recently gone 100% streaming for our TV. I started watching Penny Dreadful a couple of weeks ago. This is not really the sort of show that I would normally watch but I thought I'd give it a chance. It hard to explain the plot but it adds a new spin on Jack the Ripper, Frankenstein, the occult and probably some other things as well. It's quite morbid and vivid and the acting is good. I was having a lot of trouble following along until about the end of episode 3 and then it started to make sense. Last night I was just getting to the end of episode 4 when 2 of the main characters, both men, decided to start making out and undressing each other. I've said before that I find these type of scenes revolting. I can get past it if it's just implied... but I say "no thank you" to graphic scenes of gay men.
Why is it that all of the sex, (not just gay sex) has to be so vividly displayed on these series? Game of Thrones was borderline soft core porn. It has a couple of gay scenes that I just skipped past and watched the rest of show. I may end up doing the same for Penny Dreadful... but if it becomes too frequent I will end up finding something else to watch.
To be clear, I am not a prude and the vivid sex does not bother me when its straight or even lesbian. But it does turn my stomach a little when its men. If that alone makes me homophobic then hang the label on me. But I honestly don't care what people do behind closed doors as long as it does not involve abuse.
Anyway, has anyone watched the complete series? Is it worth putting up with some stuff that I don't care for? In the case of GoT, it was.
Scenes such as that almost never drive the plot or add anything of value to the story, I view it more as the ongoing social commentary that has to be inserted into everything, it's done to desensitize and continual movement of the goal posts of what's acceptable to air and shock value.
I think an instance of well done writing and character portrayal w/out shock value for a gay character was Thomas in Downton Abbey. If they had instead used the platform for blatant in your face graphic shock scenes I would of dumped the show, as it was, they accomplished capturing the essence and struggle of his character, making it thought provoking for the viewer, regardless of your personal views on sexuality, and you genuinely felt for the character and for me he quickly became one of my favorites. Had they chose to go the opposite route by making it all about his being gay and look at these graphic in your face scenes we can show that 10 years ago we couldn't have, I would of likely quit watching.
"I view it more as the ongoing social commentary that has to be inserted into everything"
I agree 100%. I think it is inserted as a right of passage into the modern movie and tv business.