The first episode of Grace and Frankie begins by their husbands inviting them both to dinner and informing them that they indeed are in love and will be leaving Grace and Frankie. In fact, the husbands, Robert and Sol, have been involved with each other for more than 20 years, which leaves Grace and Frankie shocked. It is clear from the beginning that Grace and Frankie are complete opposites and do not get along well at all. The episode continues to show them piecing back their lives together after hearing about their husbands’ love affair. This includes them both moving into their beach house that the couples shared. Throughout the episode they exemplify many feminine and masculine characteristics.
Grace and Frankie “The End” passes the Bechdel Test by including…
- Two named female characters: Grace and Frankie
- Two named females having a conversation: Grace and Frankie have many conversations throughout the episode.
- Two named females having a conversation about something other than men: Grace and Frankie’s main topic of dialogue throughout the episode is about what they are feeling and experiencing. Additionally, they talk about their differences as they try to navigate the stormy waters of living together. Their first topic of conversation outside the realm of men was discussing their feelings towards alcohol and diets.
To further analyze the episode, “The End” was looked at through the Sex Role Analysis lens. The Sex Role Analysis process includes identifying characteristics of the female characters and whether they are considered to be stereotypically masculine or feminine traits.
Grace Skolka (Hanson)
Masculine Traits:
- Independent
- Grace shows independence in two ways through the episode. One when she decided that she needs to move out and go live on her own (or so she thought). Additionally, she shows independence when she goes to the store, however this decision backfires on her and she doesn’t handle it well.
- Forceful
- Grace is forceful towards Robert (her husband) when she gives him demands and tells him what to do. One example of this is when she tells Robert what he can and can’t do for her in response to her reaction of Robert and Sol’s love affair.
- Aggressive
- Grace shows aggressiveness through her word choice. Throughout the episode she chooses to use vulgar words, a vocabulary more commonly possessed by masculine persons.
Feminine Traits:
- Yielding
- Grace yield to the world when she is seen crying and showing her emotions.
- Cheerful
- Grace exemplified cheerfulness when she first walked in to the restaurant where she spots Frankie. Although she is not thrilled to see Frankie she try to be light and cheery towards her.
- Shy
- Grace was shy in response to her “independence” in the convenience store. She was courageous by going there on her own, but once inside people started to recognize her and she became very shy and timid towards everyone.
- Compassionate
- Although Grace does not show compassion right away, eventually her and Frankie learn to share their feelings and be compassionate towards each other at the end of the episode.
- Childlike
- When Grace hears the news about Robert and Sol, she started throwing food and other items on the table at Robert. This scene, similar to a “food fight”, could be considered very childlike.
- Vain
- Grace is vain because she is very much concerned about her appearance. This is seen when she gets home from the restaurant and start to take off her hair pieces, fake eyelashes, etc. Viewers can see in her eyes that she is saddened that her appearance couldn’t win Robert over.
Frankie Bergstein
Masculine Traits:
- Independent
- Frankie like Grace decides to move to the beach house, where she thinks she will be alone. Later they both come to find that they had the same idea and decide to reside together.
- Assertive
- Frankie shows assertiveness when she tells Sol (her husband) to “sleep in the den”. She does not ask or give him a choice, she simply tells him that that is what he’s going to do.
- Forceful
- Frankie shows that she is forceful in a similar way to Grace. She tells Sol to “get (his) hands off” of her. She feels that he doesn’t have the right to her anymore and demands that he not touch her.
- Self-sufficient
- Frankie conveys her self-sufficiency when she successfully goes to a convenience store. With confidence, she walks in and walks out with everything she came for in hand.
- Willing to take a stand
- Frankie proves that she is willing to take a stand when she decides to buy cigarettes at the convenience store. She makes a point of doing so because Sol never let her smoke.
- Aggressive
- Frankie, like Grace has a vulgar vocabulary.
- Individualistic
- Frankie proclaims in individualistic characteristics at the beach house where she meditates, sages the house and even gets referred to as “hippy dippy” by Grace.
Feminine Traits:
- Yielding
- Frankie yield to her emotions when she admits to Grace that she is “heartbroken”. This proclamation is followed by her beginning to cry.
- Cheerful
- Frankie exemplifies cheerfulness, similarly to Grace by acting light and cheery towards her when she is greeted in the restaurant by Grace.
- Affectionate
- Frankie hits a low moment and reaches out to Sol to show affection towards. She is struggling because she doesn’t know life without Sol’s touch.
- Compassionate
- Although Frankie tries to show compassion towards Grace, Grace does not want to talk or show any emotion towards Frankie. Finally, Grace opens up and Frankie is able to show compassion and care towards Grace at the end of the episode.
- Soft-spoken
- In contrast to Grace’s “food fight”, Frankie is very soft spoken and almost speechless in the restaurant. She seems calm, although confused, towards Sol who tries to comfort her.
In this episode, both Grace and Frankie seem to show more emotions and vulnerability, making them come off as more feminine. However, in response to their husbands’ choice them seem to come off as more aggressive and forceful. In conclusion, Grace and Frankie exemplify more feminine characteristics in private or towards each other. On the contrary, they show more masculinity towards Robert and Sol and to others in public.
Shared by: Reegan Haines
Image Credit: Grace and Frankie - Season 1, Episode 1 (approximately 31:15)