In episode 10, Grace, Frankie, Robert, Sol and Bud get stuck in an elevator while leaving the courthouse after signing their divorce papers. They begin to reflect on a weekend that occurred five years ago. They were spending the weekend at the beach house as families. At that time, Robert and Sol were trying to tell Grace and Frankie about their love affair. Their attempt was interrupted by the arrival of their kids and a very pregnant Mallory. As the episode continues, Mallory has her baby at the beach house, Grace decides to retire and to give Say Grace to Brianna, and Bud sees Robert and Sol embrace and kiss which he keeps quiet about.
Grace and Frankie “The Elevator” passes the Bechdel Test by including…
- Two women named Grace and Frankie
- Conversations where the women talk to one another
- Grace and Frankie having conversation about the meal that they are having that day at the beach house.
Grace Skolka (Hanson)
Masculine Traits:
- Assertive
- Grace is getting kind of annoyed by others, and asserts herself by saying, “what is going on in here?!”
- Forceful
- Grace gets frustrated with Frankie and tells her to stop antagonizing the baby and leave Mallory alone.
- Leadership ability
- Grace is very organized when it comes to planning her meal. In doing so, she is also instructing others on what to do.
- Additionally, Grace spends a lot of time on her phone with work during the day with her family.
- Willing to take risks
- Grace decides that she is going to retire and give the company to Brianna.
- Dominant
- Grace is very dominant in her conversation with work, telling them what to do and how she wants things done.
- She is also beginning to boss around Brianna during their day at the beach house. When she realizes Brianna can take it, she knows she would make a good leader of Say Grace.
- Masculine
- Grace has no remorse for Mallory and tells everyone to leave “the pregnant woman” be.
- Acts as a leader
- When no one is helping Grace with the meal, she exclaims, “I’ll marinate the chicken myself!”.
Feminine Traits:
- Affectionate
- When Mallory has her baby, Grace does show some affectionate looks towards the baby.
- Feminine
- Grace gets to be very claustrophobic when they get stuck in the elevator.
- Compassionate
- Grace apologizes to Frankie after accusing Frankie of being too “self-involved”.
- Tender
- When Grace decides to step down from Say Grace she admits to Robert that she misses him and she is said about all the time she’s missed out on by starting Say Grace.
- Sensitive
- Grace is very hurt when Robert admits that he stayed with her out of pity rather than love or happiness.
Frankie Bergestein
Masculine Traits:
- Assertive
- Frankie asserts herself in a manner which is helping Mallory. She starts to ignore all else and only focus on Mallory.
- Forceful
- When Grace begins to pressure Frankie into helping her, Frankie gets frustrated and yells to Grace that she is trying to get Ovaltine for Mallory!
- Individualistic
- Frankie admits that she doesn’t want to work as much as Grace because life is so short. This makes her unique and individualistic.
Feminine Traits:
- Cheerful
- When Mallory begins to go into labor, Frankie is very excited and cheerful about it.
- Affectionate
- Frankie is very loving and affectionate towards Mallory and her pregnant belly.
- Feminine
- Frankie is obsessed with Mallory and the fact that she is pregnant.
- Sensitive to others’ needs
- Frankie attempts to comfort Grace when she begins to have a panic attack in the elevator.
- Compassionate
- Frankie is very compassionate and caring towards Mallory while they are at the beach house.
- Eager to soothe hurt feelings
- While Mallory is suffering during her pregnancy, Frankie is quick to take care of her and comfort her in any way possible.
- Warm
- Frankie was very warm towards Bud and thanked him for taking care of their divorces with Robert and Sol.
- Tender
- When Bud admits to catching Robert and Sol five years ago, Frankie assures him that none of this is his fault.
- Loves children
- Frankie is overjoyed whenever it comes to women who are pregnant or children. This is clear with Mallory, both while pregnant and once she has the baby.
- Loving
- Even though they’ve been through a lot and Sol ultimately left Frankie, she still loves him with all of her heart.
In episode 10, Grace exemplifies more masculine traits while Frankie is more feminine. Grace is at the height of her time leading Say Grace so she still has a lot on her plate. With that being said, she is very outspoken and bossy towards others, whether it’s family or her work team. Frankie, on the other hand, is very feminine because she is taking care of Mallory and all things that being with a pregnant woman consists of. She is portraying a very motherly side of herself.
Shared by: Reegan Haines
Image Credit: Grace and Frankie Season 1, Episode 10 (approximately 1:10)