Summary:

Marilyn is trying to avoid a required procedure that makes her look like the “ideal” woman, but she is eventually forced into it.

 

Bechdel Test:

  • Passes!
  • Marilyn talks to her mother, Lana, and Val
    • Both about the procedure and what it means to be an individual

 

Gender Roles of Important Characters:

  • Marilyn
    • Masculine (9)
      • Self-reliant, defends own beliefs, independent, assertive, analytical, willing to take risks, makes decisions easily, willing to take a stand, individualistic
    • Feminine (0)
      • NA
  • Lana
    • Masculine (3)
      • Defends own beliefs, strong personality, willing to take a stand
    • Feminine (9)
      • Cheerful, affectionate, eager to soothe hurt feelings, soft-spoken, warm, tender, gullible, does not use harsh language, gentle
  • Rex
    • Masculine (7)
      • Defends own beliefs, assertive, analytical, leadership ability, makes decisions easily, willing to take a stand, acts as a leader
    • Feminine (0)
      • NA
  • Val
    • Masculine (1)
      • Defends own beliefs
    • Feminine (8)
      • Cheerful, affectionate, eager to soothe hurt feelings, soft-spoken, warm, tender, does not use harsh language, gentle

 

Analysis:

I felt that this episode was quite the commentary on gender roles. All people are transformed into the ideal body type for their gender. When they undergo this procedure, they also seem to take on traditional gender roles. For example, before Marilyn has the procedure, she is independent, thinks deeply and critically about society, and pushes for change. She is pretty, but in a more average and realistic way. After the procedure, Marilyn is only bubbly and seems fairly shallow, along with being thin and curvy, with a hairdo from the time. As all of the characters who have had the procedure tend to have traditional gender roles, this procedure can be seen as the way we are socialized, how we are taught  to adhere to gender roles. Thus, this episode seems to really address the construction of gender roles, which was interesting. It also passed the Bechdel Test, which is always good.

Shared by: Grace White
Image Credit: The Twilight Zone, CBS via Netflix