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Why Jamie from 'Monster Movie' is Not a 'Damsel in Distress'
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Frankly, it pissed me off. For one thing it painted everything in the show as a "regression" of the progress made by Buffy in how women are depicted on television, down to how the Winchesters use guns because they are a symbol of masculinity. What I learned from the essay is that some people seem incapable of viewing women on television as anything other than a representative of their sex. Jo Harvelle, for example, isn't a character she's a symbol for women everywhere. Her flaws and the things that happen to her then become a statement on women everywhere. So basically what they're saying is that a male character can be flawed and still represent men accurately, but a female character with flaws is an inaccurate representation of women. Right. Because women are perfect. Give me a break! By viewing all female characters as "feminine" role models and claiming that their "weaknesses" show how men denigrate women, they're saying that in order to be a feminine role model you can't be real, you have to be perfect. By placing Jo(for example) on a pedestal and comparing her to characters such as Buffy, they're robbing her of what makes her Jo and not Buffy. They're robbing her of her ability to be an individual character. She's a young, inexperienced hunter- not a super powered girl charged with the protection of the world. Another thing that's pointed out is how gruesomely the women on the show die. Hello!?! Everyone on this show dies a gruesome death. Anyway, the essay got me to thinking about women on the show. And it's true, there have been some "damsels in distress"- but there's also been some men in distress too. Just because women can scream better than men doesn't mean men don't piss themselves when they're scared. And most of these people in distress are civilians. To expect them (man or woman) to comport themselves with the skill and bravery of an experienced hunter is ridiculous. Which brings me to Jamie. I've heard her referred to as a "Damsel in Distress"- which is not at all the impression I got from this episode. In fact, I even made a pick asking if people thought she'd eventually become a hunter. I can easily see that potential in her and she continues to be one of my favourite minor characters featured in only one episode. In order to understand how Jamie is far from a DiD(Damsel in Distress) we need to examine exactly how layered this episode is. Monster Movie is black and white, right? Wrong. It's all shades of gray. Nothing in this episode is what it seems to be.
Dean starts the episode off by saying he's looking forward to a simple, straight forward, black and white case. He's tired of shades of gray. So he's eager to swoop in and save the day by beheading some vampires. Well, of course it's not that simple. It turns out they're not dealing with vampires but a shapeshifter. A shapeshifter who is both monster and victim.
When the truth is revealed to Jamie that they are hunting an actual monster, she immediately realizes that her first impression of them was correct- they aren't federal agents. And when she sees that they are just two guys traveling the country hunting monsters, she doesn't romanticize it. She cuts right to the heart of the matter- telling Dean his life must suck. She sees past the glamorous heroics to what their life really is all about- sacrifice. And her startling insight affects Dean, prompting him to open up to her and reveal something important. Something she takes to heart. He tells her that the past few years he's lost his sense of purpose, doubted the merit of his life. But because of a "near death" experience he's been tentatively renewed. He cautiously asserts that what he does saves people and therefore his life must have real purpose, his sacrifices mean something and he might be important in the grand scheme of things.
They're interrupted by Jamie's friend Lucy. Once again Jamie shows good character by not telling her friend to take a hike and maintaining control of her "relationship" with Dean by inviting Lucy to have a drink with them. She's not some simpering girl desperate to rip her clothes off and show her "gratitude" to the hero. She praises Dean's fighting skills even though he didn't actually do much fighting and the shapeshifter escaped. Does that make her a DiD? No, that just makes her a sensitive person who sees beyond Dean's swagger to the insecurity underneath. She let him be the hero because it makes him feel like his life's worth living. Then Dean recognizes that they've been drugged but Jamie doesn't- she just passes out. Does this make her a DiD? No, it makes her a trusting friend. Why would she ever think that Lucy would drug her? And so the monster captures both Jamie and Dean. Now they both need rescuing. Jamie wakes up in "Dracula's lair". She's visibly frightened and she tells her captor that she just wants to go home. Does this make her a DiD? No, it makes her a person who's out of their element- kidnapped by a monster who's been pretending to be her friend and now demanding that she play some kind of weird game with him. I'd want to go home too. When she thinks she hears someone outside, she calls out to Dean for help. Does this make her a DiD? No, it makes her unarmed and unprepared to kill a shapeshifter on her own. She very intelligently calls out- letting whoever's out there know where she is and that she needs help. She's struck down and knocked unconscious by the monster. Does this make her a DiD? No, it makes her someone struck by a preternaturally strong creature.
Perhaps they're forming their opinion from the episode's epilogue, where the hero is proud that everything ended happily ever after. The monster was ganked and the hero got the girl. Jamie even thanks them for saving her.
Nothing is what it seems in this episode- as evidenced by the question mark that follows "The End", asking the audience to question what they just watched. Did they see a black and white episode about a Beautiful Damsel in Distress saved from an Evil Monster by Handsome Heroes? Or did they see an episode full of shades of gray, where the handsome heroes are rescued both physically and emotionally from a pitiable monster by the beautiful damsel in distress? I have no trouble imagining Jamie eventually becoming a hunter. Now that her eyes have been opened to the possibility of monsters she'll take things even less on face value. I don't picture her just jumping in, but she'd be more suspicious of the unusual and if she encountered another monster I have no doubt that she'd take action and do what needed to be done to save people. The question mark at the end could also signify the question of whether or not this is the end of Jamie's story or the beginning? What's just as interesting as Jamie's status as heroine of the episode, is the fans inability to recognize it. Are we so fooled by the pretty blonde in the silky white dress with the sweet smile that we can't see beyond that? If Jamie is the hero of the story, then that makes Dean the damsel in distress. Can the fans not accept that? Do we need Dean to be the hero as desperately as he needs it himself? By calling Jamie the damsel in distress are the fans doing what Jamie herself did? Letting Dean be the hero? Which brings me full circle. Was Jamie written off the show because she was a potential "Buffy"? Did she threaten Dean's status as hero? I don't think so. She illustrated his need to be a hero but she didn't make him any less of a hero by being one herself. And the reason it's unlikely that she'll make another appearance on the show is simply because there's no room for extraneous characters or characters who draw too much attention away from the central plot. This isn't a show about male/female relationships. It's a show about the relationship between two brothers. And that is why so many characters(both male and female) are either killed or written off the show. Besides, why should Jamie or Jo tag along behind the Winchesters when they've got lives of their own to lead?
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Things that reflected my own weaknesses were what I was so upset about, I can see that now, and if Cassie, Jo and whomever I have bitched about were real, I'd have one massive pie to eat!
Also, I just didn't like 'moments' not everything, because I like how even though Jo is helplessly in love with Dean (I don't think it's a crush, it was unfortunately wrong time, wrong guy) she doesn't chase him other than when he is around, she accepts his rebuttal because- I like to think- she has pride! And in the end she knows that what she feels is not reciprocated.
Cassie... loved that chick up until that desperate phone call to Dean. I have to say it was hard to swallow, but I understand, I'm a wimp of such calibre I'd have crumbled into a weeping heap the moment a racist ghost truck came to gut me! I loved her spunkiness, her "I might love you, but you're not in jail so forgive me for not waiting for your fine ass!" attitude.
And many other strong women in this show: Tessa, Tamara, Missouri, Meg, Ruby, Bela- who did not go to Dean to get her out of her deal!!- if we look at it, the writers didn't give us this idea of the Mighty Winchesters... it was fandom itself who came up with this delusion of Hero Dean, when he can't be called a dick without some sort of rebellion.
I personally think he can be a dick and a hero at the same time, like I can be an idiot and really nice person (ahh, the modesty...).
Hey Jo, Cassie: Sorry, I called y'all all that stuff. I'm a dick.
I don't think I feel threatened by any chick on Sups, I was just uncomfortable seeing something about myself I never liked to admit: Needing someone to come help me, I'm a Virgo, self-sufficient!
Everything you wrote makes perfect sense. I hate when people don't like women because they like the male character. I mean it is a show.Sure Sam and Dean are a fine pieces of men. Come to fanpop and we can share how amazing they are but that should not be something that completely drives you off a character. The women of "Supernatural" are pretty badass and if people really pay attention they will realize how great and interesting they each are. Even the ones I don't like are still great characters and I respect each of them.
And I so hate that "masculinity of the show"
of the show comment because E.K and the writers have made some epic girls. I mean Jamie saved the boys. If masculinity was what they really wanted they would have not let that happen. The women of "Supernatural" are amazing. And If some one chooses not to like them(which is understandable I am not saying that each girl is perfect and should be loved by everyone) it should be because of a flaw or something the fan doesn't like.
But seriously you and that writing it is like your super power!
I'm sure that when I get to re-watch the episode, I'll appreciate it even more.
I've definitely got to check out some more of your writing when I get the chance. ;)
***cool! even made it to the library to rate. ;)
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