Entertainment
TV fans are exhausted by one of the most ‘frustrating’ female tropes ever-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro
Gilmore Girls was used as an example of the ‘boring’ trope (Picture: Hallmark)
TV fans are now calling out some of the biggest shows for inflicting female characters with a frustrating trope.
It’s been pointed out that some of our favourite fictional women have their lives thrown into disarray after choosing to have sex.
The discussion began after a viral tweet by the account StardustNova asked people to share the common types of episode plotlines that have them switching off.
People’s responses ranged from the main characters not having the wedding day they planned to sudden superstardom, but one answer caused the most traction, with over 2.6 million views and 77k likes.
The social media post by Lauren pointed out the worrying narrative that needs to be binned.
‘Making it weird when a female character has sex,’ she began. To back up her point, Lauren used the example of Gilmore Girls. Although the series first aired in 2003, fans regularly enjoy rewatching the episodes, especially during the autumn season.
Lane was pregnant with twins after first sexual experience, which she didn’t enjoy (Picture: CW Network/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Lauren continued: ‘Gilmore Girls did this constantly (ex: Lane getting pregnant immediately & hating sex after one time, Paris not getting into Harvard, Rory & Dean’s situation) and it’s SO annoying. women’s lives should not fall apart bc they had sex.’
The show follows mum Lorelai Gilmore and daughter Rory, who live in a small town called Stars Hollow, is often hailed as a cosy watch, but clearly some people have issues with a few of the narratives.
During an early season, Rory’s classmate Paris Geller doesn’t get into Harvard University and believes it is a result of losing her virginity. When Lorelai Gilmore overhears Paris talking about having sex, she says ‘I’ve got the good kid’ indicating that having intercourse can make you bad.
When Rory receives acceptance letters from Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, Lorelai joked: ‘You must be the biggest virgin in the world.’
Lane Kim, the best friend of Rory, has sex one time, gets pregnant and pretty much gives up her dreams of being a rockstar. Rory herself has sex for the first time with a married man, Dean Forester, and then gets sent away to Europe for a whole summer.
‘Having sex does not make you bad at all I hate that they feel the need to villainise it for girls but praise it for men. Boring sloppy yawning lazy,’ Lauren added.
Paris felt punished for having sex (Picture: Gilmore Girls)
The sexually active woman being punished has long been used as a plot-driver in horror/thriller films, such as Halloween and Jaws. But from the many responses to the original tweet, it seems that people have also noticed that some of their favourite nostalgic series also use it. Although, the punishments are more varied and less obvious.
‘Secret Life of the American Teenager season 2 when Grace’s dad died in a plane crash and she’s so distraught thinking she “caused” it by having premarital sex. Even at 15 years old I was dying laughing at the absurdity of it all,’ wrote account GingerMonster.
Sass added: ‘Buffy [The Vampire Slayer], too. She loses her virginity to Angel and he immediately becomes evil.’ JustLurking agreed: ‘Buffy is an easy example that comes to mind. Angel literally turned evil. She was ridiculed for Parker. Shamed for Spike. Riley was probably the only exception. Sort of.’
Grace thought she was punished for having sex (Picture: Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
April Kepner in Grey’s Anatomy was also mentioned as a more modern example of the trope.
‘The way she went from chief resident to failing her exams, getting all her job offers withdrawn, quitting medicine and moving back into her parents’ farm to milk cows because she got banged like?? Pls it’s just so unsettling for no reason,’ typed Gabi.
Lauren responded: ‘She went from the most promising resident to her life in shambles bc she…had sex. I also really hated the way they acted about her being a virgin too…like why are we doing this lmao? Why are we shaming women for having sex or not having sex? It’s just so lame.’
April deserved better (Picture: ABC)
Maria Goldwyn-Grant shared that her ‘least favourite moment’ in Gossip Girl was when Jenny Humphries lost her virginity to Chuck Bass.
The information is shared with all the Upper East Siders in a Gossip Girl blast, and she is banished from New York by Blair Waldorf, the on/off partner of Chuck.
Jenny was banished after having sex (Picture: The CW)
‘It’s frustrating how often female characters are defined by their sexual experiences in ways that derail their lives. Sex shouldn’t be portrayed as a catalyst for chaos or shame—there are so many more nuanced ways to explore women’s stories!’ summarised Suron.
It’s clear that people are ready for this negative spin on women having sex to be ditched forever. P
ositive representation is much appreciated by all, with recent shining examples including Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, and Marriane Sheridan in the achingly beautiful Normal People.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Gilmore Girls was used as an example of the ‘boring’ trope (Picture: Hallmark)
TV fans are now calling out some of the biggest shows for inflicting female characters with a frustrating trope.
It’s been pointed out that some of our favourite fictional women have their lives thrown into disarray after choosing to have sex.
The discussion began after a viral tweet by the account StardustNova asked people to share the common types of episode plotlines that have them switching off.
People’s responses ranged from the main characters not having the wedding day they planned to sudden superstardom, but one answer caused the most traction, with over 2.6 million views and 77k likes.
The social media post by Lauren pointed out the worrying narrative that needs to be binned.
‘Making it weird when a female character has sex,’ she began. To back up her point, Lauren used the example of Gilmore Girls. Although the series first aired in 2003, fans regularly enjoy rewatching the episodes, especially during the autumn season.
Lane was pregnant with twins after first sexual experience, which she didn’t enjoy (Picture: CW Network/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)
Lauren continued: ‘Gilmore Girls did this constantly (ex: Lane getting pregnant immediately & hating sex after one time, Paris not getting into Harvard, Rory & Dean’s situation) and it’s SO annoying. women’s lives should not fall apart bc they had sex.’
The show follows mum Lorelai Gilmore and daughter Rory, who live in a small town called Stars Hollow, is often hailed as a cosy watch, but clearly some people have issues with a few of the narratives.
During an early season, Rory’s classmate Paris Geller doesn’t get into Harvard University and believes it is a result of losing her virginity. When Lorelai Gilmore overhears Paris talking about having sex, she says ‘I’ve got the good kid’ indicating that having intercourse can make you bad.
When Rory receives acceptance letters from Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, Lorelai joked: ‘You must be the biggest virgin in the world.’
Lane Kim, the best friend of Rory, has sex one time, gets pregnant and pretty much gives up her dreams of being a rockstar. Rory herself has sex for the first time with a married man, Dean Forester, and then gets sent away to Europe for a whole summer.
‘Having sex does not make you bad at all I hate that they feel the need to villainise it for girls but praise it for men. Boring sloppy yawning lazy,’ Lauren added.
Paris felt punished for having sex (Picture: Gilmore Girls)
The sexually active woman being punished has long been used as a plot-driver in horror/thriller films, such as Halloween and Jaws. But from the many responses to the original tweet, it seems that people have also noticed that some of their favourite nostalgic series also use it. Although, the punishments are more varied and less obvious.
‘Secret Life of the American Teenager season 2 when Grace’s dad died in a plane crash and she’s so distraught thinking she “caused” it by having premarital sex. Even at 15 years old I was dying laughing at the absurdity of it all,’ wrote account GingerMonster.
Sass added: ‘Buffy [The Vampire Slayer], too. She loses her virginity to Angel and he immediately becomes evil.’ JustLurking agreed: ‘Buffy is an easy example that comes to mind. Angel literally turned evil. She was ridiculed for Parker. Shamed for Spike. Riley was probably the only exception. Sort of.’
Grace thought she was punished for having sex (Picture: Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
April Kepner in Grey’s Anatomy was also mentioned as a more modern example of the trope.
‘The way she went from chief resident to failing her exams, getting all her job offers withdrawn, quitting medicine and moving back into her parents’ farm to milk cows because she got banged like?? Pls it’s just so unsettling for no reason,’ typed Gabi.
Lauren responded: ‘She went from the most promising resident to her life in shambles bc she…had sex. I also really hated the way they acted about her being a virgin too…like why are we doing this lmao? Why are we shaming women for having sex or not having sex? It’s just so lame.’
April deserved better (Picture: ABC)
Maria Goldwyn-Grant shared that her ‘least favourite moment’ in Gossip Girl was when Jenny Humphries lost her virginity to Chuck Bass.
The information is shared with all the Upper East Siders in a Gossip Girl blast, and she is banished from New York by Blair Waldorf, the on/off partner of Chuck.
Jenny was banished after having sex (Picture: The CW)
‘It’s frustrating how often female characters are defined by their sexual experiences in ways that derail their lives. Sex shouldn’t be portrayed as a catalyst for chaos or shame—there are so many more nuanced ways to explore women’s stories!’ summarised Suron.
It’s clear that people are ready for this negative spin on women having sex to be ditched forever. P
ositive representation is much appreciated by all, with recent shining examples including Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, and Marriane Sheridan in the achingly beautiful Normal People.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
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