Summary:

Rocky dies, thinks he wakes up in heaven, but learns he is in Hell.

 

Bechdel Test:

  • There are several women in the episode
  • Only one woman gets a line
  • Her line is focused on serving Rocky

 

Gender Roles of Important Characters:

  • Rocky
    • Masculine (8)
      • Self-reliant, independent, assertive, forceful, willing to take risks, self-sufficient, aggressive, individualistic
    • Feminine (0)
      • NA
  • Pip
    • Masculine (1)
      • Makes decisions easily
    • Feminine (5)
      • Yielding, cheerful, soft-spoken, does not use harsh language, gentle

 

Analysis:

In this episode, women really were objects. In fact, there is a line in which it is stated that the women are “props like in a movie.” They are there only to make Rocky’s life seem more pleasurable, and they are put on the same level as money (as at one point in time Rocky asks Pip for a million dollars and a doll with a nice rack). Rocky constantly uses the word “doll” to describe women, showing how they are viewed as play things. This is accompanied by lots of staring at paintings of women and having three women fawning over him at all times. In addition to this, the audience is made to have conflicting feelings towards Rocky (who is male and very masculine) and fairly negative feelings towards Pip (who is male and more feminine). We are told on multiple occasions that Rocky was given the short stick in life, giving an excuse for his violent behavior, and we are shown that Rocky will be spending eternity in a world without meaning. These both cause audiences to have sympathy for this masculine man. Pip, on the other hand, seems too nice. Audiences feel wary of him, and, in the end, it is revealed that he is basically a demon. Thus, we are shown that masculine is good and feminine is bad and untrustworthy.

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