The FOX television series New Girl, specifically season 5, episode 4 titled No Girl
Gender representation:
- The episode starts off by showing why Jess will not be making an appearance since she had jury duty and the case had been extended. The roommates and Cece are sitting watching this on television when Winston says, “who am I supposed to go to for lady advice now?”. In addition, she has left a bowl to help them that has strips of paper with advice inside. This shows how much she cares about them and how she usually gives them advice about women. This relates to the women’s traits of supportiveness and expressiveness which are stereotypical traits. Furthermore, Cece also says to Winston, “It is going to be okay I can help, I told Jess I would take care of her boys while she was away”. This also relates to the topic of women’s stereotypes with caring qualities.
- While Jess is away they rent her room in the loft to a female Asian character that is first introduced in only a towel asking help with the shower. Nick says he can help her with the shower while proceeding to walk in her direction, but Schmidt stops him because he knows that Nick is going to try and sleep with her. This is assumed since Nick says “please” after Schmidt holds him back. This part relates to Asian women’s representations specifically by fetishizing them. This is a stereotype of Asian women.
- Lastly, the random male character they let stay in the loft while Jess is gone, in addition to the Asian character, dresses up as Jess in her room and talks with a high pitch voice imitating her. He is fake debating which dresses to wear as if he were Jess. He holds up dresses of her that are colorful acts like a woman. This is a stereotype of women taking longer than men to get ready for the day and not being decisive.
The Bechdel Test: Does not pass
- There are women that are named
- They do not talk to each other
Shared by: Alonzo Torres
Image Credit: https://www.netflix.com/watch/80111429?trackId=200257858