Feminist Frequency

Fall Premiere Pilot Review: Suburgatory (B+)

Suburgatory (ABC)
This was a surprisingly funny show, I definitely laughed out loud on more then a few occasions. It’s hard not to like Tessa especially in comparison to her fellow classmates. Tessa relocates from Manhattan into what appears to be White Suburban Hell: catty gossipy housewives, plastic self centered teenage women and an obnoxious jock. The repeated jabs at white suburban folks appropriating Black Hip Hop culture was hilarious, and sadly all too true. There is definitely a lack of people of colour but maybe that is kind of the point in the suburbs… it’s just how many shows are specifically made about and for white people at the exclusion of everyone else!?

The show is funny and entertaining but the ending had me a little worried. Tessa was given a lacy, pink bra and found that she actually liked it. This in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it does indicate that the theme of the series might be Tessa learning how to be a “normal” woman. Clearly, the suburban, plastic fantasy world is scary and frightening and that is pitted against Tessa being a City Girl who wears “lesbian” boots. The bra might be an indicator of trying to find a middle ground between these “extremes” but really… there is nothing extreme or wrong or needing to be changed about Tessa… so here’s hoping the show isn’t entirely predictable.

Will watch again.

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Source: feministfrequency.com