10-01-2014, 09:49 AM
(10-01-2014, 08:37 AM)Louise Wrote: My issue is that she sometimes says/does things which cross the line from "snarky banter" into being genuinely cruel. (All of the characters do this, and I acknowledge that.) You could chalk that up to poor writing, I suppose, but I find it neither funny nor admirable. She's also physically violent and I don't find that funny or acceptable at all.
Unequal relationships don't interest me, whether it's friendship or romance. I don't find it enjoyable or satisfying to watch her dominate the guys, whether physically or psychologically, and I don't enjoy watching them fawn over her. That's just my personal reaction. I've never been impressed with "girl power, whoo hoo!" types of themes. I don't go around kicking and punching people or trying to establish dominance over them. I don't cherish any pseudo-feminist revenge fantasies about "turning the tables" on sexist men. I dislike the idea that being a strong woman means being impulsive or confrontational. Penny threatening to "go Junior Rodeo" on someone is tiresome to me.
Penny is a key component of this show, but I, personally, do not relate to her. That's just my subjective reaction. Clearly I am in the minority on this, and I acknowledge that, but I don't need one character to be the "queen" of anything. That doesn't do anything for me.
Couldn't disagree more! Penny was never 'cruel' in the early seasons, she has became snarkier as the seasons progressed. And I like that she can take care of herself. I'd rather relate to that than some useless bint who always needs to be rescued all the time.
Anyway the idea IS about equal relationships. Penny is intellectually inferior than the guys but she has her own strengths. Take that away and the show would just be about a dumb blonde not understanding a bunch of nerdy science guys.