“If a cop comes up to me on the street like, ‘hey, what are you guys doing?’, I turn into fucking Ned Flanders. ‘Just walking down the street on a stroll, my friend. Let’s find criminals together. I’ll tell on anyone.'” – Jordan Peele
In this column I watch all of the new network premieres and see if they pass the Bechdel test, a test which asks if a work has two women who interact with each other. I then modify the test to apply to people of color (the “Troy and Abed test”) and to queer people (the “Will and Jack test”).
American Dad! (Fox)
This family cartoon premiered last week, but since its premiere failed all three tests I’m still monitoring it.
Bechdel: Pass
Troy and Abed: Fail
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: This episode was a surprisingly thoughtful episode about female sexuality. It not only featured Stan learning to be more attentive to Francene’s needs during sex, but also pointed out that orgasm isn’t the only measure of female pleasure. It was a real surprise. More like this, please.
The Tomorrow People (The CW)
This new show about young people with genetic mutations premiered this week.
Bechdel: Fail
Troy and Abed: Fail
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: The one person of color in the cast has the smallest role and isn’t featured in the promotional posters. I’ll keep watching until it passes at least one test.
Arrow (The CW)
This Green Arrow adaptation returned for its second season this week.
Bechdel: Pass
Troy and Abed: Fail
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: The representation on this show is okay. It is about a “superhero” on a murder spree, though.
Beauty and the Beast (The CW)
This show about a cop who falls in love with a man who sometimes turns into a beast returned for its second season this week.
Bechdel: Pass
Troy and Abed: Pass
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: This episode had three prominent women of color, including the lead.
Hart of Dixie (The CW)
This light drama about a doctor in a small town returned for its third season this week.
Bechdel: Pass
Troy and Abed: Pass
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: Although there was a fair amount of people of color with speaking roles in tho episode, only one of them had a significant role. The only mention of queer existence was someone asking a woman if she’s with another woman and her being offended by the possibility.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC)
This Once Upon a Time spin-off premiered this week.
Bechdel: Fail
Troy and Abed: Fail
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: This had the unfortunate message that if you show signs of mental illness and someone suggests you seek treatment, then they don’t really care about you. It also features characters from Arab stories but no Arab actors. I’ll keep watching until it passes at least one test.
Supernatural (The CW)
This fantasy show about brothers who fight demons returned for its ninth season this week.
Bechdel: Fail
Troy and Abed: Fail
Will and Jack: Fail
Notes: I’ll keep watching until it passes at least one test.
