“Who wouldn’t want to be part of the tradition of misogyny and homophobia?” – the sarcastic question that Netflix’s new comedy ‘Grace and Frankie’ [1] poses at the idea of traditional wedding vows.
Starring Sam Waterston, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Martin Sheen – all liberals of impeccable credentials – the show focuses on the divorce of two married couples, and the subsequent “marriage” of the two ex-husbands. Yes, you read that correctly.
In the first episode, the opening scene involves the four sitting at dinner, with the men abruptly declaring their intent to divorce their respective wives. But then the sorry group divorce just gets worse. Both men simultaneously reveal their romantic interest in one another and their intent to marry, “because we can do that now.”
Has there ever been a more concise statement of modern liberalism’s raison d’etre?
Keeping with this, there is an air of dignity that the show tries to maintain for the two men and their relationship from square one. During a feel-good moment, Waterston’s line is emblematic of the support: “I’m done feeling guilty about who I am” he says to Sheen. (Yes, the show seems to have been written by the same people that bring you lefty bumper stickers.)
In fact, the intended comedy of the show is not the ridiculous homo-septuagenarian relationship. Rather, most is at the expense of the women who are left to cope with the decision of their husbands.
The show fits perfectly with the increasing trend toward normalizing irregular practices of sexuality and marriage. Already this summer, two series featuring transgender people [2] are scheduled to air. Netflix also has had no problem depicting lesbianism and transgenderism for the past few years with ‘Orange is the New Black’ [3].
Admittedly, compared to the constant barrage of obscenity in these shows, ‘Grace and Frankie’ is tame. Still, gay marriage and divorce are increasingly appearing as normal happenings, particularly in Hollywood productions.