The X-files did a faux crossover with the popular reality show Cops. The episode X-Cops first aired on February 20, 2000. They even used the Cops theme and filmed the episode in the hand held style of Cops as well as filmed on video tape. The episode also had significantly less edits and long takes to match the style of the reality show. Because of the "live" feel of the episode, it stands out with not having a Mark Snow score in the background. ("X-Cops", X-Files, TV Event)
She’s the baby, but she’s treated like the middle child. The girl who can disappear because she’s not into the bickering, or the family drama. She just wants to draw her comics in peace, enjoy the company of her friends, and love her momma.
Until her safety is shattered by traumas no child should have to go through... Smelling the rotting body of her best friend while attending his funeral (she still hasn’t had the space to properly mourn him) and then those demonic bigoted cops.
She represents those black girl children, of whom there are sadly many who are thought to be able take care of themselves, and (thankfully not in this narrative) are so often blamed for the “trouble” they find themselves in, from the many wolves willing to exploit a vulnerable black girl.
Having seen the her focus ep, many might say she’s “strong” and resourceful...
But the point is, she shouldn’t have to be, at that age.
Her family should have have protected her. She should never have been able to slip away to the point where that demon of a cop could have put that nasty curse on her.
In the HBO podcast (which I will continue to recommend listening to, especially for those who have no experience or context for the cultural levels being explored here) the writer talks about the implication in that scene, where the cops catch her in the alley is that anything could have happened to her, from being beaten to death to sexual assault.
...But because this is a genre show, they could make that point without going that far into trauma... Through the curse he placed on her instead.
Still, you get the sense that she was befouled. He spat on her...marked her in a way that is permanent.
It’s a dark poem... That rotting arm, and that distorted degrading view of her as this racist caricature; a visual metaphor of what so many racist cops and the racists who enable and mentally justify this kind of violence against black children see. The curse is she *became* what those bigots already reduce her to. In their minds, this bright, curious, smart, talented little girl, is just a thing, this “jiggaboo” -best to rot away.
...And well-played for Jada Harris, in the scene where she’s hiding in the bathroom, furiously scrubbing her forehead. Again, the implication is there, but it’s explored in a way that’s more accessible and less traumatic.
It goes back to my point that this show isn’t racial violence torture to sit through, like what I’ve heard of Antebellum. The point isn’t to show people how bad we had it or to try to inspire guilt/empathy in white people, as so much media in the past has done.
No, the point is to tell this fantastical pulpy tale and render these characters. The depth aside from that just makes the pulpy tale of these characters much more resonant and full for us, the audience. While also gaining these deeper insights at a slant that’s slightly easier to digest.
Seeing Dee go through so much alone, when family should have been there for her is much too familiar for many a black family, because we already deal with so much societial pressure.
This brings to mind when the hashtag #BringHomeOurGirls was happening, because of the mass kidnapping of Nigerian girls from school, some years back. And the stark lack of black missing girls getting anywhere near the media attention of a surburban white woman.
I know Dee will survive...but she will sadly be forvever changed. And I fear what this will mean for the change in Dee after this event.
I *know* Hippolyta will be instrumental in helping her overcome, regardless ofher own changes.
That’s just how moms be.
Alright..Episode 3 of Lovecraft Country aired tonight and I have some thoughts. SPOILER ALERT. SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!
•Tic's father is an ass..I see why he joined the army to get away from him. He is cold, not fatherly in the least, and treats Tic horribly.
•Sexual tension...sexual...se...x. I literally jumped up and down when they finally did it. WHEW. I know there will be more sex scenes with Tic and Leti and, I'm looking forward to it.
•Major..LaLaurie Mansion vibes. MAJOR. If you know, you know.
•I feel so bad for Hippolyta and Dee. I also feel as though they will find out the truth about what happened to Uncle George.
•Leti is so amazing, I love her character. Jurnee Smollett Bell gives me life.
• Bringing in a priestess to get a handle of the worsening spiritual situation added a nice touch to this episode.
•I cannot wait until Tic is able to harness his own magical powers because..WTF.
• I am beginning to believe that William (Jordan Patrick Smith) is actually Christina. These took look so similar and they've never been in the same room together...yet.
• The truth about where the money came from was cruel. They played Leti by getting her to buy that house of horrors. She thought it came from her Mother.
• I hope that Leti and Ruby can eventually fix their strained relationship. Time will tell however.
