drifteratheart replied to your post “Remember when Maggie said that Jo looked like a cartoon? Or Tom...”
You know, I really don't know why they decided to push this Jo looks like the rapist narrative, when her mother explicitly said (when Jo asked, that she does NOT look like him. Bc she has her grandfather's eyes, Vicki's hair and fire in the belly. I hate that they made this such a central point, when it's not even true.
Sorry, I almost missed this. Totally get where you’re coming from.
I love that moment in the conversation with Vicki. The way Jo collects herself and than asks this question. “Do I look like him.” It’s such a heavy and loaded question and it really gets Vicki to look at Jo. Closely look. And I feel there is so much conflict. She doesn’t say yes or no. She looks for details and then mentions the nice things. The eyes and the hair. And also acknowledging Jo’s whole attitude (which I read as a huge compliment).
But here’s the thing, what about all those things Vicki does not mention? Does this mean Jo’s face has some distinct features from her... father. It feels so bad using that word, 15x19 made sure of that for me. Which is good I guess, because that is part of why I can follow Jo’s spiral into depression. In her state of mind every detail gets amplified, including a possible lingering resemblance. I disagree with you here. Vicki does not outright state that Jo didn’t look like him.
Of all the things she could’ve said and try to talk about, Jo did ask about that. Was this because she thinks about how triggering looking at her might be for Vicki or is she asking because this is something she thought about throughout all those years? I try to imagine Jo standing in front of a mirror from time to time, looking at herself and just wondering. And whatever she may have thought back then, it all blew up. (She fantasized about what it feels like to have a dad and made up different versions. It’s not hard thinking that sometimes she might’ve wondered about what people would say she’d look like.)
Before Jo opened up, I talked to somebody else about her and theorized that this is might be sending her the signal, that whatever Paul did to her and all the crap that happened, is now something she deserved. Of course that is bs, but it’s part of this terrible spiral. And then focusing not just on this “violence is my heritage”, but also thinking that she wears parts of a rapist’s face - it’s another puzzle piece. And it’s more tangible than this abstract concept of violence following her.
It should not be THE talking point in all of this, that’s true. And the way Meredith relayed that information to Alex made it sound huge. That is weird. But it shouldn’t be downplayed either. Jo’s whole self-image is shattered. Emotionally, but also with that in a physical form. Vicki did not say she didn’t look like him. She didn’t deny it right away and avoided an all too general answer. So that stuck. (Along with the way she pulled her hand away that one time Jo reached out. So, maybe that’s combined in her mind. Jo does ask this after Vicki pulls away.)
I’m very curious where this story will lead us. I hope they’re doing right with Jo’s recovery process, therapy etc. But I also hope we’ll get to see Michelle Forbes as Vicki again later on. On the one hand I’m tired how these find-the-parents-stories almost always lead to “I’m glad I did it and now I have a relationship with my biological parents”. On the other hand Jo deserves a win. Despite being part of this cast for so long, she doesn’t have that many close friendships (more scenes with Link, please)... Meredith and Jackson had this wonderful scene talking about their crappy dads and how Richard has filled the void. Alex’ mom is all better now. Amelia’s sisters are the worst, but she had a good talk with her mom as well and I believe they are more open with each other now. We had so many great parents moments this season and then there is Jo. Ouch. My heart.
Since I’m rambling so much already, straying from the point, I want to add that I’m curious if the mentioned abortion will be addressed again. This whole storyline is build on hot button issues and that is a piece of it all. Cristina had an abortion and there was drama surrounding it, but it was all about relationships and (not) wanting kids in general. Here we have a woman who was raped and had her baby (stockpiling her trauma by keeping it all a secret and doing it alone). Thus Jo being here at all. Who in turn was in an abusive relationship and decided to have an abortion (at seven weeks, seven...it’s so specific). I’m so glad they immediately took the position that abortion is a valid option. Which is more food for the depression monster though (Jo questioning if she should even be here at all.) Looking like her biological father is really just one piece and should be treated as such...
