Thoughts and Stuff: Agent Carter's Feminist Finale
How great was Agent Carter? I love it so much. I was particularly impressed by the finale's denouement, which did some really great things.
When Peggy walks into the SSR at the end of the episode, it's to applause. It's to her coworkers seeing her for the first time. This is especially poignant after that amazing line from her in the interrogation room in Episode 7: "You think you know me, but I've never been more than what each of you has created."
Here, for the first time, her coworkers—who unabashedly degrade and disrespect her daily—acknowledge her worth.
As inspiring as this moment is, it could have very easily veered into corny territory if Thompson and Souza and Peggy all just became BFFs who respected each other. But no! The show proves itself way smarter than that. The moment the senator comes to congratulate Thompson and really butters him up, the show made a decision—the correct one. Thompson could have very easily (and lazily) been written as saying something like, "Actually, the real hero was Peggy," leaving the show with a tidy happy ending where all the "good guys" have learned their lesson—but also leaving the audience in a state of disbelief and dissatisfaction. Instead, what actually happens is something that A) is consistent with Thompson's characterization (taking credit for things he never did to save face), B) reflects modern society, and C) gives the last word on Peggy's character.
All in one little scene. Fantastic.
As well as consistent and believable for his character, Thompson's slight rings true to life. There have been many studies about the disparity of credit-taking/exaggeration of accomplishments between different genders in mixed gender situations and how this contributes to workplace inequality. It's also a smart writing choice because it shows that Peggy didn't just Change Everything. Even if Thompson respects her more than he did previously, that still doesn't mean he respects her as much as he respects other men. It's why the "I'm not racist, I have black friends," etc. defense is such nonsense. Because even though all those men applaud and acknowledge Peggy in that moment, it doesn't mean they'll no longer indulge in sexist behavior toward other women (or even toward her). Having their eyes opened to the badassery of this one woman in this one instance is a huge step, but it's not enough to actually fundamentally alter them.
And then Nice Guy Souza does his White Knight thing, offering to defend Peggy—but Peggy says the amazing thing that actually made me cheer out loud: "It really doesn't bother me. . . . I don't need a congressional honor. I don't need Agent Thompson's approval, or the president's. I know my value. Anyone else's opinion doesn't really matter."
This is so interesting and impressive to me. By the end of the miniseries, Peggy has changed the way the people around her perceive her—but she hasn't changed their fundamental character, and she hasn't fundamentally changed herself. This is rather unusual for what still feels like a successful (i.e. compelling) action hero character. But it's what makes Agent Carter a feminist series rather than just one with feminist themes. Although Peggy is not flawless, the show never tells you that she needs to change her character or that she needs to learn a lesson. She doesn't have to learn to be brave, or strong, or confident, or kind; she doesn't have to grapple with leadership or teamwork. Peggy is already great; it's the rest of the world that needs to catch up and realize it.
Agent Carter isn't about Peggy overcoming her shortcomings; it's about the people around her learning to respect her as a person. That is the feminist message that the series leaves us with, a powerful one that is applicable to so many other marginalized communities as well:
Women do not need to change themselves and their behavior to be accepted in society; it's society that needs to change to accept them.
Women are not inherently wrong, flawed, or lesser because of any deviation from the perceived "default" of men or men's ideals.
Women do not need to prove themselves worthy to society and to those who put them down.
Women are already worthy.
What an amazing message. What an amazing show.
