Bones: Am I too old-fashioned for this life???

[alexandral]

Bones!!!

May be you remember, I had a post on "What shall Alexandra do with Bones" a couple of weeks ago. The winning combination was "Alexandra should watch some more of this because it gets better". I have started watching "A Boy in the Tree" today and first five minutes were fantastic. Agent Booth and Dr. Temperence Brennan had a very cute banter in the car and when Booth said "We do not talk sex at work" finally the bulb in my head lit up and I instantly knew that I like this guy very very much. And when he said "Okay look, we've got about a forty-five minute drive...hmm...what do you say we pass it in quiet meditation" and put his shades on I thought this was one of the best lines I have heard so far.

But then everything went terribly awry again and I am about to rant, and please feel free to miss this. I rant not about any of the characters who are starting to shape up nicely in this episode, but about the show creators.

Because I have a huge question - Do you think Doctors of Anthropology wear tops like presented below for work? Am I out of synch with the working fashions? If someone was wearing tops like this at your workplace would you think nothing of that? Am I getting seriosly old because I think this is unusual? The thing that worried me most of all is that there were definite bouncy movements in the Dr.Brennans chest whilst she was walking. Do you think this is the correct way to portray splendidly intelligent heroine?

Comments

[anna-the-fair.livejournal.com]

Well, I certainly hope that Doctors of Anthropology don't wear tops like that for work. In fact, I don't think they do. This is TV, after all.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

In fact, I don't think they do. This is TV, after all.

** Sighs ** This seems to be another one of these stereotypes.

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

I don't think you're getting seriously old, I think the same of many of the people I saw acting like a character who's supposed to be more 'formal' :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I just find that this irks me a little - that a woman has to wear a dangerously cut top to be portrayed as attractive (it is not that I feel there is something wrong about the low-cut tops in general). I sort of feel it contradicts the character of Dr. Brennan who is supposed to be somehow non-wordly.

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

when you turn on the tv, in Italy, you see that women of any age are dresed up in that way to be attractive, the less they talk, the more they're dressed like that. And the thing that makes me feel angry is that it seems like there's only one way to be attractive, but I don't think so ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for your input!! I really appreciate these words coming from someone so much younger then I am. :D

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

*laugh* I think we must notice very different things. I swear I didn't even notice her top until you pointed it out.

I still stand by my original suggestion in the poll you put up back then - you shouldn't watch something that causes you pain :D You're very brave to continue but I would have given up and started watching something else by now :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

*laugh* I think we must notice very different things. I swear I didn't even notice her top until you pointed it out.

You see, I work in purely male environments for 20 years already. :D Working with the guys taught me to see the world with their eyes a little. Notice these things. :D If someone dressed like that worked in our office they probably would have found that no one takes them seriously!!!

And on a serious note this is again objectifying of the female characters thing.. :(

And please don't worry about me watching Bone - I apologise very much that there is nothing good I can say so far, but feel free to miss these posts!!! I actually found my "Booth love" in this episode.

PS: What does "Copping the feel" mean??

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

I also work in largely male environments, frequently I attend meetings where I'm the only female but I guess I'm observant about different things. There are some things I don't notice, and some things that spring to mind.

And on a serious note this is again objectifying of the female characters thing.. :(

Heh heh, I agree with you but to honest, on any given day 3/4 of LJ is probably given to objectifying male characters. I know when I'm doing pic spams of Takeshi Kaneshiro, although I always say I think he's really smart and a great actor - chances are I wouldn't have 82 screen captures of his face if I wasn't letting the less shallow side of me take over ;) I agree it's unfortunate that women are objectivied on television, but to be honest I think on the screen - male and female actors are generally selected for their perceived physical beauty. If you had a show where everyone was 'ugly' (if there was no either 'hook') I wonder how many people would watch it if it wasn't a documentary?

- I apologise very much that there is nothing good I can say so far, but feel free to miss these posts!!!

Eeek I'm so sorry, I'm not trying to say you shouldn't write things in your own journal. I was just trying to say that notwithstanding polls if watching something wasn't bringing you fun then maybe stop it. But I had forgotten that watching for critiquing purposes is also a way derive fun from something - eg I admit to liking to watch bad movies from time to time :D In any case, you're one of the members of my friends list whom I generally scan through all posts even if it might not be something I know about/am interested in yet so I'm afraid I'm not in the habit of ignoring your posts :D

'Copping a feel' means to grope someone else. The image used in the icon makes it look as though Brennan is groping Booth. Actually she's not - from memory in the actual episode she's reaching into his pocket to get handcuffs :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I also work in largely male environments, frequently I attend meetings where I'm the only female but I guess I'm observant about different things.

I was considering other responses to this post and I think it is may be just a particular set of people/place I tend to work with/at (meaning simple Yorkshire University and geeky programmer types who can easy come to work in slippers, yep, we have one guy who comes in flip-flops regularly). The types of clothing Dr. Brennan wears are much more common in NYC it seems. Yep, it seems I am old and geeky after all, but I guess I learned something new today and it is all fun anyways. :D

But I still think that this doesn't suit Dr.Brennans character. :P

Heh heh, I agree with you but to honest, on any given day 3/4 of LJ is probably given to objectifying male characters

Guilty as charged, but I don't know, this doesn't mean the other argument is less correct, right?

And I MUST say - I rather enjoy Bones at the moment (mainly because of my new found liking of Booth which I would have never expected to happen). I enjoy it in a way I enjoy "Supernatural" - it is something nice to watch before I want to go to sleep or when I am tired. Something that will not make me "hyper" again on an emotional level.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

but to be honest I think on the screen - male and female actors are generally selected for their perceived physical beauty. If you had a show where everyone was 'ugly' (if there was no either 'hook') I wonder how many people would watch it if it wasn't a documentary?

I agree to this, but I don't think this is necessary the same as to make actor/actress to look sexier by the means of low-cut tops or bare chests (apart from when this is necessary for the plot developments. If Dr.Brennan was some kind of wild sexy professor I would have thought that this is a natural thing). It is "just me" - this is why I am so cautious about JE, fanservice and this type of thing. I guess everyone draws the line somewhere, and though I like to see beautiful people, I would rather they were not made to look "sexier" just for the purposes of the raising viewer ratings. (and this goes for both sexes) . I think I am very old-fashioned, I don't think the old black-and-white film stars look less appealing because they wear simple clothes.

Oh, I am getting too muddled up and should go to sleep.

[ancarett]

Well, it's teevee, where all female Ph.D.s are either sexpots or repressed harpies who want to be sexpots. *sigh*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

** Sigh too ** All these stereotypes either make me laugh on a good day or rant on a bad one. But I was a little upset for all Ph.Ds.:D

[arathesane.livejournal.com]

if she was a grad student, an adjunct, or a PHD candidate teaching a class, I wouldn't find it that odd(of course I do live in Florida remember it is generally very hot here most of the time)but as she is doctor of anthro and works in a prestigious gov't sponsored lab I would say it's a little unusual. and it's probably just because it's tv and she's young and she is supposed to be hot.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I actually agree about the students, they seem to wear all sorts (and good on them , I used to wear many interesting things too). I work at the University and lecturers seem to be much more reserved in fashions here, but I like your point about Florida. It is not Florida here at all. :D (And here am very jealous of all your sunshine :D)

and it's probably just because it's tv and she's young and she is supposed to be hot.

I am a little confused with her character, she is supposed to be someone who is as koala put it "unaware of her sexuality"

[lage-nom-ai.livejournal.com]

I still like Bones and think you should keep giving it a shot!

And sadly, what irks me about Brennan's outfit isn't the boobaliciousness--if you want REALLY inappropriate, check out what the CSI women consider autopsy-appropriate!--but the fact that someone who doesn't understand a single thing about popular culture and trends dresses straight out of a fashion mag.

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

the fact that someone who doesn't understand a single thing about popular culture and trends dresses straight out of a fashion mag.

I've always assumed that Angela helps her shop :)

Also, I guess the reason why I never noticed Brennan's occasionally plunging necklines is that the character herself seems largely unaware of her perceived sexuality/beauty. Brennan's character really isn't about that. For instance, with Veronica Mars, Veronica will use her sexuality and charm men, whereas Brennan's not about that. Then again, I'll stop now because I'm a huge fan of the show and most people I know are not :D

[lage-nom-ai.livejournal.com]

Heee. I've been waiting for a scene when Brennan's wearing something awful and Angela's all, "Oh, honey. No." That would instantly make it all acceptable.

And I agree that Brennan is clueless, and that's kind of charming. But the writers push that cluelessness to lengths that often border on "robotic" or "developmentally delayed and raised by wolves"... It gets better in S2 for sure, but those first few eps were trying. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Also, I guess the reason why I never noticed Brennan's occasionally plunging necklines is that the character herself seems largely unaware of her perceived sexuality/beauty

This is my main problem - that dangerously cut tops and a character unaware of her perceived sexuality is a contradiction. I would imagine someone like that dress like you dress, for comfort.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

*chimes in*

I would definitely wear tops like this. I've actually worn tops like this. And I am not particularly fashion-crazed or anything but I always like to have things look nice and set my figure off to best advantage. I don't look at fashion mags but when I shop I go 'ooooh, pretty' or 'oooooh, looks good on me.'

In fact, it often amuses me when I dress sexily that people might assume that I might be some kind of silly bouncy girl as opposed to who I really am. It makes me look hot and it's playing dress up at the same time. So I don't think you need to be fashion mad to want to dress sexily or attractively or what not. I am not trying to reel in anyone through sex appeal (am married after all). Just like looking pretty ;)

BUT

BUT

BUT

I dress like this when I go out with Mr. Mousie or hang out with friends. I wouldn't dress like this for work. Where I work everyone dresses rather stylishly, but much more concervatively than this and this would be very inappropriate. But this is TV. I accept it the same way I accept people wake up with full sets of makeup on, on TV.

I have never seen a minute of Bones so can't comment on the show's merits, but I really think it's only bugging you because you don't really like the show (much as historical inaccuracies in Elizabeth piss me off because I dislike the movie. If I cared for it, I would have overlooked those). There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but I don't think there is a single TV show out there that doesn't 'glamorize' its characters.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think you are nailed it - though I like Agent Booth and generally quite enjoy the show, I don't think I like Dr.Brennan at all yet. (And YEP - hence the complaint ** grin **)

If I cared for it, I would have overlooked those).

I agree with this too - I don't worry much about any of these things in "Rome" :D

I like to dress nicely myself and I am very interested in fashions and colours. Though I naturally dress less sexily then I used to when I was 30, I can't deny I do dress to look nice, interesting and "different". :D At our place of work it is not accepted to dress too revealingly, but there must be some other places with the different culture.

And EEEEEEEEE! Thank you for your input!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I still like Bones and think you should keep giving it a shot!

Oh, I have discovered that I have HUGE love for Booth in this episode, so I am bound to watch it, low cut tops or not.

check out what the CSI women consider autopsy-appropriate!-

I know!! I remember the episode where they were in the house in which some guy died in the bathroom on the first floor and decomposed remains mixed with water were showering all over the place. And CSI gals were wearing skimpy vests?? Would they not be showered with terrible stinky stuff?? ** shudders ** I would imagine the real CSI wearing protective suits by then.

but the fact that someone who doesn't understand a single thing about popular culture and trends dresses straight out of a fashion mag.

This is true - it does seem to contradict her character.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Sigh...I have the DVD set(Amazon had it for $20 right after your post reminded me I wanted it) I suspect I shall love it, but go diving for my Remington Steele(Best. Show. Ever.) DVDs every few eps.

And at 26, it seems I'M too oldfashioned for her clothes...

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

but go diving for my Remington Steele(Best. Show. Ever.)

Pierce Brosnan in the crime drama? Should I watch??

And you should totally watch "Rome" first. :D

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

hmm...Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in a romantic mystery comedy series with some of the best dialogue and best chemistry ever that is essentially an homage to the classics?

Yes, yes you should. Most definately.

I shall watch Rome when i find it for a reasonable price. And have money.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Would you like me to send ** cough cough ** less legally obtained .avi files of "Rome" to you in the meantime?

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

hmmm...I would say yes, but then I would be less inclined to get legitimate copies of a period drama, and I try to very religiously get legitimate copies of those. And prices are starting to drop a bit, too. Though, if it's not down to $40~ in a few months, my stance might change.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Just drop me a line if you need them!!!

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I feel the need to point out, though, that Remington Steele DVDs can be acquired for $20-$25 new a lot now, as the entire series has been out of DVD for a bit now.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I know! I have checked amazon.uk already. :D I shall order it plus "The Wire" season 3 and the first season of "Rome" soon.

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

I don't know about doctors of anthropology, but I do know many biologists and other scientists at NIH and some of the women definitely wear clothes like you depicted. And open-toed shoes. To the lab, where they work with chemicals, etc. It's not what I would do, and I also know scientists whose working uniform is a t-shirt and jeans, but my ideas of what scientists are like, how they dress and how they behave has changed enormously from actually knowing a variety of different kinds.

Also, I was reminded of Dana Scully in later seasons of The X Files, because she wore low necked tops sometimes under her suit jacket.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think the main problem for me is that Dr.Brennan is presented as un-wordly and as koala said "character herself seems largely unaware of her perceived sexuality/beauty". I like this description and this seems to be contradictory to this type of clothing. I would rather imagine a person like this dress for comfort.

And as to ranty part (I apologise very much), I see that the creators of the show are trying to apply one of the traditional stereotypes where women are objectified. Women are either sex-bombs or harpies, like ancarett said, even when this doesn't suit the particular character.

I definitely hasn't noticed Dana Scully wearing anything like that, in my memories she was always very conservatively dressed (too conservatively even). I must check it. :D

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

I don't watch Bones so I am definitely not being an apologist for the show or the character. And I guess as such I just can't care about how the character is dressed - I just know what I've seen in real life. :)

It's unfortunate however, that most brainy female characters on most television shows and in films as well are almost universally dressed to emphasize their sex appeal. I may scoff at it occasionally, but if I like the character and/or the show, I ignore it. If I don't like the character and/or the show, I ignore it even more.

My memory could definitely be wrong about Dana Scully! In early seasons she was clad very dowdily (that awful boxy plaid jacket she wore in the first season comes to mind), but toward the end, if I recall correctly, she was wearing low-ish necked tops under her stylish slim dark pant suits. She rarely took off her jacket, so perhaps it wasn't so noticeable, but they definitely gave her a sexier look in the later seasons.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

And I guess as such I just can't care about how the character is dressed - I just know what I've seen in real life. :)

I appreciate your input very much!! Thank you! I work in the university (in IT department) and female professors don't usually dress like this here, this is why I was wondering.

It's unfortunate however, that most brainy female characters on most television shows and in films as well are almost universally dressed to emphasize their sex appeal. I may scoff at it occasionally, but if I like the character and/or the show, I ignore it. If I don't like the character and/or the show, I ignore it even more.

I tend to ignore this most of the time too, and it is never something I will loose my sleep over, but I wish we more often saw a brainy female character without this emphasizing. Though I guess it is difficult on TV, it is all about the viewing rates and may be this is what helps to make the higher viewing rates. ** sigh **

but toward the end, if I recall correctly, she was wearing low-ish necked tops under her stylish slim dark pant suits.

I think you are correct about the latest episodes, though I don't remember Dana's tops being so ** cough cough ** revealing.

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I confess I never even notice her clothes (unlike the CSI shows, where I feel bashed over the head by the ridiculousness of some of the outifits). So...intellectually, I totally agree with your rant. But practically speaking, it's TV, and I take so much with a grain of salt that it doesn't bother me at all.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Things like that don't usually bother me, I guess it is just so contradictory to heroine's character. But it doesn't worry me too much, I found my "Booth love". :D

[herself_nyc]

I notice her clothes more from the viewpoint of the character's apparent cluelessness about pop cultureI wonder how she manages to look so stylish and put-together when she shouldn't care about stuff like that. Her conspicuous jewelry also surprises me in the same way. But the low-cut topsno. In NYC anyhow, everyone dresses like that. They're just clothes. Bones' outfits always seem comfortable and low-key to me, if stylish too.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

In NYC anyhow, everyone dresses like that. They're just clothes. Bones' outfits always seem comfortable and low-key to me, if stylish too.

I am old-fashioned after all. ** grin **

I agree that these clothes don't seem to fit the character, and may be this was why I noticed then in the first place - Bones doesn't seem to be one of the CSI amazons.