"United States of Tara"- Marshall de-gayed? (sorta)

Posted: 3/3/10 at 3:38pm

Ok, I know you can't judge the upcoming season till it airs, but judging from this promo, they decided (at least for an episode or two) that Marshall is now "questioning" or "bi" or something like that. IMHO, it was so refreshing to have a kid who knew who he was, had no problem with it, and that was that. To have them dig out the old "I might not actually be gay" chestnut is a real step backwards for a show that prides itself on being different. Even if he turns out to be gay after all, this is a road I didn't think they needed to take.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjEf1SYtD7w&feature=channel

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 4:39pm

This seems more like a realistic approach to an adolescent's understanding of his sexuality than a step backwards. Thanks for posting about this though. I'm really looking forward to the second season.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 5:46pm

While I absolutely loved seeing a character like Marshall was last season--a young gay kid who didn't hide who he was, and who was accepted for it--I also think it's interesting that they are looking at sexual identity from this angle. That is to say, a kid who identifies as gay questioning whether or not he's bisexual. The word "straight" was never used in that promo video, so I don't see this as a straightening in any way. I think it could make for some very interesting television.

So many people in the community identify as "queer," which is what I think Marshall is really saying when he calls himself "I for Independent." It's just rejecting labels.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 6:16pm

This seems more like a realistic approach to an adolescent's understanding of his sexuality than a step backwards.

I agree. The character is still young and dealing with his first "boyfriend" heartache. It seems like a natural knee-jerk response for an adolescent and not as "out of the blue" as Justin's character on Ugly Betty suddenly spewing "I'm not gay!" in a show that carefully painted every gay stereotype possible onto one character. That was just ridiculous.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 6:21pm

I am thinking how his first relationship ended really affected him. Just going in-between, avoiding getting hurt again.

[binau]

Posted: 3/3/10 at 11:47pm

"Justin's character on Ugly Betty suddenly spewing "I'm not gay!" in a show that carefully painted every gay stereotype possible onto one character. That was just ridiculous.'

I don't see what is ridiculous about a gay person in the closet, lol.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/4/10 at 1:51pm

It had more to do with how the character was set up. He seemed very strong and self-confident and they were careful to make him out to be as gay as possible. Then it became this big WTF moment that was completely contradictory to the character's entire journey. That's what made it ridiculous.