Caught the second episode in the Studio 60 two-parter last night. While the character bits and dialogue continue to be fun, the rest of the show is hurting. I've made it abundantly clear how I feel about the sketch comedy bits, so I won't go into that again - but last night the whole Deus Ex Machina plot device for getting Nathan Corrdry's character out of police custody was really disapointing.

As a Christian I've been really interested in Sorkin's take on faith. He sets Matthew Perry's character firmly against the often oppresvie dogma of religious fundemantalism and the politics of the Religious Right, but counter-balances him with Sara Paulson's character who is portryaed as, for the most part, a thoughtful, intelligent, loving Christian. For the past two weeks they've been arguing about comment's Paulson's character made in an interview when asked about gay marriage. Her comments were (to paraphrase) "The Bible says gay marriage is wrong, but it also says 'Judge not least ye be judged,' so I don't know." A very honest expression, I thought, of how lots of (okay, maybe not lots of...) Christians approach what is a really confusing issue for people of faith.

I thought the whole thing was handled really well and appreciated the care and attention given to both sides of the issue (the issue here being, not gay marriage, but rather Christian perspectives on gay marriage).

Right up until the end.

Towards the end of last night's episode Perry and Paulson's characters are arguing about the Christian view point and Paulson's character explains that America just needs a little time to get used to the issue. That gay marriage is just to alien to most people and they need time to adjust (again, paraphrased).

Okay, so now all the previous attempts to thoughtfully portray the tension that exist in Christianity and it's views on gay marriage? Forget those. The real issue is that most people in middle America are homophobes and they're afraid gay marriage will scare the horses.

I thought the show kind of undid all the good character building it had done up until that point with Paulson's character. She went from admitting she didn't have all the answers to being an apologist for a fairly hard to defend point of view.

That's just me, though. Thoughts?


OK...I need to watch last nights episode. I'm sure your wrong about this...I'll get Situated Giblets on board w/ me and we'll straighten this out.  


isn't jesus' (not to be confused with christianity's) main message not to lead a hypocrite's life? wasn't this his central beef with the pharisees? in fact, a more direct translation of his original words/message would be to not go through life "play acting."

it just seems to me that not letting people be who they truly are, i.e. asking them to live a lie, goes more against jesus' (again, not mainstream christianity's) central message. denying them the right to express a love, one they doubtlessly experience, through marriage seems to be asking them to deny who they truly are; in effect, asking them to live a lie.

sorry to rant, but you asked for thoughts.  


alright, i just reread that, and it has nothing to do with your post, which was talking about specific character development within the broader framework of social-religious issues.

also, it sounds like i'm pissed off. i wasn't, i'm just grumpy in the morning.

so, i apologize, not for my opinions, but for offering them when they weren't requested. and i admit to having not watched studio 60 yet, but the mere fact that they bring up issues like this makes me want to tune in.  


Yeah, I didn't want to say you missed the point, but...

At any rate, your opinions, solicited or otherwise, are always welcome. Except on music. I find sometimes you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to music. Like your high concept description of Okkervil River.  


wait a cotton-pickin' minute here...

i admit to incorrectly classifying o.r. after listening to "stars too small to use." but after hearing the other two cd's, i redacted my description.

besides, jesus main message regarding music was to love all forms and melodies. for me to refuse to listen to a certain type of music just because i'm scared of it would be unchristianlike.  


I think no matter how you look at it you will never get a straight answer. What we believe to be true is not accepted by the world. It seems to be a loosing battle but i think Christians should give it their best shot. Thank you for your deep thought, keep posting!  


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It depends on what the battle is. I don't really think keeping gay marriage illegal is a battle I'm necesarily interested in. Any Christian resistance to gay marriage arises from within the faith. I don't know if we can or should expect legislation to reflect the values of a religious faith. I'm more of the mindset that Christians should introduce people to Jesus as best they can and then let them govern themselves accordingly.

Does that make sense? It's like if Hindus expected the laws of this country to reflect their ideas on the sacredness of certain animals? That's a value that's a reflection of their faith. I don't want there to be laws that require me to follow a value system I don't believe. Likewise, I don't want my religion to be mandated to anyone else.

My initial post was less about what I think about gay marriage and more about the good job Studio 60 had done portraying a thinking Christian and the conflict she felt about the issue - and how they subsequently undid a lot of that good work with a couple of stupid lines.

Thanks for reading and commenting, though, and please feel free to do so again whenever you feel compelled. Other's thoughts are always welcome.  


I see your point. I guess its two ways to look at the same subject. I am tending to think your comments are more along the correct lines than mine are.

I find your ideas interesting and will continue to read. Please feel free to do the some on mine as well. I welcome comment conversations.  


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