I’ve always been a fan of Army Wives. I know, it’s a bit sappy. But I like it. One reason why is because on ocassion they handle an issue really well.
That happened this past Sunday with a subplot about a young girl and body issues. The overview: Pamela Moran (Brigid Brannagh)the mom is a former cop, talk show host and wife of a Delta Force soldier who is never around. She is basically a single mom. She is also very sports oriented and is the assistant football coach of her son’s team.
Here’s the breakdown of several scenes in the show:
The scene starts with a 10 year old girl (Chloe J. Taylor as Kathleen Eileen “Katie” Moran) looking in the mirror calling herself a fat cow. Her mother on the way to freaking out says she is is a “young lady who is healthy and strong and looks great just the way she is.”
Later in the show Katie asks Pamela if she could get a new outfit for the dance. Mom says no but Katie responds “I want to look hot.” Mom looks panicked. Daughter asks if she can wear heels? No. Makeup. No. Bra? No. “Where is this coming from” she asks?
Peer pressure mom.
Mom: “you don’t need those things to make you look pretty. Pretty comes from the inside.”
Daughter: “That’s what ugly people say to feel better.”
Mom seethes.
Daughter: “You don’t understand because you don’t care how you look.”
Ouch.
Later, Katie gets ready for the dance wearing a short shirt and short skirt.
Mom enters room. “You are not going to the dance looking like that.”
Daughter: “But I look sexy.”
Mom: “And what does sexy mean to you?”
Daughter: “Being popular.”
Mom: “Being popular has nothing to do with being sexy or what you wear…”
Mom in desperation to keep her daughter a girl a little while longer.
“You are smart, creative, funny and someone is kind to others. Who you are, how you treat people that’s what matters. Not that other stuff. Please believe me. I know this is hard but I am telling you the truth.”
Daughter: “So can I wear this to the dance?”
Mom: “Yes, but with a t-shirt over you belly shirt, leggings under your skirt and a ponytail in your hair.”
Busted.
Post-dance scene:
Mom: “How was it? Did you dance? With boys?”
Katie: “Mom, they are so immature all they cared about is who could make the loudest fart noises with their arms. Gross.”
Hard day for mom. Shows usually don’t write things this well. Karen Maser is credited as the writer on the episode. Kudos to Army Wives for dealing with an important issue and not with the same stupid pat answers.
Here’s the link to the episode.
