Last Thursday's episode of 30 Rock definitely ranks up there in my all-time favorite episodes. I think I realized why I love Tina Fey's character, Liz Lemon, so much. Certain aspects of her character is a reflection of my own. I did not realize it until I read James Poniewozik's post on TIME magazine's Tuned In blog.
"Reunion," is titled such because Liz's high school reunion was coming up. Liz wasn't going because she was "a bit of a nerd" in high school, but Jack persuades her to go because she's transformed into an attractive and accomplished "vaguely ethnic swan."
The plot twist in this episode is that Liz's classmates actually thought of HER as the bully. Liz flashbacks to a time when she was using a telescope. The popular girl comes up and asks condescendingly, "How's that telescope?" Liz's reply was some shy, soft-spoken mumbling. But what Liz had actually mumbled back was, "How's your mom's pill addiction?" Liz always had harsh comments for her "bullies," but those words made Liz the real bully.
Further analysis of Liz Lemon's character is best provided by James Poniewozik:
"The great thing about that twist is that it underscores how distinctive and non-cliche a character Liz is. ... Rather, she is—and has been all along—self-doubting and self-confident at the same time. (A combination that's not rare in life but is rarer in fiction.)
"Unlike the typical woman in a class-reunion story, Liz is not pretending to be impressive and successful to impress her classmates. She actually is impressive and successful—in fact, even as a teen, she was apparently far more intimidating than she knew she was."
Reading further into the comments section (only 1 comment ATM), an insightful comment reads:
"... What I kept coming back to about it was how it drove home the point that being the funny one in the room very often makes you the mean one! ... I love Liz because she is so real, and the last episode was an almost disconcertingly honest look at the extent to which people deceive themselves about themselves."
I realize I am also "self-doubting and self-confident at the same time." A few years ago, I never would have labeled myself arrogant, but I now understand my type arrogance and how it flows out of me - sometimes quite obnoxiously. Because of my own sharp tongue and cutting sarcasm, I too, am "far more intimidating" than I realize when I say it. But I like to think that I am a servant of humor. And because of that, it is apparently difficult for those around me to know what I am honestly thinking.
Humor is a powerful force, and I think it's probably just as powerful as love or hate. Where I lack in my ability to love and to hate, I make up for in my ability to laugh. I will use humor as a way to open up, but I will use humor to defend myself. Like any predominant personality trait, my sense of humor is my greatest ally, but also my most insurmountable enemy. Being funny is a double-edged sword, because as the commenter correctly points out: being the funny one also means you're probably the mean one.
To close this entry, I will leave you with this humorous, yet insightful, exchange between Jack and Liz at the reunion. (Plot line Note: Jack has lost his chance to become CEO of his company and is finding comfort by pretending to be someone else at the reunion to find companionship amongst "normal guys.")
Liz: If these jagweeds don't want to get to know the nice, new me - then screw them and their rapidly yellowing teeth.
Jack: Wow, Lemon, you really haven't changed, have you?
Liz: Excuse me?
Jack: What happened when I told you Geiss had screwed me over for the CEO job? Did you offer your help as a friend? Or did you make some joke about me being impotent?
Liz: Geez, that was like 8 hours ago! I was just - I don't know - cutting the tension.
Jack: Or as always, you were hiding behind your sense of humor. Instead of engaging in a real way?
Liz: Really? I'm the one that's hiding, "Larry Braverman?"
Jack: There it is, right there. When you feel threatened, you attack. That's why you're almost 40 and still alone.
Let's hope I don't make it all the way to 40! Haha
2 comments:
haha. when i watched the episode last week i started wondering if people thought i was a bully in high school because i also was a nerd. but i think i was overall too quiet to be considered a bully.
oh and having a garage doesn't necessarily mean the car doesn't creak. i keep my car in a garage now and it still creaks and whines when i start driving it.
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