"The Facts of Life" Sex Symbol (TV Episode 1981) Poster

(TV Series)

(1981)

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8/10
Macho malpractice -- Natalie on toxic masculinity before that term was a thing.
reb-warrior19 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Natalie goes on her first date with a boy. The boy, Neil, lies to his friends after the date, saying that he and Natalie had sex.

This is another episode ahead of the times. Natalie is so adorable as she sets her first date. Jo, Blair, and Tootie were kind of jerks when they laughed about how Natalie was a sex symbol now, after Neil's lie. I mean the scene was funny but went too far for Natalie. Natalie then starts dating lots of guys in order to prove to her friend that she can be a sex symbol.

Later after Mrs. Garrett talks some sense into Natalie, Natalie confronts Neli, who said he felt pressured by his friends into lying about having sex. He feels he was protecting his reputation:

Neil: "but I was protecting my reputation."

Natalie fires back with a take on toxic masculinity before that term was even a thing. Instead, calling herself a "victim of macho malpractice:"

Natalie: "What about my reputation? All my life I've been told to be a good girl. It was easy to do up until now. I never had a date. Now after one....one innocent trip to the library all those years of hard work go down the tubes. Why? I'll tell you why. Because you spent those same years being told, 'You gotta make out. Get a rep as a ladies' man.' I'm a victim of macho malpractice."

And there it is back in 1980. 41 years ago! Natalie, you go girl. Those lines were delivered by Mindy Cohn so perfectly, and wow, what a zinger it was!

Almost forgot to add how much I loved Blair and Jo's protective stance when Neil came over. They were like protective big sisters, or in Jo's case, the protective big brother. Hey, that's not me, but show's own reference. Lol.

Anyway, I thought it was another great episode with another good lesson, and of course plenty of comedy. 8/10.
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6/10
Natalie deals with lies told by a boy
rerunwatcher24 April 2021
A boy tells others that Natalie is "easy". Mrs Garrett and the girls help Natalie through it.
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