Highlights
Jacqueline Reveals Herself As a Rape Survivor
It's very important to me that social issues aren't episodic topics. For, as The Carmichael Show displayed, it isn't enough to just bring something up, you need to explore it. We've seen that in multiple ways with Adena with Islamophobia, how they handle her being queer, and even some of the lighter ignorance Kat had in terms of her praying and things of that nature.
Now, with Jacqueline revealing she survived a rape, I don't expect this at all to be something brought up again. Even if it is once a season, I'd be surprised. However, it does matter Jacqueline revealed this because there is that question, like Mia had, about normalcy thereafter and what that looks like. Of which Jacqueline says there is no returning to the normal you once had, but there is a new normal. One in which, for her husband, there were some issues of trust, but look at them now. From the outside looking in, things are normal. She has him, two kids, despite her supervisor taking advantage of her, it didn't affect her career and look at her now.
As for how she was able to move past that moment in her life, unfortunately, that isn't gone into. However, if Jacqueline really revealed to Jane, for an article or not, every last thing, it would have been really out of character. So just in terms of her presenting representation as for what a survivor looks like, how they can act, and how they can still get and reach every goal and dream they had before that one moment, means so much.
There Being More to Work Than Numbers
One of the things Kat probably isn't given enough credit for is how she tries her best to make her job about more than money and numbers. She explores social causes, is always for using Scarlet, or her own social media accounts, to push for some kind of justice, and that is how she finds intrinsic motivation. Yet, also she really pushes the idea that you are worth more than how good you are at your job. Also, the idea that work shouldn't be everything to you.
Like with the Adena situation. With her, she is a personal challenge rather than a professional one. She stimulates Kat's heart in ways no one else does and while work, at times, is challenging and fulfilling, Adena is on a whole other level. She challenges the way she thinks, presents a different culture to understand, alongside how to date someone of the same gender. Those things, and many more, give Kat the type of fulfillment she can't get at work.
Which I think presents another lesson. One in which, while it is nice to have it be something romantic, the goal should always be to make life more than just your day job. Otherwise, yeah, you maybe very successful, but what do you have to really show for it? An empty passport, an empty home, and a bunch of regrets? Work isn't just about paying bills but creating opportunities. Sometimes for others, but also it should be for yourself. After all, life is too short to just go through the motions and do things without passion.
The HR Conference
Though it isn't sexy, I love how much human resources has been a part of this season. Be it when Kat fired someone or this situation between Alex and Sutton. For it brings up real, nonpartisan rules and consequences. It reminds us that as much as this is a TV show and there, of course, is unrealistic drama, there are some sort of roots to the real world.
Plus, with all the questions that were asked, it not only helps maybe someone understand the process, but helps push Jacqueline's story along. For maybe some may question why, past it likely ruining her career, she didn't say anything? Well, being interrogated like Sutton was, is probably just a taste of what would happen.
So, in the long run, we get presented with all angles in terms of sexual assault. We get shown a survivor, both at a young age and someone a bit more seasoned. We're shown why someone wouldn't report and the unfortunate nonsense that can happen when you do. Yet, even without seeing someone who reported and got their abuser punished, Jacqueline helps point out how that doesn't necessarily fix things. Even if you survive and don't get blackballed, that moment then can define you and be part of your narrative. It still influences your ability and desire to be intimate and that is something that, perhaps, justice is unable to fix.
Continuing To Show Hard Work and Initiative Pays Off
Though perhaps unfair to say, to a point, one could argue that Kat and Jane, while they have had their struggles, Sutton takes the cake. So to see her really flourish with Oliver, even surprise him at times, makes me so happy. Especially since now he is trusting her and seemingly capable of now relying on her so that he can focus on other things. Since, in the long run, shouldn't your assist be your mentee you are training to become your legacy in a way?
Not Being Afraid To Leave What Is Comfortable
Jane could have really stuck to Scarlet until she eventually reached Jacqueline's position. Hell, after Jacqueline revealed she was raped to Jane, I figured that would have been the reason she stayed. Her mentor opened up to her, her of all people! Yet that wasn't the case. For which I'm glad. Not just because most shows would have had Jane do an about-face, but because it pushes the idea that you are, at any you have, there to learn and then either move up or move on. Well, at least if you are unhappy – as Jane was.
Jacqueline Reveals Herself As a Rape Survivor
It's very important to me that social issues aren't episodic topics. For, as The Carmichael Show displayed, it isn't enough to just bring something up, you need to explore it. We've seen that in multiple ways with Adena with Islamophobia, how they handle her being queer, and even some of the lighter ignorance Kat had in terms of her praying and things of that nature.
Now, with Jacqueline revealing she survived a rape, I don't expect this at all to be something brought up again. Even if it is once a season, I'd be surprised. However, it does matter Jacqueline revealed this because there is that question, like Mia had, about normalcy thereafter and what that looks like. Of which Jacqueline says there is no returning to the normal you once had, but there is a new normal. One in which, for her husband, there were some issues of trust, but look at them now. From the outside looking in, things are normal. She has him, two kids, despite her supervisor taking advantage of her, it didn't affect her career and look at her now.
As for how she was able to move past that moment in her life, unfortunately, that isn't gone into. However, if Jacqueline really revealed to Jane, for an article or not, every last thing, it would have been really out of character. So just in terms of her presenting representation as for what a survivor looks like, how they can act, and how they can still get and reach every goal and dream they had before that one moment, means so much.
There Being More to Work Than Numbers
One of the things Kat probably isn't given enough credit for is how she tries her best to make her job about more than money and numbers. She explores social causes, is always for using Scarlet, or her own social media accounts, to push for some kind of justice, and that is how she finds intrinsic motivation. Yet, also she really pushes the idea that you are worth more than how good you are at your job. Also, the idea that work shouldn't be everything to you.
Like with the Adena situation. With her, she is a personal challenge rather than a professional one. She stimulates Kat's heart in ways no one else does and while work, at times, is challenging and fulfilling, Adena is on a whole other level. She challenges the way she thinks, presents a different culture to understand, alongside how to date someone of the same gender. Those things, and many more, give Kat the type of fulfillment she can't get at work.
Which I think presents another lesson. One in which, while it is nice to have it be something romantic, the goal should always be to make life more than just your day job. Otherwise, yeah, you maybe very successful, but what do you have to really show for it? An empty passport, an empty home, and a bunch of regrets? Work isn't just about paying bills but creating opportunities. Sometimes for others, but also it should be for yourself. After all, life is too short to just go through the motions and do things without passion.
The HR Conference
Though it isn't sexy, I love how much human resources has been a part of this season. Be it when Kat fired someone or this situation between Alex and Sutton. For it brings up real, nonpartisan rules and consequences. It reminds us that as much as this is a TV show and there, of course, is unrealistic drama, there are some sort of roots to the real world.
Plus, with all the questions that were asked, it not only helps maybe someone understand the process, but helps push Jacqueline's story along. For maybe some may question why, past it likely ruining her career, she didn't say anything? Well, being interrogated like Sutton was, is probably just a taste of what would happen.
So, in the long run, we get presented with all angles in terms of sexual assault. We get shown a survivor, both at a young age and someone a bit more seasoned. We're shown why someone wouldn't report and the unfortunate nonsense that can happen when you do. Yet, even without seeing someone who reported and got their abuser punished, Jacqueline helps point out how that doesn't necessarily fix things. Even if you survive and don't get blackballed, that moment then can define you and be part of your narrative. It still influences your ability and desire to be intimate and that is something that, perhaps, justice is unable to fix.
Continuing To Show Hard Work and Initiative Pays Off
Though perhaps unfair to say, to a point, one could argue that Kat and Jane, while they have had their struggles, Sutton takes the cake. So to see her really flourish with Oliver, even surprise him at times, makes me so happy. Especially since now he is trusting her and seemingly capable of now relying on her so that he can focus on other things. Since, in the long run, shouldn't your assist be your mentee you are training to become your legacy in a way?
Not Being Afraid To Leave What Is Comfortable
Jane could have really stuck to Scarlet until she eventually reached Jacqueline's position. Hell, after Jacqueline revealed she was raped to Jane, I figured that would have been the reason she stayed. Her mentor opened up to her, her of all people! Yet that wasn't the case. For which I'm glad. Not just because most shows would have had Jane do an about-face, but because it pushes the idea that you are, at any you have, there to learn and then either move up or move on. Well, at least if you are unhappy – as Jane was.
