i have never drawn the connection between fleabag and porn before. sure, sexuality is a huge factor, and porn rules modern sexuality. but did i draw this connection directly? not at all. this was so well written and argumented, i find the applications of dworkin onto one of my favorite shows to be such amazing content. i want to thank you for how brilliant you are and continue to be!!! that ending paragraph was jaw dropping. you raise your arguments so well, and paint such a clear picture, i feel like i'm watching the show all over again, through new eyes!
The only thing I thought resembled porn was the scene with the Obama video. It was so much like how people interact with porn, down to Harry's reaction to it. The rest of it came to me after I read Waller-Bridge's comments. I don't think I would've seen it otherwise. Thank you so much for reading and appreciating this so much. I think so highly of you that this means A LOT to me. Especially because I tried to somehow get done with the last paragraph. It was getting too long. And Fleabag is one of my favourite shows too!
mia i have naut watched fleabag yet but i just watched it through ur eyes & that is somehow more devastating than watching it would have been. as u connected dworkin to waller-bridge to every small humiliation in those scenes, tampon, arsehole guy, "they're so small", all of it landing as evidence of thee same thing. mia that line that stayed with me is "generations of women were groomed into hyper-sexuality within a society that never really held any empathy for such women." u wrote this soo beautifully & it is theee loudest thing in this entire piece. genuinely brilliant work darling❤️
I saw Fleabag when it first came out and was blown away by the brilliance and originality of her writing.
I could see very clearly the way she tried to draw empathy for her hyper sexual character. What I also thought interesting, which you don't allude to much here, is how other female characters are very much not her allies.
The real hostility of the patriarchy I think, for many women, is not easily being able to find sympathy from other women. Particularly those you should be closest to (family).
I was also blown away by the originality of this series when I first watched it.
I understand what you mean about her not finding allies in other women. I hinted at it a couple of times with Claire's refusal to believe her and how hypersexual women are not accepted even in feminist communities. I want to make a post about feminism, women's social dynamics, patriarchy's effect on it, etc as seen in Fleabag someday. So I focused on the pornographic/sexual aspects in this one. But I completely understand and agree with what you said.
I've watched fleabag and was always obsessed with it, and this added nuance just made it a 100 times better. I think this is such an interesting connection that hadn't crossed my mind. I loved the piece!
Oh I am so glad this makes this show better to watch for you! It is my comfort show and I watch it on repeat, so I can relate. Thank you so much for reading!
This is such a well-written and interesting analysis!!! Thank you so much for sharing it, it’s really eye-opening, even to someone who hasn’t watched the show yet xx
This was beautifully written. I never managed to finish Fleabag but I remember the feeling you described here so well, the humanity still afforded to a character that society normally reserves little humanity for. Thank you for putting it into words, this was so well researched and constructed! <3
Oh! I also love your writing and I'm now feeling really giggly to see you express the same thing. Thank you so much for reading my stuff too. Happy to have found each other :)
Yeah, so this is officially my sign to rewatch Fleabag. I’ve always thought of the series as a show about grief and shame, but the way you read pornography into its sexual language???? It makes so much sense! Love, love, love the way you think <3
This is how I find out that you're a Fleabag girl?! I found out from one of your essays that you love Lana Del Rey too. I feel so grateful that I met you a few months ago but we share so many interests. Thank you so much reading this and taking the time to see things from my point of view ❤️
As someone who watched fleabag and quite honestly loved the show, I never really connected pornography’s influence in particular to fleabag’s hypersexuality (which looking back, especially at the specific scenes you mentioned makes complete sense). I’m so glad you highlighted this and the overall negative impacts of pornography and the effects it has on women and how they see themselves! Thank you for this great read!!
This essay offered a convincing and meaningful connection between Fleabag and porn and I found your analysis so fascinating! I already love this show but your insights give me another layer to unpack and appreciate.
I never looked at Fleabag from a sexual perspective. She was just an honest, quirky, self deprecating human and it was funny. Some things don’t call for a deep dive.
i have never drawn the connection between fleabag and porn before. sure, sexuality is a huge factor, and porn rules modern sexuality. but did i draw this connection directly? not at all. this was so well written and argumented, i find the applications of dworkin onto one of my favorite shows to be such amazing content. i want to thank you for how brilliant you are and continue to be!!! that ending paragraph was jaw dropping. you raise your arguments so well, and paint such a clear picture, i feel like i'm watching the show all over again, through new eyes!
The only thing I thought resembled porn was the scene with the Obama video. It was so much like how people interact with porn, down to Harry's reaction to it. The rest of it came to me after I read Waller-Bridge's comments. I don't think I would've seen it otherwise. Thank you so much for reading and appreciating this so much. I think so highly of you that this means A LOT to me. Especially because I tried to somehow get done with the last paragraph. It was getting too long. And Fleabag is one of my favourite shows too!
mia i have naut watched fleabag yet but i just watched it through ur eyes & that is somehow more devastating than watching it would have been. as u connected dworkin to waller-bridge to every small humiliation in those scenes, tampon, arsehole guy, "they're so small", all of it landing as evidence of thee same thing. mia that line that stayed with me is "generations of women were groomed into hyper-sexuality within a society that never really held any empathy for such women." u wrote this soo beautifully & it is theee loudest thing in this entire piece. genuinely brilliant work darling❤️
Aww thank you so much, dear. Thank you for supporting me ❤️
always babe❤️
I saw Fleabag when it first came out and was blown away by the brilliance and originality of her writing.
I could see very clearly the way she tried to draw empathy for her hyper sexual character. What I also thought interesting, which you don't allude to much here, is how other female characters are very much not her allies.
The real hostility of the patriarchy I think, for many women, is not easily being able to find sympathy from other women. Particularly those you should be closest to (family).
I was also blown away by the originality of this series when I first watched it.
I understand what you mean about her not finding allies in other women. I hinted at it a couple of times with Claire's refusal to believe her and how hypersexual women are not accepted even in feminist communities. I want to make a post about feminism, women's social dynamics, patriarchy's effect on it, etc as seen in Fleabag someday. So I focused on the pornographic/sexual aspects in this one. But I completely understand and agree with what you said.
I can’t believe this was posted right after I finished watching the first season. ur analysis really makes me appreciate this show even more
Oh, this was destined! Thank you for reading! Did you watch the second seson too?
Yess I just finished the second one. I’m so sad that’s it’s over, I can’t stop thinking about the priest’s speech about love during the wedding 😭
I feel the same way! I haven't been able to stop thinking about his speech and her confession monologue since I watched it for the first time.
I've watched fleabag and was always obsessed with it, and this added nuance just made it a 100 times better. I think this is such an interesting connection that hadn't crossed my mind. I loved the piece!
Oh I am so glad this makes this show better to watch for you! It is my comfort show and I watch it on repeat, so I can relate. Thank you so much for reading!
This is such a well-written and interesting analysis!!! Thank you so much for sharing it, it’s really eye-opening, even to someone who hasn’t watched the show yet xx
Thank you so much for reading this such an open mind! I am really grateful and your compliments mean a lot to me ❤️
No problem x
Thank you. This was an insightful take on a series I have always admired but never analysed to that degree.
I am so glad you found it insightful. Thank you so much for reading!
This was beautifully written. I never managed to finish Fleabag but I remember the feeling you described here so well, the humanity still afforded to a character that society normally reserves little humanity for. Thank you for putting it into words, this was so well researched and constructed! <3
Oh, I love your writing, so it means A LOT that you found this beautiful. Thank you so much for reading!
Oh! I also love your writing and I'm now feeling really giggly to see you express the same thing. Thank you so much for reading my stuff too. Happy to have found each other :)
Haha! The feeling is mutual! 🫂❤️
BPD's a helluva drug.
Lol!
BPD has been weaponized against women for ages. I don’t see anything that says the protagonist of Fleabag is supposed to have BPD.
Yeah, so this is officially my sign to rewatch Fleabag. I’ve always thought of the series as a show about grief and shame, but the way you read pornography into its sexual language???? It makes so much sense! Love, love, love the way you think <3
This is how I find out that you're a Fleabag girl?! I found out from one of your essays that you love Lana Del Rey too. I feel so grateful that I met you a few months ago but we share so many interests. Thank you so much reading this and taking the time to see things from my point of view ❤️
As someone who watched fleabag and quite honestly loved the show, I never really connected pornography’s influence in particular to fleabag’s hypersexuality (which looking back, especially at the specific scenes you mentioned makes complete sense). I’m so glad you highlighted this and the overall negative impacts of pornography and the effects it has on women and how they see themselves! Thank you for this great read!!
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading!
Gosh, I love this analysis. Will be re-watching.
Thank God. I found that anal scene horrific too.
This essay offered a convincing and meaningful connection between Fleabag and porn and I found your analysis so fascinating! I already love this show but your insights give me another layer to unpack and appreciate.
truly great understanding and prose to convey it.
i hope waller bridge reads this . its a wonderful feeling when someone really gets your work and what you were saying.
I never looked at Fleabag from a sexual perspective. She was just an honest, quirky, self deprecating human and it was funny. Some things don’t call for a deep dive.