Robbie Cochrane

I really enjoyed this article, it really made me think about some testing scenes I have written as part of my scriptwriting. Personally though, respectfully, I have to disagree with some of what you are saying. I feel although your article is very thorough you haven’t acknowledged the different platforms for which rape scenes are delivered. A rape scene on a tea time British television slot, on one of the soaps for example, needs to be handled much more sensitively than that in a serial such as Game of Thrones. Likewise, whilst you have acknowledged Christie’s argument that a series such as Game of Thrones is belonging of an entirely different world to that where other rape scenes are explored, you haven’t denounced that point as unjust. ”When violence is filmed as something sexy and sex and violence become confused in entertainment, than that depiction perpetuates rape culture. In a country where one in six women are sexually assaulted 2, it is time to stop sexualizing and dramatizing violence against women on television.” I feel this seems a little bit more hung up on the gender of the victim as opposed to the act of rape being portrayed on television; as though there are subtextual insinutations that rape is only acceptable to be portrayed when it is a female victim. The difference with Game of Thrones for example, despite the argument that ‘this stuff happens in those times’, is that if you don’t like it, in America, you don’t have to pay for the channel to watch it!

My* – I really should proofread!! Anyway, good article!

And please excuse by terrible use of ‘their’ instead of ‘there’ in the above comment!

I am glad somebody has analysed this subject area. I have just completed an MA in Scriptwriting and part of the ‘business insight’ we are given regarding directors and filmmakers is that in some cases you can expect them to ruin your story in order to present a pretty picture. On the other hand, I am sure it is arguable in some cases too much attention is paid to the plot and therefore the spectacle is not what it should be. Ultimately their is a balance and it is up to the producers to ensure sufficient amount of budget is allocated to allowing both areas to co-exist and produce to best piece of entertainment possible. The way I see it, masterpieces come together when the two compliment one another. Film is a visual medium and that is to be respected, but people don’t go to the cinema to watch lots of pretty pictures one after the other: they go to feel something, which is the point of a story.

Sam, I think you have probably come out and said what a lot of Bukowski fans were thinking. All your points are valid, but I think it’s important to remember that Hank was created in the image of Bukowski, but is not a direct representation of him. Hank is representation of a part of Bukowski’s Superego psyche: the man he always wanted to be, in some respects. Of course my point is subjective, however I feel having read every piece of Bukowski literature available, that I can comment with authority. I feel as though Californication for the most part succeeds in representing an iconic figure of literature where most other’s fail.

Cheers for the comment Mike – I am also completely undecided on how I would like it do end also! You make an interesting comment about plot v character. Certainly the character should drive the plot, but if we don’t have an equally strong plot for this season, Hank’s journey will just be a regurgitation of previous seasons? Kapinos is obviously a genius though, and he managed to pull the best episodes out of the bag in the last two seasons where I was beginning to smile less when episodes came out… So lets ”keep FAITH”

That’s a very fair argument, I completely agree the last two seasons haven’t been in the same league as the first four. I have a friend who swears blind that Cali has never been the same since the ”Rocket Man” ending. I can see where that argument comes from also. The final episode of season four (And Justice for All) really was something! Glad you enjoyed the article!

Well basically, Kapinos has worked backwards since then if you believe in my argument that Bukowski is the real influence by the show, since this is when Bukowski’s ”journey” ended. I have to say Kapinos has done it extraordinarily well, but all long running series have the same problem, how can you top the first season when everything is new and fresh?!