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Post by chemikalman on Apr 14, 2005 12:15:05 GMT -5
Following up Copperhead's statement of wanting to start a new thread for this topic, let's do it officially.
Is she or isn't she? I dunno. But then I'm not as tuned into which clues to watch for as others probably are. If so, she's no femme i think it's safe to say.
I do know that I really like the way she handles herself. I like the way she resists the urge to blurt something out when someone pulls on her chain. Instead she just smiles in a way that lets you know exactly what's on her mind. Davey boy better watch out if he thinks she's an easy mark. She went along with his plan of reaching out to the public and then tried to make a fool of her. I get the feeling that wasn't such a smart move on the ex-Captain's part. The way Rawling flipped the power trip on the ADA so that she walked away with her tail tucked between her legs -- Aceveda would be smart to take note of that.
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Post by thekyoteh on Apr 14, 2005 15:35:54 GMT -5
Following up Copperhead's statement of wanting to start a new thread for this topic, let's do it officially. Is she or isn't she? I dunno. But then I'm not as tuned into which clues to watch for as others probably are. If so, she's no femme i think it's safe to say. I do know that I really like the way she handles herself. I like the way she resists the urge to blurt something out when someone pulls on her chain. Instead she just smiles in a way that lets you know exactly what's on her mind. Davey boy better watch out if he thinks she's an easy mark. She went along with his plan of reaching out to the public and then tried to make a fool of her. I get the feeling that wasn't such a smart move on the ex-Captain's part. The way Rawling flipped the power trip on the ADA so that she walked away with her tail tucked between her legs -- Aceveda would be smart to take note of that. I think it could be a possibility. Would tie in the stuff about her reaction to being asked about having a child too. I'm still thinkin' there's a lot we don't know about her and she shouldn't be underestimated! She's proving that, esp. with the way she checked out Wym's concerns re the ADA. Ky
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Post by qb on Apr 14, 2005 21:41:52 GMT -5
I started to wonder in Ep 1 when they found the little kid from the hotel massacre...Rawlings said she had "a friend" at the hospital and "she" would take care of him. I think she was even off frame for that line and it stuck out (to me) like a sore thumb. I felt it was a plant by the writers, a clue, that Rawlings might have a girlfriend who works at the hospital....you know that nurse/cop attraction! I am wondering if Corrine won't stumble across the relationship during a shift. JUST A WILD GUESS, of course!
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Post by Peach on Apr 15, 2005 0:58:17 GMT -5
OK OK, I totally see it too you guys....but does anyone else find it just a teensy, tiny bit sad that when faced with a strong, assertive woman in a typically male role and occupation, that we all seemed to jump to the selfsame conclusion? <shaking head> I feel a little ashamed of that but its hard not too, esp. given that line that ChikChick mentioned, about her "friend" at the hospital - I picked up on that one too, one of those scratch your head and go "hmmmm" moments. Although, it also seemed a little heavy-handed to me, although of course the Shield dialogue is not much known fo r subtlety... Anyways, I'm right there with you guys, but a bit chagrined too...Go figure
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Post by thekyoteh on Apr 15, 2005 1:20:14 GMT -5
OK OK, I totally see it too you guys....but does anyone else find it just a teensy, tiny bit sad that when faced with a strong, assertive woman in a typically male role and occupation, that we all seemed to jump to the selfsame conclusion? <shaking head> I feel a little ashamed of that but its hard not too, esp. given that line that ChikChick mentioned, about her "friend" at the hospital - I picked up on that one too, one of those scratch your head and go "hmmmm" moments. Although, it also seemed a little heavy-handed to me, although of course the Shield dialogue is not much known fo r subtlety... Anyways, I'm right there with you guys, but a bit chagrined too...Go figure I don't know if she is or isn't, just that I wouldn't be surprised. It would fit with the way the writers work and could explain a bit. I didn't give it much thought until the others mentioned it and then I saw it as possible. To me it has nothing to do with the strong/assertive type but something else. Heck, I see Danni and Wyms just as strong, and Wyms just as assertive but I sure as heck don't see either of them as being anything but straight! To me the "friend" comment didn't mean anything. I'm curious as to why the "friend" comment is sending the flag? Ky
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Post by qb on Apr 15, 2005 9:47:30 GMT -5
Not sad, really, just intriguing! So many series have gay characters now... poofs, more or less...and *that* is sad. Julian is a breath of fresh air on that account! He isn't a walking/talking gay stereotype.
I think it's just wishful thinking in Rawlings case, actually! It would be nice to see a strong, in control lesbian character--because they certainly exist in real life law enforcement circles. It's a fact of life that's been largely ignored in police dramas.
It will be very interesting to learn more about Rawlings' personal life, her story, regardless!
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Post by chemikalman on Apr 15, 2005 11:55:24 GMT -5
So we have minority male, straight, former Captain and (possibly) lesbian female, white current Captain. So far, I'd have to say the current Captain has got the former one beat in many ways: strength of character, integrity, honesty ... and a big one: confidence. Claudette has many of the same attributes as Rawling, but a major reason she is where she is and not at the Captain's table is that she hasn't been able to shed her proverbial rose-colored glasses.
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Post by CopperHead on Apr 15, 2005 12:51:53 GMT -5
I'm glad to see that everyone is picking up on the idea. This show throws so many curve balls that hey, why not make the female lead a lesbian? Did anyone pick up on the long look she gave Danni when Danni was working overtime and thanked her for letting her join the team?
As for the mention of "friend" at the hospital, the gay community will use the noun "friend" to speak of a GF/BF/Lover/Partner so as not to be too obvious. But if I recall, when the Capt. spoke the lines, the word "friend" was enunciated.
Her manner of walking/talking and style of clothes is irrelevant because in the real world, a female officer must maintain a sense of confidence and be able to fit into the "old boy" school of cops. Male officers will hesitate to rely on females if they appear to be too femmy. However, I worked with a gorgeous tall blond whom the guys called "Bay Watch" and she was femmy but she'd make you eat pavement in a heart beat. The guys knew she could hold her own but were the first to back her up in any threat. I have worked with some very butch looking cops and I am very butch and the guys will tell you that they definately would want us to watch their backs any day. Being gay on the force isn't such a big deal anymore. As long as you do your job and keep the romance out of the work just like everyone else must do.
Now, another aspect of the Capt's persona:
The question about children is perplexing to me. Her response or lack thereof has me thinking did she have a child and perhaps has lost them to drugs?
Has anyone noticed that when tempers flare such in the case of the guy wrecking his home after his wife is raped, or when Acevada and the Capt. had words about her performace, the Captain immediately went outside "for some air"?? It seems she needs to distance herself from that kind of violence, perhaps she came from a family that was abusive.
One other thing, when the Captain told the young lady who had been under witness protection that the police K9 had bit the guy in the testicles.....well, that was priceless!! And I think she enjoyed saying it. Okay, that's about it for now.
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Post by thekyoteh on Apr 15, 2005 15:21:03 GMT -5
Ok, since this brings together a lot of the aspects and with everyone's speculation I think I got it! (hopefully I don't hit any nerves with this one. ;-) )
The caption grew up in an abusive/drug/alcohol home and was raped as a teenager which resulted in her getting pregnant and having to give up the baby. Now she's untrusting and somewhat hateful of men (at least in personal relationships) and is a lesbian.
That about sum it up?
Ky
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Post by leadinvestigator on Apr 16, 2005 10:06:18 GMT -5
Now I don't now about her being a lesbian but I have some lesbian friends who love Rawling just for being a kick ass woman! And if she is gay, well that will call for a pitcher of Michelob on my tab!
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Post by thekyoteh on Apr 16, 2005 10:31:51 GMT -5
Now I don't now about her being a lesbian but I have some lesbian friends who love Rawling just for being a kick ass woman! And if she is gay, well that will call for a pitcher of Michelob on my tab! lol. guess we'll all have to wait and see! I think a pitcher of Margaritas sound better but.....;-) I agree with your friends though, she's just becoming a very cool character either way! Ky
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Post by leadinvestigator on Apr 16, 2005 10:56:17 GMT -5
Hey Copperhead, I hear all of that! I watch the show with some lesbian girls and they yell and scream support to Rawling! They love her as a strong female character, even if she's NOT lesbian. That's how seldom, still, we see strong female characters like her.
I suspect too that she might be gay but aren't we all anxious about her story in general?? Whatever it is, more is better than nothing!
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Post by CopperHead on Apr 16, 2005 11:36:25 GMT -5
We all know that Glenn Close is a fantastic actress and personally I don't think she took this role just for the hell of it. There has to be some "meat" in it for her level of acting. I'm sure that she has been advised regarding her "character" and will be adding to it throughout the season. I think the character of Capt. Rawling is the "new generation" of female leads on a TV series. The only other female(s) that come close in a police drama are Epatha Merkson and Mariska Hargitay on L&O. Of course Mariska's character "Olivia Benson" has been subject of many, many subtext fan fiction.
So for now, I feel that Capt. Rawling is "asexual" leaning towards.......
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Post by chemikalman on Apr 16, 2005 12:05:37 GMT -5
We all know that Glenn Close is a fantastic actress and personally I don't think she took this role just for the hell of it. There has to be some "meat" in it for her level of acting. I'm sure that she has been advised regarding her "character" and will be adding to it throughout the season. I think the character of Capt. Rawling is the "new generation" of female leads on a TV series. The only other female(s) that come close in a police drama are Epatha Merkson and Mariska Hargitay on L&O. Of course Mariska's character "Olivia Benson" has been subject of many, many subtext fan fiction. So for now, I feel that Capt. Rawling is "asexual" leaning towards....... You just touched on two of my favorite shows. Yes, Olivia and "Lt." are very strong. Re the other branch of the L&O franchise, "Criminal Intent," it seems that Det. Eames has been made a little stronger this year, instead of just being supersleuth Goren's nondescript sidekick. And if you haven't checked out the newest L&O franchise, "Trial By Jury", it's worth a look. The ADAs are both women and they are damned good! It's on Friday nights and focuses on the trial part, as the name implies. I like the way they explore the jury aspect, among other things.
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Post by CopperHead on Apr 16, 2005 14:27:13 GMT -5
Yes, I've been watching "Trial By Jury" and so far it's good. The blonde ADA you might recognize as FireFighter Alex from The Third Watch. Some of us thought that perhaps "Alex" was going to be the token lesbian on that show but she ended up in bed with Ty whom his roommate thought was gay!! So, speculation is everywhere.
Just a little note on Epatha Merkson:
Her husband still keeps a home in Brandywine, Maryland just up the road from my old hometown of Clinton, MD. I used to have a store there by the name of Classic Formal Wear (Chick knows it well) and Epatha used to frequent the Phar-Mor Store next to mine. We used to wave at each other and she'd stop to say Hi. But that was 12 years ago......
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Post by qb on Apr 16, 2005 17:48:52 GMT -5
Gees, Copper, you could have pointed her out to me! I bet you did! Those were good days, back in Maryland. I lived in the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area...I miss it dearly!
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Post by CopperHead on Apr 21, 2005 11:39:09 GMT -5
Okay, just my weekly "subtext" report this time from Ep #6:
This dialog from the "auction" scene between the Captain and Vic:
Capt: "I played a little show and tell with the city's attorney last night."
Vic: "Oh, yeah, what did SHE say?"
Last night, huh??
Anyway, we did get a possible location as to where the Captain is from when she talked about her grandmother. Tarzana, CA is located in the heart of San Fernando Valley with Ventura Blvd running through. The Captain's grandmother seemed very dear to her as her facial expression showed. Perhaps she was raised by grand mama?
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Post by CopperHead on Apr 28, 2005 15:38:44 GMT -5
Episode #7 shed some more light on the personal life of Capt. Rawling. We now know that she watched her best friend get abused as a child and could do nothing about it. Monica was on the Domestic Unit before being promoted to Captain. Her shackles really get raised when a child is abused. There's going to be more to that story somewhere later I'm guessing.
Capt. Rawling is also reaching her hand out to Claudette when they traveled together to the hospital and were sitting with the abused girl. That's where Monica shared her childhood experience to Claudette.
No "subtext" this episode.
I really admire the Captain's way of handling criticism from the upper brass and being yelled at by civilians. She keeps her temper intact yet doesn't back down or start yelling and showing her ass. She knows that she's walking on broken glass.........
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Post by CopperHead on May 5, 2005 14:50:16 GMT -5
Okay, looks like I'm the only one interested in this thread but I'll keep it going if no one minds.
I did a bit of on-line background into what Glenn did to prepare for the role of Capt. Rawling. She has based her character on NYPD Chief Theresa Shortell. Glenn shadowed her for 2 days and has even based her clothes on Chief Shortell. When the Captain wore her uniform for the first time, Glenn said she did it in honor of Chief Shortell.
This episode (#8) we see the Captain buying a house in "the hood". Mightly gutsy and you can tell she's having second thoughts. But I can understand her reasoning for living among those she's protecting. However, it would surprise me if her house isn't firebombed by the end of the season.
When Vic and Danni were making out infront of her house, I half expected her to knock on the window and tell them to take it elsewhere!! That would have been "busted"!!
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Post by thekyoteh on May 5, 2005 14:59:36 GMT -5
This episode (#8) we see the Captain buying a house in "the hood". Mightly gutsy and you can tell she's having second thoughts. But I can understand her reasoning for living among those she's protecting. However, it would surprise me if her house isn't firebombed by the end of the season. Something will definitely happen to her home! Or her being there. Me too! Though she may have already gone back in (or on her way) and not have seen it. I figured she'd have gone over and knocked anyways and told them to get lost whether they were doing anything or not. Ky
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