It's hard to be a Dyke on Italian Television

The similar and identical names are a bit confusing, but I’d like to know more of your thoughts referring to that scene (Italian show) where Ester reacts with the shocked “no” when asked if the doctor (Marina) hit on her.

Was she shocked about the question itself, what the question implied or was she shocked about her own reaction to the question and situation?

I sort of understood this being the turning point for your being deceived by the show, except for the non-existing kiss.

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Hi Maxime! Thanks for your comment/question: you are my first

I think both: she is shocked, because even the thought of it is inconceivable to her. She's upset, because the receptionist  somehow implies that she could be a lesbian, too, and that's something she doesn't want, something shameful. But she also realizes for the first time that they could be more than friends, that enjoying Marina's company meant a lot to her, maybe even more than she dared to think.

What do you think?

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I didn't see the show and I think I won't see it anyway for two simple reasons: First, I hate medical drama, second, I'm not interested in lesbian characters just introduced to get more public! I mean, I'm not the kind of lesbian that loves the L word (really can't stand it, probably because I'm more feminist then I could imagine!). Besides, if we consider television as the mirror of society, well, obviously, lesbian must be afraid to come out in Italy...
I think here in Italy we cannot even try to compete or make a comparison with other European countries, we are simply living in Middle Age! That's why a lesbian couple is portrayed that way, with such a terrific sense of shame! I think, in this country it's pretty hard to live your homosexuality shameless! Gay and lesbian communities live happy when they are protected by their own "families" (sometimes biological families, most of the time families made of friends and lovers!). But how can you live differently, when the Pope constantly says you're a kind of evil thing that threatens traditional (and "natural") family and values? How can you live differently, when you must be afraid to walk the streets hand in hand with your girlfriend or boyfriend, because fascists may bite you (and believe me, fascist groups are still active in Italy!). And, finally, what do we expect from a Tv show aired by the State run television? I mean, most of the Italians voted for Berlusconi & co., and many of them go to church every Sunday, and snort cocaine on Saturdays!

Sorry for being so contentious, it's my style, but my disappointment is deep!

I don't know if it can help to fight prejudice. The way they tell the story at least reinforces stereotypes. But seeing a not-so-good representation of lesbians is still better than not seeing them at all. The very problem is that the show is getting low rates...

..at least the low rates wouldn't be a problem anymore ;)

I am a big fan of Hospital Central, the original Spanish series (that made me learn Spanish) and I watch with some suspect Terapia d'Urgenza always comparing the two and thinking HC was sooo much better, of course.
However I think that the localization of the format was necessary to bring it to the Italian audience.
Maca-Esther as a couple appeared 5 years ago when the catholic Spain already had civil registered unions and one year later got samesex marriage.
Italy still has nothing like that, not just because legislators are late, and they are, but also because the general understanding of what being gay is, is today in Italy far lower than in Spain 5 years ago.
For this reason I think that the adaptation to the Italian situation was necessary and the result is quite fair.
I think visibility is always good and expecially in a show targeting the general audience. So I don't think we can complain if it is not perfect when watched by glbt eyes. Of course it is not, but the quality of the show on the whole is far from being perfect. Acting, script and pace are quite lame actually.
Italy and its TV are far behind any other in Europe when coming to glbt issues so in my opinion Marina and Esther are still a positive step. So far at least.
I hope the original script will be adapted but respected and I dare being optimist since Marina without Esther would be a different format. 

Actually they are not the first lesbian characters on Italian TV. Two years ago "Il Padre delle Spose" directed by the ultra known and old style actor Lino Banfi was about a father dealing with the discover and not easy acceptance of his dauther's lesbian marriage in Spain. Poor scripting and acting quality but a good try. It even had a happy ending with the old fashion father from southern Italy, proudly defending the couple in front of the prejudice of the small town people.

Don’t be too harsh with your country. Bringing a lesbian character to the screen is already a start. It always needs several small steps to make one big step. Even other countries (e.g. Germany), that seem so “advanced” in visibility easily use stereotypes instead of really working on the characters.

Unless the characters don’t turn into nut-cases or axe-murderes they’ll help making the other viewers realize “hej, those lesbians are not the castrators I always thought them to be”. If only a handful will realize that we lesbians are “normal” human beings, the series will have done its duty.

Oh yeah, I agree with Sandra, get the juices flowing ;->

I agree that it's not such a great thing to use what should be viewed as a natural experience (women loving other women) as a selling tool, and that perhaps this show's ratings are shooting sky high not because of great directing or acting (which idealistically should be the reason) but because of this phenomenon that seems to be sweeping the entertainment media worldwide, that is, get the viewers with the girl-loving girl. Money makers will use what will sell, but I feel audiences can benefit from this trend.

Visibility is the key. The more a population is exposed to anything, the less hold the hysteria and discomfort that comes from ignorance can have over the minds of the people. A woman baring her ankle was once considered titilating for men but humiliating and shameful, wanton behaviour, but ladies just look at us today! It all has to start somewhere and if this show will be a vehicle to show the Italian population (and indeed the world, because of this marvelous Youtube experience) that it's ok and quite mundane for a woman to share love with another female (as she would do with her mother, her sister, her daughter, her friend, her female lover), then it's a good thing, is it not?

If Alessia Barela, as I imagine she already has, would overlook that feeling of 'not knowing' and just play the role of a professional, working woman falling in love, then she would become her own role model for what it means for a woman to love... another woman. And as likeable and normal as Marina and Esther seem, I can't imagine why it wouldn't be that soon they would become an important and visible representation of what women loving women might be, and in the end, visibility would win out over the suffocating forces of ignorance. Ok, so that's what should happen *smile*. Afterall, it's only love, isn't it?

I say not only is it hard to be a dyke on Italian tv, but it must be even harder to follow in the footsteps of two successful dykes on Spanish tv! Eeeks! Awfully large shoes to fill!

Great article. Thanks for sharing this information and your points of view, Trebs.

~ Feelings are neither good nor bad, they simply are. So, embrace them! ~

with you!

Thank god for digital satellite tv and being able to watch TV from other countries american TV seems so boring now and prude.