This is network television. Showing a male rape is more or less impossible.
This is probably the closest full scene with strong male rape implications that I've seen on any TV show. Taking it strictly out of context, this scene was well filmed and deftly handled -- it's chilling in its buildup (Foyet stripping his shirt) and portrays a non-consensual situation without even using the actual words or even much movement (no struggling from Hotch).
I also think that the writers might be trying to get us to think about the implications of rape and the fact that it can be more than a penetrative act.
The scene works well as meta exploration of psychological domination and even implied rape -- if actual sexual penetration is indeed what they are going for, I hope the writers give this proper mileage with the aftermath/PTSD, not drop it like a hot potato as if nothing happened.
Male rape involves complex psychological issues, especially when the victim is someone like Hotch, whose ability to control and lead is so integral to his character. It would certainly be brave for them to "go there" -- not just referring to the open interpretation of this Foyet/Hotch scene but an affirmative confirmation in a future ep -- but they will NEED to be brave enough to follow it up in a believable way. Saying Hotch was raped without any form of fallout would seriously trivialize rape and its severity/consequences.
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momijizukamori
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Date: Sep. 25th, 2009 05:57 pm (UTC)This is probably the closest full scene with strong male rape implications that I've seen on any TV show. Taking it strictly out of context, this scene was well filmed and deftly handled -- it's chilling in its buildup (Foyet stripping his shirt) and portrays a non-consensual situation without even using the actual words or even much movement (no struggling from Hotch).
I also think that the writers might be trying to get us to think about the implications of rape and the fact that it can be more than a penetrative act.
The scene works well as meta exploration of psychological domination and even implied rape -- if actual sexual penetration is indeed what they are going for, I hope the writers give this proper mileage with the aftermath/PTSD, not drop it like a hot potato as if nothing happened.
Male rape involves complex psychological issues, especially when the victim is someone like Hotch, whose ability to control and lead is so integral to his character. It would certainly be brave for them to "go there" -- not just referring to the open interpretation of this Foyet/Hotch scene but an affirmative confirmation in a future ep -- but they will NEED to be brave enough to follow it up in a believable way. Saying Hotch was raped without any form of fallout would seriously trivialize rape and its severity/consequences.