How “The Good Place” Makes Sense of Gender
Alice Scarlet Death
In the show The Good Place there is a character named Janet who serves this show’s equivalent of Alexa or Siri. Except more like a Post-gender Wolfram|Alpha who event gets that reference?
Janet is such an important character to me philosophically. The community might think of it as agender or nonbinary representation. In many ways it is, and I appreciate that aspect of it.
However, if you listen closely to how Janet describes themselves it begins to start sounding more like a concept associated with voidpunk and gender nihilism in which gender does not exist for a person and their physical appearance is more of a result of circumstance than choice pushing aside any notion that Jane’s appearance is a result of any gender expression. Janet is Janet. Fictional characters don’t need not conform to our notions of gender, or even exist inside of it. And I think that does a lot more for gender variance acceptance in the long run . Normalizing a quick, polite correction. Normalizing that gender isn’t required to be performative to be valid.
This show generally portrays ethical and philosophical concepts in an easily digestible format, and I think its stance on gender can do a lot to change our perspective on how gender is perceived in our society in general.
As of this writing, there are only four episodes left. The creator, Michael Shur (known for The Office (USA) and Community) wanted to end on a high note. Considering his last endeavors arguably did not, I am curious how this show will end. Network Prime Time Television has never been a hotbed for intellectual discourse in such an essential way. In video essays on media theory, I generally see discussion on the cultural impact shows like Friends had on pop culture.
However, I must plug Matt Baume’s Youtube channel for top quality essays on how TV has informed LGBTQIA+ culture. Many of his videos focus on the timeline and implications of historical events of homosexual visibility and acceptance as they occur in the medium. It would be a good watch if you’re curious about how TV in the 70s and 80s brought us to a point where a genderless void such as Janet can exist and not be subject to much controversy.
But I digress, I do have a couple more points to make!
The fact that Janet exists at all is a miracle, but it also seems like a trojan horse albeit in a positive manner. The character tip-toes around current gender discourse. Janet does not espouse ‘leftist rhetoric.’ They familiarize the audience with how simple and painless correcting others about pronouns can be.
I feel like the show takes into account all the common misconceptions and rhetoric used by transgender opponents. Janet makes being non-binary, transgender, agender identified people seem ‘safe.’ This work challenges the status quo by not challenging the status quo–making it less prone to common argumentative fallacies in discussions, I’d wager.
What are these fallacies? What is the status quo in this context? First, we must examine commonly experienced arguments used in transphobic arguments as I’ve experienced first-hand (Oh, did I just make an appeal to authority fallacy? Does this completely discredit my point? Ask around or search for yourself should this be concerning.)
Here is a list of things I have been told or have seen posted about transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in general.
- God doesn’t make mistakes
- There’s only two genders
- Why would you want to be [opposite gender?]
- You have to look a certain way to be seen as ‘passable.’
- If you don’t have gender dysphoria, you cannot be trans.
- Transgender is a mental illness
- I’m old, please, I can’t remember all these newfangled genders!
- Boy means blue, girl means pink.
- Men are strong, women are ‘fairer.’
- Nonbinary people all dress the same.
- Transgender people just want attention.
- Oh! I’m sorry I misgendered you. Will you ever be able to forgive I hope you’re not at me? I’m really sorry.
- Have you had the surgery? You know, THE surgery?
- I can’t be transphobic, I’m a cross-dresser. Same thing right?
Take these harmful statements and compare them with how Janet is presented in the show. Allow me to explain, in order. For some reason in first-person because I am Janet too basically in theory.
First, Janet is a divine creation. Not a mistake. Two genders? I am no gender. An opposing argument easily understood as it can weave nicely next to your outdated thoughts that there are only two genders. Why be this way? I didn’t ask for this. And I’m not opposite. Because we’ve accepted ‘no gender.’ We don’t make a fuss over looks. There are no other nonbinary people by which to compare, no coded language vis-a-vis dialogue, set design, or wardrobe. No gender dysphoria. Just is. Mental illness? They are not portrayed as such, nor is it much of a topic of the show so it doesn’t get thought about. I’m old? You’re old? All of the Afterlife cast of characters are as old as time literally, and have no problem addressing Janet properly or coming to terms with their existence. Attention? Same answer as the next sentiment: overworrying about misgendering someone. Janet does not get angry. They correct you. In the same tone of voice, as many times as it takes. They draw as little attention as possible. This brings visibility to the notion transgender and nonbinary people aren’t upset. I feel like I am just advocating for myself. If I don’t, who will? What good will getting upset at you do? This is probably my favorite element to the character.
The surgery? Sorry we don’t support Natalie Wynn or Contrapoints on this station. That’s called transmedicalism in some circles. I feel like it has been perpetuated by the fact many health professionals, insurance companies, government and state ID agencies, etc like to make us get written proof our existence is not a delusion. Back to the ‘passing’ argument. You don’t have to present or look a certain way be a gender. Gender expression and senses of self are two different things. Similar issue with cross-dressing and transvestites popularizing the ‘men in dresses’ and hypersexualized stereotypes, that lead to violent fetishization, transmedicalism, and passing culture.
To clarify, when I say things like gender variance, gender nonconforming, transgender, and nonbinary I don’t make any black and white distinctions between these personally.
Some shows have made strides for transgender visibility such as “Sense8,” but the statement it made seemed much simpler. Normalization of transwomen in lesbian relationships was a good foot forward. I’d dare say it was pandering to those who already agree.
“The Good Place” though? Not only does it put its best foot forward, it actively deconstructs harmful transgender narratives held by those who would those who would prefer me harmed or killed. Watching the show, and seeing Janet on screen actively makes me feel like the world is a bit safer to live in episode by episode.
