The Sober Side of Wank

Stargate Fail, say it ain't so!
(I thought about putting this on

fandom_lounge, but let's face it, this isn't even remotely funny. Unless maybe in the kind of, "I laugh lest I cry" way.)

2009 sure seems to be the Year of Fail.

The writers of Stargate aren't exactly famous for their social awareness and political correctness, what with all the unintentional moral ambiguity in their shows (rape is funny, dontcha know!), but they sure topped themselves with their latest Stargate: Universe casting call for the episode "Sabotage".

[ELEANOR PERRY] (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy.sptv050769..Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).

Source

Yeeaaaah. The sexism aside, it's nice of them to include a disabled person in their cast, isn't it? Though God forbid they should actually treat the disability in any sane manner. No, let's just Magically Heal It, so she can finally be socially acceptable and experience intimacy! For the first time in her life! OMG.

Apparently there are also rumous that the Magic Healing will happen through body-swapping technology, which raises some very valid questions about how exactly she will lose her virginity. Personally, since this is all forum talk, I'm hoping it won't be as skeevy as it sounds, but knowing the writers, I'm not holding my breath.

Also, Ming-Na, whose character is gay, posts on her Twitter: Just read "Sabotage." Wow. SGU is really challenging my acting chops! I LOVE our writers! Can't wait 2 work on this episode! xoxo Which, you know. Doesn't sound promising, but who knows, might be a coincidence!

These shenanigans have raised a bit of a reaction amongst the fans.

sheafrotherdon has a post up listing several contacts if people feel like raising a fuss about this. I sure do.

BA Haller @ Media Dis & Dat wrote about it.

dogeared contacted the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund and got a reply from executive director Susan Henderson, agreeing that it's distressing, and indicating that they'd like to follow the trail.

ETA: This just keeps getting unfunnier and unfunnier. The rumours have been confirmed that Eleanor indeed does switch bodies with the gay character, and proceeds to HAVE SEX IN THAT BODY. STRAIGHT SEX.

I can't even.

sheafrotherdon has more on this latest bit of news.

Current Mood: GRRRRRR