The Denis Leary series Rescue Me used to be about firefighters, but this season it's spiraling into wretched melodrama. This week's episode struck bottom with such ferocity, it may well have been the most revolting thing ever aired on television.
Shortly after having sex with his teenage nephew's lover/high-school-teacher, our hero visits his soon-to-be-ex-wife to discuss the division of assets. She's leaving him for two reasons: 1) she blames him for the death of their son, who was killed by a drunk driver, who in turn was then murdered by Leary's uncle, who's a hero in prison, and 2) she's having sex with Leary's brother. ("This is about firefighters, this is about firefighters," I found myself chanting in denial.) Which brings us to the scene in question.
Angry about his wife bedding his brother, Leary assaults her, throwing her down, bloodying her face, ripping her clothes. He then graphically rapes her. R-a-p-e-s her. Her struggles and protests turn to moans, and when all is said and done, everyone is better for the experience. She's calmed and reasonable, and he smirks triumphantly as he leaves. The world has righted, and our hero is the badass king of his universe once again.
What the hell was that?
I'm still numb. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think. Whatever I think, it ain't about the characters. That illusion has been shattered. No, all I could think about was the show's creators. Are they so cynical, so out of touch that they actually think this is entertainment? That this is a protagonist? That I still care what they have to say? That I want to ever watch this show again?
I'm stunned that there's been no backlash.