Dietland isn’t known to shy away from controversial topics, including body shaming, violence, and the disturbing impact that society’s standards can have on women, and this week’s episode “F… This” was no different.
While the episode exposed us to how deep Plum’s body image issues go and just how strictly society polices women and their bodies, there were moments that were empowering, inspiring and downright amazing to watch. We saw how beauty is currency in today’s society, as Marlowe told Plum that “supermodels hold the ultimate worth” for achieving the standards of thinness and beauty. We also saw how society treats people that do not meet these standards, no matter how hard they may try, and the damaging effects it has on their mental and emotional health.
But through all of this, there were moments that provided a glimmer of hope that one day things will change. Although the methods of “Jennifer” being used in Dietland to achieve a future for women are questionable (kidnapping children and throwing men off buildings, for example), there is still a lot to be said for the power of some of the moments.
Here are five moments from last night’s episode where women totally won.
1. Kitty absolutely slays the group of “powerful” white businessmen
Clearly Kitty was the one with the actual power here. Although some of her justifications were questionable, she commanded the room and even scared these men in the process. Her questionable lack of care for a wife whose husband was brutally killed by “Jennifer” (“Are you men? Or babies? Scared wittle babies?”) was overshadowed by her serious badassery.
2. “Jennifer” turns the tables of hypersexualization onto men
In order to release the stolen boy (a magazine editor’s son) mentioned above, “Jennifer” demands that London newspapers replace all the pictures of topless women with graphic ones of pantless men instead. The roles are now reversed, and men didn’t like it.
Now women are taking runs at midnight without feeling like they’re in danger, and men fear for their lives while walking down the streets under the angry gazes of women. Oh, how the tables have turned.
3. Kitty finally decides to side with “Jennifer” and post the manifesto in her magazines
Another point for women banding together and fighting back. While publicly threatening major companies to publish it, “Jennifer” included some interesting demands in their manifesto. “Presidential elections must only offer female candidates for the next 50 years” and “equal pay plus one-third for all women” are just two of many. Sounds pretty good, if you ask me.
Did Kitty just side with Jennifer? #Dietland pic.twitter.com/IUvcvd4RSo
— Dietland (@DietlandAMC) June 19, 2018
4. Daisy Chain readers feel empowered by “Jennifer”
Although Kitty couldn’t care less, Plum gives her some great news about their readers—the same one’s who just one episode ago were overwhelming discussing the pain that they were in, now feel empowered by “Jennifer” and its movement.
Plum tells Kitty that “a fair number of the girls seem exhilarated. Empowered. I guess they feel like they matter, somehow. Like even if they don’t fit in with their peers, they still matter anyway.” Ten points for “Jennifer”!
5. Calliope House and everything it stands for
As a “healing place for damaged and abused women,” the women in Calliope house all want to empower each other, especially Verena as the head of it all. Although we still have some questions about what the deal is with them (why are they getting bomb threats??), they’re “creating a whole new system” to make change happen.
The Calliope House Mission Statement. #Dietland pic.twitter.com/3D8jdViEEr
— Dietland (@DietlandAMC) June 19, 2018
For every tugging-on-your-heartstrings moment in Dietland, there’s another one that makes you want to pump your first in solidarity with the powerful women in the show (even “Jennifer,” the murdering terrorist organization).