Movies

Commentary: ‘Ginny & Georgia’ is a breakthrough in showing abortion as a personal experience

BBG News

The series: “Ginny & Georgia.”

The setting: A women’s healthcare clinic.

Setting: Sixteen-year-old Ginny finds herself in a difficult situation, facing an unplanned pregnancy. She’s considering termination of the pregnancy. During a preliminary consultation at a clinic, the provider asks if she requires more time to make her decision. However, the teen assures them that she is certain about her choice.

In the story, there’s no sign of hesitation or regret over the character’s decision, and she doesn’t feel the need to justify it. This is because it’s none of our business to pass judgment, as it’s a private matter. Even though societal debates about reproductive rights may suggest otherwise, this is an individual choice.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that the emotionally charged topic of abortion has been a subject of intense discussions, political debates, and legislative battles since it was first ruled upon by the Supreme Court in 1973, only to be overturned in 2022. It’s not hard to understand why this contentious issue often goes overlooked in the realm of series television. After all, risking the loss of half our audience for a ratings dip isn’t an appealing prospect. Nevertheless, there have been some groundbreaking instances on shows like “Maude,” “The Facts of Life,” and “Jane the Virgin.” These episodes were cautious to navigate the delicate political landscape while providing authentic representations of their characters’ emotions and circumstances.

An issue to be aware of is that integrating subplots about abortion stories may seem disruptive and biased, either leaning towards an anti-abortion stance or promoting pro-abortion rights, or even appearing as a futile attempt at neutrality – known as bothsidesism.

Television

‘This Is Going to Hurt’ offers a highly realistic depiction of childbirth on television, and its gritty, perspiration-soaked, blood-splattered representation may shift the ongoing dialogue about the experience.

In a daring move, Season 3 of the Netflix dramedy “Ginny & Georgia” boldly tackles political issues, seamlessly weaving them into the fabric of a captivating, humorous, and hard-to-resist family story. Since its return two weeks ago, it has been Netflix’s most popular show, masterfully conveying an intimately crafted tale that transcends judgment and the fear of being judged.

In 2021, an hour-long television series debuted, centering around Georgia Miller, a single mother portrayed by Brianne Howey. Alongside her are her teenage daughter Ginny (played by Antonia Gentry) and young son Austin (Diesel La Torraca). Originally nomads, they now strive to establish a stable existence in the fictional town of Wellsbury near Boston, navigating their way through ordinary life.

Georgia, a vibrant and chatty woman hailing from the South, distinguishes herself among the particular, small-town folks of New England. Born in Alabama to parents struggling with drug addiction, she escaped her tumultuous childhood as a teenager. Without a home, she crossed paths with Zion (portrayed by Nathan Mitchell later), a promising student from a well-off family. In the early stages of their relationship, Georgia became pregnant, leading to the birth of their daughter Ginny, marking the start of a life on the move and dedicated to shielding her children.

In her thirties, the striking woman with blonde hair has navigated poverty by leveraging her beauty, natural intelligence, and numerous schemes. This tough upbringing has given Ginny a maturity that outpaces her age, although she still experiences the volatile emotions typical of teenagers and the immature conflicts common in high school.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: In a surprising twist of fate, I find myself in a similar predicament as characters from old movies when I discover I’m pregnant after one night with a student from our poetry club. Overwhelmed, he’s the first person I confide in about my dilemma. His reaction? A moment of dumb shock before he vanishes without a trace, leaving me to navigate this unexpected journey alone.

In Episode 7, the main focus is on Ginny’s choice concerning terminating her pregnancy, which serves as a calm and reflective side story contrasting with the continuous turmoil and hidden dangers that characterize the Miller family’s world.

Ginny understands deeply that she was conceived during a pregnancy her mother did not wish for and chose not to terminate. Despite this, Georgia often expresses how her children are the most wonderful things in her life. However, when comforting her troubled daughter, Georgia emphasizes that the decision is Ginny’s alone and no one else should dictate it.

Instead of delving into a preachy, scripted discourse advocating for abortion rights within the narrative of “Ginny & Georgia”, the show could have chosen to either take this route, or opted for a more balanced approach, focusing equally on both characters’ stories without explicitly promoting any particular viewpoint.

Review

In ‘Dead Ringers,’ the miracle of life balances on the precipice of death

In the outstanding miniseries drama on Prime Video, the concept of sibling codependence and on-screen birth scenes reach unprecedented, intense heights.

Instead, it opted to provide viewers with an intimate perspective, tracing Ginny’s solitary journey from her initial embarrassment and fear, through heartfelt discussions with her mom, to a candid counseling session at the women’s health center where she unequivocally expressed her readiness to postpone motherhood. We witnessed her swallow the medication, then endure what ensued: severe cramping, pangs of guilt, surges of relief, and the recognition that she now carried a fresh, lasting emotional wound, one not inflicted by her mother.

The show focuses solely on Ginny’s personal tale, told from her point of view, thereby ensuring that it remains unique to her, regardless of any personal biases or views.

In my humble opinion as a film critic, “Ginny & Georgia” has been quite the rollercoaster ride over its three captivating seasons. Among the array of characters, Georgia stands out as one of the most intriguing antiheroes of this decade – witty, resourceful, and brimming with unpredictability. This charisma seems to have a magnetic pull for men, while her strategies, reminiscent of Walter White’s, keep viewers on their toes. Interestingly, she dismisses therapy, preferring the Southern approach: “We don’t do that in the South. We shoot things and eat butter.” A fascinating portrayal indeed!

But therapy might be a good idea given Season 3’s cliffhanger ending: another accidental pregnancy.

Read More

2025-06-20 13:32

Previous post Martin Clunes reveals next movie role in “massive” new Yorkshire-set psychological drama
Next post Mini Airways lets you control the skies with friends in real-time, now available on iOS