It was amazing how these women transformed from ordinary-looking, nobodies with low to no self-esteem, into, well, swans. There's something about make-overs that keep me riveted. But, like my venerable professor, Prof. Enriquez always says, think about pleasure. Why is it a pleasure to watch? What gives you pleasure? Whey are you glued to your screen even if deep inside you know it's all manufactured?
It's the age-old idea of making dreams come true instantly, I guess. Think Cinderella. Only here, the abuse is self-inflicted. The women are their own wicked step moms and Drusillas and Mildreds. With a wave of the liposuction wand, the once-frumpy housewife is bodacious. In the course of one episode, she is "repaired" and "restored", in mind, body and "spirit".
In the particular episode I was watching, one of the ladies was a 30-year old housewife whose self-esteem was non-existent. SHe felt so bad about everything she did, and how she looked that she didn't even feel worthy enough to undress in front of her husband. Constantly depressed and unmotivated, she wasn't even following instructions from the surgeons and psychiatrists. She felt she was a complete failure and was undeserving. This was what they wanted "to cure".
I was thinking, why should it always be portrayed as the woman's fault? Maybe the husband wasn't encouraging enough, or she was surrounded by peple who were so critical. Maybe she just needed more attention from her husband. They should bring him in for a talk, not just the woman.
The woman's depression seemed to go really deep. Even when she finally looked in the mirror at her transformation, I didn't look or feel like she was totally convinced or happy with herself. I dunno. That's just how I felt. She got kicked out by the way, and wasn't going to make it to the pageant. I wonder how that's going to affect her self-esteem.
For all intents and purposes, the panel of "experts" tasked to carry out the transformation did their job, because she looked different. Lots of make-up, a revealing dress, a new hairstyle, a new body. But I wondered about her self-esteem. I wonder how her mind would rationalize her not winning. Would she punish herself again?
I was amazed at the pain they would subject themselves to to look like Barbie. It was unbelievable--bone reconstruction, lifts, tucks, sucks, weights, etc. All this to appeal to a certain standard of beauty that has become the reason for their depression in the first place. It's as if they're manufacturing depression to earn off it. Or something like that. If you feel bad about yourself, come on over and get some collagen injections or a liposuction, so people will think you're hot and you won't feel so bad anymore.
Ugh. But the point remains: I was riveted. Til the end. I was amazed at how much they changed. And how good they looked after. I wondered though if that goodness was only skin deep.
