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qosIt's a slow day at work.
Don't take this too seriously.
Last night’s episode of Bones included multiple references to “alpha males” and their characteristics. At the end of the show, Bones saluted her partner Booth by saying that until that day she had misunderstood the nature of alpha males. Despite what she had believed from anthropology, alphas are not showy and always making a big splash; instead, they are the ones who get things done quietly, who support others, who are faithful and always there. The emotional tone of the scene was absolutely right to resolve and heal the conflict that had run through the episode. Bones’ declaration of what constituted an alpha male was utterly wrong.
“Alpha” does not mean “best.” Alphas are the individuals (male or female) who naturally take charge and who inspire – or convince – others to follow them. Some enjoy finery and shiny displays, and some acquire them as a result of their status – but that’s a side effect. It’s not part of what an alpha is. “Alpha” is a status. It’s being the top dog in the pack, the one who makes the decisions, who keeps the rest of the pack moving in the same direction and "in line." It's about instinct, not title or job description.
Bones was wrong in making “alpha male” a synonym for “most admirable male.” There all kinds of ways a man can be a good man – a good person. Being an alpha is morally neutral status. There are alphas who are absolute shits. They take command easily, and then they use their status to bully and abuse others. Or they are fools who lead their followers to disaster. There are also alphas who use their charisma and force of will for the good of those around them. They can be quiet, self-sacrificing, even nurturing. Those qualities don’t fit the stereotype, but they are not mutually exclusive with “alpha.”
I’m not sure that Booth is an alpha. He’s a man of character, a man of action, a man who cares deeply for those around him and for justice, a brave man who willingly puts himself between others and harm. But we see him interacting with the “squint squad” as a colleague, a member of a team where each person plays their role according to their training, and his role is “legal investigator and man of action.” We don’t see him in a circle of actual peers where the question of alpha status would become meaningful. We don’t see him recognized as a leader and given respect and deference by others of his own kind.
The scene left me feeling frustrated, disgruntled, and disappointed with the writers. I’m sure it’s tough writing for a show where most of the characters are extremely well-educated and have genius IQ’s – but this was a sloppy mistake – and it detracted from what was otherwise a dramatically effective episode.
I'm grumpy about it because I love alpha males -- the good ones, the noble ones -- and it bugs me to an irrational degree to have the term used incorrectly.
I also tend to get testy about the fact that popular culture seldom, if ever, makes a reference to alpha females.
Don't take this too seriously.
Last night’s episode of Bones included multiple references to “alpha males” and their characteristics. At the end of the show, Bones saluted her partner Booth by saying that until that day she had misunderstood the nature of alpha males. Despite what she had believed from anthropology, alphas are not showy and always making a big splash; instead, they are the ones who get things done quietly, who support others, who are faithful and always there. The emotional tone of the scene was absolutely right to resolve and heal the conflict that had run through the episode. Bones’ declaration of what constituted an alpha male was utterly wrong.
“Alpha” does not mean “best.” Alphas are the individuals (male or female) who naturally take charge and who inspire – or convince – others to follow them. Some enjoy finery and shiny displays, and some acquire them as a result of their status – but that’s a side effect. It’s not part of what an alpha is. “Alpha” is a status. It’s being the top dog in the pack, the one who makes the decisions, who keeps the rest of the pack moving in the same direction and "in line." It's about instinct, not title or job description.
Bones was wrong in making “alpha male” a synonym for “most admirable male.” There all kinds of ways a man can be a good man – a good person. Being an alpha is morally neutral status. There are alphas who are absolute shits. They take command easily, and then they use their status to bully and abuse others. Or they are fools who lead their followers to disaster. There are also alphas who use their charisma and force of will for the good of those around them. They can be quiet, self-sacrificing, even nurturing. Those qualities don’t fit the stereotype, but they are not mutually exclusive with “alpha.”
I’m not sure that Booth is an alpha. He’s a man of character, a man of action, a man who cares deeply for those around him and for justice, a brave man who willingly puts himself between others and harm. But we see him interacting with the “squint squad” as a colleague, a member of a team where each person plays their role according to their training, and his role is “legal investigator and man of action.” We don’t see him in a circle of actual peers where the question of alpha status would become meaningful. We don’t see him recognized as a leader and given respect and deference by others of his own kind.
The scene left me feeling frustrated, disgruntled, and disappointed with the writers. I’m sure it’s tough writing for a show where most of the characters are extremely well-educated and have genius IQ’s – but this was a sloppy mistake – and it detracted from what was otherwise a dramatically effective episode.
I'm grumpy about it because I love alpha males -- the good ones, the noble ones -- and it bugs me to an irrational degree to have the term used incorrectly.
I also tend to get testy about the fact that popular culture seldom, if ever, makes a reference to alpha females.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-13 10:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-13 10:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 12:05 am (UTC)I'm not so sure about Booth not being an alpha. I *am* sure he's a "guy". Hodgins, on the other hand, is definitely a beta... which is precisely why I think he's sexier than Booth. {g}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 12:26 am (UTC)I too find Hodgens sexier than Booth. Booth is too uptight for me. I expect Hodgens would be enthusiastic, adventurous, inventive and *fun* in bed. Besides, while I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, in my own experience geeks appreciate their partners more than jocks. Jocks tend to take female attention for granted and geeks don't.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 12:55 am (UTC)I think what the writers were trying to have Brennan say with the "alpha" speech, however clumsily, is that she finds Booth's way of being masculine more honorable and more attractive than his brother's--and boy, did I find *him* unattractive. I don't have a uniform fetish, it seems. *g*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 03:11 am (UTC)As I continued to think about this, the other term that came to me to describe Brennan is "territorial." She doesn't seek authority over others, but she has her own turf that she will defend. Some people have called me an alpha, but I think I'm more like Brennan: it's not authority over others that I want, it's the freedom to do as I think best in my own sphere. I'm willing to lead others if we're working together in an area where I have expertise, but so long as there is someone competent in charge, whom I can respect, I don't have to be top bitch. I will, however, resist an alpha if they trespass on what I consider to be my rightful territory.
I think what the writers were trying to have Brennan say with the "alpha" speech, however clumsily, is that she finds Booth's way of being masculine more honorable and more attractive than his brother's.
I agree 100%. I just wish they had thought through their terms a bit more before finalizing it.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 06:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-14 01:54 pm (UTC)Too true!
(And I love your icon!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-15 07:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-15 04:57 pm (UTC)She did it well in The Contender too.