Gendered Relationships of Television Duos

Ivory et al. looked to determine how gendered relationships worked between heterosexual and same-sex couples on television. This was a great research topic that explored if television upheld traditional gender roles established in society. As helpful as this study may be in establishing roles between couples, it could be stronger with the inclusion of television duos or pairs.

For instance, take Rizzoli and Isles as an example. The show is centered around Detective Jane Rizzoli, police officer, and Dr. Maura Isles, medical examiner. The two team up and solve various crimes in the city of Boston. They have a distinguished relationship that could be further examined for gender specific acts.


Each character has certain traits that are gender specific or could be coded as such. Take Rizzoli as an example. She is an aggressive, smart mouth detective who typically wears dark clothing and pants suits, rarely is she dressed in provocative clothing. All of those characteristics can contribute to codes that relate to dominant traits. On the other side of the spectrum there is Isles. She is a quiet, less out spoken scientist who dresses in bright, feminine clothing and is often in the lab examining things, staying out of any real danger. Those are some characteristics that could be taken into consideration for a submissive type of character.

Judging from the interactions between the two characters, it is easy to see who is the more dominant in the series. When it comes to making decisions, being self-assured, and assertive, Rizzoli rises and the more dominant figure. In terms of being unbold, forceless, and meek, Isles would take the reign as the less dominant character between the two.

It is easier said than done when analyzing television relationships among characters of a particular show. However, when characters are involved in relationships such as lovers then relationships become more easier to code for traits that Ivory et al. was looking for. Gendered roles on television that do not have romantic involvement between opposite and same-sex relationships can be analyzed . Shows like The Honey Mooners, Sanford and Son, Will and Grace and Rizzoli and Isles all possess strong, main character relationships that may involve some dominant and submissive traits that researchers maybe looking for.