I don't know if Jenny was a sociopath, as much as a victim of sexual abuse, and then later, a victim of Hollywood. She acts out in ways that def point out to having been abused - because it's television, it gets taken to an extreme, but a lot of people who have been victims of abuse become neurotic.
I disagree the show got less realistic in the later seasons - it may feel that way to us - but I think the writers and producers were making a commentary on what Hollywood and LA are like. They are telling stories about a world they are intimately familiar with - the egos, the money, the sleazy producers, the pressure to conform and perform. A lot of people are "ruined" by the way business is done in Hollywood, the amount of money that's involved, the power and control that can be had, the influence on people and popular culture. I think part of Jenny's story is how badly some people handle fame and success, particularly people who're abuse Survivors.
On the cut throat business sub plots around The Planet - i don't see that as any different than some of the things you'd see in a show about Chicago, or NY - there are some really shady business people in the world, and most of us are insulated from that kinda thing, but it actually happens all the time.
I hated hated hated Jenny - her character foundation is that she cheats on her fiance Tim, lies about it, acts like Marina is the only person to blame when Jenny's equally at fault and just as much a cheater as Marina, then treats Tim like crap, and waffles endlessly about whether she's bi or lesbian, I never understood why Shane liked her, other than that they were both damaged.
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MariaDeluca
10 years ago
Diotima you make very good points.
I kind of let Jenny slide on the cheating because she was struggling with her sexuality. Can't be easy to go through that. Cheating isn't right but at least she didn't do what some people I know do, make a mockery of their marriage and cheat on the downlow and embarrass their spouse by bragging. At least Jenny in the end accepted herself.
I may be one of the few people who doesn't hate Jenny. I feel Alice is just as bad. I mean sure she is funny but she causes so much trouble because she can't keep her big mouth shut. In ways none of them are better than Jenny. They each show horrible behavior.
Your right about Shane. They are both damaged. You also have to remember that Shane saw Jenny at her worst, so wanting to help her came into play. Also Jenny may be the only girlfriend who got Shane. She knew Shane was damaged and needed to cheat. In a way they understand each other in a way others don't.
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