This episode, in my opinion, has not stood the test of time, as the main conflict in it is no longer an issue today, and something that anyone under the age of 30 wouldn't be able to identify with. Regardless, it at least gives food for thought.
The journalist assigned to ride with Squad 51 is a woman--a young, very attractive woman (Christy). Of course, Gage finds her charming... until she opens her mouth and challenges and questions everything that the paramedics--and even the firefighters--do. "I could have done that. Women can do that too," is her refrain. Her reverse chauvinism is off- putting and grating.
To me, the biggest failing of this episode is the lack of follow-up, and the fact that the storyline didn't get thoroughly explained. For one thing, I want to know what Dixie had to say to Christy. After the arrogant journalist takes Brackett to task for his perceived attitude of male superiority (in his own department, no less!), Dixie suggests the two women have a cup of coffee. And personally, I want to know what they talked about! Dixie is very confident woman; she's surrounded by headstrong men on a daily basis, and not only does SHE not feel they're superior to her, the men themselves don't think that either. If anyone could, Dixie might have been able to give Christy a better perspective of the people she was supposed to be writing about (paramedics, firefighters, doctors), all of whom just happen to be men. Secondly, it was commented on more than once that whatever article this woman writes could have an impact on the public's opinion of the paramedic program (and firefighting in general), but not once do we hear what she actually ends up writing about for her article. Was it fair? Complimentary? Glowing, even? At the building explosion site, after Roy helps Johnny escape just before it blows, viewers are led to believe that she might be 'seeing the light' about firefighters and how they're willing to brave imminent danger to help 'one of their own,' and yet, we don't get to find out if that's true since, again, we don't know what she wrote about. I suppose firefighting can be a real "boy's club;" it's still dominated by men and I'm sure a fire station can probably have an atmosphere like a sports locker room, but still, this woman was judging every firefighter by whatever preconceptions she had, whether true or not, without giving them the benefit of the doubt. (Plus, did anyone else think it odd? Here she is a journalist, and she's five feet away from a man who's been sought by the police for blowing up buildings... and she didn't at least TRY to talk to him??? Not much of a journalist, imho!)
Lastly, the BIG mystery is... how did Johnny get a date with her? They had been at daggers drawn for the whole time she was with Station 51, and most of that time he couldn't stand to be in the same room with her. So what happened? Did he ask her out in spite of his dislike of her? Did she ask HIM out? Obviously any explanation that Johnny Gage gives about women should be taken with a grain (or shaker) of salt, so how did that REALLY come to pass?? Inquiring minds really do want to know!!
The journalist assigned to ride with Squad 51 is a woman--a young, very attractive woman (Christy). Of course, Gage finds her charming... until she opens her mouth and challenges and questions everything that the paramedics--and even the firefighters--do. "I could have done that. Women can do that too," is her refrain. Her reverse chauvinism is off- putting and grating.
To me, the biggest failing of this episode is the lack of follow-up, and the fact that the storyline didn't get thoroughly explained. For one thing, I want to know what Dixie had to say to Christy. After the arrogant journalist takes Brackett to task for his perceived attitude of male superiority (in his own department, no less!), Dixie suggests the two women have a cup of coffee. And personally, I want to know what they talked about! Dixie is very confident woman; she's surrounded by headstrong men on a daily basis, and not only does SHE not feel they're superior to her, the men themselves don't think that either. If anyone could, Dixie might have been able to give Christy a better perspective of the people she was supposed to be writing about (paramedics, firefighters, doctors), all of whom just happen to be men. Secondly, it was commented on more than once that whatever article this woman writes could have an impact on the public's opinion of the paramedic program (and firefighting in general), but not once do we hear what she actually ends up writing about for her article. Was it fair? Complimentary? Glowing, even? At the building explosion site, after Roy helps Johnny escape just before it blows, viewers are led to believe that she might be 'seeing the light' about firefighters and how they're willing to brave imminent danger to help 'one of their own,' and yet, we don't get to find out if that's true since, again, we don't know what she wrote about. I suppose firefighting can be a real "boy's club;" it's still dominated by men and I'm sure a fire station can probably have an atmosphere like a sports locker room, but still, this woman was judging every firefighter by whatever preconceptions she had, whether true or not, without giving them the benefit of the doubt. (Plus, did anyone else think it odd? Here she is a journalist, and she's five feet away from a man who's been sought by the police for blowing up buildings... and she didn't at least TRY to talk to him??? Not much of a journalist, imho!)
Lastly, the BIG mystery is... how did Johnny get a date with her? They had been at daggers drawn for the whole time she was with Station 51, and most of that time he couldn't stand to be in the same room with her. So what happened? Did he ask her out in spite of his dislike of her? Did she ask HIM out? Obviously any explanation that Johnny Gage gives about women should be taken with a grain (or shaker) of salt, so how did that REALLY come to pass?? Inquiring minds really do want to know!!