Minority Mindset

Marvel is bringing Avengers: Endgame back to cinemas on September 25th, and this time it will include extra, never-before-seen scenes. The movie, which already runs for three hours, will now be even longer!

Sometimes, even a hero can’t win. Occasionally, a villain is simply too strong, making the outcome a foregone conclusion. These stories often show us that some challenges are impossible to overcome, and the smartest choice is to avoid them or know when to stop.

The day after winning a Golden Globe, the team behind the show The Pitt was preparing for a particularly intense scene: an emergency C-section. They were filming the season finale and needed everything to look incredibly realistic. The scene involved a woman experiencing a life-threatening complication called eclampsia, and who hadn’t received any prenatal care. The props team was busy filling a detailed prosthetic uterus with white vinegar. Nearby, they arranged the other props – the uterus, umbilical cord, and a silicone baby – for the scene. The baby, laid in a disposable aluminum pan, was being prepped with a mixture of whipped cream cheese and a special red gel to simulate birth. The makeup artists then carefully inserted the baby feet-first into the prosthetic uterus, essentially performing a birth in reverse for the cameras.

It’s tricky to build a show around a harsh criticism of capitalism. If the goal is to show how the system forces people to be completely selfish, then the characters can’t really grow or change—because selfless behavior would undermine that very point. This season reminds me of Mike White’s The White Lotus, which similarly uses the world of hotels and resorts to highlight the problems created by class differences. I’ve been hesitant to draw the comparison, but it’s unavoidable.

The main drama this week revolved around a falling out with Dorit, who’s become increasingly difficult to be around. Some have compared her behavior to her soon-to-be-ex-husband, PK. Kyle, Erika, and Sutton all skipped Dorit’s magazine cover reveal party because she’d been treating them poorly all summer. When she found out they weren’t coming, she reportedly used offensive language. It seems like everyone is taking issue with Dorit’s behavior. At the party, Dorit presented her cover, with the theme being ‘Unburdened.’ She playfully described herself, referencing being ‘homeless, not toothless,’ and jokingly identified as ‘Lucy Lucy’ and ‘Apple Juice.’

The team arrived at Amanda’s office – she’s the one who books shows at Madison Square Garden – carrying a lot of gifts, but they were quick to point out they weren’t trying to bribe anyone! It seemed odd anyone would even suggest that. “I just need some sugar,” Jimmy explained, gesturing to the enormous fruit basket they’d brought.