Criticism Post #2 – Revised

Neo Classical Criticism – The Canon

In this post, I will be applying the neo classical criticism method. The neo classical criticism method comes in two parts. The first part is called the canon, and this is what I will be using. There are five parts that make up the canon: Invention, arrangement, style, arrangement, and memory. I will not be applying all five of these parts to the episode that I will be referring to, but I will briefly explain what each of these parts of the canon are from our class notes:

• Invention – How did they come up with it, inspiration, how did they generate it.
• Arrangement – Putting it in order and why is it ordered this way. 
• Style – Has to do with the person’s style/delivery, embellishment. 
• Delivery – How is it delivered: gestures, movement, etc. How long are episodes, etc.
• Memory – What makes it memorable, why isn’t it memorable?

The canon can be applied to Grace and Frankie, Season 2, Episode 3, when Grace and Frankie embark on their journey to invent and sell vibrators, geared towards an older consumer. The inspiration for a vibrator started when their best friend, Babe, passed away. Grace was given a vibrator from Babe’s will, and Babe wrote her a note telling her, “It won’t break your heart.” Grace ends up injuring herself after using it for the first time, because it wasn’t adequately equipped for women her age. They did not realize they were going to invent and sell vibrators, until the delivery of this idea first came out when they were both very angry at their children and ex-husbands. It just kind of blurted out when they were yelling at them, during the heat of the moment. They were supposed to be celebrating Frankie and Sol’s son, Bud, his birthday, but instead were too angry at everyone to enjoy it. Bud’s birthday may have been ruined, but a new business benefited from the ruined celebration in Grace and Frankie favor.

The style for Grace and Frankie’s new product was carefully thought out for their customers they had in mind. Even though they were offered a deal to purchase their product by a well known company, they didn’t like how they were trying to market their vibrators by misleading photos of themselves looking younger. They wanted to stay true to their age, and their real appearance, so they decided to sell it directly from  themselves only, which was through their website and online store they created. Not only was their branding for marketing a success, but the carefully designed product became a huge success, and so was their journey of being new business owners together.

The memory is the product Grace and Frankie invented, a vibrator. It makes this very memorable because it puts into perspective on how elderly people live their lives, and we forget how human we all are, no matter what age. Creating something like this,  geared towards seniors, is something that makes this product one of a kind. Also, the name of the vibrator, Vybrant, and how it’s spelled is memorable in itself. Other episodes continue to go into more detail on Grace and Frankie’s new business that leave a lasting impression we can not forget.

The canon method works and is a great way to explain Grace and Frankie’s new business journey. From the delivery of how it first came out and was announced, to the style of the product, and the lasting memory it has on everyone, not only in the show, but all who watch the show as well.