Previously on Feud: Bette and Joan
1. "Pilot" 2. "The Other Woman" 3. "Mommie Dearest" 4. "More or Less" 5. "And the Winner Is" (Part 1) (Part 2)
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By Spencer Coile
Although initially centered on the drama that took place during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Feud persists. As we enter into episode six, "Hagsploitation," both Bette and Joan have no bona fide hits on the horizon. Sure, Joan is tackling Strait Jacket and Bette has her hands full on TV (much to Joan's judgement) on Wagon Train, but in 1964, the success of Baby Jane has waned. In fact, in a scene that features vase throwing and Mamacita standing her ground, Joan laments that it had been nine months since any offer came her way. Clearly, as the title suggests, there is something more pervasive and sinister that happens in Hollywood, far more dastardly than the actual feud that persists between Bette and Joan: the exploitation of older actresses for the benefit of their audience...
When Jack Warner brings Bob Aldrich back into his office to collaborate on the spiritual successor to Baby Jane, What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte? (see the similarities?), Bob is initially cautious to bring back Bette and Joan. Still, Jack persists, claiming that this "sequel" might bring all parties back into the limelight... even if that means Bette, Joan, and Bob are all paid significantly less. Of course, it takes some coaxing-- and what entails is a hilarious scene that follows Bob's desperate ploys to convince both Bette and Joan to set aside their differences. They almost begrudgingly accept the offer and agree to remain civil on set.
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Naturally, this does not last. After Bette makes a quick jab at Strait Jacket, all bets are off. In perhaps the most delicious line reading of the episode, Joan turns to Bob and quips, "I'd be happy to read both parts," after Bette storms out of the room. What would Feud be without the infamous biting remarks from the series' two leads?
Degradation is the theme of this episode. The title indicates a shift in Hollywood, where audiences are more inclined to see their favorite actresses "de-glam" and bare it all-- the seemingly ultimate act of humiliation.And after Baby Jane, neither Bette nor Joan are interested in distorting their own public image. The sheer irony comes from what happens behind the scenes, where mockery and disrespect are how these women thrive. It is never not cutthroat.
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Best Susan/ Bette Moment
Feeling wronged after losing her Oscar and watching Joan rub it in her face and accepting Anne Bancroft's award on her behalf, it was almost refreshing to watch Bette lap up the stardom that had originally been stolen from her in episodes past. Upon arriving to Baton Rouge to film Charlotte, Joan and Mamacita are devastated to find that there is no one there to greet them, nor does the hotel have any room for them. Luckily, Bette is there to save the day! In arguably the most devastating shot on the episode, Bette sidles up to the front desk clerk (they're on a first name basis, no less!) and demands that Joan have a room ready within the hour. It is catty, but altogether justice for last week's Oscar fiasco. The cherry on top is watching Joan try to make peace with this moment and dial Bob's number to let him know that she has arrived peacefully in Louisiana... only to find that he is fraternizing with Bette in his hotel room. For now, Bette has her way and as the scene cuts to black, we are left with Joan realizing this as well.
Best Jessica/ Joan Moment
Becoming a star did not come easy for Joan. As we learn from Hedda in this episode, Joan had possibly participated in some "blue films" in her past. This leads to the discovery of her brother, Hal, who also lives in Los Angeles. She attempts to silence him and pay him off, leading to an explosive scene (pun intended) in the hospital, where Hal is about to undergo surgery. He dies from a ruptured appendix, leading Joan to promptly call the bank and cancel the check that she had just given to her brother. Mamacita claims that it is tough to grieve after the loss of a loved one, but Joan is icy, calculated, and committed to being a Star in every sense of the word.
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Additional Thoughts
- In this episode, we learn that Hedda had recently suffered a heart attack and is living with a defect. What's more-- after ruining numerous careers and slandering the names of dozens of celebrities, she feels good about her contribution to the political nature of Hollywood. Her scene with Joan is biting and vicious, from both ladies. Sure, she has the scoop on Joan's past films, and what kind of writer would she be if she didn't report the truth to her readers?
- After missing a bulk of the action in the last episode, Bob gets a lot to do here. He betrays Jack Warner by shopping Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte to Daryl Zanuck, Warner's arch-nemesis. He gets some pretty snarky lines, such as: "I'm here to get my balls back. Hear 'em clanking?" Sadly, Bob's rise cannot last-- especially when his wife Harriet asks for a divorce.
- While the series claims to be about both Bette and Joan, does anyone else sense a severe lack of Bette throughout this season? It makes sense that the series is Jessica Lange focused, Murphy has always been Lange or Bust. But considering Sarandon doesn't appear for the first 20 minutes of the episode, I wonder if there is more to come from her perspective in the final two episodes?
What say you? Was "Hagsploitation" another solid venture into the Feud saga or has the story begun grasping at straws to find a juicy story? Did you appreciate Mamacita standing up to Joan, at long last?