Before I start describing the series, I would like to mention that I admired the world of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Midge’s tireless struggle in the male-dominated comedy industry in the 1950s. Although in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the idea of being a woman in a male-dominated world is handled differently and in a wider time period, Midge’s struggle to exist in a male-dominated industry and without the support of her relatives impresses me every time I watch it. Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV’s new series based on Bonnie Garmus’ novel of the same name, follows the life of Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson), a chemist trying to survive in a patriarchal world order in 1950s America, just like in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Lessons in Chemistry is not only a guest in Elizabeth’s life, but also deals with the issue of gender inequality, which is still on our agenda. As in the case of Midge and Elizabeth, unfortunately, today we still feel the need to prove ourselves as women in some sectors, we are subjected to various mobbing, in other words, it is so difficult for us to exist in the sectors we are in, Lessons in Chemistry shows us the difficulties of being a female technician in a chemistry laboratory 50-60 years ago.
When I watched the first episode, I wanted to scream when I saw a group of men limiting a chemist woman to making coffee just because she is a woman. I’m sure every woman watching will have the same reaction, which is normal. But Elizabeth, despite all the treatment she received and the traumatic events in her past, does not give up fighting for her ideals, working in the laboratory in the evenings when everyone else is gone, showing a very determined, brave and impressive attitude for that period. Elizabeth’s steadfastness throughout the whole process unwittingly brings a smile to your face and inspires you. Of course, we see this struggle and inspiring stance not only in Elizabeth, but also in Elizabeth’s neighbor Harriet, who was a black lawyer at the time.
When Elizabeth crosses paths with Calvin Evans (Lewis Pullman), a Nobel laureate working at the same research center, it opens a completely different story for both Elizabeth and Calvin. I would like to describe Calvin to you with one of Calvin’s lines; “I don’t understand. Why would anyone discriminate for a reason as non-determinative of intelligence as gender?” I can’t say enough about the intelligent and sympathetic Calvin Evans. From the moment he realizes how close Elizabeth is to making a breakthrough and that she has been ignored as a woman, he manages to impress both Elizabeth and us by supporting her in her work by stating that he sees Elizabeth as his equal. It is a surprise for both people who are so immersed in science that this friendship turns into love.
Although I can’t give you much detail about the overall story and characters since it has only aired two episodes, I can say that Lessons in Chemistry is a series that I find successful in terms of its reflection of the period, the messages it gives and makes you think, and I am eagerly waiting for its episodes. If you like watching women’s struggles, I recommend you to be a guest in Elizabeth Zott’s life.
