Earlier this semester we discussed Frederic Jameson’s “Archaeologies of the Future” and from that discussion arose an idea of the suburbs being the middle space he describes as being between the city and the country.  The long running Showtime series Weeds provides support for this notion of suburbia being this almost utopian space.

The beginning of every episode begins with a song called “Little Boxes” which describes how all the houses, cars, and people all look the same in a fictitious California suburb called Agrestic. The premise is that Agrestic looks like any other suburban enclave in the United States, with its exercising fathers, coffee drinkers and stay at home mothers.  Upon watching the show, one realizes the show is more about debunking the myth of the monolithic ‘middle America’ experience.  Nancy Botwin, the main character, must find a way to take care of her family after her husband dies.  Instead of getting a job Nancy decides to start selling marijuana illegally.  Nancy’s life before her husband died was pleasant and simple and his death took her from her happy/utopian space and into a harsh world where bills were piling high, her two boys are in desperate need of guidance and financial support, Nancy has very few lucrative job prospects.

What starts off looking like Utopia is quickly turned into a struggle to maintain what society tells Nancy she should have and the madness that ensues.  Nancy Botwin’s life typifies why Utopia cannot exist in reality.  What happens when tragedy strikes? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4KfJztaJ5I[/youtube]