The Golden Girls Character Review: Dorothy Zbornak

The next group of characters I will be writing about are….characters from The Golden Girls.

*-I apologize about the delay in posting. Life as it does got in the way.

*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the television series The Golden Girls. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show.

There is something to be said about a well written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.

In this series of weekly blog posts, I will examine character using the characters from The Golden Girls.  to explore how writers can create fully dimensional, human characters that audiences and readers can relate to.

No one goes through life without challenges. The question is, is this person destroyed by these challenges or can they rise above them? On The Golden Girls, Dorothy Zbornak (the late Bea Arthur) has been through a lot in her 60ish years. Born to Italian immigrants in New York City, Dorothy grew up in a loud and complicated family. The oldest of three children, she has often been pushed aside for her younger siblings. In her late teens, after getting pregnant, she married Stanley Zbornak (the late Herb Edelman). After nearly 40 years of marriage, he left her for another woman.

Dorothy is known for her bookish ways, her sharp tongue and her grounded view of the world. She also has a soft side for her mother, Sophia Petrillo (the late Estelle Getty), who can also be a thorn on her side. Their verbal confrontations often end with the following statement: “Shady Pines ma”.

To sum it up: Though Dorothy has been through a lot in her life, she is able to rise above what has stood in her way. She may have her ups and downs, but the fact that she can rise above those downs is a testament to her strength and her courage. It is a lesson that we all can learn.

That is why Dorothy is a memorable and beloved character.

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The Flooding in Venice is a Warning

We all know that climate change is real.The evidence of the man-made destruction of our planet is all too real.

In Venice, the catastrophic and historic flooding is a warning.

Venice, like many major cities around the world, is based on or near water. As nourishing and important as water is, it can also be destructive.

Those who deny or minimize the effects of climate change cannot ignore what the people of Venice are going through. Granted, Venice does flood regularly because of it’s topography. However, if this can happen in Venice, where else can it happen?

We must address the underlying issues of climate change now. If we don’t, I fear that we will all be living in a version of Venice.

Flashback Friday-Mysteries and Scandals (1998-2001)

When one thinks of Hollywood, one normally thinks of glitz and glamour. But behind the screen is another story.

Mysteries and Scandals aired on E! from 1998-2001. Hosted by A.J. Benza, the series told the story of various celebrities who either died in a suspicious manner or were scandalized in some manner. Included in the program were experts in the case, reenactments, and photographs.

As I recall, I enjoyed this program. The noir-ish format of the program added to the mystery. Benza, as a host, came off as a grizzled detective, which worked perfectly within the context of the series.

I recommend it.