The Queen’s Gambit: Elegant, Sensual, Empowering, or Sexist?
By T. Q. R.
A Netflix miniseries based on the 1983 coming-of-age novel by Walter Tevis, The Queen’s Gambit became one of the biggest hits of 2020, transfixing viewers on a global scale with its boundless beauty and emotionally riveting main character, Elizabeth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy). Overall, there is no doubt as to the magnificence of this show, but The Queen’s Gambit does have its shortcomings—problems that I have rarely seen acknowledged by film critics or viewers alike.
In the beginning of the series, when young Beth picks up a copy of a mathematics textbook written by her mother, we are made aware of the fact that Alice Harmon (Chloe Pirrie) was also a genius considering that she had a doctorate and worked at Cornell University. Is one supposed to infer from this scene that Beth inherits her intelligence from her mother? When Beth is sent to the Methuen Home for Children, she is introduced to the “green pills,” tranquilizers that often bring her to the brink of a mental breakdown and have the potential of ruining her life. As the show progresses, we see that Beth uses the tranquilizers to visualize the games at night and memorize the different tactics that she would learn from Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp).
After she starts winning various chess competitions, Beth is asked by a reporter what she likes about chess. Harmon states, “I feel safe in it. I can control it. I can dominate it. And it is predictable. So, if I get hurt, I only have myself to blame” (“Doubled Pawns”). But her life is such a contrast from this very dialogue. In her process of learning and practicing chess moves, she has to give up control and succumb to the green pills. However, this is not Beth’s “fault” because it was the Methuen Home that got her addicted to the tranquilizers to a point where she has to forcibly break into the medical closet in order to steal the green pills. After she is adopted, these drugs are still a significant part of her life (and that of her adoptive mother, Alma (Marielle Heller)) as she is unable to live without them. Soon, the young teenager also becomes addicted to alcohol. While she is winning chess tournaments, Beth is constantly consuming alcohol and falling prey to drug abuse. But again, in order to step into that realm of control and stability through chess, Beth has to slip away in the dreamy yet chilling world created by drugs where, coincidentally, if she gets hurt, she only has herself to blame. With this, the show tells us that, although Beth Harmon has an extraordinary intelligence, she uses the power of drugs to become proficient at chess.
Is the show saying that for women to be smart and succeed, not only do they need to inherit their intelligence, but they must also cave to substance abuse? The men in the chess tournaments—masters like Harry Beltik (Harry Melling) and Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster)—do not seem to have such problems with drugs. When Beth asks Benny if he also plays games of chess in his mind, he responds by saying, “Doesn’t everybody?” but little does he know about Harmon’s “process” of playing games through her mind (“Fork”). In the show, the men seem to be the “sane” ones. They are the “mostly” sober, intelligent, perfect human beings who know what is right and what is wrong. Beltik even questions Harmon, “Did you ever think it is the drinking that is making you sick?” (“Adjournment”). I am not saying that it is wrong to try to help someone you care about. But through the entire series, it is mostly the men that seem to have everything “right” in their lives, and the way they judge Beth for consuming drugs is demeaning. For instance, after losing the game to Harmon, Benny is shocked at the amount of alcohol Beth can consume at a given time, and he even asks her if this is how much she drinks every single time. And, of course, the audience is told nothing about the background or parents of the famous male players. It is hinted that Benny comes from a southern background and Harry’s parents do not value chess or see it as a profession. So, one is made to think that it is not possible for Benny and Harry to have inherited their intelligence, much less use pills and alcohol to become accomplished chess players.
Despite the fact that Beth beats them in their respective chess competitions, Harry and Benny offer her training with the incentive of becoming a better player—training which she accepts. And when Beth starts living with Benny, she suddenly stops consuming Librium (green pills) and alcohol. It seems unrealistic to believe that a person can just give up drugs so easily when a man is by your side to “train” you and live with you. Does that mean Beth will suddenly be able to give up all the bad habits in her life because the man has an innate power to guide her? And, there is another problematic aspect in the relationship that Beth shares with Beltik and Benny. Both the men end up sleeping with Beth either during or after the chess training. Despite the fact that Benny tells Beth to “forget about the sex,” they both end up sleeping with each other the night Harmon defeats Benny in every single match of speed chess (“Adjournment”). There is no doubt that the training may have helped Beth, but it almost seems as if Benny could only sleep with Beth once she became “good enough” for him and his “standards.”
A major reason why Beth consumes drugs is because it is her way to cope with sadness, anger, and the struggles of life—such as the death of loved ones. And, most importantly, it is her way to cope with failure. This is not a negative. Instead, it shows us the human side of the famous child prodigy that Elizabeth Harmon is. The show displays that fame and intelligence can often bring pain, error, and mistakes. But it is the women that the story of The Queen’s Gambit targets. It is the women that seem to be too emotional and weak as they are so easily taken over by the overbearing effects of drugs and alcohol. And, even while doing this, the filmmakers glamorize Beth’s drug abuse. Beth’s relationship with drugs has been discussed in the previous sections, so now let us look at some other women through the show.
From the start of the show, in a school of many children, it has to be the young Black girl who will throw tantrums and scream loudly (calling other “cocksuckers”) and, of course, she will be the one who knows when to take the green pills at the right time for the right “feeling”—as Jolene (Moses Ingram) says, “If you know what I mean” (“Openings”). Next, Alma Wheatley is displayed as the woman who is always depressed and sick while her dutiful husband goes out to work and keeps a roof over their heads, and, when he is tired of his wife, he abandons her. One of the most inconsequential characters of the show is also portrayed in this light where women are shown to be the stereotypical culprits who have succumbed to the power of drugs. When Beth sees an old high school friend (or bully), Margaret (Dolores Carbonari), in a clothing store with her baby, she notices that Margaret has a bag filled with bottles of alcohol in the bottom of the cart. We do not know who the alcohol is for, but, based on the way in which women throughout the show have been described, one can only speculate that it was for her own consumption. Plus, the men barely have any “flaws” because who else will take care of and look over the women, all of whom seem to have self-destructive character traits.
Moving on to the character of Jolene. The bond that Beth and Jolene share is absolutely lovely to watch and they both seem to have pain that is rooted in the same cruel past that led to their being placed in an orphanage. When Beth is at rock bottom, it is Jolene, not the men in her life, who comes to the rescue. Yet again, it is the Black woman that must come to save the day and clean the mess created by the white woman. No matter how much we love the friendship between Beth and Jolene, we cannot forget the problems The Queen’s Gambit has with race. Regardless of the fact that Jolene herself says to Beth, “I am not your guardian angel. I am not here to save you” (“End Game”), one cannot fail to question: Isn’t Jolene really the savior at the end of the day? There was not a single moment in the show where we see Beth miss Jolene after her move to the Wheatley residence. It is Jolene that keeps Beth in her thoughts and comes to invite her to Mr. Shaibel’s funeral. And it is Jolene that pays for Beth’s trip to Russia. Hence, is it really that far-fetched to think that Jolene is the ultimate savior in Beth’s life?
Another confusing part of the show is the dynamic between Harmon and D. L. Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd). From their very first scene together, there is a spark between them. Regardless of how awkward the interaction is, as an audience member you feel a tension between Harmon and Townes that is so sensual. Although it may be weird considering the age discrepancy between the two, one can instantly notice that there is something between them that is so attractive. Beth’s heavy sigh and Townes’ captivating gaze as he stares at her is all the proof that you need. Even in the first tournament, whenever she looks at Townes, it is obvious that there is something about him that intrigues Beth and instantly catches her attention. The blush on her face to the apparent shyness that takes over her in his presence is indicated to the audience early on. In their first game with each other, the non-diegetic piano tune and the soft clicks of each piece do not hide the energy that is bursting between the two, as Beth and Townes are inwardly laughing while they make their chess moves. In this very exciting yet dreamy interaction, it is no longer the game of chess that is the main “actor,” instead it is their chemistry that is smoldering. What is more strange is that the writers decided to place the event of Beth’s first period right after her first major interaction with Townes—a chess game that was filled with sexual tension which one could observe even in the way in which Beth moved the pieces on the chessboard. The filmmakers could have placed the event of Beth’s first period anywhere in that episode. Why did it have to be connected in any way to Beth’s interaction with Townes? It makes one think whether the filmmakers or writers are suggesting that Beth became a young woman only after meeting Townes.
The revelation that Townes is a gay man complicates things even more. One wonders if this is a forced way of representing the LGBTQ+ community because the way Townes is characterized makes me question if this is just a form of tokenism. Having Beth realize that Townes is gay and not interested in a romantic relationship with her could hint to the idea that one does not get everything or everyone he or she wishes for in life. But if Townes was really not interested in Beth, why would he try to kiss her? And what was the point in making his entrance so grand during the final competition in Russia? During this episode, once again, a man comes to ‘save’ Beth from her self-destructive habit of consuming drugs. Beth herself says that all she needs is alcohol and drugs to contemplate and visualize the different moves for her adjourned game with Borgov (Marcin Dorociński) the next day. But it is Townes that questions her if that is really necessary. Why does a woman’s victory need to be precluded by a man’s guidance? For once, can people accept that women can and do figure out their place in this world without the need for a man’s love, support, and guidance?
Now, something must be addressed to the readers in regards to this analysis. The inherent sexism through the show would not have been mentioned by me if it was part of the original source or time period, and these details were just adapted by the filmmaker. But it becomes a problem when the filmmaker and screenwriter begin to incorporate prejudice from their own world into the script. This is when it becomes appropriate and essential for one to scrutinize such details, especially from a modern feminist lens of the 21st century.
Well, if the show had so many problems, why did it become such a hit? Why did over “62 million households [watch] the show in its first 28 days?” (Chess n.pag). By now, you must think: Why do I hate the show? Let me be clear: I do not. It may not seem so from my critique, but I loved living through the world of The Queen’s Gambit—which is undeniably one of the most aesthetically gorgeous works of art I have ever experienced. Even though she is addicted to drugs, Elizabeth Harmon has been a skillful person ever since she was a child. Along with being addicted to drugs, Beth Harmon is also addicted to winning; she brings out that human thirst to succeed and win in every phase of life, which, for Beth, is her journey through various chess competitions. And, it is her journey that is so inspiring to the audience. For a change, not only does she appear on the front pages and covers of newspapers and magazines, but Beth is also brought to the forefront of the masculine minds of those who are intrigued by chess, a male-dominated sport. In addition, it would be ignorant of anyone to deny the number of struggles that Beth has to go through to become a better player—from the piles of books that she reads to the myriad of games she plays in her head.
Moreover, the success of the show can also be tied to the connection the audience feels with the character of Elizabeth Harmon. This show is a classic medium for escapism. We are not merely the viewers; we are experiencing the world of The Queen’s Gambit through Beth Harmon. The journey of Beth is also a journey for the viewers. We are emotionally and physically wrapped into Harmon’s world. We are transported into a period drama through the costumes and various locations that the series features. From her perfect red and golden curls to her beautiful coats and dresses, Beth does not compromise on the elegance of her outfits. Furthermore, the breathtaking destinations of the hotel in Kentucky to the resorts in Mexico and Russia allow us to get a peek at Beth’s exquisite and adventurous life from the comforts of our homes.
One of the greatest reasons why we are so enchanted by the beauty of the characters is because of the cast’s phenomenal acting. From the humor of Moses Ingram to the pain felt by Marielle Heller to the sheer depth of emotions presented by Anya Taylor Joy, it is the acting that glues us to the screens. The elegance of simplicity contrasted by the magnificence of their lives shines through their acting. As the audience, we may like to watch shows that make us happy. But, in this miniseries, we are engrossed by the arc of Beth Harmon’s character. Her pain reminds us of the pitfalls in our lives; the visceral emotions displayed by Taylor-Joy are so touching because they reaffirm that it is okay to be vulnerable and it is part of the human experience to feel sad and lonely at many points in our lives. However, this being said, it is also the progress that Harmon makes through her life which increases one’s desire to know what happens next. She may be her own demon at times, but Beth overcomes.
In my opinion, the last episode is a masterpiece in itself (as I have watched it about four times). When one of the senior Russian grandmasters tells Harmon, “You are a marvel, my dear” (End Game) and that she is the best player he has ever competed against in his life, it is emotionally gratifying. It brought me to tears when I finally heard these words, because Beth has come so far and finally prevails against the various ‘monsters’ that have tried to destroy her. And her ‘end game’ with Borgov is not just a triumph for Beth, it is a victory for the audience as well. Lastly, the scene where Beth is walking down the road and meeting with the old Russian players is so pleasing and a sweet end to this cinematic adventure, because, once again, Harmon is the dazzling, white chess queen among a group of men. Hence, like most works of art, The Queen’s Gambit has its shortcomings, but it is one of the most hypnotizing shows on Netflix that allows us to escape the mundane parts of our lives and step into the mesmerizing and intrepidly risky world of Elizabeth Harmon.
So, The Queen’s Gambit:
Elegant? Unequivocally.
Sensual? Occasionally.
Empowering? At times.
Sexist? I will leave that up to you.
Works Cited
Chess, Richard. “Netflix Says ‘Queen’s Gambit’ Draws Record 62 Million Households.”
Bloomberg.Com, Nov. 2020, p. N.PAG.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-23/netflix-says-queen-s-gambit-draws-record-62-million-households
Fienberg, Daniel. “The Queen’s Gambit: Anya Taylor-Joy Stuns as an Orphan Turned Chess Star
in Netflix’s Gripping and Gorgeously Mounted Limited Series.” Hollywood Reporter, vol. 426, no. 28, Oct. 2020, p. 62. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsinc&AN=edsinc.A642147412&site=eds-live&scope=site.
“Adjournment.” The Queen’s Gambit, season 1, episode 6, 23 Oct. 2020. Netflix, Inc.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80234304
“Doubled Pawns.” The Queen’s Gambit, season 1, episode 3, 23 Oct. 2020. Netflix, Inc.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80234304
“End Game.” The Queen’s Gambit, season 1, episode 7, 23 Oct. 2020. Netflix, Inc.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80234304
“Fork.” The Queen’s Gambit, season 1, episode 5, 23 Oct. 2020. Netflix, Inc.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80234304
“Openings.” The Queen’s Gambit, season 1, episode 1, 23 Oct. 2020. Netflix, Inc.