The Martyrdom of St Nanette - AmazzonKane Rewatches Angela Anaconda

[@EthanAndFriendsStudiosOfficial]

If I had a dollar for every time Angela says “on account of ___”, I’d be just as rich as Mr.Burns! 😂

[@tridentanimation2981]

I saw this episode when I was a youngster and I did not recall it very clearly in latter years. However during a deep pondering inside a stromwater drain it occurred to me that this television program actually openly mentions and briefly discusses martyrdom. A concept relatively unknown to most children who would have seen this television program.

[@ChrisTopher-id4mz]

2:28-2:23 Every year for Lent I give up Chocolate, Meat, Ice Cream, (and cheese during Monday-Friday). I'm Eastern Orthodox and Lent for us is pretty hardcore (keep in mind everything from here on in is a highly simplified summary of Lent as celebrated in my faith): First there are the five Pre-Lenten Sundays of Preparation: during the first three Sundays we hear about Zacchaeus climbing up the tree to see Christ, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector* praying at the temple and the Prodigal Son seeking the forgiveness of his father. The fasting begins on the Fourth Sunday with Meatfare where the Last Judgement (and we're supposed to give up meat) is read followed by Cheesefare where we're supposed to give up ALL dairy products. Cheesefare is also known as Forgiveness Sunday where the entire parish asks each other forgiveness of sins. During the 40 days, there are the Canons of St. Andrew of Crete (during the first week), vespers on Sundays, and extra Pre-Sanctified liturgies on Wednesdays. Each Sunday during great lent also has a special commemoration/theme revolving around a Saint or event in church history. Two examples include the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy when the veneration of icons was restored as a practice and St. Mary of Egypt which focuses on the life of Mary, a harlot who became a desert-dwelling ascetic. Lazarus Saturday/Palm Sunday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. Like Pre-Lent, the week is divided into "themed" services and the passion services. Monday being the sterile fig tree, Tuesday being the wise/foolish virgins and Wednesday being the repentance of the fallen woman who anoints Christ's feet with oil. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and Friday the Crucifixion where a shroud is established in the center of the church. Saturday begins with a hybrid vespers/liturgy where fifteen Old Testament readings are chanted each relating to God's creation and salvation being summed up and fulfilled by the coming of Jesus Christ. Easter (or Pascha) truly begins Saturday night at 10pm with Easter Matins. The church is darkened, the shroud is removed and a procession is held around the entire church. Said procession ends at the entryway with the reading of Chapter 1 from the Gospel of John. Upon the completion of the gospel, the Paschal hymn is sung by the priest and choir: "Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life". Easter Matins continues, ending with the Sermon of St. John Chrysostom and segueing into a full Divine Liturgy. By the time services are over it's 3am and we feast. The typical greeting from this point until Ascension is "Christ is Risen" and the response is "Indeed he is Risen". *This reading ( Luke 18:9-14) discusses the prayers of two men in the temple; one a highly thought of temple official (Pharisee) and the other a humble collector of taxes loathed by the Jews of Jesus' time for his alleged greed and willingness to align with Rome (Publican). While the official boasts of his greatness before God, the tax man beats upon himself asking for God's mercy. In a way, Martyrdom of Saint Nanette follows the Publican and the Pharisee with Angela making all the effort in the world not to curb the less savory elements of her imagination in contrast to Nanette's ostentatious and condescending brand of charity/sacrifice.

[@charlotte2688]

The only problem is Josephine giving up her glasses

[@Chriz815]

Ah I remember this one really well! I think the concept of Angela trying to give up her fantasies is really cool, especially because it really shows how important they are to her when she has to deal with stress and frustration. 01:35 I like Josephine's portrayal too. It's a very gentle way of making fun off overly religious people without becoming to mean-spirited, as she is still a sympathetic character. 03:10 I think Gordy's love for Gina would ring a little truer if she was a better or at least more likable character. 04:15 Here we have again Nanette going out of her way to annoy and insult Angela specifically. I think we talked about this idea before, but an episode from Nanette's point would probably really interesting (and hilarious), showcasing that she obsesses over Angela just as much as Angela obsesses over her. I don't she would have revenge fantasies though, since she has enough power to make Angela's life hell without having to resort to her imagination. 04:43 I think Mrs. Brinks has lost her grip on reality here, lol. 05:00 Aaaaand it took Angela about 5 minutes before she was tempted to have a Revenge fantasy :D I like that we have these little quick revenge fantasies in this episode, too. I think the show could have done that more often. 06:49 I would have loved to see what kind of origami themed revenge fantasy Angela would have had here :D 07:52 It's a little weird - on the one hand, when Angela finally allows herself to have a revenge fantasy, it is pretty satisfying, but at the same time, it's kinda disappointing that she wasn't able to resist her urge until the week was up. I think it would have been even cooler if she had actually been able to resist having a fantasy and then, after the week was over, she could have had , like, a super-revenge fantasy to let go off her frustrations. 08:50 That said, I do love the fantasy - it's so dark. She actually sends Nanette to hell :D Pretty bally of the show, as you said. I have a feeling a Canadian cartoon might be able to get away with more than an American one. 12:01 Yikes. I see what you mean about the similarity, but I really don't think there was any actual antisemitic intention behind it from the creators. I mean, Nanette isn't even Jewish, as you said, so it would be a little weird to use her of all people to portray a Jewish stereotype. Isn't Gina Jewish, though? 13:00 On the other hand, I do remember an episode from Animaniacs where the main characters go to hell and bother Satan. Maybe the 90ies had a bit more lax standards? Man, your reviews really make me wish for a better-written reboot of the show, dammit! :D

[@amazzonkane]

Chris YES again on the Gina thing. I’m very baffled as to what Gordy sees in her. Nanette definitely is as obsessed with Angela as Angela is with her. 😂 And she’s every bit as hilarious as Angela in the right set-up. You raise a VERY interesting point. Maybe 90s TV was more lax when it came to religion and Canada can get away with different things. Since faith is overall portrayed positively and selfishly exploiting it is shown as a negative, it probably could be done today. Correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t think of another cartoon that represented Ash Wednesday and Lent so this was fascinating. There’s also subjects today that never would have seen the light of day in the 90s, such as marijuana, mental health, and positive LGBT representation. Standards of what’s acceptable definitely change. This was also one of my favorite revenge fantasies. Yeah, Gina’s Jewish but it’s only acknowledged in one episode. Thank you for that. I want a reboot just as badly and am seriously pursuing it.

[@princessdianabeaniebaby6607]

If I sacrified Chocolate, I think I can do it, I'm not very sugar obsessed, more like sugar deprived maybe.

[@egala005]

She needs fresh air, they were totally hotboxing

[@genesisdcardenas9360]

I'm Catholic so I've 'participated' in Lent, this year I've given up candies and Mountain Dew (my weakness!) so I can understand the struggle a lot of these students went through. :D Yes, I will admit that Josephine is presented in a positive light, which is refreshing since I was the butt of a few jokes for my religious beliefs in elementary school. Gordy's too good for Gina. End of story. There's no way that they'd let a scene like Nanette being sent to Hell in modern TV. Good lord, the 90s were ballsy as hell lol. As for Nanette and the image being anti-Semitic, on one hand, I feel that it was simply unintentional and the person in charge of the art didn't mean it. But on the other hand, I can totally empathize with you on how disturbing the similarties may be...after all, I'm sorry if I make this worse...but isn't a common Jewish stereotype is that they're rich or something of the like? Yikes.

[@amazzonkane]

Genni Cardenas Thanks for informing me. This was interesting. I can’t think of another kid’s cartoon that showcased Ash Wednesday. As an outsider I felt it was respectful and informative but can’t always be sure. Thank you for telling me. I’m so sorry you had to deal with bullying. You didn’t deserve it and people can really suck. I’m SO glad I’m not the only one who thinks Gordy is WAY too good for Gina. Yeah, I’m also sure the last image was completely unintentional. Nanette isn’t a Jewish character but I couldn’t help but notice the similarity in the pose/gesture. The main negative Jewish stereotype is the assumption that we’re greedy/cheap/money-hungry. Sometimes being rich is associated with that. I’ve been very lucky to never really experience anti-semitism but part of our religious education is understanding its existence throughout history that it exists even today and how it shows including propaganda.

[@a.redwood]

I love how they occasionally like to take the piss out of religion, and especially showing that none of the main cast gives a shit about religion at all (except maybe Gina in that one Hanuka episode). Though I would prefer would they not talk about religion in the first place. I think it's not very timeless and generally always a little controversial. That's something I would think twice about implementing in a reboot, even if it'd be hard with Josephine in it.

[@seanthebrawn]

Never thought i would be watching so much Angela Anaconda again lol. The thing that bothers me about this show that I never thought about as a child is now noticing Gina Lash's main personality is just liking food