Almost like homework for two v. different classes

[gg_83]

Moment of Alexanderness for the evening: I was applying an Icy Hot knockoff (which sometimes works and sometimes just feels like burning) to my back, and felt something, and immediately thought it was part of my spine, and then said to myself, no, your spine isn't at your back. It's at your core, supporting you. That's a knot

Comments

[discordianfox]

Interesting ideas. I've actually read some things about that before, and some things refuting it. I've got to say I mostly disagree with you, but I do see where you're coming from. Of the three series, Angel is the only one (and only in a few select episodes) that I found myself thinking something like that. When that ususally happened was when one of the male characters would talk about needing to protect Cordelia and Fred. Yet, at the same time, both characters made it very apparent on multiple occasions that they did not need protecting. I see it as either intentionally written that way to show the assumption the male characters are making about their female compatriots, or it is just that some few of the writers wrote it that way and no one really thought about how it looked in that light before airing it.

As for Buffy and Firefly, I entirely disagree with you. The whole point of the whole male dominance forced on Buffy thing is to show a girl who had all this stuff forced on her by men and then flew in the face of custom. She made it her own power, rather than a power used as a tool by others. Also, keep in mind episode 7.15. I can't say much without spoilers, but that episode really is the final stroke in showing Buffy's power has been made her own, not that of the Watchers'. Well, that and the series ending, I suppose.

Willow sought out her power. Yes, eventually things did get a little... "wacky." Even then though, that was a result of things that she did, choices that she made, and her emotional state. Willow's power was never forced upon her. Also, it is said on multiple occasions that she is the most powerful of the entire group.

Anya did indeed get her power bestowed upon her by D'Hoffrn (and props for spelling his name right). As is seen in season 7 though, she was always a strong-willed person, and she made the choice to become a demon.

I really can't say much about Cordy or Fred here, because I'm hoping certain people (you know who I'm talking about her) will watch the rest of Angle soon. :-) Overall, I think that is not the case in Angel either though. It really only becomes weird in a few situations, and... Well, I already said all this above, so I won't again.

To end things off. I have one word for you, which incorporates no special powers at all, but 100% ass-kicking awesomeness. Zoe.

[gg_83]

Yay discussion!

There were bits of what you said that I was actually thinking of but ended up not getting put down, either because I got swept up and started writing some other part, or because it was late, or whatever. For example, I was going to put how the key plot elements of the powered ladies' powers were in fact how they dealt with what they had been given, and that does kick a lot of ass. It doesn't eliminate the fact, though, that often what happened to them was forced on them from outside (although not always by males; here I'm thinking of the very end of Buffy). And Anya made the choice herself, and it was based on who she already was, so I suppose she didn't really fit in that group quite as much, although her supernatural powers did still come from outside.

I also was thinking of putting down notable exceptions to part 2, but it was starting to get long. Zoe, definitely, although she owes a lot to Mal as her leader (but really, most of the crew does); Kaylee, especially since she thrives in a field that is traditionally male-dominated; Inara, with her wide variety of skills; Saffron, who is a little crazy but also very talented. "Firefly" has some of the best examples of strong, self-sufficent women, and I love that about it. However, they don't really have the kind of supernatural powers I was referring to. Willow and Tara are good examples, but there are things I want to say about Willow's powers that are way too spoilery. Ditto the character who shows up near the end of season four of Angel. Also about the overall fates of the female characters (and again, "Firefly" bucks the trend there).

In conclusion, AAAAAAAH I HAVE TO GET READY FOR WORK HOW DID IT GET SO LATE! ;) I mean, I'd love to talk more but later.