The female-character-centric TV show fandom isn't watching

[jaybee65]

Since there has been a wee bit of discussion, ohhhhh somewhere around fandom lately, about the dearth (or not) of interesting female characters in popular media, it seems timely to talk about my current favorite show, Damages: a show that not only is about two complex, intelligent female characters (and passes that much-bandied-about-lately

Comments

[swatkat24]

God, this show has been on my 'must watch' list forever! I don't know why I keep getting distracted by the silly shows instead.

[jaybee65]

There's sometimes a feeling that silly = light = easy to watch, especially when you have a busy schedule, and that SRS BZNS shows like Damages = difficult = a chore = the TV equivalent of eating broccoli because it's "good for you." Let me assure you, watching Damages is not like eating your broccoli. It's escapist, cracky fun

[swatkat24]

There's sometimes a feeling that silly = light = easy to watch, especially when you have a busy schedule, and that SRS BZNS shows like Damages = difficult = a chore = the TV equivalent of eating broccoli because it's "good for you." Let me assure you, watching Damages is not like eating your broccoli. It's escapist, cracky fun!

Cracky, really? TSCC broke my heart into a million little pieces (when will you watch it, BTW?), and everything I've watched after that is about as substantial as... popcorn. And then Merlin broke my brain - Legend of the Seeker is a natural progression from that (made by the Xena people, incidentally). I'm now determined to watch it - as soon as I'm caught up with LoTS that is.

[jaybee65]

Well, cracky in the sense that what happens is totally fantasy-land thriller material. Rollercoaster-ride type stuff. It's about as realistic as, say, 24. Definitely not popcorn, though. But still not broccoli!

I need to find TSCC somewhere, but I've been so mentally scattered lately, I haven't remembered to look. But I do want to watch it because the more I hear about it, the more I think I'll love it.

[jaybee65]

Well. I scrounged around and finally found a source for TSCC. Watched the pilot today, and will be rapidly catching up! (You were right, as always -- I like it a lot!)

[swatkat24]

Promise me you'll not let John annoy you too much and stick with the show till the very end. The entire stretch from 2.12-2.22 is some of the best things I've ever seen.

[jaybee65]

I promise! Besides, he's a kid. I pretty much expect a character that age to be whiny and emo. I wouldn't judge him for that any more than I would judge a baby for crying or a toddler for having tantrums. ;-)

[swatkat24]

You're a better person than I am, because there were places where I wanted the robots to shoot John Connor.

[jaybee65]

By the way, you've made me curious about Legend of the Seeker, too. I am about 30 minutes into the first episode, and...wow, it's bad. Bad enough that it comes across as parody (not surprisingly, much like Xena/Hercules)! I am dubious, but willing to keep going if you think it is worthwhile (and "worthwhile", for me = cool female characters). Your thoughts?

[swatkat24]

The LoTS pilot is so bad that I read the newspaper at the same time and fast forwarded through a couple of scenes. It becomes better as it progresses, although it's hardly, uh, great television. Some of the later episodes are positively gripping. It's impossible for me to watch it seriously, so I enjoy the sparkly, LULZY joy that it brings in my life. It has given me Kahlan, who continues to be AWESOME in each and every episode with her leather boots and her leather corset and her twin blades and her shiny hair. Richard is much like her overeager pet puppy, but he's quite tolerable. They take off their clothes for one reason or the other in each and every episode, which I approve of. There are women in leather who are called 'mistress' and who happen to wield Giant Dildos of Pain. I hear one of them becomes a regular next season, with much femslashiness. AND the show passes Bedchel test effortlessly in almost every episode

[jaybee65]

There are women in leather who are called 'mistress' and who happen to wield Giant Dildos of Pain.

Hahahahaha...okay, that's reason enough for me!

Xena and Hercules were both very awful shows! Xena, I enjoyed because...well...Lucy Lawless looks great in leather (yes, I can be that shallow) and is a decent enough actress that her natural charisma showed through despite the TERRIBLE material she had to work with. But Hercules lacked any such saving grace, so I couldn't watch it at all. This show sounds like it might fall somewhere in the middle, so I'll at least give it a shot.

[swatkat24]

Bridget Regan is much the same. She's *gorgeous* in her white shiny robes and her leather boots, and she's a good enough actress (she acts rings around Craig Horner in every episode). They don't miss a single opportunity to highlight how hot she is, which helps.

[belantana]

the TV equivalent of eating broccoli because it's "good for you."

Heee! Ok, this is definitely on my list. It sounds most intriguing!

[jaybee65]

I should describe shows I want to pimp as "not broccoli" more often! LOL.