More than once, I've read Supernatural-reviews that point out that the show "treats women abysmally", and I've just as often wondered if the people writing that even watch the show
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I agree with you, people keep talking about how all women die on spn, and all I see is 'all' characters dying, regardless of gender. So far, the only chars that have seemed to be exempt, (or at least got to come back permanently (so far)) are Cas and Crowley. And I'm still expecting one or both of them (esp. Crowley, to get killed at any moment. Because that's the kind of world it is. The only characters we can be 100% certain off that they won't die permanently, are Sam and Dean, and even with them, that's only valid up to the finale ep of the series
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"If there are several demons (or angels), and one of them is female, it's usually the woman who gets to stand out and be the spokesperson of the group, while the rest of them are pretty much redshirts
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I completely agree! There seems to be a kind of thinking nowadays that TV shows should follow some accepted rule about representation. I think there should be many more women (particularly WOC) on ensemble shows, and many more shows that feature women as the central roles (such as Madame Secretary). But I don't think that means that *all* shows must do this. I want some all female and all male shows. I want mixed, and equal representation. The set up of this particular show is one that means the two leads are male. This doesn't by definition mean that it is misogynistic.
I posted something similar a while back, and there was much support for exactly what you're saying.
Oh, I agree with so much of what you've written here. One thing I really enjoyed about the latest Avengers movie was the statement by the Black Widow that Hawkeye 'is her best friend'. I adore male/female friendships on TV shows, and loved X Files for that reason. One of the reasons I enjoyed he first three seasons of Stargate was because I read the Samantha/ Jack relationship on that as purely friendship, with a bit of mentoring. It was subsequently and clumsily engineered into forbidden love, which reflected badly on both characters and began the inevitable downward spiral of the show itself.
So - more male/female friendship shows, please. With the woman being the lead, and having a sexy male mate alongside, at whom she does not send googly eyed looks of lurve every five minutes.
I've watched Supernatural since minute 1 and have heard the same old retreaded comments about it being sexist and demeaning to women since the day after the first episode aired. And to be honest, I'm sick of hearing it.
Those critics couldn't be further off base if they tried. Some of the strongest female characters I have ever seen on television are from Supernatural. Jo, Ellen, Jody Mills, Charlie, Lisa, Mary Winchester - the list goes on and on. Meg, Ruby & Lillith made demons interesting, sexy and terrifying.
I don't find the show particularly sexist, especially when it come to dying because, face it, on Supernatural everybody dies. It doesn't matter if the character is male or female - hell, even the car has died.
Sorry to have torn off on one of my own rants... I just... Sometimes I think I'm watching a completely different show than those type of critics.
Sorry to have torn off on one of my own rants... I just... Sometimes I think I'm watching a completely different show than those type of critics
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Well said and totally agree! I love the strong female characters (don't forget Sheriff Hanscom, too!), and they take the same risks as the men so they get killed off just as easily
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Whoops, your comment somehow slipped by me. Sorry for the late reply!
And nooooo, how could I forget Sheriff Hanscom! I love her, in all her ways. I agree with you on the point that most of the female characters shown are incredibly good-looking. Which yes, should be seen as a special type of sexism. It definitely isn't worse than other shows in that, but "the others did it, too" is not a valid argument. I would also like more variation in the swearing that DOESN'T always call everything that's bad something related to females or female body-parts. How about "assface" some more, or "assbutt".
As for "who would watch it" - hmmm, I don't know. I think I'd watch that show, really, because I really love Jody Mills. Since I'm shallow, we can put some non-availlable sexy guy next to her - how about a cute gay deputy? It would prevent him from courting Jody and her from falling in love, and the show from being 'same old, same old'. And for the special treats, we get some Dean and Sam now and then - yay! :-D
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I posted something similar a while back, and there was much support for exactly what you're saying.
http://corbyinoz.livejournal.com/15479.html
I'm only linking it here so you can see what all the other people posted. They argued it better than I.
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So - more male/female friendship shows, please. With the woman being the lead, and having a sexy male mate alongside, at whom she does not send googly eyed looks of lurve every five minutes.
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I've watched Supernatural since minute 1 and have heard the same old retreaded comments about it being sexist and demeaning to women since the day after the first episode aired. And to be honest, I'm sick of hearing it.
Those critics couldn't be further off base if they tried. Some of the strongest female characters I have ever seen on television are from Supernatural. Jo, Ellen, Jody Mills, Charlie, Lisa, Mary Winchester - the list goes on and on. Meg, Ruby & Lillith made demons interesting, sexy and terrifying.
I don't find the show particularly sexist, especially when it come to dying because, face it, on Supernatural everybody dies. It doesn't matter if the character is male or female - hell, even the car has died.
Sorry to have torn off on one of my own rants... I just... Sometimes I think I'm watching a completely different show than those type of critics.
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And nooooo, how could I forget Sheriff Hanscom! I love her, in all her ways.
I agree with you on the point that most of the female characters shown are incredibly good-looking. Which yes, should be seen as a special type of sexism. It definitely isn't worse than other shows in that, but "the others did it, too" is not a valid argument. I would also like more variation in the swearing that DOESN'T always call everything that's bad something related to females or female body-parts. How about "assface" some more, or "assbutt".
As for "who would watch it" - hmmm, I don't know. I think I'd watch that show, really, because I really love Jody Mills. Since I'm shallow, we can put some non-availlable sexy guy next to her - how about a cute gay deputy? It would prevent him from courting Jody and her from falling in love, and the show from being 'same old, same old'. And for the special treats, we get some Dean and Sam now and then - yay! :-D
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