Firefly as horrifically misogynist?

[mochapixie]

Fella sent me the link to this radical feminist criticism of Firefly. If you've got a few minutes, go read it. I'm interested in what my intelligent, feminist (either explicitly or otherwise), Whedon-loving friends list has to say about this. I only made it about six paragraphs in before I was on the phone animatedly discussing it with fella - I

Comments

[m0535]

Upon reading this entirely I can't even be sure there's anything of value to be had. Not being an avid viewer of firefly, the only view I have of the episodes (or segments of episodes) in question is through this article, which I can't help but feel is a view afforded through strongly tinted lenses. I don't feel we need an affirmative action program for our fiction characters, but perhaps the author would feel more at ease if such a plan were in place. If there are any good points to be had, I lost sight of them in the cloudiness created by the author seemingly losing sight of the fact that it's a piece of fiction.

I think this is article is more indicative of the authors opinion of Joss Whedon's writing skills than anything else. I don't know what they read, or what fiction they choose to enjoy in their free time but if nothing else it is clear that Firefly is not to their tastes. Fiction is at the end of the day an escape from reality, and if it takes place in a location devoid of the kind of characters a person enjoys, it should be clear that that fiction is not for them.

I didn't play the Hitman series because I think it'd be super-cool to grab some guns and kill everyone I see in the real world. The violence is entertaining yes, but I feel the story is compelling not because of all the violence but because the protagonist is so deeply flawed as a person. He continues to struggle with his existence and his identity and yet he doesn't seem to enjoy the life that's been made for himself. Likewise the few episodes of firefly I have seen were not brought on by some deep seated urge to be a condescending prick who wants to punch women in the face all day.

After reading it, I can't help but feel as though I need a good sturdy wall. My final opinion is that this article is the road to bigotry labeled as the road to equality.