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

[jaybee65]

Highly recommended!

Patty Hewes makes House look like the cuddliest boss ever. ;-)

[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.

[madamedarque]

Oh yay, you've seen it! I too had issues with season 2, but I was absolutely blown away by the premiere. It was fantastic. I'll just say a big gigantic WORD to everything you said, plus a few points

[jaybee65]

Lily Tomlin has already proven elsewhere that she has drama chops, but Ted Danson was a revelation. Martin Short, too -- I haaaaaate him as a comedian, but he's perfect for this role (so far)! I was impressed by how creepy Darrell Hammond was last season (although I still halfway expect a Bill Clinton imitation every time I see him onscreen

[madamedarque]

But is it really a matter of women not being interested in a show unless there's a hot male character? Why aren't women (or fandom, because for me the two are interchangeable) interested in women? As I said before in my overly verbose comment, I can't imagine watching a show without women in it. But I can watch a show without men. Am I weird? I appreciate attractive men as much as anyone else, and I love my het, but there doesn't *have* to be men. There always has to be women

[jaybee65]

Am I weird?

Just judging by the kinds of statements I see in fandom, you're in a minority. (I feel the same way, though.)

And the women-in-refrigerators thing appears to be a common technique in a lot of shows/books/movies/comics: kill off a female character who is important/close to a male character in order to (a) drive the plot (e.g., the male character now has to seek revenge against the villain who killed her, or whatever); (b) provide characterization for the male character (oh, now he is so angsty!); and (c) provide shock value.

Sometimes it can be a male character who is killed off (e.g., the cop's partner) in this way, but this show is the first I've ever come across that *completely* reverses things: not only is it men being killed, but in order to drive a plot about/provide character depth to women!

[daybreak777]

I always disliked Ted Danson and Martin Short, but in this show? I cannot get enough of them.
I know! I really liked Ted Danson by the end of season 2. (I never saw season 1.)

And then, as always, you have Patty and Ellen, or Patty versus Ellen, or Patty/Ellen, or rather all three...because they're clearly always doomed to be together in some way or another -- after all, they're warped mirror images of each other, and how could you ever escape your own reflection?
Hee! I like the permutations of Patty and Ellen you list here. Yep, they are doomed to be together. Ellen may try to get away but we know it's not possible. :-)

I don't have much else to say besides squee! I really love how everything will slowly come together. But poor Tom!!!

[jaybee65]

You've never seen S1?!? You should remedy that as soon as you get the chance. By having seen S2 you're sort of spoiled for a lot of it, but I still think you'll enjoy it.

[labellamafia494]

Oh, hi! What a coincidence...I've been shopping for a new female-centric show for awhile and started watching Damages LAST NIGHT. Patty, Patty, Patty...how wonderfully slashy you are. I love it. I was worried Patty had hired woobie Ellen due to simple "instinct" but I was very happy to see the show was smarter than I thought it was.

Not going to read this post to avoid the spoilers, BUT I trust I'll be back very soon...since I've already consumed four hours in a night.

I hope it only gets better! No severe shark jumping yet?

[labellamafia494]

Patty/Ellen is the more serious Nikita/Madeline I've always wanted...SQUEE. Oh, cable tv. It's nice when you don't *only* show man-pain.

[jaybee65]

Patty/Ellen is the more serious Nikita/Madeline I've always wanted

Yes! A Madeline who doesn't start doing stupid, irrational things for no good reason, and a Nikita who doesn't make me want to slap her all the time.

[jaybee65]

It gets better and better! At least S1 does. S2 was a little disappointing in comparison (enjoyable enough, but suffering from a lack of focus and too many conveniently-wrapped-up-plot-threads), but S3 seems off to a cracking start!