This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GWU chapter.
The 100As everyone should know, if your feminism isn’t intersectional it isn’t feminism. The 100 takes this to heart. Not only does it feature a wide variety of woman, but it also includes them unquestionably in positions of power with major agency. The women and men are all extremely complex and dynamic. Of the Sky People, their leader Clarke is unstoppable when it comes to protecting her people, even if it comes at a huge personal loss for herself. Raven, played by a Latina actress, is a badass mechanic who is heavily relied upon for the survival of The 100. Octavia who started off the series as boy-crazy and reckless, emerges as a skilled warrior and diplomat. Of the Grounders, all positions of leadership are held by women. Indra is a women of color who brokers peace with the sky people. Lexa and Clarke the commanders of their respective peoples, even have a fling in season 2. Women with agency, women of color, and LGBT representation all tied into an amazingly complex and well written show?! Why can’t every show be this good?
The X Files
Back in the early 90’s it was still very unusual to have a woman be the star of a TV show. Actress Gillian Anderson was even directed to always walk slightly behind her co-star, a direction that Gillian Anderson never liked and always fought until eventually it was obsolete. Scully and Mulder are both agents and are both extremely qualified, Scully is even more so as she is a doctor and the character that follows logic rather than emotion and superstition (a turn around from how women are often portrayed). Even more important is the huge level of loyalty and respect between the two, Mulder never thinks less of Scully because she is a woman.
Jane the Virgin
Was there actually TV before this show aired? Or were we all just waiting for this incredible show to be written and sweep us off our feet. The cast is predominantly women, and predominately Latina. In a time where Latina women are often portrayed as one-dimensional, loud, sexual and not intelligent, this show flips every stereotype on its head. Jane’s mother and grandmother are her support system and never waiver in being supportive of Jane. Being a mother does not stop her ambitions in any way, she makes the best of her circumstances and even pursues grad school after having her child. While there is a ‘love triangle’, Jane refuses to get caught up in it and is completely okay with raising her child as a single mother if she so chooses. The TV show doesnt just focus on her love life, but instead gives us the full picture of Jane, a woman who is ambitious, loving, and has strong values.
Agent Carter
Watch for the 1940’s sets and costumes, stay for the girl power. Agent Carter is an agent in a completely male dominated field and she is constantly facing systemic sexism in nearly every situation. However, she remains steadfast in her belief that no one else decides her worth but herself and she is constantly saving the asses of her male colleagues and forcing them to reevaluate their sexist beliefs. She also has female friends with whom she discusses a wide variety of issues, not just men. She doesn’t bemoan her sex or her femininity; instead she finds opportunities to take advantage of people’s low view on woman and use it to her advantage. Check out this Buzzfeed article for a list of 63 reasons why Agent Carter is a TV show worth your time.
Broad City
Up until very recently, most comedy seemed to be aimed at men; women were left to be the butt of jokes and told to go watch romantic comedies instead. However, people have caught on that women like to laugh too! And that our different perspective on life and problems that women face actually have a lot of quality material for comedy. Broad City doesn’t paint all women as always put together, responsible and moral; instead it shows women who are reckless, messy, and living by their own rules. The deep friendship between Abbi and Ilana is the real star of the show here, they go to crazy (hysterical) lengths for one another and always realize that while guys come and go, friends are forever.
Supergirl
A woman superhero who also works for a high-powered feminist CEO? Who also has a sister that plays a significant part in the story? On a TV show whose target demographic is both adults and children? Supergirl is both the hero we deserve and the hero we need. She kicks ass, is unbelievably good, and has the most amazing apartment I have ever seen on TV. She goes from humble assistant to fearless superhero in a blink of an eye. Importantly, the outfit that Supergirl wears doesnt look like a ‘sexy’ costume, but a functional uniform that aids her wholesome, idealistic, and positive personality. In a time where so many television shows have woman use their sex as a weapon, it is refreshing to see the other skills that women can wield.
Jessica Jones
On the other side of the superhero spectrum, we have (my lord and savior) Jessica Jones. Having both Supergirl and Jessica Jones air around the same time is an important contrast. They show two opposite portrayals of woman as superheores, and we need to see both. Jessica Jones is a dark story that deals with alcoholism, trauma, rape, drug addiction, and violence. Jessica is torn between the need to just worry about herself and her feeling of obligation to help those who cannot help themselves. She messes up, she can be bitch and sometimes she doesn’t do the right thing. The cast is full of women (with LGBT representation) who have their own unique identities and storylines. Jessica’s main motivation is to put away the villain Kilgave, who had her under mind control before she escaped. Kilgrave embodies many of the problems with a patriarchal society, and to see Jessica Jones unite with other men and women to fight him is extremely satisfying.
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Samantha Bee is not only the first female late night satirical talk show host, but also the boss of the most diverse writing room in late night television (50% are women, and 30% are nonwhite). While the show doesn’t air until February 8th, I have faith that it will keep the feminism coming.