Strong Women
POSTED BY: GrayFury
UPDATED: Saturday, November 10, 2007 14:36
VIEWED: 9637
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Joss has always been an advocate of female characters that can more than hold their own with the fellas. and why shouldn't he?... I don't know which studio head in the 30's decided to keep women in the passenger seat, but its ashame. I decided to make a list of kick ass women from film and T.V. There were MANY ommisions that I self imposed... NO Cyborgs or robots, Sorry Jamie Sommers. NO Comic book characters. This list would be infinite... (Comic writers don't seem to be threatened by women, good for them.) NO Anime, same premise as comics, although Dunan Newt would top all lists...she kicks booty. You can add to this list if'n you want, and they are in no perticular order.
1. RIVER TAM - You all know where I'm going with this I hope
2. BUFFY TVS - Umm she kills vampires and thats pretty cool.
3. LEELOO - The 5th element herself, she may be engineered, but shes still a supreme being.
4. HELEN - The landlady from Kung-Fu hustle can whoop some butt and never drop her cigarette.
5. SELENE - From Underworld, I know shes a vampire and should be exempt, but shes a force even against other vampires and werewolves.
6. SARAH CONNOR - She gets major points for going from a soft club dwelling post teen, to a chiseled protector of her son.
7.ELLEN RIPLEY - Along the same lines as Sarah, but she was forced into self preservation, not self sacrifice.
8. MAX - From Dark Angel, Jessica Alba is hot.
9. SUSAN IVONOVA - In my opinion, the new Starbuck from BSG wouldn't have been a woman if'n it weren't for Babylon 5's #2. She was hard as stone, but when she showed her humanity, it was heartfelt.
10. THE BRIDE - You all saw Kill Bill, so I don't need to explain myself.
"Smellin' alot of IF comin' offa' this plan!"
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Quote:Actually, I maintain that Kagome Higurashi (from InuYasha) is stronger than any other character in anime, male or female. Strength isn't just the ability to kick ass, it's emotional. Kagome chooses to travel with InuYasha, knowing that he can't return her feelings because he loves Kikyo. She voluntarily breaks her own heart to help him. That takes more strength than I think I'd ever have.
Originally posted by GrayFury:
NO Anime, same premise as comics, although Dunan Newt would top all lists...
Anyway, ruling out anime and cyberlife. . .
Sam Carter (Stargate SG-1). Not only does she kick ass, she may be the most brilliant human being on Earth --a reminder that girls have more options than "tomboy" or "fashionista." We need more science chicks. If I had a daughter, I'd want her to aspire to be like Sam.
Kira Nerys (Deep Space Nine). Tough, but also smart enough to be willing to learn and grow.
Kai Opaka (Deep Space Nine). Again, not particularly warlike, but that itself is impressive considering the path the Prophets have set her upon. Quiet faith and compassion (even to one's enemies) also take strength.
Mon Mothma (Star Wars). Rarely seen onscreen, she founded the Rebel Alliance, and declared open rebellion against the Empire.
Kira, a Gelfling (The Dark Crystal) She adopts Jen's quest, survives Skeksis torture, and sacrifices herself for Jen to be able to fulfill his destiny.
Sydney Fox (Relic Hunter). Like Lara Droft, but with realistic proportions, realistic clothing, and evidence of an acktual knowledge of archeology and anthropology. If Indiaba Jones needs an heir, I'd put Sydney atop the list.
Jo Lupo (Eureka). Just for the combat skillz.
If we include novel characters (her, they're not comics or anime):
Mara Jade (Star Wars). Warrior, assassin, spy, smuggler, Jedi, and finally mother. A consort more than worthy of Master Skywalker.
EDIT with another thought: Are you counting American-made cartoons as anime?
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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.
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I know it's cheesy as hell, but what about Xena?
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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The Queen of Swords
A Saturday afternoon TV show that lasted about two seasons. There was actually two strong women in this one. I was a little angry when they moved it to very late night. That killed it.
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler
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Sydney Bristow - from Alias. She's an incredibly strong woman character. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
Laura Roslin - she became president the day she found out she had terminal cancer which also happened to be the day of the apocalypse... 'nuff said.
Liz Lemon - she handles all the craziness life throws at her. Not always well, but she handles it. She's just so *real* that I must acknowledge her. I love 30 Rock.
Arcadia (aka Greyfable and/or Katie)
www.stillflying.net -- picking up Firefly were Joss left off. We will hold 'til he gets back.
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One strong woman on TV that you might not think is strong, but is, is Carmela on THE SOPRANOS. While she has a lot of the characteristics of a typical mob wife, there are times where she does stand up to Tony and not back down. One of my favorite moments was in season 1 in the episode "Isabella", when she sees Tony looking at her in the window, goes over, asks who she is, Tony tells her she's a relative of Doc Cusamano and that they had lunch. She then says "Lunch?" That is without a doubt the best delivery of a single word I have ever seen in a TV show or movie. That one word just send a cold chill through my entire body. "You fucking piece of shit." And then she goes into a tirade that makes Tony shrivel up back into bed, which ends with "If I had any self-respect I'd cut your dick off!!"
Another unconventional strong woman on TV I always loved was Ruth Fisher from SIX FEET UNDER (hey, what can I say, I love HBO). For the most part of the show, she's this incredibly repressed widower who dresses incredibly drab and is overwhelmed by what's happening in the lives of her family. But when the chips are down and they're at their most despondent, she just brings up this incredible reserve of strength that shocks you along with the characters. Like the night before Nate went into surgery at the end of season 2 ("You're not supposed to protect ME, I'M SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU. That's what a mother does. She tries. Most of the time she fails, but how are you ever going to feel loved if you don't ever let me try."), or in the season 3 finale when she says plainly "Life doesn't stop. We didn't die." But my personal favorite moments were in the final episodes. Calhoun, if you're reading this, don't highlight.
Select to view spoiler:
At Nate's burial, when she wonders where David is, Keith says that he's in the van and that he couldn't take it. She then says "Yes, well sometimes we can." She says it so matter of factly and with such authority it just shocks you. And then when she's talking to David who at this point is having a meltdown and says that he can't go out there, she replies "Yes you can, you have legs." And then in the finale, when Claire tells her that she's willing to give up everything to take care of her, she tells her "Absolutely not. Go. Live your life." And as she tells Claire why she won't let her give up her new life, you start blubbering a crying alongside Claire.
To me, that scene was more strong and heroic than all the River and Buffy fights combined.
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"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."
Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack
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Charlie Baltimore, from Long Kiss Goodnight. When they had so much entanglements trying to get Bourne Identity made, here Jason was turned into a female Charlie, and we have the female version of Jason Bourne.
I didn't particularly care for Red Sonja, but she seemed to kick butt - was she a comic before the movie?
Ultraviolet and Aeon Flux seemed to have nimble combatants.
Does Catwoman count?
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KATE from Lost- she's strong smart, and continually evades the law.
ANA LUCIA from Lost- came out as one of the leaders and kicked some island butt, yet wasn't completely emotionless or dead inside.
NADIA SANTOS from Alias- Sydney's spy sister and almost as cool as she is.
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Louise Baltimore from Millenium.
(seems ANY chick with that last name is tough...)
Eoywn from LoTR, specifically loved how she pulled off being tough as nails without an ounce of the "I wish I was a guy" stuff.
And a definitive shout out to Whoopi Goldberg.
Fatal Beauty, Jumpin Jack Flash, Burglar.
(If you ain't seen it, Burglar is a *must rent*)
Not to mention Guinan.
-F
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Besides Catwoman, Halle seemed to kick butt in Swordfish and her James Bond flik.
Other suggestions:
Carrie Moss as Trinity in Matrix.
Amanda Peet amps her learning curve in Whole 9 yards.
Aishwarya Rai as Mira in Last Legion.
Jodie as Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs.
Devon Aoki as Miho in Sin City.
Kiera Knightly as Guinevere in King Arthur.
Jessica Biel in Stealth.
Eowyn in LOTR.
Ellie May in Beverly Hillbillies could rassel and goat rope anybody - the Donna Douglas version.
Lauren Graham in Hostel II.
And for fantasy there was G.I. Jane.
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