Comments on: NBC’s “The Cape”: He vanishes before your very eyes! And so do the last 20 years in scriptwriting! /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/ A feminist pop culture adventure Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:58:59 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6 By: Miranda /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-734 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:58:59 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-734 In reply to Stephen B.

…. so, er, he really DID just vanish before our very eyes, then!

]]> By: Stephen B /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-733 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:55:07 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-733 Aaaand… The Cape just got cancelled. I haven’t managed to catch further episodes yet, but fans I know have been crying out for Summer Glau’s character to have any kind of backstory, which apparently didn’t occur to the writers.

]]> By: Stephen B /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-732 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:23:21 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-732 In reply to Russell.

I can think of many female characters from GoThrones who are *superbly* written, in control of their own destinies and really fearsome (you kinda have to be). I just couldn’t remember one talking to another very often, mostly because they’re from opposing families and would rather be sticking knives in instead :) But yes, since writing the above comment several examples have sprung to mind, all of which only make me MORE EXCITED about the mini-series!

]]> By: Russell /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-731 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:44:34 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-731 In reply to Stephen B.

The females in the books definitely pass Bechdel. Repeatedly. If passing Bechdel were a crime, George RR Martin would be a lifer. It’s fair to say that every single female character in those books is as well-crafted as the men, often better. Yes, the world is sexist to the extreme – medieval times were, apparently. The women survive in it admirably, with even the most annoying (Sansa, Daenerys) eventually becoming wily and powerful.

I can think of at least one example from Bechdel but I bet there are other, better ones – if I only I had my copies here with me. It’s Cersi and her female sexual partner from Myr, whose name I forget, but they chat about all kinds of things which aren’t about *a* man (they may be about large armies of men, occasionally – does that still count?).

]]> By: Russell /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-730 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:29:31 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-730 In reply to Miranda.

Have you seen Psychoville? That contains short people that, although played for dark comedy, are fleshed out characters and not just comic relief. It’s also great – by some of the people who did The League of Gentlemen, and similarly “scary-funny”.

]]> By: Stephen B /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-729 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:08:12 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-729 In reply to Miranda.

It’s not made yet, but the books were… actually, I don’t know about Bechdel. Most of the women who survive any length of time in the incredibly lethal world of politics and power-grabbing are either alone or outdoing the men in every department. There are some fantastic (and fantastically evil) female characters, but I don’t know how it’ll translate to the mini-series.

The environment is one of medieval sexism and survival or the evil-est, but that’s what makes the role for Peter Dinklage so interesting. He gets constant abuse and dismissal because of his height, but is the smartest person in the room…

We probably have some huge Game of Throne fans on here: anyone got opinions on the female roles in the books?

]]> By: Miranda /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-728 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:03:22 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-728 In reply to Rob.

Yes, I do agree Carnivale was very good. Point taken on that one.

@Steve What’s Game of Thrones like for Bechdel/women?

]]> By: Rob /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-727 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:00:18 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-727 In reply to Miranda.

Michael J Anderson has had some good non-circus roles. And whilst it was pretty much a circus, his role in Carnviale was amazing, and not a standard Midget Strongman/Freakshow Member.

]]> By: Stephen B /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-726 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:57:27 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-726 In reply to Miranda.

My geek-excitement is super-high for Game of Thrones, given that Tyrion is one of the best characters in the books…

]]> By: Miranda /2011/01/18/nbcs-the-cape-he-vanishes-before-your-very-eyes-and-so-do-the-last-20-years-in-scriptwriting/#comment-725 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:53:21 +0000 http://www.badreputation.org.uk/?p=2605#comment-725 I haven’t seen it, but feel the need to add: I think I’d like to see Martin Klebba be given a role, even if he IS super-tough in this, that isn’t in a circus/doesn’t involve him being a “circus carnival type” or comedy-short-person. A role that isn’t revolving round his stature, basically.

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