The feisty gals of Supernatural

[sqbr]

So, I was annoyed by the lack of female roles in Supernatural Season 1. They all seemed to fit into traditional gender roles in a really limiting way, and none had any agency. But I was told Season 2 had some good female characters, specifically Jo and Ellen. I got the impression they were actually demon hunters themselves, which seemed like a nice change from victims/demons.

*WARNING: Vague but important spoilers follow for Season 3, mild for season 2*

I also encountered a lot of meta about how horribly sexist season 3 is, and lots of women saying "How could you do this to Jo and Ellen? They were so awesome! Now there's no good powerful, good female characters at all(*)". "Ok", I thought to myself, "so Season 2 will be a bit of a step up, but I might not like Season 3. I can live with that"

I did, however, keep in mind that some other women responded to these complaints with "Bah. The show was sexist in season 1, and got worse in season 2, and it's just more of the same now". And then I watched the first two episodes of Season 2.

And, yeah. Beth and Jo, the best examples of powerful women the show has to offer? Run a bar. For hunters. Who are men. Sometimes they offer advice. Or sex(**). And Ellen didn't choose this life, it was something her dead husband (a hunter) got her into.

I..just...that's it? That's the high it reaches before sinking lower? Hoo boy. According to Cam, while there are some female hunters later on they're all nameless women in refrigerators, and overall Every Single Woman in the show is eventually a victim or a villain (many of whom, afaict, act all sexy to Dean who then slaps them and calls them a bitch) Admittedly, a large proportion of the men end up as victims or villains too, but if it was bad enough for Cam to notice and be annoyed by it that doesn't bode well for my reaction.

I mean, I'm going to keep watching, but that's pretty bad for a modern show. It makes Heroes look good.

(*) Note: I don't know if they die, or turn evil, or just stop being awesome
(**) Having watched only one episode with them in they haven't actually offered sex to anyone, but Jo was making eyes at Dean and it was suggested that Ellen might have been involved with John, ie they were seen as potential sex objects the moment they were introduced

Comments

[velithya]

Ellen is really quite awesome. She might not have chosen the life she leads now initially, but she's the one that chose to continue to run the roadhouse, and she's definitely not a woman who lets others walk over her. Fandom loves loves Ellen. (also you use 'Beth' up there in one paragraph, did you mean Ellen?)

[alias_sqbr]

Sorry, I didn't make this at all clear: They both look like cool characters in and of themselves. The only reason I found them annoying was that I got the impression they were a counter-example to the "Women have no power/agency unless they're evil" thing, which they're not (not by themselves, anyway, though they're a step in the right direction), and if that is the most powerful position a woman can hold in that universe then I'm going to remain frustrated by the show.

Yes, Beth=Ellen, sorry. Me + names=bad.