Female Characters on the Show

[ShdwHolly]

I am a big fan of the walking dead in theory; the actual show is another story. I thought I felt differently about ’We’re Alive’, but as time goes on I am beginning to see how similar the two shows are, especially in their portrayal of women. Why is it that women are always portrayed as stereotypes – unable to help themselves or stand on their own two feet?

I can’t stand Pegs – whiny, irrational (who lets personal issues stand in the way of SURVIVING the apocalypse by learning to use a gun??!! Oh right, a woman. Of course.) Neither she nor Kelly are capable of any real decision making without the help of a male leader. And WTF happened to Hope? She went from sweet blind girl to incessant nag.

The moment a woman does begin to claim some power or strength in the show, she is immediately degraded by being portrayed as crazy or a bitch. We see this with the only ‘strong’ women in the entire show – Riley and CJ. I really had high hopes for Riley, she was interesting, courageous and resourceful. I think my disillusion with the show really began as her melt down did. She tried to kill herself? She’s suddenly an alcoholic? WHY?!? She has made it through so much, she used to be a soldier and NOW she has a break. Seriously?! CJ is also a great leader, but then she is sexualized and her obsession with Saul makes her seem like a nice combination of crazy/bitch (she tries to seduce a man searching for his pregnant girlfriend for pete’s sake!).

I understand the male characters have military experience and this makes them natural leaders in any war-like scenario, but Scratch has 0 experience and has been more or less leading a group of raucous prisoners with relative success (if success is defined by still being alive). She, of course, is portrayed as the ultimate bitch.

Has anyone else out there, male or female, noticed the same thing? Why can’t a woman be a Saul or a Michael without being crazy and/or a bitch?! Ghhhhhaaahh!

[Gnex]

Hmmmm that escalated quickly.......

[YetAnotherBloodyCheek]

I am a big fan of the walking dead in theory; the actual show is another story. I thought I felt differently about ’We’re Alive’, but as time goes on I am beginning to see how similar the two shows are, especially in their portrayal of women. Why is it that women are always portrayed as stereotypes – unable to help themselves or stand on their own two feet?

I can’t stand Pegs – whiny, irrational (who lets personal issues stand in the way of SURVIVING the apocalypse by learning to use a gun??!! Oh right, a woman. Of course.) Neither she nor Kelly are capable of any real decision making without the help of a male leader. And WTF happened to Hope? She went from sweet blind girl to incessant nag.

The moment a woman does begin to claim some power or strength in the show, she is immediately degraded by being portrayed as crazy or a bitch. We see this with the only ‘strong’ women in the entire show – Riley and CJ. I really had high hopes for Riley, she was interesting, courageous and resourceful. I think my disillusion with the show really began as her melt down did. She tried to kill herself? She’s suddenly an alcoholic? WHY?!? She has made it through so much, she used to be a soldier and NOW she has a break. Seriously?! CJ is also a great leader, but then she is sexualized and her obsession with Saul makes her seem like a nice combination of crazy/bitch (she tries to seduce a man searching for his pregnant girlfriend for pete’s sake!).

I understand the male characters have military experience and this makes them natural leaders in any war-like scenario, but Scratch has 0 experience and has been more or less leading a group of raucous prisoners with relative success (if success is defined by still being alive). She, of course, is portrayed as the ultimate bitch.

Has anyone else out there, male or female, noticed the same thing? Why can’t a woman be a Saul or a Michael without being crazy and/or a bitch?! Ghhhhhaaahh!

Well, maybe we can skip gender studies class for today because nearly each and every character on the has shown characteristics of a neurological wreck - regardless of a specific gender.
Besides, no one will dispute that Datu IS the whiny scream queen of WA.

[Osiris]

Well, maybe we can skip gender studies class for today because nearly each and every character on the has shown characteristics of a neurological wreck - regardless of a specific gender.
Besides, no one will dispute that Datu IS the whiny scream queen of WA.

Why would you skip the point of her post? Oh, you're just trying to take a shot at her. Let's not do that shit, yeah? Welcoming arms. Welcoming.

[GeneraLee]

I am a big fan of the walking dead in theory; the actual show is another story. I thought I felt differently about ’We’re Alive’, but as time goes on I am beginning to see how similar the two shows are, especially in their portrayal of women. Why is it that women are always portrayed as stereotypes – unable to help themselves or stand on their own two feet?

I can’t stand Pegs – whiny, irrational (who lets personal issues stand in the way of SURVIVING the apocalypse by learning to use a gun??!! Oh right, a woman. Of course.) Neither she nor Kelly are capable of any real decision making without the help of a male leader. And WTF happened to Hope? She went from sweet blind girl to incessant nag.

The moment a woman does begin to claim some power or strength in the show, she is immediately degraded by being portrayed as crazy or a bitch. We see this with the only ‘strong’ women in the entire show – Riley and CJ. I really had high hopes for Riley, she was interesting, courageous and resourceful. I think my disillusion with the show really began as her melt down did. She tried to kill herself? She’s suddenly an alcoholic? WHY?!? She has made it through so much, she used to be a soldier and NOW she has a break. Seriously?! CJ is also a great leader, but then she is sexualized and her obsession with Saul makes her seem like a nice combination of crazy/bitch (she tries to seduce a man searching for his pregnant girlfriend for pete’s sake!).

I understand the male characters have military experience and this makes them natural leaders in any war-like scenario, but Scratch has 0 experience and has been more or less leading a group of raucous prisoners with relative success (if success is defined by still being alive). She, of course, is portrayed as the ultimate bitch.

Has anyone else out there, male or female, noticed the same thing? Why can’t a woman be a Saul or a Michael without being crazy and/or a bitch?! Ghhhhhaaahh!

I don't think that any character is immune to flaws.

Michael- TONS of flaws, makes mistakes all the time. Has been a whiney-butt many times.
Saul- Very selfish, heart over head most of the time.
Datu- Needs not saying, but actually a VERY strong character who has been through a lot, but externalizes everything instead of just internalizing as everyone else. (Hense why people think he's whiney)
Angel- Was very self-centered as well, but then got better, then... well, you know.
Burt- A very BAD leader. He proved this many times.
Victor- Best friend you could have. Not many negatives with him. Very loyal.

And your female assessment I think it only partial.
Riley- Yes, she's angry, but for good reason. She's still strong, but a lot of her flaws are due to the trauma she went through. She's strong enough to walk away from people she cares about because she thinks there's a greater threat, as does Burt. Could be for personal reasons, but it's not a "safe" place to be.
Pegs- Yes, everyone complains about her, but she is strong in her own ways. She single handedly is feeding everyone, and making sure they survive. She might not pick up a gun, but who cares? Gun handling or killing doesn't mean someone's strong.
Lizzy- Very strong female character, stood up to Scratch in the threat of death even.
Tanya- Constantly puts herself in harms way to help other people. Always there to help anyone else, above her own safety.
CJ- I think everyone has a very wrong perspective of her at times. She's extremely strong, organized, etc... just because she was interested in someone doesn't mean she's any less strong. She's strong enough to kick someone out that she cares for, even though it's not a popular opinion, and that was after being lied to and deceived.
Hope- She's a teenager. A blind one, who is struggling with having a purpose in the world. How could you NOT be pessimistic?


Anyone I missed?
Yes, everyone is flawed, and everyone has different strengths. That's what makes them people. No one on the show is perfect.

[Osiris]

Everyone deserves a voice.

[Gooer]

While i feel that Pegs IS the whiny, helpless maiden in distress, she adds diversity to the group, and while she may seem pathetic for the trauma of killing someone, i'm guessing to someone that is against major violence, killing someone would be very hard to deal with, even in self defense. To me, Riley, Tanya, CJ and Kelly are also really strong characters. CJ IS the top dog in the Colony; people go to HER for advice, not the other way around. Riley, is headstrong and confident, but was only driven to the alcohol abuse/suicide because she had endured too much mentally; thinking she lost Lizzy, and the death of Angel - what she presumed to have lost her best friend and her love (which ever you want to put them as), as it said in the show. Tanya, now, she's an independent black woman who don't need no man! But all jokes aside, she is another strong character that can question whatever someone says - be it Michael or CJ. And Kelly, while she was a major bitch in season one, she changed a lot over the show, and i like her now (i pretty much hated her in season one). I think each character is perfect for what they do, even with all of their flaws. No one is perfect, and Kc does a great job on showing it.

[Osiris]

Wait... Tanya's black? Do... wait... have we stopped being PC?

I think we should all take a moment, and a deep breath, and not jump on someone's tits on their first post. Yes? Yes, I am looking directly at you, Lit.

[Litmaster]

.......Like Pegs.....?

Well... soon to be dead. Hopefully.

I think we should all take a moment, and a deep breath, and not jump on someone's tits on their first post. Yes? Yes, I am looking directly at you, Lit.

Osi, I was NOT 'jumping on anyone's tits'... come on now. I certainly hope I haven't scared her off, and reading back over what I wrote I don't think I was being a dick about my response. It just so happened her first post expressed a strong opinion--which is great, everyone is entitled to one-- but there are really only two ways to respond: agreement or disagreement, right?

[Gooer]

Well... soon to be dead. Hopefully.

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

But i think she will...