Doctor Who: Strong Women Characters (spoilers for S3)

[butterfly]

Because I posted this in honorh's love post, but wanted to share it.

the long list of strong one-off female characters

1. Jabe, who sacrificed her life to save the rest of the people on Platform One and who offered the Doctor kindness and sympathy.

2. Raffalo, who made a hell of an impression in only about five minutes or so!

3. Cassandra and her character arc, moving through biotry and fear to something close to understanding.

4. Gwyneth, who wanted to do something good and who saved the world after she'd already died.

5. Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen, who got to have a fresh start.

6. Harriet Jones -- I loved her courage and willingness to make hard decisions, even if they weren't always the right ones.

7&8. Cathica, who just needed her curiosity jumpstarted, and Eva San Julienne (Suki), the self-declared anarchist who wanted to expose the lies of Satellite Five.

9. Nancy, whose warmth held together a lost group of children through horrible times and whose courage and love saved the world.

10. Lynda -- she was sweet and so incredibly brave.

11. Lady Isobel, who was observant, brave, and resilient.

12. Sarah Jane Smith, investigator extraordinaire.

13. Mrs Moore (Angela Price), who died saving the world.

14. Rita, who realized that she had the power to make her own happiness and claim her own space.

15. Ida with her curiosity and compassion and lovely, dry way of laying everything out there.

15&16. Chloe and Trish Webber, who learned how to find strength in each other and their love.

17. Yvonne, who was wrong in so many ways, but passionate and dedicated to what she believed in.

18. Tallulah -- she loved the man she loved. What he looked like didn't matter.

19. Captain Kath, who sacrificed her life for her crew and to tell her husband that she loved him.

20. Joan -- she knew precisely who she was and what she wasn't willing to put up with. A woman of strong personal morals.

21. Sally Sparrow. Brilliant, gutsy, daring, and just plain love.

22. Chantho, who only wanted to help.

23. Lucy. Very possibly mad, but exceptionally interesting.

That was my original list. Then honorh reminded me about the Controller (24), which prompted me to recall Queen Victoria (25) and the lesbian couple in Gridlock (26&27). I'd also forgotten about Ursula, who managed to save Elton's life while trapped in someone else's body (28). Despite the length of this list, I'm sure I've forgotten some -- oh! Scooti in The Impossible Planet (29), of course. She was darling. Francine, who proved herself to be a good person and mother (30). Tish, who I adored every time we saw her (31). Reinette, uncrowned queen of France (32).

ETA: Kathy Nightingale as suggested by wee_warrior (33). Vivian Rook as suggested by sapote3 (34). Which reminded me of Novice Hame (35) and Valerie (36).

And that's not counting our spectacular female companions. Donna, who will be magnificent. Jackie, who learned to dream again. Martha, choosing her own time to leave.

Then there's Rose. Fantastic Rose, who managed to be incredibly important in a season that she only appeared in via flashback. Brave, clever, compassionate Rose. Of all of the amazing female characters that New Who has given us, I do love Rose the best.

Comments

[katesutton.livejournal.com]

So much word. I love New Who for the wonderful female characters it's given us. And in the wake of the finale, I've seen a similar fan-created list, one all about how RTD can't write women and screws them over every time. I just...what? I think there are more good female characters on this show than there are male!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I adore New Who's female characters. There are so many.

And in the wake of the finale, I've seen a similar fan-created list, one all about how RTD can't write women and screws them over every time. I just...what? I think there are more good female characters on this show than there are male!

Ha. I saw that list, too (after I'd already glee'd in honorh's love post. It may be what decided me to repost my list, because... that person was showing their own sexism far more than any sexism RTD might have. The dismissal of female characters as 'shrews'... what, does anyone actually still use that word? Glory. And they completely failed to mention several characters. Plus, the idea that a character dying means that they weren't worth anything is... annoying. Is Sir Robert (Tooth and Claw) less of a strong, tough character because he died? No, he isn't. And neither is Mrs Moore.

[dettiot.livejournal.com]

[happy sigh] It's nice to remember how much good character development we've had, and just marvel at just how good RTD et al have done. And it's even more amazing when you consider how fantastic Rose is, and how I know I would have forgiven them for other weak females, but they didn't do that.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Indeed. They could have rested on their laurels with how amazing they made Rose, but they didn't. RTD and co. kept giving us utterly wonderful, vibrant female characters to enjoy.

[wanderlustlover]

Donna?

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Donna! I loved Donna. She went through hell (finding out that her groom only wanted her because he was forced into it -- ouch!) and grew up and decided to live her own life and be magnificent. I love her.

[wanderlustlover]

Ohhh! *face palms* Christmas special girl. Yes, she was amazing.

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

*applauds* Wow, I hadn't really thought about it, but we really have had a great bunch of female characters in Who. Thanks for the reminder!

Of all of the amazing female characters that New Who has given us, I do love Rose the best.

Me, too.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

We really have had a whole lot of truly fascinating and strong women.

[sapote3.livejournal.com]

I love Suki so much for a ten-minute-onscreen character.

Also: is Vivien Rook on your list? The incredibly gutsy reporter-lady from Sound of Drums - I kind of love her a lot. (I, um, may secretly slash her and Harriet Jones in my heart. Kickass. Political. Middle-aged. FTW!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

I love Suki so much for a ten-minute-onscreen character.

*nods*

She's adorable before the reveal and then so very impressive when we find out who she really is.

And I've added Vivian Rook now and credited you for the suggestion! She definitely deserved to be on the list.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'd necessarily describe all these characters as strong, to be honest, but it is an impressive list all the same.

You did forget Kathy Nightingale, though. Completely revamping your life as a 21st century gal thrown back to the 1920s and actually finding happiness isn't a mean feat.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Kathy Nightingale! That's a good one that I'd forgotten. I've added her and credited you for the suggestion. Thank you.

I'm not sure I'd necessarily describe all these characters as strong, to be honest, but it is an impressive list all the same.

Strong in the sense of vibrant/interesting/memorable. Not necessarily strong in the sense of having physical or inner strength. Probably didn't clarify that enough!

[spiletta42.livejournal.com]

Posting with my eyes closed to hide from spoilers -- you have pending noms at SOTHA:

http://community.livejournal.com/sothawards/1540.html

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Thank you!