Every day is International Women’s Day here at Head Over Feels. But we’d never pass up a chance to throw some extra virtual roses and appreciation to our favorite ladies of pop culture. This list is hardly exhaustive – it’s more of a cross section of the fierce-ass females who make us proud. Why not leave your special recognitions in the comments?
Eva Green’s performance on Penny Dreadful
I punished myself for weeks after I neglected to leave a spot for Miss Eva Green on our Top Performances of 2014 list. If you’ve been watching Showtime’s sumptuous and campy horror series, you know that SHE DOES NOT PLAY. As the haunted Vanessa Ives, Eva holds back nothing and she’s certainly not concerned with keeping things pretty and lady-like. The first season’s seance possession scene was easily the most terrifying sequence I’ve seen on television, all thanks to Eva’s nerve and audacity as an actress. Bring on season two.
The “Pie-Mary” episode of Parks and Rec
Several people who obviously know me incredibly well assured me that I would adore “Pie-Mary.” The episode perfectly skewered the time-honored reality of political sexism and the trendy meme of internet-fueled “meninism.” “You’re ridiculous, and men’s rights is nothing.” Seal claps all around.
Viola Davis
Listen, I hope that Viola Davis never stops humiliating the New York Times and the insipid Alessandra Stanley for their now infamous profile of Shonda Rhimes, the President and CEO of Thursday Nights. There are times when it’s enough to do your job and (like Viola has, deservedly) collect the accolades. But then there are prejudices and stupidity that should never be allowed to fade into hazy memory.
Patricia Arquette’s Oscar acceptance speech
In which Kim and I did the play-at-home version of Meryl Streep’s epic whoop of approval. LADIES SUPPORTING LADIES.
Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Pacific Standard
The “Blank Space” video
I haven’t quite sorted my feelings on Taylor Swift. But this year she proudly declared herself a feminist and copped to being swayed by institutional ignorance when she answered that question in the past. (So important, since sadly, many young starlets have been sadly denied access to dictionaries.) Also, she poked fun at her maneating reputation by starring in a big-budget video in which she kills a guy. Carry on, T-Swifty.
Clara Oswald
It amuses me that “old-school” fans boo-hoo about our current companion’s agency and ambition, since Clara Oswald wouldn’t seek their approval with her last dying breath.
Agent Carter
“The last decade has seen a rise of strong female characters on television: the Starbucks and the Sarah Connors and the Aeryn Suns of the world. The next step in this feminist female character progression needs to include the representation of women who are strong not because they exemplify traditionally masculine qualities such as stoicism and physical strength, but because traditionally feminine qualities such as empathy and emotional intelligence are seen as primary strengths. Peggy Carter exemplifies these qualities. It’s the fact that she is able to do 107 one-armed push-ups that is the aside. (Though that physical strength does come in handy when taking out all of those goons, and these two forms of strength are not mutually exclusive.)” – For more on Peggy’s role in the canon, read all of Kayti’s season one recaps.
Her majesty, Laverne Cox
Thank you for sharing this planet with us.
The ladies of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Okay, so I guess I watched the entirety of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s new Netflix comedy, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, within a day. I regret nothing, except that it’s over. The series was built around Ellie Kemper, whose Office character was a weak spot of the later seasons. (You know it’s true.) But she practically glows in this part, a young woman who was rescued from a charismatic cult leader and resolves to make it in New York City. Kimmy is naive, but she takes no shit. Her friendship with Jane Krakowski’s rich housewife is bizarre and endearing. There are women being funny all over this show, from Kimmy’s loopy landlord (Carol Kane!!) to her cult sisterhood to Tina Fey in a cameo that I wouldn’t dare spoil for you. Oh, and it also has what’s possibly the greatest theme song ever produced for human ears. It’s a miracle!
How are YOU celebrating International Women’s Day, readers?
By binge watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, of course! Four episodes to go, and I don’t want to watch them because I don’t want it to end.
IT’S SO GOOD.