telavivtales:

First of all, thanks for reading, thanks for the response. Here is mine: 

Silk and ribbons argued in her post that the West Wing does feature very strong women, namingly CJ Cregg and the First Lady, as well as Joey Lucas an. First of all, i would like to say that this is what I posted after watching only the first season. (I do first impression reviews) Here CJ still feels a little insecure at times (“I dont know how often I can say Im sorry….”) and needy for approval, although I do like her character. But, and I say this as a women in the media, it is a bit cliché that she is the the press secretary, not part of the strategical staff. 

Also, in the first season she stands pretty much alone with the First lady showing promise, but not REALLY playing a role that exceeds that of wife and philantropist. As I move further into season two, the women do evolve. Of course West Wing is far from a teenage show reducing girls to headbands but I was simply hoping for more and dissapointed by the man-driven plot in season one.

Ainsley, seriously? Yes, shes getting worse with each episode. Donna, on the other hand, sort of growing on me…

And I just simply love Olivia in Scandal. In terms of TV power women in politics she´s tough to beat. As I watched Scandal first, thats what I compared West Wing to, fully aware that Im doing it oddly reversed. 

Talking about women in the White House: What did you think of Commander in Chief?

Thank you for responding as well. As I said, my intent was not to bash or pick a fight. But who doesn’t enjoy a debate? :) Also, I realize my points are based off knowledge of the entire series as opposed to just a few seasons, and I don’t at all mean to spoil or belittle. I just really encourage you to keep going. It’s such a good series.

I included Ainsley and Donna in my list because I do consider them strong female characters, Donna especially for reasons in later seasons. Ainsley always seems to either inspire people to love her or hate her. Personally, I love her. She’s smart and she embraces her sexuality. I don’t think that makes her a weak character or a weak woman. I think she offers an interesting foil to female characters like CJ, who is much more ‘one of the guys’.

I think it’s interesting, too, that for most arguments made against certain characters, the show tries to refute them (Ainsley’s comments on lipstick feminism and equality for women, CJ’s points on the same topic, Dr. Bartlet’s monologues on women in perceived ‘male’ occupations, etc). Not all arguments are successful (i.e. anything that comes out of Mandy’s mouth in Season 1), but I appreciate that they at least try to explain the thought process, even if I don’t always agree with it.

I just realized, too, that if what you were going off was Season 1, you were experiencing Mandy for the first time. Now THAT character, I will agree, was every negative female cliche rolled into one BMW-driving package. Gah. I can’t stand the shrew. When she didn’t show up in the credits for season 2 I did a happy dance. :)

I actually stopped watching Commander in Chief after a few episodes. I just couldn’t get sucked in the way I did with WW or The Newsroom. It seemed that they hadn’t really thought past “What if the President was a woman?” and got stuck in Cliche-ville. That being said, I thought Geena Davis was fabulous (and I have to admit seeing Michael O’Neill (WW’s Agent Ron Butterfield) show up as an evil Republican senator had me in stitches. Why, Ron, why?!).

As far as women in the White House, one of my other favorites is Glenn Close as the veep in ‘Air Force One’. No one can play badass quite like her.

Thank you again for your response to my unsolicited soapbox-ing. I very much appreciate you time! :)

(Source: telavivtales, via telavivtales)