The Heroes TV show is still generating a lot of buzz among comic fans. In the most recent episode, an event occurred that’s very much in tune with many of the feminist complaints about comic books themselves.
This, naturally, has provoked a reaction.
(Warning this post contains spoilers)
Point:
Crazy_elf_girl is among those upset by the attempted rape of the invulnerable cheerleader character, Claire, and she explains why in her post, Women in Heroes:
Excerpt:
Claire, however, becomes the second to be sexually assaulted in the third episode. Her boyfriend takes it way too far and keeps going even though she clearly wants to stop, even saying “This is going to happen.” The struggle leads to Claire’s “death”, which definitely has a nice twist to it. The end scene of her on an autopsy table with her body literally wide open is pretty intense. However, it still doesn’t excuse her near rape. Why are the only two prominent women in the show both sexually assaulted within two episodes of each other? There are so many ways Claire could have been “killed”. Hell, she’s even a cheerleader, put her on the top of a pyramid, she falls and “dies” that way. Why rape?
Counterpoint:
Kkglinka explains why she, in turn, is not actually outraged by yet another instance of attempted rape for a heroine in her post, More Thoughts:
Excerpt:
The date rape makes psychological injury explicit for viewers. It’s not just some silly paranoia being used as an excuse to fit in and avoid “responsibility”. Claire does not have super-speed, super-strength, super-smarts or super-ninja. She is highly vulnerable to attack and knows it. All she can do is heal quickly from physical wounds, and even that isn’t infallible. Remember that quick moment from the first episode, when she had to tuck in her ribs before the wound would heal? Already we see why Claire needs to be a team player, because while she lucked out this time, having a coroner to remove the debris so her body could heal, future attempts on her life may be less public and official.
It’s definitely an issue to ponder.
October 16th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
If that girl finds one more way to almost die while walking across a football field I’m done with Heroes…
That’s a lie. I really like the Asian guys.
October 23rd, 2006 at 11:13 am
Yes it IS an issue to ponder.
How about, uh, pondering it?
October 23rd, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Jillian,
I appreciate the sentiment. However, Point/Counterpoint is designed to highlight different perspectives on arguments/debates/discussions from blogs and livejournals.
If you would like MY opinion on any of these topics feel free to visit my blog (linked through my name) or ask me through email: r_nyalveis@hotmail.com.
However, my opinions are not the focus of this feature, so you will not see them here.