Feminist Speeches & Feminist Fairytales

[beccatoria]

1. Feminist Speeches

Okay, so, I really don't follow Australian politics at ALL beyond being passingly familiar with the name of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, but I saw this amazing speech via calapine, and had to share. It's 15 minutes long, but really, it's worth watching. I'm so impressed and refreshed by her unapologetic attitude, her willingness to frickin' say MISOGYNY like it's not a concept that needs to be defended every time it's raised. I miss speeches like this, substantive, pointed speeches, that aren't afraid to attack a position, or person, that needs attacking.

I mean, guys, come on, it starts with, "I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man, not now, not ever."

Feminist Fairytales

Secondly, you guys, I've been...really, really enjoying the second season of Once Upon a Time. It probably deserves its own post at some point, but briefly let me say that I feel like there's some subtle and retrospectively redemptive character work involved in Regina and Henry's relationship now that mitigates some of the issues I had around its treatment of adoption last season, and I am still slightly stunned that with Red and Belle being upgraded to series regulars, it's a show which stars five women, two men and a boychild without it being marketed or thought of as a show aimed at women.

I still think it's a shame it's so damn white (here's hoping Mulan and Lancelot stick around), and I wish that the enormous queerness weren't relegated to subtext (man that's ANOTHER post I need to make: why can't I ship Emma/Regina, dammit?!).

That said, Regina in particular has just been getting some fantastic character work in the opening episodes, and while I have a personal hatred of love triangles, even I appreciate the swiftness with which Prince Phillip was moved offstage to set up a team of Mulan and Sleeping Beauty vs Emma and Snow, and judging from the sneak peeks for next week, well, dudes, let's just say I'm impressed by this show's commitment to grounding itself with mother-daughter relationships, even from angles and characters I was never expecting to see again.

Keep it up, Once Upon A Time!

Comments

[grimorie.livejournal.com]

I've been enjoying OUAT this season too (I really hope things won't slow down after they hit episode 8 like it did on season 1).

I knew I loved Badass!Snow but I didn't realize how much I missed her until she was there in Story Brooke! Also Snow + Fire OTP.

I really do like that when it comes to Regina she keeps things close to her vest, she's not *pleased* about Regina but she wasn't vocal about wanting Regina to die either. Complicated mother and daughter relationships, please show give me an episode with current!Snow and Regina!

I can't wait for the next episode Snow and Emma's big adventure in Post Apocalyptic Enchanted Forests with Mulan and Aurora!

[beccatoria.livejournal.com]

Yes - I totally agree. I'm somewhat hopeful that since they seem to be splitting their episodes - judging by the first two and the trailer for the third, into largely overhere and largely overthere both still with flashback, that'll help spread out the main plot a bit more and there'll be less filler?

And you're spot on about Snow. I didn't realise how compelling she'd be, and I continue to find the actress's ability to mix her kickassery with her, I don't know how to say it, but I suppose, unembarrassed emotionality, compelling. Plus, FIRE.

I wonder if Snow and Henry will ever talk to each other about what it's like to be a child in Regina's care. The points at which we remember in some way - even if not by choice - Regina is also Snow's mother, are fascinating, though I like it as much for its contrast to Henry as its similarity; Regina's genuine love for Henry is something I'm enjoying being, finally, allowed to see.

I'm psyched for the next episode for sure. Though I'm always so conflicted about looking forward to it since it airs RIGHT at the end of the weekend...

[grimorie.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Snow and Henry will ever talk to each other about what it's like to be a child in Regina's care. The points at which we remember in some way - even if not by choice - Regina is also Snow's mother, are fascinating, though I like it as much for its contrast to Henry as its similarity; Regina's genuine love for Henry is something I'm enjoying being, finally, allowed to see.


Ohhh. Now you put it out there I also want Henry and Snow to kind of sit down and talk about the differences and similarities of growing up with Regina as a mother.

Her grandson is also her stepbrother... I just needed to write that down.

[beccatoria.livejournal.com]

Yeah it's pretty circuitous and strange, but I'd like to see it. Probably not as a fully fledged like...point about their relationship because that would just be odd, but just...in moments, you know? Like, Snow remembering the things Regina would sometimes do that were nice for her, and wondering if it was all always an act, and then Henry commenting that, yeah, she did that for him once, too?

I'm fascinated by Regina's apparent desire for kids that are her own. She tried it with Hansel and Gretel first, and they always turn away from her, when the one child who would have accepted her with love, unquestioningly, was the child about whom she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but rage. While I know - and am relieved we're now seeing - that she feels genuine love for Henry, I do wonder if initially her quests to find a child who will accept her were always attempts to replace Snow and the hole that toxic relationship left in her heart.

[grimorie.livejournal.com]

I'm fascinated by Regina's apparent desire for kids that are her own. She tried it with Hansel and Gretel first, and they always turn away from her, when the one child who would have accepted her with love, unquestioningly, was the child about whom she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but rage. While I know - and am relieved we're now seeing - that she feels genuine love for Henry, I do wonder if initially her quests to find a child who will accept her were always attempts to replace Snow and the hole that toxic relationship left in her heart.

This. I've been wondering the same thing! All the children she tries to adopt, and does finally adopt, especially Henry is directly related to Snow.

I'm so fascinated by their broken relationship especially after we saw how instantly Snow and Regina liked each other when they first met.