Episode 38: Merits of the Maligned

We’re all about appreciation and support on In Defense Of, but this time around, we’re taking that even further by defending the seemingly indefensible. In the age of nearly limitless varieties of entertainment surrounding us: broadcast, cable, streaming, and even equally popular self-produced content, there are going to be an equally limitless number of approaches that fictional characters can be depicted. We're not just referring to the hero and villain, ingenue and sidekick, comedy relief and best friend, but the underlying themes, motivations, and thought processes behind each individual on screen. With 10,000 programs at our fingertips, do we need another 'Ozzie and Harriet'? But when writers, producers, and directors opt to put problematic and complex characters on screen, ones who cannot fit into the conventional boxes that television history has crafted, there is pushback. And when that character is a woman, the pushback can get even uglier. We're going to look at some of the characters who have gotten nearly lynch-mob reactions from critics and fans in recent years, and try and identify where the discontent stems from, where it misses the creators' and actors' intent, and how we can truly recognize and celebrate the impact of the 'broken' character -- if they are indeed broken at all. Joined once again by the dynamic Cat Smith, we look to the merits and value of characters often maligned for their failure (or refusal) to conform. BONUS SEGMENT: Our "good geek news" of the month is a celebration of the "saving" of Sense8, thanks entirely to their fanbase!