She Fights, Drinks, and Shags Like a Minx: Women in Sci-fi TV

Science fiction has a reputation of being a man’s genre. But in recent years, observers have reported a swelling in the ranks of female fans.[i]   When asked whether the uptick is due to an actual increase in numbers or in better accounting, fans attending the Ladies of Sci Fi convention in Orlando, Florida in May of this year did not mince words.  “I’ve been attending conventions for over 20 years, and there has always been lots of women in the audience,” said Karen Holton, a retired railroad worker.[ii]  “Many of them bring their husbands or boyfriends who are not really into science fiction, but they’ve been dragged along,” added Callie Christensen, a Floridian secretary.[iii]

Actress Claudia Christian, a veteran guest speaker on the sci-fi convention circuit, made a similar observation. “It seems there has always been women in [sci-fi], in the audience, and on the screen.”[iv]  Whatever the reason for the change in the number of reported female fans, one apparent corollary is the rise of the strong female lead archetype now pervasive in science fiction television.

In the ’90s, brave television serials, including Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Voyager, ushered in what one might now call a veritable golden age in sci-fi programming.  Babylon 5 introduced TV-goers to the first lesbigay in space, and Voyager introduced the first asexual yuppie in space, Kathryn Janeway.

As played by Kate Mulgrew, Janeway was gentle yet capable.  In sharp contrast, Babylon 5’s Susan Ivanova was sardonic, yet highly effective.  Taking the helm of Voyager some two years after Ivanova first walked the halls of Babylon 5, Janeway’s matronly persona may have been a direct answer to Ivanova’s stark cynicism.  And while the two characterizations were entertaining, they were both extremes that left audiences wanting more nuanced character development.

Newer shows such as Andromeda and Battlestar Galactica answered the call for more nuanced character development by equipping their leading ladies with smarts, strength, and sex appeal.  Battlestar Galactica boldly went one step further by also giving sci-fi gals strong libidos.   How are some of the brightest female stars in sci-fi television affected by this trend?  Popdecay spoke with several of television’s leading actresses at the Ladies of Sci-Fi convention in Orlando, Florida, for their thoughts.

Torri Higginson, surprisingly fiery yet known for her role as the dreary Dr. Elizabeth Weir on Stargate: Atlantis, explained that the “beauty of science fiction is that you get to play drastically different roles within your character.”[v]  But writers had given Weir just one romantic encounter in three years. “Where are the alien boys?”[vi]  Higginson laughed.

While not an android, Higginson’s Weir is virtually written as one, since she lives an ascetic lifestyle while her male counterparts regularly play the field.  “I’d love to play a bad girl; it is more interesting, and it is more fun.”[vii]  When asked whether she is concerned with typecasting, Higginson said no, but then vigorously added that there is an ongoing need for more women directors, producers, and writers of every color.  While Janeway’s “asexual human” sub-archetype endures for some actresses, as is evidenced by Weir’s character, others face a different situation.

Brandy Ledford, who played the sensual android Doyle in Andromeda, often portrays the vamp in sci-fi television.  When asked what role she would like to play, Ledford offered, “ I would love to play Laura Croft, who is simultaneously beautiful, strong, smart, and talented.”[viii]  She added that there just are not that many good roles out there written for such a strong character.

Ledford, who is as serious and sharp as she plays vampy on TV, believes there may have been some typecasting in her case. And yet she embraces possible typecasting as part of the actor’s experience.  In looking back, Ledford said, Doyle “really was the token eye-candy bimbo [despite appearances].”[ix]

Some fans view Battlestar Galactica’s Starbuck as a compromise between the dichotomies of the asexual human and the vampy driod.  Portrayed by Saturn Award winner Katee Sackhoff, Starbuck may be the first Gen X-Y-Z-er in space.

Hardly an asexual human, Starbuck is imbued with android-like strength, acumen, and a sexual appetite that might rival James T. Kirk’s were Cylon men hewn from prettier stuff.  Overall, Starbuck falls somewhere between Ivanova’s blunt humanity and the sexy robot. While she fights, drinks, and shags like a minx, she retains the sex appeal often reserved for the vampy android.

Still, fans have not seen a truly emotionally open Starbuck.  When Leoben convinced her that Kacey was her daughter, Starbuck appeared to recover rather quickly after learning Kacey was not hers.  To the show’s credit, Battlestar Galactica seems to have a female character for every personality type in the spectrum.  And, judging from the fan reaction to Katee Sackhoff during the Ladies of Sci Fi Convention, that coverage has made for wonderfully entertaining television.  Yet Starbuck’s characterization suggests that while science fiction’s portrayal of women has improved substantially, there remains more work to be done.   Perhaps with the continued rise of the sci-fi gal, and the men who love them, audiences will soon find more complex, whole female characters to relish.
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[i] Constance Ash, “The Female Audience & Battlestar Galactica,” Deep Genre, October 26, 2006, Link.

See also Virginia Heffernan, “TELEVISION; In Galactica, It’s Politics as Usual. Or Is It?” New York Times, October 26, 2006 : Link

[ii] Karen Holton (Ladies of Sci Fi Expo attendee and retiree), interview by author, Orlando, Florida, May 19, 2007.

[iii] Callie Christensen (Ladies of Sci Fi Expo attendee and secretary), interview by author, Orlando, Florida May 19, 2007.

[iv] Claudia Christian (author and actress, Babylon 5) in discussion with the author, May 19, 2007.

[v]  Torri Higginson (actress, Stargate: Atlantis) in discussion with the author, Orlando, Florida, May 19, 2007.

[vi] Higginson, discussion.

[vii] Higginson, discussion.

[viii] Brandy Ledford (actress, Andromeda, Whistler) in discussion with the author, Orlando, Florida, May 19, 2007.

[ix] Ledford, discussion.

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Ladies of Sci Fi Expo, Orlando, Fl. 2007 – Day 3

Day 3: Revelry from Saturday night’s Tiki Party made for late risers on the third day of the convention. Blurry-eyed fans slowly shuffled between the Dealer’s Room, photo ops, and speaker’s panels. As the first panelist of the day, an unlucky Nicole de Boer (Star Trek: Deep Space 9) caught the brunt of the audience’s hangover, with weary fans arriving throughout her presentation. Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: TNG) fared better, entertaining a room that was packed by the time she hit the stage. Sirtis kept the audience going with anecdotal stories of her time on Star Trek TNG, but then floundered with an off-color remark critical of Lesbians. The comment left the crowd silent, forcing Sirtis to retract it. Sirtis then admitted she should not have made such a remark, and acknowledged that there might be Lesbians in the audience. Both Sirtis and fans were eager to move on.
Alice Krige, the critically acclaimed Grand Dame of sci fi/fantasy film, noted for her roles in Chariots of Fire, Ghost Story, Silent Hill, and for her mesmerizing portrayal of the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact, captivated convention-goers with her ethereal presence. One imagines how effortlessly she must bring her characters to life. Regarding her portrayal of the Borg Queen, Krige said, “the contact lenses for the Borg Queen were laced with Chrome so that I could see out, but no one could see in. When I put them on, everyone gasped and stood back. The Borg Queen had suddenly come to life.” The crowd went wild, giving Krige an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Saturn Award winning actress, Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) looked remarkably refreshed after a long night of limbo dancing. Accused by some of playing it too safe at the Grand Slam convention, fans once again asked Sackhoff the million-dollar question, “Who of her co-stars on Battlestar Galactica is the best kisser?” In response, Sackhoff explained, “At the last con, I said my boyfriend, and then I said Tricia Helfer.” The audience loved it. She added, “No, I’ve never kissed Tricia. You kiss Trucco and you’re like…‘his [fiancée] is lucky.’ You kiss Jamie and you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s different, Karrie’s lucky’, [and] you kiss James and you’re like ‘Who would have thought! Wow!’” Fans exiting the hall were overheard expressing satisfaction with what one man called “the newbie.”

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Ladies of Sci Fi Expo, Orlando, Fl. 2007 – Day 2

Day 2: Claudia Christian, author, musician, and actress best known for her work in the cult classic movie The Hidden and in the science fiction series Babylon 5, was the first speaker. Asked about her beauty secrets, she said, “drink lots of water, get regular massages, drink lots of [sic] tea, and have lots of sex.” Assume she meant good sex. Claudia then wowed the audience with the tale of a stalker fan who shot her in the rib with a gun full of blanks at a convention. “As I lay on the ground,” Claudia said, “I thought ‘I don’t want to die with an epitaph that says here lies Claudia Christian, science fiction actress killed by a Tribble.” An exuberant, witty presenter with a keen sense of comedic timing, Claudia proved to be a tough act to follow.

During the day, Convention-goers were treated to an advanced screening of a surprisingly good fan video, a webisode series called Star Trek: New Voyages. Starring George Takai, the episode, “World Enough and Time,” continues Enterprise’s five-year mission of exploration and was filmed entirely by volunteers in a fan’s backyard. Given its high production values and use of CGI, it is sure to please. It can be found at http://www.newvoyages.com.

Late in the evening, the public was treated to a poolside Tiki Party. Funky chic Torri Higginson dazzled with some fierce dance moves while elegantly dressed Alice Krige and Vanessa Angel stood for photos with fans. In a surprising turn of events, Katee Sackhoff entered into a limbo competition…and placed second to a fan sporting Starbuck’s bowl haircut from BSG Season One. Said fan was spotted earlier in full BSG regalia. Well done, nuggets.

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Ladies of Sci Fi Expo, Orlando, Fl. 2007 – Day 1

Day 1: This week, Vulkon Entertainment hosted their first convention devoted entirely to women in science fiction television. The convention drew fans in large numbers from across the country. Guests included Torri Higginson, Claudia Christian, Brandy Ledford, Alice Krige, Marina Sirtis, Vanessa Angel, Katee Sackhoff, and Nicole de Boer.

Upon arrival, Klingons greeted guests and, perhaps unwittingly, steered them to the Klingon Lounge where mild threats, Romulan ale, and other libations were on tap as others shot a fan video in the Lounge. A group of Floridians called the KPV Ancient One co-organized the Klingon Lounge to coincide with the main convention. Their Captain, qahoime thlol rop, whose given name is Richard Woods, had this to say: “The Klingon Lounge is a nice alternative to the main convention. Fans can make new friends and mingle with old ones in a party-like environment.” Their XO, xeala thlol rop, Lydia Allyn, added, “It’s just good fun.” Good fun indeed. After a pint of ale and mild jesting, any traveler would feel right at home. Fans desiring a more genteel environment mingled at the equally successful Vulkon Dessert Party.

Klingon groups such as KPV Ancient One and USS Haven NCC-55459 exist primarily to promote fandom, but they also engage in community service by promoting a positive future for Humankind with their involvement in educational and charitable activities.

For more information about Central Florida Star Trek clubs, visit: http://www.kpvancientone.com/, http://usshaven.net/, or http://www.klingonlegion.com/ships/feklhrshoof/.

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