Deconstructing Woman

In 2006, the new drama Heroes enjoyed great success with audiences. Its superhero theme and archetypal characters appealed to many TV watchers bored with the ubiquitous detective and procedural programs that clog the airlines. In a recent article posted in the feminist blogosphere, Susie Hume gives an incisive feminist critique of Heroes and its treatment of gender roles. She discusses, in particular, the vulnerability and victim status of many of the female “heroes.”

In its first season, the show hit the small screen with the tagline, “Save the cheerleader. Save the world.” This, despite the fact that the cheerleader, Claire, undoubtedly possesses the greatest superpower of all: indestructibility.  It is, in fact, impossible to harm Claire. So why exactly must she be saved? Yet, regardless of Claire’s strength, the show’s male characters join together to do just that. Susie Hume notes:

Claire’s character is fraught with gender stereotypes. We first see Claire in the pilot through the screen of a handheld camera which “controls” her by making her captive to the small screen and also heightens the notion of her as an object for the male gaze (the camera is being operated by a male character, Zach). As a cheerleader she is almost always seen in her cheerleading uniform (short skirt with v-split and tight top) which puts her natural beauty at conflict with her unnatural power…While the male “heroes” are delighted with their new powers or generally feel blessed by them, Claire sees her new power as a curse; she is concerned with still appearing feminine and dainty and her power threatens that. When asked by Zach if she is being overdramatic, Claire responds emphatically, “No, I don’t think.” This sort of dialogue continues for Claire as she is portrayed as a mere object, incapable of real thought – her sole purpose, it seems, is to be “saved” by the other characters.”

For a full analysis of Heroes, visit Susie’s blog, The New F-Word:
http://the-new-f-word.blogspot.com/2006/12/feminist-critique-of-tv-show-heroes.html