Better later than never forever: on today’s episode Erin introduces us to the fantasy classic The Last Unicorn. We identify with Molly Grue far too much, and talk about the transition from childhood to adult concerns. Also featured: a deep dive into the symbolism of Beagle’s original text, along with lots of love for rosy-cheeked skeletons and unicorn ladies.
Content warning: discussions of self-harm, sexual violence, and emo rock’s history of women’s exploitation. We unearth 2009’s Jennifer’s Body to examine its feminist legacy and failures, and have an in-depth discussion on the objectification of women’s trauma through multiple media sources. A decade later we’re reclaiming the word “salty” to mean beautiful (thanks, Diablo Cody).
Who’s a Daddy? The only correct answer lies in the 90’s cartoon Gargoyles. Return guest Chelsea (@corseque on Tumblr and @northgalis on Twitter) helps us with the obvious answer as we celebrate the most formative of monster kinks. Bat-wings, Shakespearian drama, genetic-tech, and global folklore abound in this amazing show that deserves all the accolades it gets.
Kirsty of Scavenger’s Hoard returns to the show, where we discuss Elizabeth Gaskell’s Victorian social novel North and South. Beta-read by Charles Dickens, this novel and its 2006 BBC adaptation prompt a full-blown discussion of unions, worker’s rights, and Richard Armitage’s furrowed brow. Join us in waxing poetic on these class-crossed lovers.
What’s better than ranting about Pandora for two hours? Reminiscing about the Earth’s eventual demise (and our exposure to it) thanks to a children’s movie! The harpies take a trip back in time to discuss the environmental message of FernGully and its overhyped male-gaze remake, Avatar, with a focus on ecological preservation and a generous disdain for the white saviour narrative.
It’s 2019 and the world is a dystopian nightmare defined by capitalistic decay and the struggle to empathize with one’s fellow man (and woman). Join us in the future we already know, just less cool looking, as we talk about Blade Runner and our frustration with Blade Runner 2049 from the perspective of a feminine audience. Spoiler alert: Nat gets drunk on wine and Shi does her best robot impersonation yet.
Nuttiness ensues as we talk the lore of E.T.A. Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and its subsequent ballet, film, and book adaptations. We also take a trip to the technopunk fairyland of Claire Legrand’s 2014 YA novel Winterspell. Be prepared for hero-villain romances, Drosselmeyer wank, Rat King thirst and bisexual rep done right as we settle in for the holidays.
