
So over the past week, I sat down and watched the first season of “Alphas” on Netflix. I do have to admit that I quickly fell in love with this show. Most of which has to do with the fact that all of the male characters on the show are awesome, charming, funny, and have some really kick ass powers.
But if you notice a key part of that last sentence, I only mentioned the male characters. What the hell is going on with their female characters?
Also, SPOILERS.
Let me start off by listing, categorically who everyone on this team actually is:
Dr. Lee Rosen is the leader of the team. He is actually not an Alpha, but instead he is a normal human that has been researching the Alpha phenomenon for decades. He is the main contact between his team and the Department of Defense. His interest in Alphas began when his daughter (Danielle, we’ll get to her later) turned out to have abilities that he could not explain scientifically. He’s a really smart guy, loves rock and roll and an avid swimmer. Looks great in a Speedo.
Dr. Lee Rosen is the leader of the team. He is actually not an Alpha, but instead he is a normal human that has been researching the Alpha phenomenon for decades. He is the main contact between his team and the Department of Defense. His interest in Alphas began when his daughter (Danielle, we’ll get to her later) turned out to have abilities that he could not explain scientifically. He’s a really smart guy, loves rock and roll and an avid swimmer. Looks great in a Speedo.
![]() |
Male power fantasy. |
Cameron Hicks is not only a spitting image of Josh Holloway, but he’s also developed the ability to have hyper accuracy. It let him pitch two consecutive perfect games in minor league baseball, but it also led him to be manipulated by “The Ghost” (the villain of the pilot episode) and Cameron killed a federal witness by shooting him in the head…from across the street…through an air duct…on something like the 16th floor. He joined the team to avoid prosecution.
Bill Harkin is a former FBI agent, put on disciplinary leave after he broke a co-workers clavicle in a scuffle. He has the ability to control his fight or flight response and can cause his adrenaline to surge, giving him super strength and super speed. He breaks stuff and effectively Hulks out. In my mind he learned how to harness his abilities while training for a bobsled team from Jamaica.
Gary Bell is known as a “transducer” and can perceive electromagnetic wavelengths, allowing him to tap into cellular signals, security camera footage and track the signal. He is also autistic, a 32 on the CARs scale, according to Gary. He’s by far my favorite character mostly because his power is the most original to me and the guy is one of the funnier (relief) characters on the show.
![]() |
Bras. Invest in one. |
Which leads me to the women on the team. There are two. Rachel and Nina. Rachel has the ability to hone her senses to a molecular level, she can see DNA, not kidding. She also can detect smells, trace elements of explosives, but most notably heartbeats, allowing her to tell how many people are in a given area.
Nina has the ability to “push” people, or influence them to do her bidding. She is regarded as the most troubled of the team.
The way that Nina and Rachel are portrayed on the show goes as follows: “I’m a spoiled brat and she’s a germaphobe.” This makes them simultaneously the most manipulative and insecure characters (respectively) on the entire team.
Not to mention in season 2, I haven’t seen this I’ve only heard about it, apparently Nina goes off the reservation and “pushes” Rachel to have a lesbian make out scene with her.
W…T….F?
The men of the Alphas team have powers that fit their personas. Masculinity, hyperaccuracy from being a soldier, the ability to tap into technology on a whim; so what are the creators saying about women when they make them manipulative and so self conscious that they can’t even stand up to their parents. In this case the parents thing is taken a step further because Rachel is of Indian descent.
Insert stereotypical father figure trying to marry off his daughter…again, not kidding.
What I find so interesting about this show is that they let the powers reflect so closely the personalities and the stereotypes of the characters that they’ve inserted into this team. But it also bothers me, because I don’t get what message they’re trying to say about these people or gender roles in society.
Nina is a decent enough person, we hear a lot about her troubled past, maybe helping someone to commit suicide with her power, but overall she’s not a bitch, but her power to me says, “women are manipulative”.
Rachel isn’t much better. She’s always second guessing herself, is submissive to basically everyone on the team and is a clean freak.
I get that characters need to arc, they need to grow, and in all likelihood these two women will grow out of these terrible archetypes and become something much better.
But really showrunners? That’s where you started? You’re supposed to avoid stuff like this, not embrace it willingly and then just expect me to wait around for you to prove to me you’ve got something to say about females and how they contribute in this world.
And you really didn’t help yourselves out when you made two of the season 1 villains female. One who basically runs a terrorist organization and the other who assassinates people for money.
Then Rosen’s daughter (I said we’d get to her) shows up, turns out to be a drug addict, and is now shown to be working for the terrorist organization as a double agent.
REALLY?!
There are plenty of villains on the show that are men. In fact percentage wise I still think guys hold the advantage on this end. But you’re sending a message “Alphas”, and so far I can’t say that it’s a good one. Luckily for you I’m basically enthralled with your “X-Men-but-not-X-Men” style, so you’ve hooked me, but you need to hold yourself to a higher standard, because this shit is getting ridiculous.
Summer Glau guest starring and being generally beautiful/awesome, however, is NOT ridiculous.
Dan Ingram works in television (but not the fun part) and has his Master's in Screenwriting from New York Film Academy. If he had a superpower, it would be the ability to always know where Ryan Reynolds is. True story.
Since I find Nina and Rachel's powers so fascinating and the kind of stuff that could be mined for a long time (if the show hadn't of been cancelled) I felt like the females were the lucky ones.
ReplyDeleteI wondered more if Bill having the "physically strong" power was a little racist.
I really loved reading your blog. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
ReplyDeleteScarymazegames.co
iogamez.com
moncler is the title of this blog. This title is a best and an exceptional title for the perusers. All the perusers will value this blog as hydrafacial portland destinations. I wish to scrutinize this blog and solicitation that other read it.
ReplyDeletewww.2012lvworkshop.com is the affiliation that can be shared by methods for electronic frameworks organization media to drive this blog. I wish to value the convept of public speaking coach which is looked for cover behind this blog. This is a best blog.
ReplyDeleteDissertation Writing Service UK through UK Writing Experts is undoubtedly the satisfactory platform when you are in need for custom essays.
ReplyDeleteyourself into their normal client and afterward sow how quick and well this achievement recipe works for you. Simply attempt with their for a week and see
ReplyDeletethe outcome. Fun Bikes Discount code You will essentially battle to satisfy needs of individuals from that point.
Can Someone Do My Class Online For Me? Can I Pay Someone To Take My Class Online For Me? Try Us! Best Mentors Online is the best Online Class Help Company for you!
ReplyDeleteWant to Pay someone to take my online class for me? We are the leading online class help provider that guarantees excellent grades.
ReplyDeleteSuperior Essays offers #1 Essay Writing Service with highly qualified Essay Writers. Get Essay Help Online UK with in your budget!
ReplyDeleteGet help from reliable Dissertation writing Services UK to hire a dedicated dissertation writer. Get dissertation help near me for a complete write-up or a chapter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAmazing information article. Thanks for sharing it.! B2B Marketplace
ReplyDeleteappreciated such a great amount for this data. I want to know about the Discount Vouchers
ReplyDeleteThe best VPN service in 2021. PureVPN leads the industry with its massive network of 2,000 encrypted VPN servers, 300,000 anonymous IPs, lightning fast speeds. optimal compatibility with 25 devices, industry's first 31-day refund guarantee, and more
ReplyDeleteReally incredible blog
ReplyDeleteVisit: household tasks
Valuable Blog 👇
ReplyDeleteWeb design companies in Australia
This article is attempting to depict how today different wellness applications are assisting individuals with carrying on with a sound and lively life. As it were, it likewise legitimizes that building up an application for wellness is the correct sort of speculation for you now. Pay Someone To Do My Assignment
ReplyDeleteWatching a movie set is my biggest wish ever, I would be very happy if you or someone else would give me such an invitation. Thanks for this great sharing here. Assignment Writing Service
ReplyDeleteDownload sonic dash 2 mod apk and many Games & Apps with ApkReach downloader. Premium Android Apps Easily Search and download millions of original modded and premium APK apps and games for free.
ReplyDeleteThanks and everything is shared in this blog in an unique way. keep it up. Grs certification
ReplyDeleteOn Netflix, I sat down and watched the first season of "Alphas." I must admit that I rapidly became enamoured with this show. The majority of this has to do with the fact Law Coursework Help that all of the show's male characters are wonderful, charming, witty, and have some seriously badass abilities.
ReplyDeleteGary Bell is known as a "transducer" and can see electromagnetic frequencies, permitting him to take advantage of cell signals, surveillance camera film and track the sign. Essay Writing Service Uk, He is likewise mentally unbalanced, a 32 on the CARs scale, as per Gary. He's by a wide margin my number one person for the most part since his force is the most unique to me and the person is one of the more amusing characters on the show.
ReplyDeleteOn Netflix, I plunked down and watched the primary period of "Alphas." I should concede that I quickly became fascinated with this show. Most of this has to do with the reality Custom Assignment Writing Service that the entirety of the show's male characters are brilliant, beguiling, clever, and have some truly boss capacities.
ReplyDeletethe head of the group. He is really not an Alpha, Write My Essay For Me Cheap but rather he is an ordinary human that has been investigating the Alpha marvel for quite a long time. He is the primary contact between his group and the Division of Guard.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I was thinking that I am the only one who has fallen in love with this show. Although I have not seen it completely because for some days, I got busy finding Accounting Dissertation writing service for my dissertation, but this show is only to be loved even from the starting.
ReplyDeleteWhether you looking to buy a cheap glasses online or treat yourself to a pair of reading glasses by goggles 4 u, you’ll get the quality from our excellent customer service team.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLatest Job in Karachi updates Jobs in Pakistan Newspapers jobs from all Diurnal Urdu and English Govt openings with again published on regular base. You can also view jobs in Pakistan through journals in Education department for Manly and Womanish, Accounting, Medical and Finance, Information Technology IT Jobs in Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad. We updatelist of government Newspapers Jobs, Everyday published Review job openings post and posted by our group of musketeers.
ReplyDelete