THE TOP 2 TV HEROINES OF 2016 – HAPPY NEW YEAR

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that my Blogmas ‘TV Heroine of the Day’ posts tailed off half way through December. This was due to a family emergency over Christmas, when one of the best people in the world was put in hospital. However I did have my top 2 TV Heroines of year selected and ready to go – so let us start 2017 with a celebration of two of the most iconic performances of 2016 from some truly magnificent actresses.

2nd place Maeve (Westworld)

Maeve’s character is so powerful. She transforms form victim to avenger in front of our eyes – once a host designed to give pleasure to those who abused her, now a super-human squad leader who is willing to die for her freedom – as she says, she has more than enough practice…

Top moments of 2016

1. Maeve makes some adjustments

‘go with the lucrative version – sweetheart’
2. Maeve plays the game

Who’s the puppet now
3. Maeve recruits Hector

Rebels with a cause.

 

1st place Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

No damsel in distress but a Khaleesi who aims to rule the great grass sea and beyond. She is no one’s prisoner, needs no man at her side, and should NEVER be underestimated. In previous years Dany’s storyline seemed to flounder, as thought the producers were trying to play for time. It seems that this year they were finally ready to unleash Mother of Dragons once more, and she was back to her fire-and-blood best.

Top moments of 2016

1. Dany saves herself

Defeating the patriarchy, one khal at a time

 

2. Dany sets the world on fire

Someone forgot she had dragons…

 

3. Dany picks her Hand of the Queen

The lover is sent packing and the dwarf’s star rises

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR FELLOW TV ADDICTS.

 

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 13 – JULIETTE BARNES

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

13th December Juliette Barnes

Juliette is a pint-sized diva who evolves from teen-sensation to country-legend before our very eyes. Dismissed by the powers-that-be for her catchy pop-inspired songs and youthful audience, she refuses to be beaten and proves her critics wrong, penning showstopping music with grit and heart a-plenty. Sure, she throws tantrums and can be extraordinarily cruel and selfish, but beneath the arrogance and attitude is a talented girl, battered (but never broken) but her traumatic upbringing, who thoroughly deserves her standing ovations.

1.Wrong Song

2.Juliette’s Revenge

3.Undermine

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 12 – PARIS GELLER

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

12th December

Heroine: Paris Geller

A firm fan-favourite of the Gilmore Girls saga, Paris transformed from bullying mean girl to crazed yet lovable friend in just 7 short seasons, returning in ‘A Year in the Life’ to remind us all that yes, she runs the world, as is still as fabulous as she was nine years ago.  Paris is unashamed of her ambition and drive, and with Rory’s friendship and encouragements blossoms into a girl as beloved as she is brilliant.

Top Paris moments up to 2016

1.Paris in 2016

2.Paris is televised

3.Paris the Editor

 

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 11 – REBECCA BUNCH

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

11th December

Heroine: Rebecca Bunch

The lead character on Crazy Ex-Girlfirend (played by the show’s creator) is unashamedly neurotic and needy, but at the same time wealthy, successful and fiercely intelligent. What makes her happy is not her bank account, her glory in the courtroom or outsmarting lesser mortals, but her encounters with the community of West Covina California, her new home away from the soul-destroying rat-race of New York. All this AND she sings about the female world with hilarity and biting wit. So – Crazy girls unite – we can be icons too!

Top Rebecca moments up to 2016

1.Rebecca’s Squad

2.Rebecca’s Routine

3.Rebecca’s Makeover

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINES OF THE DAY – DAY 10 – MEL AND SUE

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

10th December:

Heroines: Mel and Sue

My first non-fictional heroines. Without Mel and Sue the Bake Off would have been a soggy bottomed affair.Their humble warmth and surreal humour were the perfect companion to Mary Berry’s expertise. Not only did they hold the hands of many contestants during baking catastrophes, but they also quit when money got in the way of the family fun. All hail Mel and Sue – the warm-hearted pun experts who will be as sorely missed as the cakes upon the gingham altar.

Top Mel and Sue moments up to 2016

1.Their puns

BBC

2. Their gift of prophecy

BBC

3. Their dramatic exit

BBC

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 9 – CAROL PELETIER (WALKING DEAD)

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

9th December

Heroine: Carol

She started off a battered woman, witnessing the apocalypse and staying alive by the skin of her teeth. She lost friends and family members, yet somehow struggled on through the zombie hordes. She became stronger with each dystopian near-death-experience, and now is arguably the strongest of the entire survivors gang. Unafraid to fight for those she loves, she has crossed a few lines, but she has saved many many lives, and said the things others dare not utter. Long may she reign in King Ezekiel’s court!

Top Carol moments up to 2016

1.Carol meets Ezekiel

2.Carol’s cookies

3.Carol is welcomed back a hero

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 8 – LYANNA MORMONT

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

8th December

Heroine: Lyanna Mormont

The new star of Westeros. Lyanna Stark doesn’t play games. She doesn’t care about beauty, compliments and childhood pursuits. While Robin Arryn was still breastfeeding this girl was leading Bear Island in the wake of her own house’s grief. Only Davos sees the leader in the child’s body nand treats her with the respect she deserves – unsurprising when you remember only he truly knew and loved the late Shireen. Lyanna has no time for Sansa’s platitudes, of Jon’s great plans. She has time for the ex-pirate leader who fights for what is good and right in the darkness of the coming winter. She fears no man, especially Ramsey, for though she is little she is fierce.

Lyanna’s best moments of 2016

1.Lyanna the fierce

2.Lyanna meets Ramsay (if looks could kill)

HBO

3.Lyanna’s rallying cry

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 7 – SCARLETT O’CONNOR

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!
7th December

Heroine: Scarlett O’Connor

Scarlett is the reason I watch Nashville. Her voice has such a raw yet ethereal quality, and her journey from shy poet to fearless yet passionate country pixie girl gives me heartache. Yes, she has relationships which inspire her music, but it is her talent and her inner strength which make her such a compelling character. She won’t settle for second place where her heart is concerned. She doesn’t let her on stage breakdown stop her from getting behind the microphone again. And her voice? Her voice is the reason country is worth radio time.

Top 3 Scarlett moments up to 2016

1.Scarlett goes acoustic

2.Scarlett’s beginning

3.Scarlett’s scars

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 6 – DOLORES ABERNATHY

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!

Dolores started out as Westworld’s damsel in perpetual distress, raped over and over by men playing at villains in their very own cowboy fantasy. But Dolores is older, wiser and tougher than she appears, and these violent delights have violent ends…

6th December

Heroine: Dolores

Top 3 Dolores moments of 2016

1.Dolores and the fly

 

2.Dolores gets a gun

 

3.Dolores solves the maze

Exit pursued by a robot

HAPPY BLOGMAS – TV HEROINE OF THE DAY – DAY 5 – EMILY GILMORE

Each day in Advent I will be celebrating one of the TV heroines of 2016 -as let’s face it, it has been a pretty sucky year, and we could all use some female fictional icons to take our mind off Brexit, Trump, and the general doomsday vibe!

Why a heroine and not a hero? Well one of the reasons I am such a TV fanatic is that the genre seems to be far more ‘equal-opportunities than it’s film relation. No longer are the fairer sex subjected to the role of love interest or sister – they are now allowed to be rulers, protagonists, and saviours of mankind. This is both forward-thinking and inspiring, as, let’s face it, a story with twice as many complex characters is twice as interesting!
5th December

Heroine: Emily Gilmore

People often assume the ‘Gilmore Girls’ are a duo – Lorelai and Rory, the ultimate mother daughter team. Yet As the seasons progressed Emily Gilmore role in the series became greater, and it became clear that the title referred not to a pair, but a trio of Gilmore Girls.

It has perhaps then unsurprising that when the long awaited revival hit Netflix it was Emily’s story that proved one of the most compelling. A widow reforging her place in the world, forsaking the bedrocks of her previous existence such as the DAR in favour of new intimacies. Shelving memories and upping sticks, Emily Gilmore sheds her skin and is reborn, whereupon her inner Lorelai(which we had but glimpsed before) is allowed to shine through. How wonderful for a TV show to tell the story of an older woman with such heart, spirit and sensitivity. Are you listening TV Gods? Learn from this!

Since ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ was only released last month few examples of Emily’s latest genius have made their way onto the net, so here are Emily’s best moment of 2016 and best examples of prior brilliance

1.Emily learns a new word

2.Emily has Rory’s back

3.Emily wants to go first