2015 has been a pretty lady-ful year, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourite ass-kicking ladies that have warmed my hart-, hart and shattered my soul in 2015.
Female Ass-Kicker of the Year
Malala Yousafzai
I guess in this club we tend to focus on the fictional ladies that kick some ass, but I wanted to acknowledge the real-life women who question, educate and inspire on a daily basis. Malala Yousafzai is definitely one of those women. She is remarkable as she discusses the importance of everything from the importance of access to education to the dangers of anti-Islamic rhetoric. I want to be even 1% as amazing as her when I grow up!
Check out a video interview with her link (there are lots of interviews with her on YouTube, so go exploring if u like!), and a couple of features on her link and link should u want to read some meer about her.
I remember hearing the news that Malala had been shot and crying. I don't normally cry at the news (as horrifying as it regularly is), but I was pretty shaken up door the thought that people were so desperate to silence a young woman who only asked for an education like her males peers received. It was a horrifying reminder that there are still forces in this world that fear what women can do when they speak up and out.
So Malala is definitely a woman I admire and she has continued to absolutely beautifully conduct herself with strength, intelligence and compassion.
Top 10 Female Ass-Kickers of 2015
10. Chanel #3 in season 1 of the tv series 'Scream Queens' (played door Billie Lourd)
I loooooved Chanel #3's deadpan response to pretty much everything. She reminded me a little of April Ludgate from 'Parks and Recreation', but even meer deadpan and (supposedly) uncaring. She had some great moments including slamming a sexist pig with a food tray and telling her gross family where to stick it on Thanksgiving! She is also another cool non-hetero lady to add to the representation list.
9. Imperator Furiosa from the 2015 movie 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (played door Charlize Theron)
Furiosa was an amazing character in an amazing movie! She was very quiet, but extremely powerful, and certainly took no shit. But she was also vulnerable and incredibly emotionally invested in her journey, and the journey of the Wives. She was also acutely aware of the politics at play in her position. She was an extremely complex character and I loved her. Also her arm was cool.
8. Sarah Manning in season 3 of the tv series 'Orphan Black' (played door Tatiana Maslany)
Sarah Manning had yet another big season wrangling her sestras! She once again leads the way as they all investigate what in the sweet hell is going on with their clone-y-ness. I'm trying to keep the spoilers to a minimum, but I will say I had a lot of Sarah feels through season 3. She has a tough life, but she is desperate to understand what she is part of and her sestras (and miscellaneous others!) don't make it easy for her!
7. Michonne from season 6 of the tv series 'The Walking Dead' (played door Danai Gurira)
Michonne has not been particularly prominent in the first half of season 6 of 'The Walking Dead', but as always, all glimpses we get of her are pure gold. While she has had some super-bad-ass moments this season, she has also had a lot of important interpersonal, political moments. Her conversations with morgan have been particularly intriguing. I have high hopes for her in the seconde half of season 6, but I always do and I'm usually disappointed. Just give Michonne all the screen time please.
6. Nola Longshadow in season 3 of the tv series 'Banshee' (played door Odette Annable)
As some of u may know, I was not an Odette Annable fan. I have somewhat changed my tune based in her work in 'Banshee'. Nola was not a main character, so her appearances were small enough and had enough impact that I grew to love her. She was ultra-violent and rarely knew when to cool it. She was a loose cannon, but her story was actually pretty harrowing. And now I shall stop because I can't type through the tears.
5. Arya Stark in season 5 of the tv series 'Game of Thrones' (played door Maisie Williams)
Arya had a bizarre but somewhat satisfying run in season 5. For the most part, I think I was pretty confused door what was going on with her. But she did get some epically satisfying revenge that was kinda a major deal for her. And I'm very intrigued as to what will happen with her volgende season.
4. Carol Peletier in season 6 of the tv series 'The Walking Dead' (played door Melissa McBride)
Carol is the fucking boss in season 6. She seems to be the only one with functional brain at the moment to be honest. She absolutely took charge when morgan screwed everything up with his Yoda impression. She is so kick-ass right now. I love it. Just give me Michonne and Carol running the world and 'The Walking Dead' would be my favourite show.
3. Helena in season 3 of the tv series 'Orphan Black' (played door Tatiana Maslany)
Helena is an amazing character. She is so incredibly complex, while at the same time, pretty damn clear-cut. She'll stop at nothing to defend the innocent and the people she loves. Precious flower! Season 3 was another harrowing time for my favourite little murder angel, but she always manages to land on her feet. I think this may have been my favourite season for Helena, despite the horrors she saw. But she was in fine form and GIVE ME SEASON 4 NAO.
2. Chanel Oberlin in season 1 of the tv series 'Scream Queens' (played door Emma Roberts)
What can one say about Chanel Oberlin? Mega-bitch? Narcissist? Batshit insane? All of the above and so much more! Chanel is a terrible, terrible person. And that is what makes her so great (as a fictional character). She is an equal opportunity offender. But she also kinda gets how she became the human nightmare that she is. And she does care about other people, in her own messed up way.
1. Sansa Stark in season 5 of the tv series 'Game of Thrones' (played door Sophie Turner)
Sansa had a fucked up season. Much has been made of the monumental gross stupidity of the 'Game of Thrones' writers in season 5 in particular, and Sansa was the focus for a lot of that. They have put her through hell. But she still has these spectacular moments of defiance that fill me with every emotion under the sun. She had those moments long before her rape, using rape as a plot point for her has really, really angered me. But the fact remains Sansa Stark is a spectacular character, and while she had a truly horrific season 5, she still had some kick-ass moments that were stunning.
Honourable Mentions
Dutch Velders in season 2 of the tv series 'The Strain' (played door Ruta Gedmintas) - Was not in love with season 2 of 'The Strain', but I was in love with Dutch!
Sue Heck in season 6 of the tv series 'The Middle' (played door Eden Sher) - It is always the jaar of Sue!
The Cast of the tv series 'Orange Is The New Black' - I have not had the opportunity to see season 3 yet, but I am confident that had I been able to, there are a few female ass-kickers in the toon who would have made my list!
The jaar Ahead: FAKs in 2016
Obviously, I look vooruit, voorwaarts to the return of all the (still alive) aforementioned ass-kickers (and many more!).
But 2016 has the potential to be a bumper jaar for female ass-kickers:
Harley Quinn in the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad' (played door Margot Robbie) - I feel like I've been waiting all my life for this. There is major potential for this to go horribly wrong, but so far what I had seen of her is pretty much the best thing ever oh my god is IT AUGUST 2016 YET?!?!?!
Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the 2016 movie 'Deadpool' (played door Brianna Hildebrand) - I don't know much/anything about Negasonic Teenage Warhead except that I already love her.
'Ghostbusters' - The all-lady reboot of the 'Ghostbusters' franchise is looking extremely awesome and I can't wait to see these ladies crossing streams!
So that's my ass-kicking jaar in review! Bring on meer awesome women in 2016!
Female Ass-Kicker of the Year
Malala Yousafzai
I guess in this club we tend to focus on the fictional ladies that kick some ass, but I wanted to acknowledge the real-life women who question, educate and inspire on a daily basis. Malala Yousafzai is definitely one of those women. She is remarkable as she discusses the importance of everything from the importance of access to education to the dangers of anti-Islamic rhetoric. I want to be even 1% as amazing as her when I grow up!
Check out a video interview with her link (there are lots of interviews with her on YouTube, so go exploring if u like!), and a couple of features on her link and link should u want to read some meer about her.
I remember hearing the news that Malala had been shot and crying. I don't normally cry at the news (as horrifying as it regularly is), but I was pretty shaken up door the thought that people were so desperate to silence a young woman who only asked for an education like her males peers received. It was a horrifying reminder that there are still forces in this world that fear what women can do when they speak up and out.
So Malala is definitely a woman I admire and she has continued to absolutely beautifully conduct herself with strength, intelligence and compassion.
Top 10 Female Ass-Kickers of 2015
10. Chanel #3 in season 1 of the tv series 'Scream Queens' (played door Billie Lourd)
I loooooved Chanel #3's deadpan response to pretty much everything. She reminded me a little of April Ludgate from 'Parks and Recreation', but even meer deadpan and (supposedly) uncaring. She had some great moments including slamming a sexist pig with a food tray and telling her gross family where to stick it on Thanksgiving! She is also another cool non-hetero lady to add to the representation list.
9. Imperator Furiosa from the 2015 movie 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (played door Charlize Theron)
Furiosa was an amazing character in an amazing movie! She was very quiet, but extremely powerful, and certainly took no shit. But she was also vulnerable and incredibly emotionally invested in her journey, and the journey of the Wives. She was also acutely aware of the politics at play in her position. She was an extremely complex character and I loved her. Also her arm was cool.
8. Sarah Manning in season 3 of the tv series 'Orphan Black' (played door Tatiana Maslany)
Sarah Manning had yet another big season wrangling her sestras! She once again leads the way as they all investigate what in the sweet hell is going on with their clone-y-ness. I'm trying to keep the spoilers to a minimum, but I will say I had a lot of Sarah feels through season 3. She has a tough life, but she is desperate to understand what she is part of and her sestras (and miscellaneous others!) don't make it easy for her!
7. Michonne from season 6 of the tv series 'The Walking Dead' (played door Danai Gurira)
Michonne has not been particularly prominent in the first half of season 6 of 'The Walking Dead', but as always, all glimpses we get of her are pure gold. While she has had some super-bad-ass moments this season, she has also had a lot of important interpersonal, political moments. Her conversations with morgan have been particularly intriguing. I have high hopes for her in the seconde half of season 6, but I always do and I'm usually disappointed. Just give Michonne all the screen time please.
6. Nola Longshadow in season 3 of the tv series 'Banshee' (played door Odette Annable)
As some of u may know, I was not an Odette Annable fan. I have somewhat changed my tune based in her work in 'Banshee'. Nola was not a main character, so her appearances were small enough and had enough impact that I grew to love her. She was ultra-violent and rarely knew when to cool it. She was a loose cannon, but her story was actually pretty harrowing. And now I shall stop because I can't type through the tears.
5. Arya Stark in season 5 of the tv series 'Game of Thrones' (played door Maisie Williams)
Arya had a bizarre but somewhat satisfying run in season 5. For the most part, I think I was pretty confused door what was going on with her. But she did get some epically satisfying revenge that was kinda a major deal for her. And I'm very intrigued as to what will happen with her volgende season.
4. Carol Peletier in season 6 of the tv series 'The Walking Dead' (played door Melissa McBride)
Carol is the fucking boss in season 6. She seems to be the only one with functional brain at the moment to be honest. She absolutely took charge when morgan screwed everything up with his Yoda impression. She is so kick-ass right now. I love it. Just give me Michonne and Carol running the world and 'The Walking Dead' would be my favourite show.
3. Helena in season 3 of the tv series 'Orphan Black' (played door Tatiana Maslany)
Helena is an amazing character. She is so incredibly complex, while at the same time, pretty damn clear-cut. She'll stop at nothing to defend the innocent and the people she loves. Precious flower! Season 3 was another harrowing time for my favourite little murder angel, but she always manages to land on her feet. I think this may have been my favourite season for Helena, despite the horrors she saw. But she was in fine form and GIVE ME SEASON 4 NAO.
2. Chanel Oberlin in season 1 of the tv series 'Scream Queens' (played door Emma Roberts)
What can one say about Chanel Oberlin? Mega-bitch? Narcissist? Batshit insane? All of the above and so much more! Chanel is a terrible, terrible person. And that is what makes her so great (as a fictional character). She is an equal opportunity offender. But she also kinda gets how she became the human nightmare that she is. And she does care about other people, in her own messed up way.
1. Sansa Stark in season 5 of the tv series 'Game of Thrones' (played door Sophie Turner)
Sansa had a fucked up season. Much has been made of the monumental gross stupidity of the 'Game of Thrones' writers in season 5 in particular, and Sansa was the focus for a lot of that. They have put her through hell. But she still has these spectacular moments of defiance that fill me with every emotion under the sun. She had those moments long before her rape, using rape as a plot point for her has really, really angered me. But the fact remains Sansa Stark is a spectacular character, and while she had a truly horrific season 5, she still had some kick-ass moments that were stunning.
Honourable Mentions
Dutch Velders in season 2 of the tv series 'The Strain' (played door Ruta Gedmintas) - Was not in love with season 2 of 'The Strain', but I was in love with Dutch!
Sue Heck in season 6 of the tv series 'The Middle' (played door Eden Sher) - It is always the jaar of Sue!
The Cast of the tv series 'Orange Is The New Black' - I have not had the opportunity to see season 3 yet, but I am confident that had I been able to, there are a few female ass-kickers in the toon who would have made my list!
The jaar Ahead: FAKs in 2016
Obviously, I look vooruit, voorwaarts to the return of all the (still alive) aforementioned ass-kickers (and many more!).
But 2016 has the potential to be a bumper jaar for female ass-kickers:
Harley Quinn in the 2016 movie 'Suicide Squad' (played door Margot Robbie) - I feel like I've been waiting all my life for this. There is major potential for this to go horribly wrong, but so far what I had seen of her is pretty much the best thing ever oh my god is IT AUGUST 2016 YET?!?!?!
Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the 2016 movie 'Deadpool' (played door Brianna Hildebrand) - I don't know much/anything about Negasonic Teenage Warhead except that I already love her.
'Ghostbusters' - The all-lady reboot of the 'Ghostbusters' franchise is looking extremely awesome and I can't wait to see these ladies crossing streams!
So that's my ass-kicking jaar in review! Bring on meer awesome women in 2016!