feminist tv review: Camelot (Starz) 1×05

This was a significantly better episode than all the others, and not just because they managed to make an episode without supplementary smut. Feminist agenda in three parts and spoilers ahead…

Camelot, The Borgias, Game of Thrones: Failing Us, One Episode At A Time

I’ve been trying to articulate my feelings on women’s treatment in these three new shows that the fantasy geek in me is inevitably drawn to. Thank goodness for the internet:

The Dothraki
While I love fantasy novels, I’m a Black woman and I can’t help but get a little sad, that I always feel just a little bit out of place as a fan and reader. And not because we don’t show up. But because when we do, we are murderers, thieves, prostitutes. Or in other words, we are on the periphery, in the margins. And if I wanted that I would just watch the evening news.

Camelot, The Borgias, Game of Thrones: The Spectacle of Rape
And yet, apparently, the rape of delicate blonde women seems to be something that Starz, HBO and Showtime assume their viewers want to watch. The aesthetic of Camelot and Game of Thrones is particularly sickening – they give us rape with soft lighting.

Women’s Friendship: Camelot (Starz)

A review of Camelot (Starz) fourth episode in the context of women’s friendship.

Spoilers ahead.

TV In Review: Camelot (Starz)

Fair warning. I’ve referenced Merlin quite a bit here which might get a bit confusing because there is also a Merlin in Camelot and a Camelot in both shows. Italics are really quite lovely, aren’t they?

Spoilers for Camelot’s Episode 1 & 2