I'd say there are far fewer fictional shows out there that adequately, rather than inadequately, reflect the real trials in life as a woman, but there are some. Cristina Yang from Grey's Anatomy and Laverne Cox (mostly known from her role as Sophia Burset on Orange is the New Black) are respectable and real to me.
However, the first character my mind initially gravitated to is Carol from the Walking Dead, one, because I love that show, and two, because she's a true "bad ass" woman. *Side note- please don't read my appraisal of Carol below if you only read the comics, because she is quite different in those, and I would not classify her in the same way as I am about to from her role in the series.
Carol started the show as an abused wife and mother who was pretty much completely dependent upon her husband's decisions. After the crew had trouble searching for her lost daughter Sophia, viewers looked at her as the "weak link," and many suspected she would be killed by the end of the first, if not second, season. Yet, she lasted all the way into season six (well, that's where I am at, so shhhh if she dies, please).
Carol transforms from a passive character who lacks confidence and a voice into a strong, sensible female leader who saves Rick's gang even after she's kicked out a couple of seasons later.
We first see Carol's sense of strength when she asks if she can kill her husband (after he was bitten, of course) in season one. She repeatedly stabs him and it's evident she's asserted herself into a new role, one that is more independent and fearless. After that, she guides her daughter (for a short period of time before her daughter "runs away") and she figures out how to survive as a person, not just a female, in this new post apocalyptic world.
While Carol suffered extreme loss, as most females (heck, most everyone) in this world do, she learns to embrace her setbacks and comes out strong. She doesn't sleep around with the leaders of the new world like Andrea and Rick's wife did with the Governor and Shane in order to rise to the top. Carol does encounter rough situations and needs to make tough decisions throughout the seasons. Remember when Carol had to shoot the child Lizzie because she was a threat to everyone? Talk about pulling at a "female's heartstrings."
No, Carol does not fit the mold of an enlightened sexist female. She fits into her own category: strong, determined to survive, and logical. Those are characteristics any person, no matter the gender, would be happy to have. And so far, Carol is the only surviving original female since season one. I'm crossing my fingers this streak continues!
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