Friday, March 15, 2013

My Weekend Crush

Regardless of where you fall on the Doccubus-Copubus-BLT Sandwich scale, I hope we can at least all agree that Rachel Skarsten is absolutely killing it this season. Like killing it dead with fire and fantastically funny facial expressions. It’s difficult for any actor to come into an established show and make a mark. Witness Ciara last season who was perfectly nice and a lovely distraction for wolfboy, but also – let’s be honest – boring. Yet Rachel has been able to make her mark and her character her own in less than a season on “Lost Girl.” Whether with an expertly furrowed brow or a perfectly timed zinger, Rachel has emerged in full command of her personality. And, separate from however you feel about whatever ship on the show, I think it’s always great when we’re given another strong, independent female character. Though, admittedly, I’ve always been a sucker for the smartasses.

Tamsin doesn’t suffer fools and, when needed, handles them with a mean right hook. Her confidence is unquestioned, her misanthropy is hilarious, but beneath it all she hides an enigmatic sadness. Which makes sense, it’s not exactly all kittens and cotton candy when your job is to decide who lives and dies on the field of battle. Any show that gives us not one (Bo), not two (Lauren), not three (Kenzi), but four (Tamsin) intelligent, powerful and memorable female characters whose existences do not revolve around men to root for should be applauded. I may not want her to ultimately end up with Bo (Doccubus4Lyfe, yo), but I certainly want her to stick around for a while. More strong female characters shouldn’t divide us (or, worse yet, bring up the oh-so-sexist specter of the catfight). They should be another reason to celebrate. Happy weekend, all.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say that I agree with all that you wrote. I am a Doccubus fan first and foremost, but am more than happy to have Bo get a little 'extra' from Tamsin, much more than I would be, were she getting any from Dyson.

It is indeed wonderful to see such strong and fleshed-out characters on a show. There are not many shows that you can count that have so many strong women, not to mention so many strong LGBT women.

The only thing I want from this show is for the end game NOT to be Bo and Dyson and then, quite frankly, I'll be a happy camper.

Happy Weekend to all!

ery said...

Completely agree! I'm loving Tamsin/Rachel and I definetely want her to be around past season 3. I'd rather her as a friend for Bo and honestly that's the only vibe I got so far. I definetely don't want her with a man let alone Dyson as it was speculated in the beginning, because lbr he's boring (I like Kris though) and she's so awesome I don't want it wasted on a man. lol Honestly, I don't think she needs to be romantically involved with anyone ever (why are people so obssessed with it?!) she needs friends/family more than anything, that's her dilemma (Bo's, Kenzi's and Lauren's too). She's a very layered character with possibilities for background and future stories and she definetely adds a lot in the present. I'd like her to replace Dyson for Bo's meal as a friend. Everyone wins this way. No threat to Doccubus, no need for her to go away and were done with the boring wolfboy and his cliche storylines. Let's stop the war people! Thanks, Dorothy!

Anonymous said...

You're a brave lass to sail these murky waters again, Dotty.

Lyn said...

I love Tamsin. I made a youtube vid, definitely shipping Bo and Tamsin.

If you wanna see my vid look up misstotos You Got Me on youtube.

Claire said...

What's really great is our four intelligent, powerful and memorable female characters are all distinct individuals with their own motives, goals, and personalities.

Heck, we can make it 5 if you count The Morrigan who pops up from time to time.

K & J said...

I agree!!!! At first I wasn't into her so much but now I love her!! Hope she sticks around for awhile.
Kara XO

Anonymous said...

Please go there, if by there you mean anything to do with LG, as often as you like. I so hope Tamsin is back next season...And yeah, I ship Docubus too but if this had been the original coupling for Bo, I'd be so much more into it....I love Tamsin while am just meh on Lauren. Getting ready for the Docuarmy to start attacking this comment section......let's just revel in the goodly girlness of the show shall we?? And just get along??

MJNuts said...

OMG, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR GOING THERE!!

Tamsin is a great character, I've loved her since day one and I'm really happy to see you put it into words so much better than I ever could. And I'm really happy that you're taking a stand for a great character regardless of shipping wars, speaks volumes of your integrity, professionalism and devotion to what you love.

You are an inspiration to me. Thanks for these amazing years of blogging!

Kaisa said...

Don't get too attached. I like her, I'm 95% sure she's going to die/disappear in the finale. It just seems like they're setting her up as this tragic figure that's probably going to sacrifice herself to save Bo or something. That's the vibe I'm getting, at least.

Kaisa said...

Don't get too attached. I like her, but I'm 95% sure she's going to die/disappear in the finale. It just seems like they're setting her up as this tragic figure that's probably going to sacrifice herself to save Bo or something. That's the vibe I'm getting, at least.

Mikal said...

Agreed!! I love the dynamic Rachel/ Tamsin brings to the show! There's so much love for her on the internuts already. The tumblr tags are going crazy with gifs and fan fics. Doccubus is sweet and amazing for LGBT visibility, but I can't help but turn my head towards Tamsin and Bo. I'm so conflicted.

By the way, majority are going with Valkubus as the term for Tam and Bo. Somehow the V sounds sexy.
What other words that start with V sound sexy..?
Valkyrie. Vagina.

Mahlers5th said...

Brace yourself: I'm going to disagree with one thing you wrote. It has nothing to do with whether Tasmin is or isn't hot, or sassy, or likable, or interesting, or a better match for Bo than Lauren. What I wondered about was your characterization of all four women as "strong." Many adjectives come to mind when I think about Kenzie -- funny, impish, adorable, provocative, fiercely loyal, street-smart, spunky, among others. But strong doesn't really pop to mind. There's actually something dependent and child-like about her. And damaged. You sense there's a boatload of fear and unresolved conflict behind all those cute quips. She's hiding out, avoiding something, not particularly self-aware. She's everybody's kid sister, mostly lovable, sometimes impossible. Everybody is fond of Kenzi and wants to protect her, but do you really see
anyone leaning on her? And then there's Tamsin. Would I want her by my side in a bar brawl? Absolutely. Can you rely on her for sassy comeback lines and putdowns? She's the best. Was she willing to stand up to the Morrigan? Toe-to-toe (though I have a theory about why the Morrigan seems to tolerate insolence and defiance from Tamsin and nobody else -- it has to do with the fact that what the Valkyrie are in Norse legend, the Mortrigan is in Celtic lore...you might even say they're related). But strong? I'd say she has a tough-girl veneer but it seems so obviously defensive and the hurt and sadness and loneliness are not far behind. She's a cypher. I see the bravado but I'm nit sure there's strength of character behind it.

I guess it depends on how you understand the word strong.

Anonymous said...

You've gotta dig a woman who takes out the big bad, dusts off her hands, and declares, "Let's get tanked."

Anonymous said...

No, Kenzi is NOT strong. She's whiny and annoying and not all that trustworthy and sometimes something of a simpleton. She's only strong in her attachment to Bo, but that's it.

thesaturnyear said...

Tamsin is quickly becoming my favorite character on Lost Girl. I'm just a sucker for the self-loathing loner type who hides behind a tough girl attitude and lots of snark but in reality is very lonely and just wants a friend/to be loved. Tamsin hits all those buttons, and then some. I hope she sticks around for season 4.

Anonymous said...

"You're a brave lass to sail these murky waters again, Dotty."

Indeed! :D

PD

maya said...

I wish there was a way to just "like" posts. But then again, I would just be "liking" all of them.Soooo, just consider all of your posts "liked".

Anonymous said...

Weekend crush? I'm afraid Rachel and Tamsin are going to occupy my mind for a whole lot longer than a weekend. Rachel is absolutely killing it as Tamsin. I'm hooked and can't get enough of her. Let's hope she's around for a while.

Anonymous said...

I like the fact that you write about Rachel Skarsten and Tamsin. Hope, you will continue to do that. However, concerning the Lost Girl recaps, I see that you write to please the fans, but not to express your vision. You're so afraid of losing readers? A lot of people love Tamsin, by the way.

Anonymous said...

Please, wright more about Rachel Skarsten! We should let Emily Andras know that we want Tamsin in season 4.