A Tribute to the Kick-Ass Women of Supernatural – Part 2
“Kick-Ass Women” was the first article I wrote for The WFB. It had been stirring in my mind for a long time before I took the leap to write it. It was a worthy topic. Of course, time doesn’t stand still so we have gotten some new female cast arrivals since then, so it is time to update “Part One”.
Some things have changed since I wrote the first article. For example, characters that were left out have become more important and deserve to be added. Some of them might not get another chance to surprise us as characters while others I hope have several surprises left in them. I will start the article with the same words as before because they are as fitting now as they were then. So, on with the show!
I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass. — Maya Angelou
I should probably start at the beginning to explain why I wanted to make this article. First, Supernatural has lots of good, women characters. Second, I wanted to walk down memory lane to remind us about those that we may have forgotten.
A few have passed away but a few are still alive and kicking. Usually in Supernatural, men, women, children and even animals don’t ‘live to see another day’. If they do, then they lose or have lost a family member. The rule is that everybody dies, even the main cast. I am happy that some survive but sad when some are lost. If you make it out alive in a Supernatural episode, then that is already a miracle.
Strenght comes in many ways, whether it is a mother’s, sister’s or daughters love for one another or strength to go against all odds and do the right thing no matter what the cost might be. Strength could also be to live on when they are struck by great grief or loss and they feel they can’t. These women did that and more.
What is my prefered Kick-ass woman you ask? You might say that I don’t have the usual taste in them. The ones I prefer are strong in body and mind and they are formidable fighters. My idols are Ellen Ripley (Aliens), Sarah Connor (Terminator), Xena (Xena the Warrior Princess), Brienne of Tarth (Game of Thrones) for example. So you might see a resemblance for that taste on my Supernatural list. Some of them are clear choices that we all remember and some of them not so much.
Now, let’s start with the definition of Kick-ass as described by The Dictionary of American Slang:
Kick-ass
adjective, Slang.
1. strikingly or overwhelmingly tough, aggressive, powerful, or effective:Slang definitions & phrases for kick-ass
kick-ass, adjective, (also kick-butt or kick-yer-ass) Rough; powerful; rough-ass, tough: that kick-ass attitude/ gave up its last drop of kick-ass Gewurztraminer/ the only team without a kick-butt run blocker on their line
I divided the women into 3 categories. At the end of the article is my choice for #1 the Kick-ass winner.
1. Recently deceased
First, she was introduced to us as a geek that was working for Dick Roman. Because of that she was introduced to Sam and Dean and the hunting life. She was searching for adventure and her own place in the world. The Winchesters grew to be her brothers. She had her adventure, met some girls and with her last act she helped her non-blood brothers find the answer to ‘decurse’ the MoC. If truth be told, her last sacrifice and the fact that she died helping the two she regarded as family made me choose her for this list. So Charlie grew on me and I am so sad she is gone. She meant a lot to the boys.
“Saving people, hunting things, the family business? I am down. But I was raised on Tolkien, man. I mean, where is all this? Where are my White Walkers and my volcano and magic ring to throw in the damn thing? Where’s my quest? – 9.04 Slumber Party
Known status: Deceased
Seen: 7.20 The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo, 8.11 LARP and the Real Girl, 8.20 Pac-Man Fever, 9.04 Slumber Party, 10.11 There’s No Place Like Home, 10.18 Book of the Damned, 10.21 Dark Dynasty, 10.22 The Prisoner
We only had her for two episodes but she made a good impression on me right from the start. What is with this show and its female cops? What ever it is, I hope it continues. She was strong through crisis and when she was being patched up. Even when she knew nothing about raising kids, she decided to take the newborn under her wing. Unfortunately her time with us didn’t last long. I am sad she needed to die along with her grandmother.
“This job is supposed to be saving people.” – 11.01 Out of the Darkness
Known status: Deceased
Seen: 11.01 Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire, 11.02 Form and Void
Also played: Emily in 7.22 There Will Be Blood.
It is hard to say when Hannah grew on me but when “she” finally died I noticed that I did mourn her passing. She helped Castiel and became the ruler of the angels. She could keep the peace for a while, but not until she chose to release the vessel and understood humans did I really like her. Even if angels don’t have gender, I refer her as female because of her vessel. Also, like Castiel she is one of the few angels that has had both gender vessels and for some reason I really like that. Hannah’s last act like we know was to defend Cas from the other angels and unfortunately she lost her life in that battle.
“Being on Earth, working with you. I felt things, human things — passions, hungers. To shower, feel water on my skin, to get closer to you. But all of that was nothing compared to what I felt when I saw him. Her husband, his anger and his grief. Caroline was inside me screaming out for him, for her life back. These feelings they aren’t for me, for us. They belong to her. I know it’s time to step aside… Goodbye Castiel.” – 10.07 Girls, Girls, Girls
Known status: Deceased
Seen: 9.18 Meta Fiction, 9.22 Stairway to Heaven, 9.23 Do You Believe in Miracles?, 10.01 Black, 10.02 Reichenbach, 10.03 Soul Survivor, 10.07 Girls, Girls, Girls, 10.17 Inside Man, 11.02 Form and Void
All she wanted to do was to get her family back together. She was searching for Cas but because she was captured, her daughter was alone in the wind. Her daughter meant the most to her and she died protecting her family. Also she hung on for many years while her life/soul were being sucked out of her. Now, she is at peace.
“I was dreaming. This whole time, I was dreaming… of finding Jimmy, of putting my family back together. You’re not him anymore. I can tell.” – 10.20 Angel Heart
Known status: Deceased
Seen: 4.20 The Rapture, 10.20 Angel Heart
We knew her only for one episode but still she made quite an impression on me. I mean this lady survived and guarded the machine from people that killed her whole family. She tried to do that for the Winchesters too when Sam opened the box but she didn’t get them out in time. The guilt that happened was too great for her, so she fell to the vision that the wretched machine gave her.
“Yeah, don’t bother. You got three choices – get arrested, get your bits blown off, or get back.” – 10.19 The Werther Project
Known status: Deceased
Seen: 10.19 The Werther Project
I enjoyed this article the first time and enjoyed your updates. I do have to say that Billie made a great first impression. I am looking forward to her next appearances. I will always have a fondness for Ellen she might be my favorite female character so far in the series. Honorable mentions to Charlie and Jodi.
It was good time to update it. Characters might change and also we are getting new characters to add to the list. Also the more episodes we get the more our view of the character might change. Like with me few characters are not out yet fully from the muddy waters but their direction is better. One is still on hold even if I do like the character better “Rowena”. But Billie was the bomb. I really truly liked her and she made that effect only in a one scene. I am keeping my thumbs up for her. 🙂
– Lilah
[quote]1. strikingly or overwhelmingly tough, aggressive, powerful, or effective:[/quote]
Article does a nice job to acknowledge, celebrate and comment on many of the females that appeared on the show and just say YEAH girls in general. I don’t agree with the label “kick ass” for all you mentioned and think it is a reserved limited class. Some of these females may have been likable, cool, strong in some aspect, made a good decision, made a realization, helped out a bit, or simply had their own story told. Finally I don’t think Alex who was an accessory to murder of humans, feeding them to her vampire family, and Claire who chose the life of crime over foster care and helped plan the murder of Dean Winchester should be getting any kick ass awards just because they had a tough life, made bad choices and eventually had a change of mind. My list of Kick Ass Women whether good or evil: #1 Mary Winchester followed in no order Pamela Barnes, Ellen Harvelle, Mrs.Tran, Charlie, Ruby, Meg, Abaddon, Deanna Campbell, Annie Hawkins, Naomi.
It is the way people see things. I see it as a great strength to change your path and do the right thing and like I said. Some of them are teetering on the border. And in part one I mentioned most in your list. Also, I do choose who I pick up carefully. If I wouldn’t I would put minion number two also on the list. All the women on this list were at least effective from the word description. But like I said, it is a matter of opinion. This is how I see it. 🙂
– Lilah
I think to be a “Woman of Supernatural” you need to actually appear in more than one episode, AND be a significant player in the episodes.
One time guests should not qualify, nor should bit-players (such as the angel Rachel in season 6, and that demon Sam & Ruby tortured for blood that would eat babies). Otherwise, the category is too wide open and subjective.
It depends what kind of impression the woman in question has made. Few of them I have in my list like that. The first article was more varied. You could call this an update to that. 🙂
Thanks for reading.
– Lilah
Well she is giving her personal opinions so yes it is subjective. She didn’t specify it had to be a “significant” character. Her theme was kick-ass women so she categorized them as she saw fit, she is the author. A one time character can be impactful also. Agree or disagree but she is allowed her opinions. I enjoyed her article.