Paul and Madeline

[swatkat]

Since we were talking about harshness - are we, the Michael/Nikita fans, too harsh when it comes to Paul and Madeline? Even those of us who actually like and admire them (including myself)? We're always going on about their cruelty and how Michael or Nikita (Nikita for me *g*) would've done a better job as Operations - why is that so? Now that we know all about Oversight and Centre, wasn't what Paul and Madeline did for their own survival, just like the way Michael and Nikita fought to survive in Section? And what is the guarantee that Michael and Nikita wouldn't do the exact same things when they got the power? Your thoughts here. *g*

Nell, tell me why Nikita wouldn't fall in the same trap as Paul in order to survive.

Comments

Re: Good question:

[delle.livejournal.com]

And I'm just going to sit here on the sidelines and enjoy your fascinating discussion. Whoa! Nell! I *do* hope you continue because this is wonderful!

[nell65.livejournal.com]

Thanks - don't mind me when I get rolling on negative views/images of women!

I have to deal with relatively privileged 18 year old girls at the peak of their culturally approved sexual desirability who - despite having all manner of difficulties thanks to good old fashioned sexism and their own lack of confidence in their abilities and their utter inability to formulate a personal ambition - are certain that they don't need that old nasty feminisim cause no one is going to get in their way just cause they're a girl.

Come back and talk to me in ten years baby.

(Do I think getting Martha Stewart on a relatively penny-ante trade violation when there is soooo much worse happening has anything to do with her being an arrogant female exec.? Yes - I do think it is related. Not the only reason, not by a long shot, but a part of it - especially the jury's apparent hostility to her personally.)

On the other hand, rereading my long posts above - I realize I may have made it sound like I want only angst-free/pain-free leading ladies in my fic. Or charaters without sexual kinks. I don't, because that would be boring, and un-natural in its own way. I'm just reflexively suspicious of angst/pain that ends up tying down - literally or figuratively - otherwise powerful women.

Nell