Occasionally, preposterous disagreements emerge, often in fan communities online, regarding the ownership and acceptance of these communities. By “preposterous,” I don’t refer to discussions about incorporating Star Wars lore into shows like Andor or exploring superpowers in films such as Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts. Instead, these arguments imply that science fiction is a male-centric genre, with women being considered outsiders or intruders within fandom or creative collaborators in the movies, series, and literature they cherish. As Mother’s Day has recently passed, this recurring cycle of silliness brought to mind that every geeky passion I have was first introduced to me by a woman – my mother.
In a recent discussion, it’s been observed that the portrayal of gender violence in the Star Wars universe has resurfaced as a contentious issue, with a noticeable divide along gender lines among certain fans. This division is particularly evident among those who have expressed strong criticism towards Lucasfilm since Disney took over. While some men argue that such scenes are out of place in this universe, many women fans disagree. It’s important to note that the depiction of gendered violence can be traced back to the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope, with Darth Vader’s encounter with Princess Leia and the “torture droid”.
However, when women express their deep-rooted passion for this franchise, some men often question their understanding of it. For me, watching Return of the Jedi in the theater is a more memorable experience than significant life events like high school graduation or getting my driver’s license. This is due in large part to my mother, who has shown that science fiction isn’t exclusive to women; rather, they are integral to the genre’s history and evolution.
Star Trek: The Original Series Was a Watershed Moment for Women in Science Fiction
From Saving it From Cancelation to Creating the Show, Women Are Why Trek Exists Today
One year after my earliest movie memory, I went to the cinema with my mother for the first time. The film started with a repeat of Spock’s death scene from “Star Trek II”. This caught me off guard. My eyes widened in surprise as tears trickled down my mother’s face, signaling it was a genuine moment. I had always loved “Star Trek”, as my mother, who fell for the show since its debut in 1966, had passed on her fandom to me. Women are the reason “Star Trek” (and “Star Wars”) were created.
- Desilu produced Star Trek: The Original Series splitting the budget with NBC.
- The letter-writing campaign saved the series from cancelation in Season 2.
- A feud with Roddenberry led to NBC burying the show on Friday nights ensuring it would fail.
Following her divorce from Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball pioneered as the first woman to head a studio. This transition wasn’t smooth for her, but she possessed exceptional entertainment intuition. During her leadership, two innovative series were born: “Star Trek: The Original Series” and “Mission: Impossible”. (Both continue to captivate audiences today.) Unfortunately, NBC declined the show initially. Despite this setback, Ball remained dedicated to the production, advocating for additional budgets and even cleaning up the set with a broom during the pilot’s filming. However, Lucy wasn’t particularly fond of science fiction herself.
In simpler terms, a TV show with diverse characters, including strong female roles, gained popularity with women older than my grandmother. When NBC considered canceling the series, a woman named Bjo Trimble initiated a letter-writing campaign to save it. Additionally, she and other fans organized the first convention, produced fanzines, and wrote fan fiction. The passion and structure of these communities, which celebrate their love for the show, follow the model they established. My mother, by making me a “Star Trek” enthusiast before I understood the concept of permanence, was simply passing on this tradition.
The 1980s Began a Movement Which Brought Science Fiction Into the Mainstream
As Sci-Fi Became Big Business, Hollywood Marketed It to Men Only
Prior to “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Star Wars: A New Hope”, science fiction was typically confined to low-budget B-movies and narrow audience circles. However, once studios recognized its potential for massive profits, this trend shifted significantly, marking the genre’s emergence into mainstream popular culture.
This change mirrors my childhood experiences quite significantly as my mother often introduced me to a variety of science fiction films, some inappropriate for my age. The movie ‘Alien’ was so frightening that I couldn’t watch it completely the first time, despite Sigourney Weaver, who I admired from ‘Ghostbusters’, playing Ripley. On the other hand, I adored ‘Enemy Mine’ and would always catch it when given the chance. Although I didn’t grasp the enemies-to-friends narrative fully, the film resonated with me deeply.
| Notable Science Fiction Adaptations in the 1980s | |||||
| Title | Flash Gordon | Blade Runner | Dune | Enemy Mine | Running Man |
| Source Material | Comic strip | Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep -Novel | Novel of the same name. | Novella of the same name | Novel of the same name |
| Author(s) | Alex Raymond | Phillip K. Dick | Frank Herbert | Barry B. Longyear | Stephen King |
| Publication Date | January 1934 | 1968 | August 1965 | September 1979 | May 4, 1982 |
| Film Release Date | December 11, 1980 | December 22, 1982 | December 14, 1984 | December 20, 1985 | November 13, 1987 |
At around six or seven years old, my mom acquired or leased a VCR, and we watched Blade Runner together. This movie left a strong impression on me as a child, although she advised me to look away during the scene where Joanna Cassidy was nude. Despite her instructions, I couldn’t help but sneak a peek (I apologize, Mom). These films also sparked my love for reading.
Even though she claimed these possibly inappropriate films were off-limits for me due to my age, she said I was too young to read books like “Dune” or those by Stephen King. Just as with the nude scene, I instinctively rebelled against this. Looking back now as an adult and a parent myself, it’s clear to me that she was using reverse psychology to make reading material above my grade level seem forbidden and exciting.
Although science-fiction often promotes values like tolerance, curiosity, and courage as influential in shaping morality, I personally believe it wasn’t primarily responsible for shaping mine. Instead, I suspect my mother was simply an avid fan of science-fiction stories who enjoyed sharing her favorite tales with me. During this process, I too had the opportunity to share stories I loved with others.
Being raised in a time before the internet, I’d have been clueless about laser swords, spaceships, and superheroes if not for their presence on the big screen. In those days, Hollywood primarily marketed these Sci-Fi movies towards men. It wasn’t until later that I came to understand my mother, who was not the intended audience, had a keen interest in these films as well. She demonstrated her fondness by diligently seeking them out.
Modern Science Fiction Likely Would Not Exist Without One Woman in Particular
From Novels to Comics, Women’s Passion for Sci-Fi Created Modern Fandom
Mary Shelley’s novel about Doctor Frankenstein and his monster, penned at just 18 years old, is undeniably a work of science fiction, even though writers such as Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, and Arthur C. Clarke are often credited for defining the genre; they didn’t do it single-handedly.
These women authors, such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Margaret Atwood, Octavia E. Butler, Anne McCaffrey, and many others, have all exerted an equally significant impact on the sci-fi genre. From the inception of sci-fi conventions, women have played a pivotal role in shaping fan culture. Activities like cosplay and fanfiction are not recent phenomena; even in early 20th century, female authors wrote fanfiction continuations of works by authors like Jane Austen.
When “Star Trek: The Original Series” ultimately came to an end, it was women who sustained the fanbase until its revival. They persisted in producing hand-copied magazines filled with artwork and tales penned by the community. This period in fandom was distinctive as fans writing for one another became the predominant encounter many people had with this “franchise.
In advance of its era, the community was remarkably tolerant. This open-mindedness led to the creation of the term “slash fiction,” a genre born from the abundance of stories about specific topics. Furthermore, when Nichelle Nichols assisted NASA in recruiting women for STEM careers, many cited Uhura as a source of inspiration and representation, expanding this positive impact even further.
Women are naturally attracted to science fiction narratives even without seeing themselves directly portrayed. Growing up with characters such as Luke Skywalker, Captain Kirk, and Commander Riker, it’s easy to understand why representation is significant. This is also the reason I observed how characters like Rey, Leia, Ahsoka Tano, and those in The Acolyte resonated deeply with my mother. In the 1990s, our household eagerly awaited each episode of The X-Files, mainly due to Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Dana Scully. (David Duchovny’s good looks were an added bonus.) Therefore, it comes as no surprise that characters such as Uhura had a profound impact on many women viewers, just like they did for me.
Women Gave Us Science Fiction & They Have a Place In Fandom
No Community of Fans Should Ever Make Anyone, Especially Women, Feel Unwelcome
Stepping into the realm of cinema critique, I must say that unlike “Star Trek,” George Lucas’ creation of the galaxy far, far away was not oblivious to the presence of women and young girls among its audience. In the original film, Princess Leia may have initially appeared as a damsel in distress, but she swiftly transformed into a strong-willed character who stood her ground against Han Solo and Luke Skywalker.
Regardless of whether my fondness for these tales stems from my past with my mom, it’s evident that these movies convey significant messages about women’s roles in science fiction and rebellion. To me, their portrayal transcends mere bigotry and is deeply personal and insulting. These supposed fans profess to cherish the story, but they seem to have blatantly overlooked one of its most profound moral teachings.
It’s surprising that even though Star Trek emphasizes diversity and tolerance, its fans aren’t exempt from learning behavior like hatred. Star Trek: Discovery, a prominent series of the third cosmic wave, portrayed Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham, a complex character who evolved over five seasons. One might expect a community based on a series that champions “infinite diversity in infinite combinations” and was largely established by women to be free from prejudice. Regrettably, this isn’t the case.
Through sharing her comic book collection with me, which spanned from “Lois Lane, Superman’s Girlfriend” to the original run of “The Silver Surfer,” my mother instilled in me a passion for science fiction. It may be that this is why I found it straightforward to grasp the advanced morals in these tales and distance myself from the ingrained behavior of sexism.
I’ve always felt at home, whether in local bookstores or early internet fan groups, all centered around our shared appreciation for these tales. It saddens me deeply to learn that many female fans, creators, and enthusiasts are often met with an unwelcoming environment. This isn’t merely disgraceful; it disrespects the roots of a narrative genre that continues to thrive due to the strength and passion of women like my mother.
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2025-05-25 20:11