That final frontier

This is the story of how I accidentally became a sci-fi fan. I say accidentally because – truth be told – I never really liked sci-fi that much growing up. Sure, I loved “Star Wars.” But “Star Wars” isn’t so much science fiction as it is fairy tale complete with princesses, rouges, black-clad villains and teddy bears (the Ewoks were teddy bears, right?). I never got into “Star Trek” (please note, I am not denigrating “Star Trek.” Live long and prosper, Trekkers). Basically, I stayed away from almost every show with “Star” in the title. For some reason, I felt a little snobby about it. I like serious dramas. I don’t like silly science fiction.

And then it happened. Slowly, but surely, I started liking silly science fiction. First “The X-Files.” But I rationalized that away as more of an ongoing mystery than a sci-fi geekfest. And then “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which while not actually sci-fi, does lump together with the larger world of fantasy. But the thing about Buffy was it wasn’t so much about the vampires as it was about the real monsters we face every day trying to make it to adulthood.

But then I just kept adding more sci-fi shows. “Fringe.” “Dr. Who.” “Dollhouse.” “Firefly.” “Torchwood.” “Lost Girl.” “Warehouse 13.”

What is it about these shows? Why do they interest me so? Well, in part, the fantasy. Time travel. Space travel. Immortal tendencies. Bisexual succubus tendencies. And, well, Myka and Helena’s gigantic lesbian tendencies. But, to be honest, it’s not so much the escape I crave. Because while good sci-fi can provide that with its laser blasters and mind erasers and blue police boxes, I think when done well what it really gives us is a chance to look with clear eyes at our own humanity. Something about adding little green men (or their metaphysical equivalent) allows us to step back from the ordinary, up-close messiness of life and just see our human race for what it is. Beautiful. Flawed. Crazy as all fuck.

And, just as important, I think science fiction is a genre that finally allows women to be on equal footing with men. Not all science fiction, mind you. But a lot, especially more recently. Women are allowed to be in charge. They’re allowed to be strong. They’re allowed to be important – essential even. Basically, they’re allowed to save the world. They’re very rarely just the girlfriend or just the best friend. They’re more often a secret agent or badass or both. And that, that is pretty damn awesome.

Gina Torres, a high priestess of science fiction badassery, famously praised the genre for giving actresses like her who don’t fit a mold a happy home:

“When you fall within the cracks, you thank God for sci-fi, because they’ll give you a gun, and they’ll say, ‘Go over there and conquer that world. You kick some ass, girl!’”

Go kick some ass, indeed. Bring it, sci-fi. I’m all yours.

My Weekend Crush

Gina Torres is a badass. Just so there’s no offense or confusion, I am certain anatomically speaking that she has an exquisitely good ass. But in terms of kicking butt and taking names, she is as bad an ass as they come. Everything about her screams strength, confidence, ability. That she isn’t a bigger star is a crime against the universe. That she has kicked ass in so many different universes points to a larger truth about ours. You see, as I mentioned earlier this week, Gina has popped up all over shows I’ve watched and loved: “Xena,” “Firefly,” “Angel,” “Pushing Daisies,” “The Vampire Diaries.” And looking through her long list of appearances you might detect a very noticeable theme. They’re all have a sci-fi/fantasy component. This has not been lost on Gina herself. As she famously told Venus magazine a few years ago:

“I walk into a room, and for this industry, I’m impossibly tall. When they find it hard to pair you up with the opposite sex, then what’s left for a woman? Either you’re the ball-buster or the not-so-attractive girlfriend standing by the lead. I mean, traditionally not so attractive. Because you have your starlets and then you have their best friends who are these character actresses. When you fall within the cracks, you thank God for sci-fi, because they’ll give you a gun, and they’ll say, ‘Go over there and conquer that world. You kick some ass, girl!’”

As her husband, Laurence Fishburne, is fond of saying, Gina has an innate authority that will always make her more than just the stupid girl in a dress. It’s a gift, really. She has a serene power about her that is at once commanding but equally reassuring. Like, if you were in a spaceship being attacked by alien hordes and you saw Gina Torres sitting at the helm, you’d be like, “Oh, hell yeah, we’re definitely going to make it.” While it’s sad it takes alternate universes to appreciate Gina, those of us who love her just the way she is are happy to follow her into other dimensions and beyond. Happy weekend, all.

Vacation Vixen: Gina Torres

Her arms are kind of a religious experience.