My People

Mo Ryan tweeted an article in the Huffington Post asking why television, even good television, often has a blindspot when establishing real, genuine female relationships.

The article admits the Leslie Knope/Ann Perkins relationship on Parks and Rec is a good example of relationships between women that don't need to be catty or competitive. The topics of conversations are not solely male centered.

The article made me think about what other female friendships I admired on tv and if I thought there was a shortage. So I'm going to run down a list of some of my favorite shows (past and present) noting the female series regulars and their relationships with each other (I'll exclude Parks and Rec as it's already been noted, but Leslie also has a great relationship with April).


Everwood: Rose and Amy Abbott (AMAZING mother and daughter relationship, but maybe family dynamic shouldn't count?)

Amy Abbott and Hannah Rogers (best friends in seasons 3 & 4, I was never fully invested in their relationship because Amy is kind of a clinger when she tags you as a 'someone' in her life, but I bought that these were two girls that needed each other and for the most part were actually good for each other)

Edna Harper (grandmother and mother in law to Rose and Amy, again with the family dynamic) friend to Nina Feeney who often babysat Delia Brown who had brief conversations with Amy when she was dating her brother, Ephram.

Result: I give Everwood a pass. The male friendships of the show (Ephram & Bright and Andy and Harold) upstaged the female friendships from time to time, but the show showcased the family dynamic so well.

Felicity: Felicity Porter and Meghan Rotundi (college roommates, their relationship started out antagonistic, but in the final season Felicity and Meghan's friendship developed into one where they could depend on each other, also there was magic)

Felicity Porter and Elena Tyler (classmates, Felicity and Elena were both pre-med and their friendship grew out of mutual interests, plus Elena assasinated someone for Felicity!)

Felicity Porter and Julie Emrick (supposed best friends, their relationship was overshadowed by the Ben factor, relieved when Julie's character was written out for most of the show)

Result: Wash? Sorta? The show was centered on romantic relationships which meant that the characters talked about it ALOT to each other, male or female. Then again, it could have done a little better on allowing more conversations that did not include their dating lives.

Veronica Mars: Veronica Mars and Lilly Kane (former best friends, it's hard to have a relationship when one half of you is dead, but at least most of the conversations didn't revolve around dumb boys!)

Veronica Mars and Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie (Q to her Bond, all around great)

Result: Pass. Veronica Mars isn't what you would call 'cuddly', but her friendship with Lilly was a motivating force for the show and her friendship with Mac was a plus as well.

Gossip Girl: I'm pretty sure I talk about this show too much, but I needed more references to shows that are still on the air.

Serena Van Der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf's relationship revolves around power struggles and boys (two things that the article mentions as to be avoided). And yet there is something about their friendship that pulls me in.

Blair is smart, beautiful and rich. She loves her best friend, Serena, and her love is returned. But if there's a prize, Serena will always win it. If there's a boy, Serena will capture his attention. If there's a preference, Serena will always have it. Even if it's for her own mother's attention. Even if Serena doesn't make an effort. How difficult it must be for Blair when she tries so hard. How difficult it must be for Serena when she knows this and loves Blair so much.

Result: Fail for the above mentions, but if we're talking about sweet and caring female relationships I give it a pass. (Also, if the GG writers can have blinders to certain plot points and characterization, I can too)

Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang (the idea of 'your person' is reiterated throughout the series and that person for Cristina is always Meredith and vice versa)

Okay, there are other good female relationships on the show, but this is the best one and this post is getting long.

Result: Pass. Even with all the talk of dating and hookups and boys, Meredith and Cristina still have a strong foundation beyond just that.

Overall Result: I know that I seek out the female relationships on shows because I'm me, so I'd like to see more wins of the Bechdel test, more conscious discussions of whether pitting woman against woman is necessary or even realistic. I do think there's a lack of these relationships, but I'm glad there are shows that do succeed and those that could do better but do pretty well.