The rules of our game/#86-100#71-85
Get ready for the next 15 sexiest ladies in science fiction film and television! What is it about science fiction that seems to pair the genre up with luscious babes? Traditionally, SF has been a boys' club. Since you knew that your audience was largely male, you laid it on thick with other things boys tend to like (action, gadgets and of course, pretty girls in tight outfits). But as confidence is a sexy trait, and as science fiction tended to level the playing field with the sexes (speculating that gender bias would eventually disappear), it was only a matter of time before the stronger female characters attracted female audiences in search of viable role models as well. The effect over time is to have pulled SF out of the ghetto, and in keeping with its growing female audience, multiplied the number of central female characters in these shows and films. Sexiness has begat sexiness...
70. Kristine Kochanski from Red Dwarf (Chloë Annett)
Funny is sexy. Certainly, women think so or I'd never have gotten a date. But the reverse is also true. If there's anything this series has shown, it's that there's nothing sexier than a woman who can break you in half. And while that's usually represented physically, getting "broken" by words is just as sweet. Kristine Kochanski seems to be a state of perpetual annoyance with the morons around her, but that's just the trigger for her sassiness (men are funny, women are sassy, if we get politically correct). I'm no doubt showing my bias here. A cute waitress shuts down my shenanigans with a verbal slap-down and I leave triple the tip. That's just me. Hey, when is Tina Fey going to do a genre movie?
69. Lindsey Brigman from The Abyss (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio)
Mrs. Brigman is a no-nonsense, order the Navy SEALs about, looks good with the wet look, woman. She's also smart as hell if she designed the undersea platform. And then there's the relationship with Bud Brigman that throws off sparks all over the place (and with all that water around too). She's so sexy, she can make her estranged husband fall in love with her all over again (though a near-death experience plays a helping hand). So sexy, James Cameron married her (she was reportedly based on his then-producer Gale Anne Hurd, now doing all those Marvel films).
68. Jadzia Dax from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Terri Farrell)
Dax starts out as something of a cold fish (with cold hands, brrr), albeit with a twinkle in her eye and a tendency to date outside her species. As with too many Star Trek female characters, they made her cerebral and somewhat distant, which keeps the beautiful Terri Farrell from advancing further up on the list. And yet, Dax has her moments. A hot girl-on-girl kiss in Rejoined, censored in certain markets. An ultra-hot Mirror Universe analog. And the chance to have a good sense of humor and play the tigress opposite her par'Machai, Mr. Worf.
67. Sharon Valeri from Battlestar Galactica (Grace Park)
I might as well be talking about the entire Cylon model. Though, of course, Athena is the "good guy", Boomer is probably the sexiest, but in a dangerous, damaged goods kind of way. Girl had sex on the job even before she went traitor, and followed that up with nude tai chi and impersonating another man's woman to get jiggy with it. She's the psycho girlfriend, and yet you can't keep away. You just know your stuff is gonna wind up on the front lawn someday, but you can't help yourself.
66. Peri from Doctor Who (Nicola Bryant)
There is no doubt in any Whovian's mind that Peri is sexy. She was very much designed "for the dads" and from the very first bikini shots was given ample opportunity to showcase her... talents. Unfortunately, Nicola Bryant was saddled with terrible costumes, an irritatingly whiny personality and a nasal fake accent. But she's a real hottie and fun to research on the Internet!
65. T'Pol from Enterprise (Jolene Blalock)
T'Pol was another character designed for sex appeal, one surmises based on the success of Seven of Nine in that area. They just overdid it. The audience knows when it's being played, and the early fixation on almost nudity, greasing T'Pol down in the decontamination chamber, and costumes that put a big bullseye on her breasts was over-egging the pudding. Blalock had trouble with the character too, playing "logical" as "bored". Pouty just wasn't sexy anymore. As the seasons progressed, they got her a cuter hairstyle and slinky, but less obvious uniforms, and Blalock grew into the role. T'Pol became more relaxed, emotional and endearing. Sexiness restored. It also helps that Blalock is an avowed geek and Trekkie, which I'm sure sent the fanboys in a tizzy.
64. Wade Welles from Sliders (Sabrina Lloyd)
Sometimes, there's something about a "girl next door" that is entirely sexy. In other words, just because you're one doesn't mean you can't be the other. Part of the secret is to allow the character to develop romantic chemistry with another, in this case, fellow Slider Quinn. The more he ignored her, the more you wanted to take her in your arms and steal her from him. Regardless, she's a strong, independent woman with feminist leanings. Watch out, boys!
63. Chani from Dune (Barbara Kodetová)
What kind of woman does it take to seduce a Messiah? I never liked Sean Young's Chani, but Czech actress Barbara Kodetová is an exotic beauty that I can believe as a desert warrior woman. She not only beats out David Lynch's Chani, but in her own story, Princess Irulan herself. On paper, Irulan is Paul's wife, but history will remember the concubine as his true partner.
62. Trinity from The Matrix (Carrie Anne Moss)
Speaking of Messiahs, remember how Trinity's kiss is what triggers Neo's resurrection. Definitely another candidate cut from the same cloth as other warrior women. Trinity's look is severe, though leather and inscrutability is attractive, but she also has a softer look outside the Matrix. She's the girl that's just as sexy when she's at home in sweats as when she's all dressed up and out on the town. Plus, "kick your ass" factor in full effect.
61. Diana from V (Jane Badler)
When the Visitors came to Earth, they needed to seduce humanity. As soon as Diana walked out of that ship, we were. So what if she's a big lizard and eats guinea pigs whole? There's something about a bad girl...
60. Kara Thrace from Battlestar Galactica (Katee Sackhoff)
Not all bad girls are on the side of evil. Just as the original Starbuck, Dirk Benedict, was something of a sex idol, the new Starbuck is too. She's one of the boys (the Battlestar universe doesn't really have gender bias), but also "cleans up nice". And she's a total mess, likes it rough and is, in short, dangerous to be around. She's a maneater, but hides a vulnerability that makes you want to love her. When you're not hating her. All the ingredients you need for maximum chemistry. Starbuck sparks off HERSELF. Be careful, her kisses are bites.
59. Lt. Shane Vansen from Space: Above and Beyond (Kristen Cloke)
What is it about a girl in uniform? I think it's an offshoot of the sexy librarian phenomenon. Military women, by their lack of overtness, hide a sensuality you ache to unlock. Vansen is tough as nails, but when she's allowed to let her hair down, whoa Nelly! She's a real hottie. Cloke was named #9 of Sci-Fi's Sexy 50 by Femme Fatales magazine in 1997. It's now 2010 and Space: Above and Beyond (and Millenium) are a bit far behind, but some of us still remember.
58. Princess Leia from Star Wars (Carrie Fisher)
This week's controversial entry is geek icon "Princess Leia in a chainmail bikini". Face it, while Leia has the proper confident, sassy attitude that makes one sexy, much of her reputation for sexiness stems from this costume. I'm only hoping the collar and chain aren't part of the attraction for you. To me, the sex slave look is only surface sexiness and I never got into that whole thing. Leia, in fact, undercut her sexiness in the fist film by 1) taking "sassy" too far towards "irritating" and 2) having no sense of style. She styles better in subsequent films, but the damage was done (kissing your brother isn't sexy either). I recognize she is a sex idol to a whole generation though. Feel free to put her in your own personal top 10.
57. Col. Wilma Deering from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Erin Gray)
Wilma sure knows how to pour herself into a slinky outfit, but that wouldn't mean as much if she wasn't also a strong woman who saves Buck Rogers' bacon on a regular basis. She ain't no damsel in distress. An early example of what I was talking about at the top of the post, Wilma Deering apparently inspired a lot of women to go into the military. She's a smart leader and competent action hero, but hasn't sacrificed her femininity in the process.
56. Lisa from Weird Science (Kelly LeBrock)
Built from a barbie doll, cut-up Playboys and government-stolen power, Lisa should have been just another artificial fantasy woman. But as soon as she walked in the door with her 80s hair and English accent, she became the quintessential 80s sex symbol. Not only is she hot hot hot, but all she really wants is for you to get the cred you need to grow up and get with some real girls. Sexy science genie! She mothers you, but in the sexy way your mom can't, taking care of your bullies and making everyone jealous. You can't hate her because she's beautiful, as the commercial goes. Definitely more than the sum of her parts.
Part 4 takes us deeper down the Amazon river. See you in seven!
Get ready for the next 15 sexiest ladies in science fiction film and television! What is it about science fiction that seems to pair the genre up with luscious babes? Traditionally, SF has been a boys' club. Since you knew that your audience was largely male, you laid it on thick with other things boys tend to like (action, gadgets and of course, pretty girls in tight outfits). But as confidence is a sexy trait, and as science fiction tended to level the playing field with the sexes (speculating that gender bias would eventually disappear), it was only a matter of time before the stronger female characters attracted female audiences in search of viable role models as well. The effect over time is to have pulled SF out of the ghetto, and in keeping with its growing female audience, multiplied the number of central female characters in these shows and films. Sexiness has begat sexiness...
Funny is sexy. Certainly, women think so or I'd never have gotten a date. But the reverse is also true. If there's anything this series has shown, it's that there's nothing sexier than a woman who can break you in half. And while that's usually represented physically, getting "broken" by words is just as sweet. Kristine Kochanski seems to be a state of perpetual annoyance with the morons around her, but that's just the trigger for her sassiness (men are funny, women are sassy, if we get politically correct). I'm no doubt showing my bias here. A cute waitress shuts down my shenanigans with a verbal slap-down and I leave triple the tip. That's just me. Hey, when is Tina Fey going to do a genre movie?
Mrs. Brigman is a no-nonsense, order the Navy SEALs about, looks good with the wet look, woman. She's also smart as hell if she designed the undersea platform. And then there's the relationship with Bud Brigman that throws off sparks all over the place (and with all that water around too). She's so sexy, she can make her estranged husband fall in love with her all over again (though a near-death experience plays a helping hand). So sexy, James Cameron married her (she was reportedly based on his then-producer Gale Anne Hurd, now doing all those Marvel films).
Dax starts out as something of a cold fish (with cold hands, brrr), albeit with a twinkle in her eye and a tendency to date outside her species. As with too many Star Trek female characters, they made her cerebral and somewhat distant, which keeps the beautiful Terri Farrell from advancing further up on the list. And yet, Dax has her moments. A hot girl-on-girl kiss in Rejoined, censored in certain markets. An ultra-hot Mirror Universe analog. And the chance to have a good sense of humor and play the tigress opposite her par'Machai, Mr. Worf.
I might as well be talking about the entire Cylon model. Though, of course, Athena is the "good guy", Boomer is probably the sexiest, but in a dangerous, damaged goods kind of way. Girl had sex on the job even before she went traitor, and followed that up with nude tai chi and impersonating another man's woman to get jiggy with it. She's the psycho girlfriend, and yet you can't keep away. You just know your stuff is gonna wind up on the front lawn someday, but you can't help yourself.
There is no doubt in any Whovian's mind that Peri is sexy. She was very much designed "for the dads" and from the very first bikini shots was given ample opportunity to showcase her... talents. Unfortunately, Nicola Bryant was saddled with terrible costumes, an irritatingly whiny personality and a nasal fake accent. But she's a real hottie and fun to research on the Internet!
T'Pol was another character designed for sex appeal, one surmises based on the success of Seven of Nine in that area. They just overdid it. The audience knows when it's being played, and the early fixation on almost nudity, greasing T'Pol down in the decontamination chamber, and costumes that put a big bullseye on her breasts was over-egging the pudding. Blalock had trouble with the character too, playing "logical" as "bored". Pouty just wasn't sexy anymore. As the seasons progressed, they got her a cuter hairstyle and slinky, but less obvious uniforms, and Blalock grew into the role. T'Pol became more relaxed, emotional and endearing. Sexiness restored. It also helps that Blalock is an avowed geek and Trekkie, which I'm sure sent the fanboys in a tizzy.
Sometimes, there's something about a "girl next door" that is entirely sexy. In other words, just because you're one doesn't mean you can't be the other. Part of the secret is to allow the character to develop romantic chemistry with another, in this case, fellow Slider Quinn. The more he ignored her, the more you wanted to take her in your arms and steal her from him. Regardless, she's a strong, independent woman with feminist leanings. Watch out, boys!
What kind of woman does it take to seduce a Messiah? I never liked Sean Young's Chani, but Czech actress Barbara Kodetová is an exotic beauty that I can believe as a desert warrior woman. She not only beats out David Lynch's Chani, but in her own story, Princess Irulan herself. On paper, Irulan is Paul's wife, but history will remember the concubine as his true partner.
Speaking of Messiahs, remember how Trinity's kiss is what triggers Neo's resurrection. Definitely another candidate cut from the same cloth as other warrior women. Trinity's look is severe, though leather and inscrutability is attractive, but she also has a softer look outside the Matrix. She's the girl that's just as sexy when she's at home in sweats as when she's all dressed up and out on the town. Plus, "kick your ass" factor in full effect.
When the Visitors came to Earth, they needed to seduce humanity. As soon as Diana walked out of that ship, we were. So what if she's a big lizard and eats guinea pigs whole? There's something about a bad girl...
Not all bad girls are on the side of evil. Just as the original Starbuck, Dirk Benedict, was something of a sex idol, the new Starbuck is too. She's one of the boys (the Battlestar universe doesn't really have gender bias), but also "cleans up nice". And she's a total mess, likes it rough and is, in short, dangerous to be around. She's a maneater, but hides a vulnerability that makes you want to love her. When you're not hating her. All the ingredients you need for maximum chemistry. Starbuck sparks off HERSELF. Be careful, her kisses are bites.
What is it about a girl in uniform? I think it's an offshoot of the sexy librarian phenomenon. Military women, by their lack of overtness, hide a sensuality you ache to unlock. Vansen is tough as nails, but when she's allowed to let her hair down, whoa Nelly! She's a real hottie. Cloke was named #9 of Sci-Fi's Sexy 50 by Femme Fatales magazine in 1997. It's now 2010 and Space: Above and Beyond (and Millenium) are a bit far behind, but some of us still remember.
This week's controversial entry is geek icon "Princess Leia in a chainmail bikini". Face it, while Leia has the proper confident, sassy attitude that makes one sexy, much of her reputation for sexiness stems from this costume. I'm only hoping the collar and chain aren't part of the attraction for you. To me, the sex slave look is only surface sexiness and I never got into that whole thing. Leia, in fact, undercut her sexiness in the fist film by 1) taking "sassy" too far towards "irritating" and 2) having no sense of style. She styles better in subsequent films, but the damage was done (kissing your brother isn't sexy either). I recognize she is a sex idol to a whole generation though. Feel free to put her in your own personal top 10.
Wilma sure knows how to pour herself into a slinky outfit, but that wouldn't mean as much if she wasn't also a strong woman who saves Buck Rogers' bacon on a regular basis. She ain't no damsel in distress. An early example of what I was talking about at the top of the post, Wilma Deering apparently inspired a lot of women to go into the military. She's a smart leader and competent action hero, but hasn't sacrificed her femininity in the process.
Built from a barbie doll, cut-up Playboys and government-stolen power, Lisa should have been just another artificial fantasy woman. But as soon as she walked in the door with her 80s hair and English accent, she became the quintessential 80s sex symbol. Not only is she hot hot hot, but all she really wants is for you to get the cred you need to grow up and get with some real girls. Sexy science genie! She mothers you, but in the sexy way your mom can't, taking care of your bullies and making everyone jealous. You can't hate her because she's beautiful, as the commercial goes. Definitely more than the sum of her parts.
Being Part 2 of a huge list celebrating the many smart, beautiful and confident women of the science fiction genre in film and television. The rules and #86-100 have already been set down. Obviously, you're free to disagree with any of these, or that perhaps I SHOULD have given animated characters a chance, etc. Heck, give me a couple months and I'll probably disagree with myself! The idea is really to pay homage to the many lovely ladies of the SF genre, so without further ado (what IS ado, anyway?) let's get into the next fifteen...
Primeval is a show that features a lot of sexy women, and they're all very different from one another. Abby is the sweetest, but she's still sexy with her punky looks and independent attitude. Plus, she's got brains and a love of animals (she's a zoologist) and isn't half cute. One of the things that gives a television character sexiness is a romance in which the woman is in control, and they've given her that in Connor. She's the girl he can't get, and then the girl he does get but can't control. Instant sexy.
It's really too bad they never let Marina Sirtis' sense of humor seep into Deanna Troi. Funny is sexy. So Troi coasts a heck of a lot on the personality they let her have in the Star Trek films from First Contact onward. On tv, attempts at sexual tension fell pretty much flat. But oh, that blue dress...
Padme was similarly trapped in a chemistry-less relationship, and is saved from slipping off this list thanks to a little thing called "being played by Natalie Portman". She has to have chemistry for two and almost manages it. I must say that once she got out of the royal clothes and into "rebel" gear, the Princess Leia vibe starting vibing. Not that I would watch these movies. Well, not for anything else.
What did I say about women you can't control? The half-Klingon B'Elanna has anger management issues, sure, but the right man can transform that anger into passion. In short: She's a tigress. You know, Tom Paris was perhaps designed to be the Kirk/Riker stud of the show, but he's really just a big geek who loves antiques and B-movies. Never underestimate the attraction of a woman who appreciates "the Geek". Not in this corner of the Internet.
What? Denise Richard doesn't even make the top 80? Well, it's Starship Troopers, not Wild Things. For all the unisex showers in the movie, Carmen is still the girl who gets cheated on by her boyfriend and, ulp!, Barbara Gordon! Maybe if they'd kept the romantic triangle with her, Rico and Zander, but once she gets into space, there's little sex appeal beyond the woman in uniform thing. But as she is played by Denise Richards, that baggage does make her top our first 20.
Speaking of women in uniform in a world with unisex bathrooms... There's something magically sexy about exotic women and Dualla's light eyes and dark skin are definitely that. The women of the Galactica universe are almost universally as strong if not stronger than the boys, and while Dee has a softer, prettier edge, it certainly hasn't softened her appeal. Makes me yearn for hand-to-hand combat training (if you know the scene I'm talking about). There's a reason TWO characters proposed to her.
Let the controversy begin. My own rules forbid the same character from appearing twice as played by two actresses. What to do with Romana, who regenerates from one sexy woman to another? I had to make a choice. While Mary Tamm, the original Romana, is a gorgeous, self-possessed woman, I went for the more girlish and offbeat Lalla Ward. I looked at the iconic elements of both portrayals and found that Lalla didn't just have more fans, she had more fans OF THAT SCHOOLGIRL OUTFIT FROM CITY OF DEATH! It helps that she was always a match for Tom Baker's Doctor in whatever outfit she wore (I personally really like the long pink coat). Sparks - both good and bad - flew on the set between the two actors and they wound up married, and that energy is certainly palpable on screen.
From the first episode of TNG to the last (but far from every episode in between), the sexual tension between Beverly and Picard drew us in. Sadly, like Troi, none of her other romances really had any chemistry to them. But Beverly was always much more relaxed than the corseted Deanna was, and it shows. Gates McFadden even got to use her dancing background on the show, and you know how sexy dancers are. A little passion about the arts, a born caregiver's attitude, and a head or red hair, all place her well ahead of her shipmate.
Telepathic women naturally scare me, and Talia is a bit of an ice princess, however... Here, it's all about the implied sexual relationship between her and Susan Ivanova. What is it about the potential for girl-on-girl action that fascinates men so? The superficial answer is that you get twice the women and none of the men (stuff we want to see versus stuff we don't). The deeper answer is that it's taboo. And I don't mean that it's wrong in any way, but that it's a place where men are not invited. It gives it its mystery and allure. And I'm sure such relationships are for the most part misrepresented in media, being male fantasies rather than the (unknowable to men) real thing. The Talia/Ivanova relationship scores highly exactly because it IS implied and not truly seen.
Though simpler to keep her and Talia together, she just misses out on the top 75 because of how severe and military she is for much of the series. There's something about JMS' women in Babylon 5 that tends to make them all stand-offish, and Ivanova's belief that all love is unrequited is part of that. When she lets her hair down, Claudia Christian's natural warmth shines through, but Ivanova is never allowed to vamp like we know Christian can (from that guest-starring role on Quantum Leap).
The sexy librarian is a phenomenon we haven't yet mentioned, but it's real. Some women, by their LACK of overt sexuality, are incredibly sexy. Like the "ice queen", they beg to be melted, or in this case, for someone to take off their glasses and loosen their hair. So of all of Lee Meriwether's genre roles, it's Ann McGregor that's the sexiest. Not Star Trek's Losira who has come "for you" in her genie outfit. Not even Catwoman. No, it's Dr. Ann. All she has to do is sit at that console and act worried about Tony and Doug, but Lee's in there for when they make it home.
This list is dedicated to variety. There's all sorts of sexiness, and I'm not subscribing to a single definition. The Borg Queen is CREEPY sexy, but it counts. She's a nightmarish cyborg creature out to assimilate the whole of humanity and corrupt - gasp! - Data's innocent soul, but Alice Krige imbues her with innate sexiness. Cuz when the Queen is blowing on your arm hair, that's the entire Collective putting the moves on you! Personally, I think it's because she's perpetually moist. Dryer Voyager versions of the Queen were never sexy.
The first of a trio of "warrior women", strong of mind as much as body, starts with Beka Valentine. She's a total ass-kicker with a fondness for sleeveless shirts and chokers who, though physical, never let go of her full-blooded femininity. Managed to make herself the mother of an entire race too. What is it with Canadian women, sci-fi and kickassery?
The Canadian Mosaic really does feature heavily in this particular 15, doesn't it? Teyla Emmagan is yet another warrior woman played by an actress who lives on these shores. This exotic beauty falls into the strong SF tradition of girls that can break you in half, and that is so sexy. In her case, she does it with sticks and a wicked midriff.
In her portrayal of our third consecutive warrior, Claudia Black not only gives great hair, but shows (once again) how sexy women in their 30s can be, having matured in their confidence. Their passions are so much more believable. And for passion, you could do worse than the tragic love between Aeryn and Crichton. Again, much of the sex appeal comes from what we cannot have, what lies beneath the strong, severe exterior.
Comedy routine: Observational
Comedy routine: Pathetic
Comedy routine: Vaudeville
Comedy routine: Slapstick
Comedy routine: Deadpan
Comedy routine: Sitcom
Comedy routine: Snark
Comedy routine: Slapstick
Comedy routine: Shock