MovieChat Forums > Taken (2002) Discussion > One thing I'm disappointed in...

One thing I'm disappointed in...

posted 14 years ago by CompliCaeted
7 replies | jump to latest

... is that this show practically only depicts pretty weak female characters.

The male characters of Taken, such as the Crawford men and the Keys, were a bunch of strong, tough, smart and driven guys. Owen Crawford was truly the meanest SOB I've seen on TV in a while. And Jesse Keys was a Hell of fighter, trying to keep from being abducted, fighting in Vietnam and all... All awesome characters!

The women, on the other hand, weren't all that awesome. I mean, think about it :

Anne Crawford : a resentful alcoholic
Becky Clarke : she was easily manipulated by Eric Crawford
Sally Clarke : pretty much the same as her daughter, except it involved Owen Crawford
Carol Clarke : ignored all about her husband's alien nature, while pretty much everyone else knew about it...
Amelia Keys : even when she was presented proof, she always refused to believe Jesse had been abducted
Lisa Clarke : she basically came across to me as whiny...
Mary Crawford : alienated by her career, she's close to becoming a homicidal maniac.
Dr Harriet Penzler : she was basically betraying the little therapy group by working for the government.

Thoughts?

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] steven_titchenell2006 14 years ago

I agree with kbrwnlove. I'd also like to point out that Sally & Becky both showed strength by staying in bad marriages. If Amelia were weak, she would've cried over the soldier making lewd comments from his hospital bed, instead of dumping the tray on his head & she wouldn't have stuck by Jesse all those years. I have a feeling Anne's attraction to Owen was because he was much like her father. Remember when he asked Owen if he'd "cleaned up" the scouts & their dad? Even though he hated Owen for taking the project away from him, I think he respected his ruthlessness

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] denomar 14 years ago

I don't think the women were so weak out of that list... plus a few missed characters ;-)

Anne Crawford : Weak - I agree with Daddy's Little Princess theory.
Becky Clarke : Strong - Both her and Tom took it upon themselves to see that Jacob was OK.
Sally Clarke : Strong - Being a single mother in those times... well.
Carol Clarke : Unsure - I don't think we saw enough of her to say either way.
Amelia Keys : Strong - Maybe even the strongest female character. She's a resilient lady and naturally, in that era, if your other half says they're being taken by little green men, you're going to suggest they need help.
Lisa Clarke : Strong - Single mother. She didn't abort Allie despite the fact that it could've been rape.
Mary Crawford : Weak-ish - But that's a defining element of the Crawford family. The lack of attention from her father made her turn to and idolise another father figure, unfortunately, her grandfather.
Dr Harriet Penzler : Probably didn't see enough of her to say.
Kate Keys: (played by the awesome Julie Benz. I watched the pilot of No Ordinary Family today, not bad) Can't really say either way, other than she thought she was doing what was best for Jesse.
Nina Toth: Strong - For me, she's tied with Amelia for the strongest female character of the series. From day one, she's 100% loyal to Lisa and willing to do anything for her best friend and god-daughter. I'm actually so tempted to write a fic from her eyes, could be an interesting perspective.

[–] gringott 14 years ago

That Asian lady was pretty strong, she talked back to the gunman and was not afraid of him at all.

[–] steven_titchenell2006 14 years ago

She was funny too

[–] exocel 14 years ago

i think allie was the only character in the entire cast that wasnt flawed, most of the male characters had giant flaws too. Owen was the worst. pride, greed, fear and anger all the worst characteristics written into one male character by the writers.