TALKING ABOUT CLONE CLUB: A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF ORPHAN BLACK

Orphan Black is a television series rich with complex female clone characters and themes of surveillance and monster/monstrous feminine. I explore these two main themes through an analysis of the on-screen action in several characters’ story arcs. I am examining Orphan Black while revisiting Donna Haraway’s “A Cyborg Manifesto” and considering the genres of horror and science fiction. I argue that the representation of the clones destabilizes woman as Other in terms of female monstrosity, expands the cyborg metaphor, and contributes to the feminist analysis of science fiction

Progression of the Representation of Female Protagonists in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Genres

Broadcast television has been plagued by the misrepresentation and absence of progressive female protagonists. Contemporary television programs have begun to address issues of diversity and empowerment, but it is questionable whether substantial strides in the representation of women have truly been made. The science fiction and fantasy genres in particular are infamous for perpetuating rampant sexism and the objectification of female characters. I analyze aspects of the television shows Orphan Black and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, two broadcast television series which aired over ten years apart, to broadly evaluate whether the science fiction and fantasy genres have progressed or regressed in terms of feminist values in the past decade. The criteria by which the two series are evaluated include the presence of the postfeminist “Girl Power,” the appropriation of “masculine” heroic power in conjunction with femininity, the presence of empowered sexuality, and heteronormativity. The research reveals that, according to the above criteria, Orphan Black, which has not previously been studied academically and which is an ongoing television series, surpasses Buffy in terms of empowered sexuality and the presence of heteronormativity. However, while it is clear that the representation of female protagonists have attained a greater degree of diversity in Orphan Black, it is difficult to identity clear boundaries by which to assess the feminist value of these characters. The Girl Power motif is present in both shows, an element of its feminist potential realized with the series’ emphasis on collectivity.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1158/thumbnail.jp

Analysis of the Progression of the Representation of Female Protagonists in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Shows Orphan Black and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Girl Power, Appropriated “Masculinity” in Conjunction with Femininity, Empowered Sexuality, and the Heterosexual Script

Buffy Summers goes from urban Los Angeles to Sunnydale, California after she is expelled from her previous high school on the grounds of an assortment of Slayer-related incidents. Chosen as the Slayer, Buffy is fated to fight against the forces of darkness, although this responsibility is not always conducive to leading the life of an average teenage girl. Upon moving to Sunnydale, Buffy quickly learns that Sunnydale High School sits directly above a “Hellmouth,” a hub for demon activity. Specifically, the entrance to the Hellmouth is located directly beneath the Sunnydale High School library, home to a curious collection of occult literature and Rupert Giles, the librarian, who Buffy soon discovers is her Watcher. Buffy befriends Xander Harris, a dorky boy who is often teased for his sense of style and lack of stereotypically masculine qualities, and Willow Rosenberg, a shy and awkward computer geek who spurs Buffy to accept her duties as the Slayer. Cordelia, the typical soap bitch of Sunnydale High School, often finds herself entangled with the “Scooby Gang’s” affairs, as the trio are aptly labeled (Jowett 30)

“Thank you for the Nurture”: Kinship and Technological Posthumanism in Orphan Black

This paper demonstrates how the Canadian science fiction television series Orphan Black explores new modalities of kinship, aligning the social implications of reproductive biotechnologies with queer networks of chosen families. Engaging with the writings of posthumanist thinker Donna Haraway and following the clone protagonists of Orphan Black the series destabilises the tradition of the nuclear family by inviting its viewership to question the driving forces behind biological kinship. Also informed by recent scholarship exploring the intersection between queer families, cultures surrounding Assistive Reproductive Technologies, and the works of José Esteban Muñoz, this paper invites engagements with queerness, under a posthumanist critical framework, as holding an underrepresented ‘utopian’ sociality. Driven by a wider cultural context of eradicated reproductive and bodily autonomy under patriarchal capitalism in North America, the series depicts the chosen family – both genetic and non-genetic – as the true site of liberation, solidarity, and ultimately freedom

Cucumber, Banana and Tofu are queer in many more ways than one

First paragraph: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans characters have started to gain a more sustained presence in the TV landscape. They have appeared for example in Skins, Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as well as Six Feet Under, Modern Family and Orphan Black. But they are often relatively marginal and remain isolated from a sense of queer community. Access the Conversation article at https://theconversation.com/cucumber-banana-and-tofu-are-queer-in-many-more-ways-than-one-3862

Short-term fate of rehabilitated orphan black bears released in New Hampshire

We evaluated the release of rehabilitated, orphan black bears (Ursus americanus) in northern New Hampshire. Eleven bears (9 males, 2 females; 40–45 kg) were outfitted with GPS radio-collars and released during May and June of 2011 and 2012. Bears released in 2011 had higher apparent survival and were not observed or reported in any nuisance behavior, whereas no bears released in 2012 survived, and all were involved in minor nuisance behavior. Analysis of GPS locations indicated that bears in 2011 had access to and used abundant natural forages or habitat. Conversely, abundance of soft and hard mast was lower in 2012, suggesting that nuisance behavior, and consequently survival, was inversely related to availability of natural forage. Dispersal from the release site ranged from 3.4–73 km across both years, and no bear returned to the rehabilitation facility (117 km distance). Rehabilitation appears to be a valid method for addressing certain orphan bear issues in New Hampshire

She\u27s Not a Real Monster : Orphan Black\u27s Helena and the Monstrous-Feminine

This thesis explores the idea of the “monstrous-feminine,” or the idea that female monsters of television and film are linked to their femininity in a way that male monsters are not linked to their masculinity. Using the work of scholars such as Barbara Creed, Shelley Stamp Lindsey, and Jane M. Ussher, the thesis covers various facets of women’s lives as seen through the distorted lens of the monstrous. The character of Helena from the television show Orphan Black is used as a concrete example of the stages of the monstrous-feminine: the girl-child, menstruation and puberty, sexuality, and motherhood

Binge On: The Phenomenon of Binge Watching

This paper looks the phenomenon of binge watching. First, the technological advances that made binge watching possible are discussed. Next, the psychological benefits of watching television are briefly summarized. Finally, the element of shows that were considered the most “binge worthy” are investigated. By looking at what they five most recommend shows to binge watch (Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and Orphan Black) had in common, there is now a better understanding of what makes certain television shows get binge watched. The appeal of these shows plots, characters, and popularity all play a role in motivating viewers to binge watch them

Assessing translocation of nuisance and rehabilitation of orphan black bears in New Hampshire

This study evaluated translocation of nuisance and rehabilitation of orphan black bears as management strategies in New Hampshire. Bears were fitted with GPS collars to measure survival, movement, habitat selection, and conflict activity until denning. Survival of nuisance bears was high (73%) the first year, and they exhibited low return rates (28%) with only adults homing; homing declined as distance increased. Bears selected for both natural and human-dominated habitats, and most (55%) were documented in subsequent conflicts indicating that translocation does not eliminate nuisance behavior; some were harvested. Rehabilitated orphan bears had high survival (86%) in 2011 and were not involved in conflicts, but in 2012 none survived and all caused minor conflicts. Conflict rate was believed to be related to availability of natural forage. Translocation of nuisance bears and rehabilitation of orphan bears represent viable management strategies; however, reducing anthropogenic food sources would reduce the need for both

The politics of female friendship in contemporary speculative fiction

Ce projet examine comment la politique et l’amitié sont actualisées dans la fiction spéculative du XXIe siècle à travers différents médias. Cette thèse aborde la manière dont ces relations interpersonnelles affectent la sphère sociale et le statu quo des mondes fictifs à l’étude. Pour orienter la discussion, j’utilise le concept d’autonomie relationnelle qui reconnaît l’interdépendance des individus autonomes et de la communauté en général et l’éthique du care qui environne la moralité comme étant relationnelle et contextualisée. L’utilisation conjointe de ces deux cadres me permet de discuter de la façon dont les amitiés sont propices à la participation politique. Le premier chapitre présente une discussion globale de The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) de Margaret Atwood et notamment de son influence au sein du genre de la fiction spéculative féministe. Ensuite, dans une première section, je me concentre sur les notions d’autonomie par rapport à l’adaptation graphique du roman d’Atwood par Renée Nault (2019), que je compare avec la bande dessinée Bitch Planet de Kelly Sue DeConnick et Valentine de Landro (2013-2017). Dans une seconde section, je me concentre sur l’éthique du care en tant que processus pouvant favoriser des amitiés empreintes d’implications politiques en analysant l’adaptation télévisée de The Handmaid’s Tale, produite par Hulu, et la série Orphan Black, produite par BBC America. La fiction spéculative permet d’expérimenter librement avec différentes idées politiques et de comprendre comment la société pourrait réagir dans des scénarios extrêmes. Ces expériences de pensée reflètent nos propres luttes et lacunes politiques et pourraient ultimement indiquer de meilleures façons de résoudre les problèmes actuels.This project examines how politics and friendship are actualized in speculative fiction across different media in the twenty-first century. This thesis discusses how these interpersonal relationships affect the social sphere and the status quo of the fictional worlds in question. To guide the discussion, I use the concept of relational autonomy, which recognizes the interconnectedness of both autonomous individuals and the community at large, and ethics of care, which understands morality as relational and contextualized. I use these two frameworks in tandem to discuss how friendships are conducive to political participation. The first chapter presents an overarching discussion of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (1985) in its legacy to the feminist speculative fiction genre. Following, in the first section, I focus on notions of autonomy in relation to Renée Nault's graphic novel adaptation of Atwood’s novel (2019) and contrast it with Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine de Landro’s comic Bitch Planet (2013-2017). In the second section, I focus on the ethics of care as a process that can foster friendships with political implications by analyzing Hulu's TV adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale and BBC America's Orphan Black. SF offers the freedom to test different political ideas and to understand how society might react in extreme scenarios. These thought experiments reflect our own political struggles and shortcomings; ultimately, they might point at better ways to solve current problems