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I wanted to create a thread of FDS Aligned media and literature. Please add and feel free to use the same template. I'll clean it up as time goes on, and add more as they come to mind.
Luckiest Girl Alive - Jessica Knoll. (Netflix)
Why I like it: The book is better but the movie was done well too. The main/female character portrayed as multifaceted, strategic and angry. She is not flattened into a villain, but neither is she made out to be a whimpering victim. The portrayal of her female friendship as the center of her life, juxtaposed with another (familial female) relationship with a PickMe is a nice differentiation. Very
Strong themes of female cooperation. You can tell it is written by a woman, and not some incel adjacent male writer or PickMe.
Mood: Serious, with moments of wit and levity.
Trigger Warning: Level 10. Assault is not glamorized. It is edited in a way that makes it revolting, and kindles rage. Also trigger warning for those traumatized by dysfunctional families with narcissistic parents.
Bad Sisters (Apple Tv)
Why I like it: Gorgeous cinema. Well developed characters with a female focused plotline. Centers loving sisterhood poisoned by violent misogyny. Great acting.
Mood: light hearted, with an abundance of levity.
Trigger warning: Level 4. Domestic abuse: emotional and physical.
The Handmaid”s Tale: Elizabeth Atwood is a genius of dystopian fiction. This show’s reputation precedes itself so I will not elaborate. Overall, it’s a stunning, heart wrenching plotline that illustrates women's fight for survival within the most oppressive constraints.
Why I like it: Very female centered. Depicts the nightmarish reality of a world where women have the same status as free use chattel. Multi dimensional characters that are thoroughly fleshed out. Again, Atwood is a literary genius.
Mood: somber, riveting, triumphant.
Trigger warning: Level 10. Very strong scenes of violence: sexual, physical. There is gore as well.
Homeland (HBO)
Why I like it: Claire Danes depiction of Carrie Mathison, including what it means for a deeply flawed, extremely brilliant woman with a serious mental illness and neurodivergent mind to survive in a very high stakes world is beyond compare. It just shows the complexity of her character is gritty detail without villification or deification. The plot is spectacular, and is focused on espionage and foreign policy.
Mood: Serious, thrilling.
Trigger warning: Level 10- violence
Daniel Sloss (HBO Max)
All his standup comedy specials are wonderful. He’s legitimately hilarious without leaning on misogyny and sends very strong FDS aligned messages against sexual assault.
Why I like it: he directs his messaging to men.
Trigger Warning: Level 2 (He calls out a rapist friend in a special)
Drew Micheal: Red Blue Green (Standup Comedy- HBO Max)
He analyzes sexism/misogyny and patriarchy in depth, with cutting acerbic critiques on male behavior and female superiority.
Why I like it: Hilarious. Directed to men but female centered.
Trigger warning: Level 0
Katherine Ryan: In Trouble (Standup comedy- Netflix)
Funny very female centered comedian. A breath of fresh air. Her show was a witty critique of dating/sexism and the joys of (single) motherhood. In an industry infested with PickMes, and where the pressure to be “one of the boys” is immense, Katherine shines.
Tell Me Lies (Hulu)
Realistic portrayal of college life. All the excitement without the frills. Its a chilling illustration of how sociopathic men infiltrate, manipulate and triangulate women within their social circles. The main characters have yet to find their wings and are flailing in their need for male validation.
Why I like It: If anything, Tell Me Lies is a cautionary tale. A show on what not to do for young girls. How women cannibalize themselves in the absence of female cooperation.
Mood: Moody drama with hints of levity.
Trigger Warning: Level 7: Narcissistic/emotional manipulation. Gaslighting.
Hacks (Comedy Drama, HBO Max)
Why I Like It: Fantastic as far as comedies go. Very well written and heartwarming story of multigenerational female friendship. Female centered with a strong feminist message about cooperation. The length and breath of the female characters humanity is illustrated with empathy. I was really pleasantly surprised by this show. The acting, writing and direction all come together to make superb tv.
Mood: Funny, witty, mildly suspenseful with caustic humor.
Trigger warning: Level 0.
MAID (Drama, Netflix)
Why I Like It: Amazing story of sheer grit and resilience by a female protagonist. It illustrates emotional abuse with a stunning and gut wrenching plotline that leaves you rooting for a single mother with bated breath. Important watch for all women, especially teenage girls who need to be educated on how abuse creeps up from seemingly good men, and how easily that can cement you in poverty and desperation.
Mood: pensive, emotional.
Trigger warning: Level 10. Emotional abuse. Vaguely remember moments of sexual coercion.
Schitt's Creek ( Comedy, Netflix)
Why I Like It: Easy watch. Heartwarming small time drama of a close knit functional family. All the characters are endearing in their own way and hilarious. The father Johnny Rose is a HVM who made some poor investment decisions. But instead of turning abusive and blaming the world or his family, he doubles down on being a kind supportive husband who never tries to stifle his wife or children. He manages his wife's neuroses with humor and navigates their hardship with a sunny disposition while working hard to get them back to their former position.
Mild critique: makes queer theory references in passing moments.
Mood: light, funny, snarky humor.
Trigger warning: Level 0
Queen's Gambit (Drama, suspense. Netflix)
Why I Like It: Riveting and deeply humanized portrayal of a (seemingly bipolar) female protagonist with a neurodivergent mind. She is elevated as a superior intellectual in a way that is usually solely preserved for males. Makes for great viewing especially for young girls with lofty ambitions who have dreams beyond their circumstances, especially if they have a diagnosed mental illness or neurodivergence. Beautifully written, wholly believable and an all round wonderful story of perseverance and excellence.
Trigger warning: Level 0. No nudity or sexual references. Really beautifully done.
Mood: pensive, suspenseful, emotional.
Hells yeah for making my entertainment consumption more intentional. Thanks for sharing this
This is so awesome! Thank you so much. i have a hard time finding shows that I like that I’m not cringing at the messages some of the characters convey.
Hi, love this. I liked the series 'Playing House'.
Its a beautiful story of 2 friends, and a positive female friendship! With a hearty dose of humour.
This is something I never thought would be an example but the men in the book Dracula by Bram Stocker are fantastic. There are some amazing example of manhood and great appreciation of the women in the story. I havent finished the book yet but once I do I might make a post about it to show the green flags that Stocker wrote down back in the 1800s! I dont know much about the author himself but his characters are *chefs kiss*.
I love this! Can we do one for music, books, and other things too?
thank you so much for this list! i'll think of the recent content i've consumed and contribute if there is any that fit the bill.
I wonder if "A Black Lady Sketch Show" qualifies. It definitely leans feminist. They make fun of ridiculous beauty standards all the time, and occasionally point out the absurdity of Pickme behavior.
A lot of studio ghibli movies come to mind! Wholesome, lighthearted, and features many girls without romantic relationships
I can't recommend Thelma and Louise enough.
I pretty much only watch shows that have a female focus or at the very least have a lot of badass women in the show, but I also really like silly/campy things, and 2 star sci-fi so I'm not 100% sure if these are FDS aligned or merely "girlboss" type shows, but here are some I really enjoyed:
Scandal (leans FDS I think)
Once Upon A Time (girlboss, definitely has pickme elements like Belle never dumps "the beast" but the two female leads, Emma and "the evil queen" are great, the last season sucked)
Lost Girl (girlboss, she's poly but she's a succubus so it's for her health 😂😂, her partners are monogamous with her still)
Arrival (?? Probably FDS)
Wynona Earp (girlboss, very silly)
Some "pickme" shows I couldn't finish:
Another Life (everyone is incompetent, a lot of TRA nonsense)
Charmed the remake (the first 2-3 seasons were ok, but then they replaced one of the sisters with a man)
Blindspot (Female lead has no agency, the plot requires her to be naked a lot, her love interest is abusive and controlling, risks her life to get his way)
Hmm, I don't think I have to mention queene gambit but just in case.
Music: I have only listened to her first album (which she wrote at 15!!) but Janis Ian is so incredibly talented. Her lyrics address social issues, the pressures but on young women, sex work, incredible stuff.
Just came across Sofie Freaer
https://www.instagram.com/sophiefrearmusic/