So, what exactly is a Girl-Boss? The term has become the subject of immense controversy when discussing modern media. Is it simply a term insecure men use to describe powerful female characters or is there a lot more to the situation? When modern Marvel Comics gave us Riri Williams, Kate Bishop, and Kamala Khan – when Star Wars gave us Rey we’d thought the mainstream could go no lower. However, soon entered the Girl-Boss – a malicious mutation of the Mary Sue. A character with all of a Mary Sue’s privilege, but with major insecurities fueled by rage against the fictional “patriarchy.”

The inevitable result of this has been terrible, boring, and downright destructive movies we’re not allowed to dislike without being called sexist, insecure, or manbabies. Yet the reality is these characters lack depth and nuance. They’re rage fueled power fantasies taking their frustrations out on male heroes and shouting “you go girl!”

It’s a showdown of Woke vs Tradition writing. So let’s not only explore what we mean when we call a character a “Girl-Boss” – let’s do what the pearl clutchers say is impossible for critics…find female characters that even us evil men enjoy. And also explore what happens if we apply tradition to a woke Girl-Boss and see the results. #girlboss #ironheart #marysue #starwars

00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:21 The Mary Sue
00:04:11 Ironheart vs Iron Man
00:18:14 Girl-Boss Formula
00:23:36 Prey and Priviledge
00:26:49 Prey and Girl-Boss Politics
00:31:38 Prey and Girl-Boss Power
00:34:21 Plot Relevant Character Flaws
00:38:08 Woke vs Tradition Re-Write
00:41:52 Traditional Example Iron Man
00:43:48 Traditional Example Kill Bill
00:48:08 Traditional Example The Ballerina
00:50:15 Feminist Stories vs Feminine Stories (The Labyrinth)
00:54:10 Why Girl-Bosses Suck
00:59:33 Final Words