Women of the Week

Which strong women impressed us on screen this past week? Read on to find out!

Nominated by Leah: Ellen Page as Vanya Hargreeves on The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

I’ve watched the first season twice now and I’m still amazed and awed by Ellen’s portrayal of Vanya. Vanya starts out as this sad lonely woman and Ellen sells it. However by the end of the series *SPOILERS* Ellen is a serious force to be reckoned with. She sells this just as hard. Having turned her abandonment, fear and search to fit in into pure rage/retaliation she attempts to bring about the end of the world. Watching her go through every single emotion over the course of the series is something to see. Like really, go see it now.

I have never felt more upset and annoyed and sorry for and impressed with a character. So happy Netflix announced a second season!

Seconded by Karen

She was AMAZING.

Nominated by Melissa: Gwendoline Christie as Ser Brienne on Game of Thrones

My Woman of the Week is Gwendoline Christie (Ser Brienne!) from Game of Thrones. We had to wait a little bit longer to see her, but in the final season’s second episode she not only showed up, she SHOWED UP. I’ve always been impressed by Gwendoline’s poise as Brienne, with glimpses of vulnerability to keep her from being an automaton. Well, in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, Brienne finally got her due and we got to see what Gwendoline’s range looks like. I cried when Jaime knighted her at last. Gwendoline moved Brienne from sneers to wariness to pure joy with breathtaking skill. I don’t hold out much hope that her character will survive the season – and probably not the next episode – but what a showcase for her (probably) final scenes! All hail Ser Brienne!

RELATED ITEMS:

Women of the Week (April 14-20)
Women of the Week (April 7-13)
Women of the Week (March 31 – April 6)
Woman of the Week (March 24-30)
Woman of the Week (March 17-23)