Kick- Ass Females: Jessica Pearson | Suits

Okay, so my next pick for kick ass females is none other than Jessica Pearson from Suits, played by Gina Torres.

Thought this gif was fitting, it's from: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/jessica-pearson

There is something about Jessica which is just so powerful. She's so fierce and let's not forget her fashion is one of the best I've seen for any female role. What makes her kick-ass?

#1 She's a female at the top of her career.
Her name is on the masthead-before-any other partners i.e. Pearson Hardman/ Pearson Darby/ Pearson Darby Spector. Females at the top of their career are always so admirable. She fought to get to her position and this shows strength and determination.

#2 She built Harvey. 
She saw Harvey's brilliance during his youth (while he was a worker in the mailroom) and gave him an opportunity to foster and grow it by paying his way through school. Without Jessica, Harvey would be nothing.

#3 Her wardrobe.
Okay so you must be sick and tired of me constantly bringing this up but seriously her wardrobe is phenomenal. Like absolutely unbelievably phenomenal. Classy, yet sexy, elegant and so chic. Let's take a look:

Image from: http://thestitcherati.com/crafts/sewing/fashion-inspiration-the-women-of-suits/#.UlJ7-2QpYSg

#4 Her loyalty.
She will stand by Harvey even when he does morally questionable things. She's dedicated to supporting him and often comes across as more than just his boss, but as someone who genuinely cares about him.

#5 The way she kicked Hardman out was pretty badass. 

#6 She's a good example of...
She's a good example of the idea that hard work will get you to where you want to be. That if you truly work hard nothing and no one can stop you from getting to where you want to be.

Overall, Jessica Pearson is someone who is pretty damn respectable. She is a character who I admire. Hardworking, strong willed, stubborn and determined she's someone who I look up to and who is 100% a kick-ass female character.

I hope one day I can be half as successful as she is.

-Sinia

Review: Devious Maids

Review: Devious Maids, Deviously Good! 

This post 100% contains spoilers.

Photo from: http://www.playmakeronline.com/2013/06/24/review-devious-maids-pilot/

Devious Maids is a new show which premiered on the Lifetime channel in America this year. And honestly it's fabulous. With dominant female leads, a murder mystery and of course plenty of secrets and the backdrop of the lavish Beverly Hills life, this show is a perfect mix of drama, comedy and mystery.

There was, well, is a little bit of controversy around this show with many stating it as playing on traditional stereotypes of Latin women on television/ American society. However, I don't truly agree with this. I think the humour, the smarts and passion of the women portray them as wonderfully intelligent, unique characters.

Now the female leads include: Marisol Suarez, Zoila Diaz, Valentina Diaz, Carmen Luna, Rosie Falta. Five fantastically bold women who absolutely just dominate this show and truly what make it so appealing to women and men around the globe.

The entire series is based around the question: "Who killed Flora?" The first thing I love about this, is that well obviously it sparks your curiosity but two the fact that they actually revealed who killed Flora within the first season! This is something rare for television *cough* *cough* Pretty Little Liars *cough* How I Met Your Mother *cough*. However, this also does make me wonder where the series will go next season. Will it further explore the characters lives? Will Marisol return to her job as a college professor? This begs the question of whether the murderer (I won't say who because I don't really want to spoil it for y'all) is actually the murderer, but I don't see who else it could possible be. 

Now, when it comes to the female characters I would have to say Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez) is one of my favourites. She's vivacious, sexy and her voice is just plain breathtaking. However, she does annoy me at times in the way that she constantly places her career over the opportunity of love with Sam (Wole Parks). The season finale put her in an interesting position of becoming Alejandro's (Matt Cedano) wife, this is one storyline I can't wait to see play out!

Next is Zoila (Judy Reyes), who sometimes can bug me for her "I don't give no shits attitude", but she truly has a lot of love in her heart, particularly for her daughter Valentina (Edy Ganem). The relationship between Zoila and Valentina perfectly portrays the mother daughter dynamic. I think it truly captures the essence of most mother- daughter relationships. The beautiful Valentina is in love with Remi Delatoure (Drew Van Acker), son of Genieve Delatoure (Susan Lucci), Zoila and Valentina's employer. So her mother does not approve. At all, also because she too fell in love with a rich dude who turned out to be an A-grade douchebag and broke her heart. I can see why she wants to protect her daughter but Remi and Valentina are so lovely together, and so everyone's so torn between Zoila's concern and Valentina's love.

Now, let's discuss Rosie Falta (Dania Ramirez), a beautiful young women whose son is in Mexico whilst she works in America for the Westmore's. From the start it is evident Rosie just wants her son to be with her, but she does not have the means to bring him here. However, her employers Peri (Mariana Klaveno) and Spence Westmore (Grant Show) do, but aren't exactly offering up there services- just yet. Spence and Rosie fall in love and agree to get married, but then Peri brings back Rosie's son and then Rosie's all like, "No Spence. I can't do that to Mrs. Peri." and so the wedding is off. But then the wedding is back on once Spence agrees to adopt Rosie's son and gives a speech about love, happiness and all that jazz. However, Peri finds out and is pretty shattered (I mean who wouldn't be, but she is kind of a cow) and then goes on to ruin there chances of getting married.

Last but definitely not least is Marisol Duarte (Ana Ortiz whom I love because she played Hilda in my all time favourite show Ugly Betty). She's is the mother of Flora's accused killer, Eddie (Eddie Hassell) and is going undercover as a maid to find evidence to prove her son's innocence. She works for the Stappord's and occasionally for the extremely creepy and perverted Powell's. She's actually a college professor and is extremely bright, clever and bold (maybe a little too bold) but at the end of the day she does prove her son is innocent!

So I absolutely adore this show! I can't wait till the next season comes out! And as for the most devious character I would probably have to say: Adrian Powell (Tom Irwin) who is just so laced with creep that I honestly just don't even want to know what goes on in that scheming brain of his. As for the most devious maid I would have to say Marisol. But technically she's not actually a maid, which I guess in turn makes her the most devious.  

-Sinia (GO WATCH THIS SHOW PEEPS. YOU WON'T REGRET IT. THE ONLY THING YOU'LL REGRET IS HOW IT WILL TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE).

Review - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law and Order: Special Victim’s Unit, commonly referred to as SVU, is a hard-hitting television series that stems from the original Law & Order. It’s an expose of the seedy underbelly of New York City and the crime that occurs. A myriad of the scripts and subsequent episodes are based on real felonies and victim experiences.

“In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victim’s Unit. These are their stories.”

This is the opening narration to every episode, providing us with information regarding what the show embodies. SVU focuses on sex crimes and crimes committed against children as the victims of these shocking offenses are considered ‘special victims’, thus the name. At the end of most episodes there are courthouse scenes to inform the audience of the outcome. However, at times the audience is left with a cliff-hanger, not knowing the verdict decided by the jury. While there are differences between the Australian and the American criminal justice system, I feel that knowing the basics to both and the differences between them is important. For example, while it is not possible to ‘plead the fifth’ to avoid self-incrimination and the incrimination of others in Australia, our equivalent with the same principal is enacted through various Australian state and federal legislations.

Each episode depicts a different victim. Their stories are heart wrenching and their ordeals are stomach churning. The detectives have to deal with the depravity they see every day to be able to provide the victims of these crimes with justice.

Olivia Benson is a headstrong detective who goes to amazing lengths to catch the murderers, rapists and paedophiles she deals with each day. Being the product of her mother’s rape, she is very passionate about her job and finding justice for the victim. Mariska Hargitay portrays Olivia Benson beautifully and has won numerous Emmy Awards playing this tole. Chris Meloni played Elliot Stabler, husband, best friends and father of five, skilfully for 12 seasons before leaving the show. Diane Neal and Stephanie March were the District Attorneys but have since also left the show. However, long-standing characters, in addition to Olivia, include Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T), Captain Cragen (Dann Florek) and John Munch (Richard Belzer). They are set to return in the 15^th season premiere this September. Since the departure of Chris Meloni, full time characters Amanda Rollins and Nick Amara have been added.

In my opinion, while I was saddened by Chris leaving, the addition of these two characters has allowed a new facet of the show to be seen by the audience, creating a fresher atmosphere. They have also allowed for the writers to create backgrounds for these two characters that have not already been dealt with repeatedly over the 12 seasons such as Elliot’s fear of any crimes being committed against his children.

To conclude, Law & Order: SVU is an outstanding show with an excellent cast. The storyline and plots are terrific and very emotional. This show initially took the world by storm and throughout the years, its popularity has remained steady as evidenced by its impressive 15^th seasons, a feat not easily achieved by other long time series. I cannot wait for the premiere of this season as the finale of the 14^th left us with what can only be described as a heart-stopping cliff-hanger. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone who’s interested in procedural dramas and crime shows.

And just for fun, here’s a photo of Ice- T and I. (*fangirls too hard*) 

Seriously though. This show is way too awesome. Watch it. 

- Jasmine. 

1. http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/0HlUCWQpjxQ/hqdefault.jpg

Kick- Ass Females

Sinia's Choice: Betty from Ugly Betty.

This is my favourite picture. Ever.

You probably think I'm nuts for choosing Betty as a 'kick-ass female' but honestly, have you watched Ugly Betty?! I mean she is anything but fearless and not to mention an amazing example to all females. The predominate idea behind her character is that she is "ugly" unattractive, aesthetically unpleasing but within a couple of minutes one can clearly see her true beauty.

To me the show displays the basic idea that looks are not everything, they may cause you to suffer in certain dilemmas, but at the end of the day where there's a will there's a way (wow, didn't even know I was this deep).
The show definitely portrays Betty in situations where her looks are mocked, such as within the first episode where she is humiliated by being asked to wear a leather - spandex- fishnet outfit clearly ment for a standard model (I mean honestly, very few people can pull of leather spandex and fish nets. Scratch that, pretty much no one can).

Just not a good look man. 

So, yes let's continue shall we. To me Betty is the epitome of beauty. She is smart, successful, caring, loving, generous the list goes on and on. AND HONESTLY EVEN THOUGH SHE IS CONSIDERED "UGLY" SHE GETS SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING BOYFRIENDS EVER LIKE OH MY GOSH HENRY WOW.

But what makes her "kick-ass"? For one she puts up with all the shit from characters like Mark, Amanda, Wilhelmena (and just generally most of the staff at Mode). Actually, she does more than put up with their shit, she owns it and always proves them wrong.

She also always has her family at heart. They are her number one priority and to me that is so admirable. With simple things as making her nephew Justin feel comfortable in his own skin to saving her father from being deported she is truly just 100% a kick-ass female.

Even when she felt beautiful. Mode mocked her. But idgaf and neither should she. She's truly stunning! 

So now you know why I freaking love Ugly Betty. NO. Beautiful Betty. Mhmmmm.

Ciao!