I have an opinion which I am about to share that will baffle some and anger others. Here it is. 1/
There is a female sci-fi movie character who was ever bit as innovative and groundbreaking as Ripley, and if she had been as influential, it would have changed how women characters are presented in action/adventure/genre movies forever. 2/
It is from a single sf movie, no sequels or tv tie-ins. She is not the star, nor is she a romantic partner for the hero. Who am I thinking of? 3/
It’s her. 4/
I will die on this hill. If Outland had been a huge hit or cultural touchstone, we would have had lots more smartass bad attitude STEM women like Dr. Lazarus. I can’t think of anything like her in SF before that film, and few after. She has an epic portrayal, too. 5/
Think about what sage represents...an older, graying-haired lady, tart-tongued af, not a romantic prospect or sexual conquest, expert in her field, jaded, no martial skills at all, yet, when the Chios are down, she is the ONLY one who stands by the Marshall. Astounding. 6/
To this DAY they almost never write characters like her. She coulda had the same kind of impact on future films that Ripley did. 7/