Watching Showtime

As the premiere of Meadowlands fast approaches, I become more and more exicted … mostly because the show is amazing, but there is also a large part of me that is giddy with anticipation at seeing so many powerful women in one show. The writers have given us at least four women who stand on their own two feet, not backing down to the men in their lives.

Evelyn Brogan, the matriarch of the family, starts out the season rather whiny, unfortunately. She is still attempting to get her bearings as her life has been completely transformed out from under her. She quickly takes the lead in the family, however, keeping everything together as her husband slowly falls to pieces (and back into old habits).

Zoe Brogan, however, does not need transition time to take control of her new life. Just shy of eighteen, she brashly speaks for her twin brother and seduces several men in her new community. Not afraid of anything or anyone, she cares only that her family stay together. While Zoe may still have her typically “girlie” moments and a certain amount of naivette left, she is a powerful force.

Jezebel is an intereting character. She believes herself to be the most beautiful woman in Meadowlands, and I still have yet to decide if the writers intended this to be a character flaw, as Jez weighs in (according to the Showtime website) at over 200 pounds. I choose to believe, however, that Jez is the embodiment of body-power and healthy self-image, as the girl is clearly beautiful. Here’s hoping the writers don’t throw in sabotage to my theory.

Finally, there is Samantha. Presented to us as Danny’s handler, she is the one who holds all the cards at Meadowlands. Showtime’s website calls her “one of the boys”, but that’s just a way to strip her of her power over so many men who clearly fear her. She has placed them in Meadowlands, and she can remove them, sending them to jail (and in some cases, certain death). Relying on no one but herself, Samantha is a model of power and control in a sea of confusion.

Check out the season premiere on Sunday!

Showtime, Meadowlands, Evelyn Broden, Zoe Broden, Jezebel Ogilvie