Larvatus Prodeo

MB writes: Folks might recall I mentioned about a month ago that I was judging UTS’ online journalism award. I’m very pleased indeed to publish the winning entry – by Melanie Macfarlane. You can read more about Melanie’s background and work at her webpage, and the post was originally published at NoMenClaTure.

This July, women all around the world lined up to see the movie spin off of the Sex in The City television series that has been attributed to changing women’s views about sex, relationships and fashion. But while fashionistas flitted about in their uncomfortable toe splitting stilettos, I awaited the return of another female pop icon to the silver screen.

The Right Kind of Role Model

Scully on The X Files. Copyright 20th Century Fox

She was strong, she was smart, she was cynical and she didn’t compromise her beliefs for a second, despite the all too convincing theories of an overly handsome man by the name of Fox Mulder. She wasn’t obsessed with the latest fashions and used her brains, not her boobs, to pursue her ambitious career objectives.

She was Special Agent Dana Scully and she was the heroine at the centre of the sci fi television drama, The X Files. While Mulder oozed sex appeal and crazy theories about the existence of extraterrestrials, Scully was the skeptical, forensic pathologist always there with a rational explanation for whatever paranormal phenomenon they were investigating that week. She stood side by side with Mulder as an intellectual equal. She was a sexy tomboy whose favourite book was Moby Dick and who wasn’t afraid of anything slimy, bloody or just down right gross. Scully stood strong as Mulder turned green and reached for a bucket.

I was twelve years old at the peak of the X Files phenomenon and I was obsessed with Agent Scully. I loved her and I wanted to be her. More than ten years and a degree in science later, I still have a soft spot for this sassy agent. As embarrassing as it is to admit to making career decisions based on a fictional television character, I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone.

The Next Generation

Science based crime solving programs are bigger than ever and so are enrolments in forensic science courses. Coincidence? I think not.

For the week of October 14 2008, four of the five most watched television shows in the US were crime-solving programs. CSI pulled 23 million viewers and was the most watched program in the country. NCIS came in at number three with 16.2 million, Criminal Minds at number 4 pulled 16.1 million and CSI: NY followed close behind with 15.8 million viewers. CSI: Miami, Cold Case and Bones were all in the top 20. Australia is no different. In the same week, City Homicide, CSI, NCIS, The Mentalist and Criminal Minds all appeared in the Top 20 programs. Reality based crime shows such as The Force and Border Security also rated well.

In an article for Science, forensic scientists Jason Linville and Ray Liu explain why shows such as CSI are so popular. “Hollywood focuses on the most interesting aspects of the forensic investigation. Science becomes a gimmick–a technological toy that the hero uses to find evidence the criminal surely hoped was undetectable.” Continue reading ‘Guest post by Melanie Macfarlane: When I Grow Up: Taking Career Advice from the TV’