Gender in Post-9/11 American Apocalyptic TV - by Eve Bennett (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In the years following 9/11, American TV developed a preoccupation with apocalypse. Science fiction and fantasy shows ranging from Firefly to Heroes, from the rebooted Battlestar Galactica to Lost, envisaged scenarios in which world-changing disasters were either threatened or actually took place. During the same period numerous commentators observed that the American media's representation of gender had undergone a marked regression, possibly, it was suggested, as a consequence of the 9/11 attacks and the feelings of weakness and insecurity they engendered in the nation's men.

Eve Bennett investigates whether the same impulse to return to traditional images of masculinity and femininity can be found in the contemporary cycle of apocalyptic series, programmes which, like 9/11 itself, present plenty of opportunity for narratives of damsels-in-distress and heroic male rescuers. However, as this book shows, whether such narratives play out in the expected manner is another matter.

Review Quotes

Gender in Post-9/11 American Apocalyptic TV perceptively interprets fan favourites such as Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, and The Walking Dead. Exploring 'female gothic' alongside the role of 'male melodrama' in telefantasy, Eve Bennett deftly assesses the implications of cult TV seriality. Convincingly argued, rigorously theorised, and always alert to (con)textual complexities - at the end of the day, this is quite simply a fantastic contribution to the field.
Matt Hills, Professor of Media, University of Huddersfield, UK

A particularly appropriate and important exploration in the current historical moment, this book deftly examines gender in both popular and less well-known TV series, offering insights for fans, scholars, and students. Engaging, illuminating, and highly readable.
Lorna Jowett, Reader in Television Studies, University of Northampton, UK

It is the end of the world as we know it, or so television tells us, according to Eve Bennett's engaging and convincing discussion of post-9/11 American telefantasy. Focusing on twenty-five series, covering hundreds of hours of programming, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the representation and construction of gender within a climate of apocalypse and catastrophe. Rigorously researched and accessibly written, this book is a timely discussion in a genre that feels more relevant today than ever before.
Stacey Abbott, Reader in Film and Television Studies, University of Roehampton, UK

About the Author

Eve Bennett is a is a lecturer in media and cultural studies at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris 3, France.