Van Helsing Television Show: A Critical Look at Representation and Storytelling
The Syfy series Van Helsing offers a post-apocalyptic vampire world with Vanessa Helsing, a descendant of the famed vampire hunter, at its center. While the show boasts strong female characters in positions of power, its approach to representing female strength and challenging societal norms sometimes falters. One early scene exemplifies this issue: Vanessa encounters a man assaulting his partner and intervenes, decisively defeating him in a fight.
This scene, while intending to showcase Vanessa’s combat skills, inadvertently utilizes a tired trope: a woman proving her strength by violently confronting a man already established as abusive. The intention might be to portray Vanessa as a protector of the vulnerable, but the execution leans into a simplistic “good versus evil” binary that lacks nuance. The scene could have achieved the same goal of establishing Vanessa’s capabilities without resorting to such a heavy-handed portrayal of domestic violence.
Furthermore, the show sometimes seems to prioritize overt displays of female empowerment over subtle character development. While Van Helsing features a female doctor, a military leader, and soldiers who follow a woman’s command, these positive representations are occasionally overshadowed by moments that feel forced or preachy. The show’s strength lies in its diverse cast of capable women, but the narrative occasionally stumbles in its attempts to highlight these strengths. Subtlety and nuance, as demonstrated in scenes where women naturally hold positions of authority and respect, are far more effective than contrived scenarios designed to make a specific point.
The core issue isn’t about having a female protagonist who can fight; it’s about the context in which that fighting prowess is displayed. Vanessa’s competence can be established through various challenges, not just by pitting her against a demonstrably abusive man. This reliance on a predictable trope can alienate viewers and detract from the overall narrative. There are more creative and less problematic ways to showcase a female character’s strength and fighting abilities within the context of a vampire apocalypse. Facing supernatural threats, leading a resistance, and making strategic decisions in high-pressure situations are all compelling alternatives.
Ultimately, Van Helsing raises important questions about how to effectively represent female empowerment in media. The show’s creators clearly aim to challenge traditional gender roles and showcase strong female characters. However, the execution sometimes falls short, relying on simplistic tropes and sacrificing nuanced storytelling for the sake of making a point. The show’s potential for meaningful social commentary is sometimes undermined by its tendency towards heavy-handed messaging. Strong female characters are not inherently problematic; it’s the lazy writing that occasionally accompanies them in Van Helsing that needs to be addressed. A more thoughtful approach to character development and storytelling would allow the show to explore complex themes of gender and power without resorting to predictable and potentially alienating tropes.
