BATTLE_OF_THE_SEXES-58-20250702-07ie8c0fue
04/10/2026 | Cynthia Bemis Abrams

The Rise of the Anti-Hero with Special Guest Jessica Jones

Show Notes:

It’s time we celebrate TV’s most complex women. Cynthia Bemis Abrams is joined by Dr. Molly Brost (University of Southern Indiana) to dive into anti-heroines—characters like Marvel’s Jessica Jones—who challenge societal norms and expand the definition of justice on TV.

This thought-provoking episode explores:
  • How women anti-heroes differ from male ones
  • What makes Jessica Jones a standout figure in this category
  • Why TV and streaming are better when women are allowed to be “unlikable”
  • The cultural shift toward flawed, layered, morally ambiguous female leads
Whether you’re a fan of action heroines or media studies, this conversation is a must-listen for understanding the evolution of modern TV storytelling.