What started as a discussion of female villains became an episode on “unlikeable” female protagonists in pop fiction...their words, deeds, character traits, and permutations that we relate to. In the end we ask whether we can finally put this label to rest and how the evolution of female creators and complicated female characters is making that possible. ** Sticks & Stones. We discuss the “big speeches” from these women who have fire in their bellies and chips on their shoulders: Marla Grayson from I Care Alot, the “cool girl speech” from Gone Girl, the “cerulean blue” speech from Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, Nora’s speech about anger in The Woman Upstairs and Ani Fanelli in Luckiest Girl Alive. (05:40)** What’s Your Theme, Heather? A play on our regular episode segment, What's Your Damage, Heather?, we discuss what we like to see in our villains, what character traits we relate to more, and what that says about our own damage. In the end, these traits aren’t “unlikable” to us at all, they are relatable! Kate picks female characters who are motivated by ambition, anger and love. Carinn relates to ambitious women, women who are in control (even when they are out of control), those who go from victim to villain, and those motivated by love (sometimes!). (24:15)** What She Said. We share some of our favorite first person quotes from female creators on this idea of the unlikable female protagonist: Koa Beck, Rosamund Pike, Anbara Salam, and Gillian Flynn. (56:20).** Takeaways. Are we done yet ? We discuss whether the unlikable female protagonist is over. (64:30)Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com. Stay Complicated!We’ve launched a platform at patreon.com/popfictionwomen to keep making the podcast you love -- and to make it even better. For a one time contribution to support this episode, use venmo @carinn-jade. Thank you for your support and enjoy the show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.