Trek's catsuit problem with female actresses

[Citiprime]

As opposed to catsuits worn by male actresses?

Since "actress" is considered by most to be a relic of an older, more sexist time ...

You should contact the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences before they hand out anymore Best Actress Oscars.

While we're at it, why are we saying "female"? ... So far as that goes, why do we need to specify sex at all?

Ummm... because in the history of this franchise the people that have either been affected by this or complained about it have been female.

And, well, yeah -- they're on television, so of course they're actors, right? Thus:

Trek's catsuit problem​

Now, then...is this the real topic?

Just wondering.

That's like the people who say: "Why are you saying "Black Lives Matter"? Don't "All Lives Matter"?" It diminishes the discussion by not acknowledging the people who've been directly affected.

 

[valkyrie013]

Simple solution, leave it up to the actress on how comfortable she is with costumes. Within reason, as in, you have to wear a uniform, has to be tailored but we can make it comfortable, any off duty wear, skirts, etc. we'll leave it up to you, we want you comfortable, we may ask occasionally for something more revealing. ( This goes for Female, And Male) or a certain costume, but we'll take your advice into consideration, but sometimes, you may be abit uncomfortable.

I know plenty of women that like to dress up, that like Nichelle said, is empowering to say wear a skirt, or they know they have a nice body, maybe with alot of effort in a gym or diet, and Want to show it off, so they don't mind wearing a boob showing costume, or tight pants. I'm being looked at? Okay. Most women (and men) Like to look good. Key is not to push it on them, or your job is at stake.

Also remember the guys, I'm pretty sure those Decon chamber scenes with the guys in the underoos wern't wanted either. or a few Riker episodes.

 

[fireproof78]

So it isn't a "problem" that suddenly appeared in the 80s. It has been endemic with Star Trek from the beginning (the Orion Slave girl was in the pilot)

Indeed, yes. It has been a part of Trek from the beginning, and in part a part of the SF scene too. Frustratingly so in some regards because it becomes a game of excuses for why these characters dress one way and not the other. I'm glad Star Trek is starting to move on.

 

[M'Sharak]

You should contact the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences before they hand out anymore Best Actress Oscars.

The Academy is also increasingly considered by many to be a relic of an older, more sexist time

Ummm... because in the history of this franchise the people that have either been affected by this or complained about it have been female.

I can see someone hasn't spent much time around this board.

(Also: don't begin any sentence or observation with "Ummm..." -- it's just rude.)

That's like the people who say: "Why are you saying "Black Lives Matter"? Don't "All Lives Matter"?" It diminishes the discussion by not acknowledging the people who've been directly affected.

No. All you really need are the three words. The rest are already an implicit part of the topic.

 

[XCV330]

Every female character who was in a catsuit looked far better when actually put in a regular uniform. Until we get an equal number of male characters in just a codpiece and harness I hope that the female catsuit is a trope that has finally died a death.

Bold Boimler would wear the codpiece!

 

[valkyrie013]

A "Catsuit" was worn, last year by Jesse Keitel, playing Captain angel on SNW. Didn't look like she had a problem with the outfit. ?

 

[Lord Garth]

Yup, I was right. I am reading a thread from the early-2000s. Throwback Thursday was yesterday.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Bold Boimler would wear the codpiece!

He's sported a black censor bar so I don't see him having an issue with a codpiece.

 

[XCV330]

I like the skant uniform, albeit with proper leggings and boots. If done right, it has a futuristic-take on a medieval tunic.

 

[Oddish]

Funny thing, they made positive progress, peaking with late TNG, DS9 and early Voyager. Consider:
TNG, post CoC: Crusher wears uniform with coat, Troi wears uniform, other female personnel wear uniform.
DS9: Kira wears Bajoran uniform. Dax wears Starfleet uniform.
VOY: Janeway wears uniform. Torres wears uniform. Kes wears simple, flattering civilian outfits.

For five years, they had it right. Then, we reverse course and catsuits are back.

 

[Nombrecomun]

Funny thing, they made positive progress, peaking with late TNG, DS9 and early Voyager. Consider:
TNG, post CoC: Crusher wears uniform with coat, Troi wears uniform, other female personnel wear uniform.
DS9: Kira wears Bajoran uniform. Dax wears Starfleet uniform.
VOY: Janeway wears uniform. Torres wears uniform. Kes wears simple, flattering civilian outfits.

For five years, they had it right. Then, we reverse course and catsuits are back.

Yep. This is what I was thinking reading through this thread. It seemed ok and then it reversed considerably with Seven's catsuit just being waaaaay too much. It's a cheap approach for sure. It tells me that they can't write better material so they have to resort to titillating elements to catch attention. Picard's Admiral F Bomb is similar.

But as others said, it is something that I'm happy that Trek has corrected. Now if they could only write better content and leave the faux drama to soap operas.

 

[1001001]

Yup, I was right. I am reading a thread from the early-2000s. Throwback Thursday was yesterday.

Yeah, the last character to wear a catsuit went off the air almost 18 years ago?

Timely stuff.

 

[Dukhat]

TrekMovie.com has a story detailing how actress Kim Rhodes was told she was rejected from the role of T'Pol in Star Trek: Enterprise by Paramount executives because she had the "wrong body type." When she inquired as to whether that was supposed to mean she was too fat, Rhodes's agent told her "yes."

Worth noting that in this particular instance, the actress' story makes it abundantly clear that this decision was made somewhere above Berman and Braga's heads.

It's no secret that UPN were a bunch of idiots.

 

[Oddish]

That makes sense, given that it was a sharp reversal of the trend toward women as equals, including the way they dressed.

 

[Citiprime]

Yeah, the last character to wear a catsuit went off the air almost 18 years ago?

Timely stuff.

There are posts in this forum that talk about episodes from 20 years ago. Is it then crazy to talk about the behind-the-scenes decisions that happened in those episodes from 20 years ago, especially when there's a NEW story from an actress discussing her experience and the mindset of those in charge?

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

If they're gonna bring the issue back up, I guess anyone can.

If a uniform or outfit look is justified, okay.

* No loose, baggy, snaggable clothes when you crawl into an engine with possible moving/sharp parts.
* "Sexy" clothes worn in the presence of someone a character wishes to charm/is dating, or distract (for a mission).
* Is it warm/cold/damp/dry/windy/acidic/lava-y day? Dress for the elements.

What happened to just casual, well-fitting, not too loose or too tight, not too future or too past, clothes?

 

[Lord Garth]

There are posts in this forum that talk about episodes from 20 years ago. Is it then crazy to talk about the behind-the-scenes decisions that happened in those episodes from 20 years ago, especially when there's a NEW story from an actress discussing her experience and the mindset of those in charge?

No, but the original post was framed in the present tense as if it's current stuff.

 

[fireproof78]

What happened to just casual, well-fitting, not too loose or too tight, not too future or too past, clothes?

It now has to look like "THE FUTURE" of fashion or something otherwise outrageous.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

I think we can agree, though, that the decade's aesthetic comes through anyway. Sort of like Humans will continue to enjoy periodic revivals of 20th/21st century decade fashion.

 

[Sumire]

I don’t think highly confining costumes are comfortable for anyone to wear, especially for long days of physical activity. I hope no one is asked to wear similar outfits, season after season, ever again.

In response to the article in question, it is sad that being the “wrong physical type” prevented a talented actress from landing a leading role. (Not that Jolene Blalock wasn’t a wonderful T’Pol, she was.) I hope we continue to progress into a future that acknowledges that there isn’t a single “healthy” body type. I have friends who do little but sit in front of a computer all day {a very futuristic activity but not an especially healthy one) who are “tiny” and friends who travel the country competing in sporting events who are “large.” I hope all media franchises will one day reflect more inclusive casting practices.