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Feminism Or Fantasy? The Portrayal Of Women In 'Captain Marvel' And 'Game Of Thrones'

captain marvel
Disney-Marvel Studios via AP
Brie Larson as Captain Marvel in an image released by Disney-Marvel Studios.

Editor's note: This segment contains language some may find offensive. 

Two highly anticipated premiers bring an end to a fantasy series fans have watched for nearly a decade and the beginning of a new female superhero franchise.

Captain Marvel opens in theaters March 8 and the final season of HBO's Game of Thrones begins April 14. Both promise scenes packed with powerful female leads, but their roles have not come without controversy.

In Captain Marvel, Brie Larson plays Carol Danvers, a former Air Force test pilot who gains superhuman powers from an alien race. Now, one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is female. The film faced negative backlash from fans on Rotten Tomatoes. A comment section had to be shut down over "review bombing," a flood of negative comments before fans had even seen the film. In a post put out by Rotten Tomatoes, the site noted it had seen an up-tick in trolling.

Season 8 of Game of Thrones will see the return of strong female storylines from Brienne, Cersei and Sansa. But the series has faced criticism for its graphic violence against women. 

Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss the role of feminism in Captain Marvel and Game of Thrones are University of Cincinnati Department of English Associate Professor Rebecca Sutherland Borah, Ph.D., (@RebeccaBorah); and Associate Professor Mary Leech, Ph.D.

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Michael Monks brings a broad range of experience to WVXU-FM as the host of Cincinnati Edition, Cincinnati Public Radio's weekday news and information talk show.