The Story Lab 2016 – Blog Post Week Five

This week started with our two hour screening of clips surrounding Marvel’s Agent Carter, beginning from her introduction in Captain America: The First Avenger, to the Marvel one-shot, before finally reaching the pilot episode for the Agent Carter series. Had I seen these before? Of course!

I have to admit, when I first saw Captain America: The First Avenger, I wasn’t sitting on the edge of my seat like previous Marvel films had had me doing. It was one of those movies that needed to exist for the overall narrative to make sense, but wasn’t as jaw dropping as some of it’s relating films. It seemed to lack the ‘crash-boom-bang‘ (and of course aliens… not to mention the infamous Loki) of The Avengers, and definitely stayed clear of the technical and sassy aspects of Tony Stark’s Iron Man stories.
Of course, since then we’ve seen the development and modernisation of Captain America through The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, with him soon returning in a matter of weeks in Captain America: Civil War. (And i’ll still say that The Winter Soldier is the best Marvel Movie out there so far!)

I found it interesting in the time after The First Avenger was released, listening to those who dismissed Captain America as a character and superhero alike, claiming he was irrelevant, some going as far as claiming him as pathetic. Of course, I have now come to see that these people didn’t understand narrative, nor were they able to grasp the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For the past few weeks I have been examining the notion of the story within the 21st century, researching it’s relevance and presence in our society. Do I believe the story is dead? Absolutely not. The story will never cease to exist within society, as it is contains fundamental values and ethics relative to humanity. One of my key arguments for the Stories relevance within mankind is the fact that it gives us people to admire, heroes and role models to aspire to. It also provides us with characters that resemble our own person. For me, Captain America is one of the most relatable characters within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure, I love to sit back and watch Tony Stark smart-mouth his way out of trouble. I admire Bruce Banner for his intelligence and strength, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I had the skills of Black Widow. But it is Captain America that stands out, and I am in no way naive to the concept that this was Marvels grand plan.

He represents the little guys, the ones with all the ambition while life throws all it can at them. His leadership qualities are there for everyone to grasp, while his sense of right and wrong will always overpower the politics of others. Additionally, he’s polite and respectful, always mindful of the world and people around him. Steve Rogers, unlike the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist that is Tony Stark, represents everything we are told we should be from a young age.

Yet it astounds me, that while Captain America prevails (and don’t get me wrong – as I said, he is my favourite super hero), the future of Agent Peggy Carter is in serious doubt.
Having just concluded it’s second season, the fate of Agent Carter is one of a complete blur. I have always been attracted to the character of Peggy Carter and am shocked that a character of her substance could be treated the way it has been. For me, I have always seen Peggy as the female version of Captain America – his equal in almost every way. Like Steve, she has worked to overcome the barriers in life – ones of which predominantly surround her gender. She works hard, her morals and ethics always working for the greater good.

But of course the studios are blaming the low ratings for it’s muddled future – but did I mention it was placed in the dead spot? Almost as if a studio is trying to kill the show off… Hmm…

For once (Jessica Jones and Netflix aside), Marvel has given us a female lead. Yes, Black Widow is awesome, but she’s always alongside someone, seemingly never good enough to earn her own stage. And here we have Carter, a woman with a group of males working for her (well, they’re usually following her directions).

 

Chucking in a few women here and there isn’t enough. But Carter shouldn’t stay on screens simply because she is female. At the end of the day, the show is a brilliant program, adding overall substance to the transmedia narrative Marvel has built. Though it is airing after the events of The Avengers, Agent Carter is providing key backstory to how the events explored in modern movies have come about.

Of course there is the possibility for Carter to be shifted to Netflix. While I would absolutely hate to see this happen (I have not entirely loved Netflix series in the past), I would at least take appreciation in the fact it is still running. But I do believe both Marvel and ABC have to be very careful in how they approach this issue. Removing Carter from screens completely is something they should not even question. Moving it to Netflix could be problematic in the sense that they are, essentially, degrading a show, giving the audience the sense their appreciation for female characters is minimal.

The comic book world is growing in both context and popularity. It is generating some of the biggest box-office profits seen. Whether people like to admit it or not, the MCU has an affect on those who watch it. While Agent carter may not be a superhero in the technical sense of the word, she is a role model. Agent Carter needs to stay on our TV screens. The work Marvel has put into seeing themselves this far has been substantial. I would hate to see them step back ten years.