What I'm Streaming: Drop Dead Diva, Seasons 1-6

Momma Told Me: Drama is life.

Until recently I'd never watched a single thing on the Lifetime Network. I don't want to say I channel surfed with prejudice, but Momma was pretty heavy into 'women's networks,' when I was growing up and certain channels seemed to get a bad rap for only covering the stories of severely mistreated and neglected women. Female leads in entertainment have it bad enough, as it is, being sexualized and undervalued in their roles as female characters. Let's face it, most of the women are portrayed as ditzy, artificially enhanced, and aloof or a powerful and intelligent witch whose character will ultimately die alone in a high rise penthouse with 3 cats. However, through the magic of modern day streaming, I am subject to several viewing options I would never otherwise have come across, thanks to a sheer lack of network prejudice.

Drop Dead Diva, which ran for 6 seasons (wrapping in 2014) on Lifetime, is described by Wikipedia as an "American legal comedy-drama/fantasy" television show. I wish I could say that's a melodramatic description, but, alas, it is quite accurate. Drop Dead Diva seamlessly blends an almost cheesy tongue in cheek romantic sitcom cast with real life inspired court cases and legal arguments through the supernatural plot twist of a woman who died and returned in another person's body. To say that this show has a little something for everyone is an understatement- but to say that everyone who enjoys one aspect of this show's themes will enjoy the rest when ran alongside it, is a stretch.

Drop Dead Diva chronicles the story of a ditzy supermodel who died and came back to life as a well established top legal attorney. To complicate the drama and plot further, she happens to be resurrected in the same law firm her grieving ex-fiance works at, and keeps up a close friendship with her old persona's best friend, despite the 'rules' her guardian angel has enforced. Trust me, it sounds a bit hard to swallow at first; and I was initially invested as a casual watch while editing photos or cooking dinners. However, the show's real value for me was in the recurring cameos of well known celebrities and the real life inspired court cases from fairly recent modern times.

The show goes a little Grey's Anatomy with some flat-lined musical 'dream sequences' throughout it's 6 seasons, and the constant desire to slim down the plus size lead actress in promotional advertising and photos grew really frustrating. In all, once you are sucked into the show you will inevitably become invested in the lead character's romantic prospects and the identifiable struggle of fighting the material woman she once was versus the intelligent woman she now is. Silly 'supernatural' premise, aside, there are several great female lead roles and the appeal of intriguing legal arguments and cases to keep the flow of the sometimes absurd interpersonal relationships going. Catch all 6 seasons on Netflix, now.

What Daughter Says: Life may be dramatic but the only thing real about this show are the legal cases.

What I'm Streaming: Bomb Girls- Netflix, Seasons 1-2

I won't lie, the last time I followed a show consisting of a primarily female cast in strong thought provoking roles it was The 'L' Word on Showtime. I generally don't get into fictional dramas focusing on female dynamics because, well, they always seem to skew the characters in a less than authentic manner. Modern women face much adversity today, even as free and 'equal' as we may seem at a general glance, and activists will argue that even the inspirational roles of female actresses are cannibalized in the spectrum of sex sells or propaganda. What's even harder to watch is when a woman, or group of women, are played to seem the victims of their circumstance. So, if you prefer a slightly gritty, truth inspired, fictional drama that offers a well rounded look at the evolution of women, look no further than Bomb Girls.

A Canadian drama that originally aired in 2012 with the intentions of being a mini-series, turned 2 season show, Bomb Girls is a beautifully cast period piece that tells the story of women at work during World War II. While the characters themselves are fictional, all were built upon the mold of real women and their unique struggle through a revolutionary period in time where women boldly moved forward in new roles outside the home. Centered around the workers of a Canadian munitions (bombs to be specific) factory, the characters range from a sheltered preacher's daughter with a dark past to a spoiled socialite struggling to find herself useful in a time of great need.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this show (outside of the gorgeous wardrobe) is the way in which all of the Victory Munitions (VicMu) workers become truly a family despite each and every woman's unique individual struggle with their own identity. At a time where women had previously been resigned to the title of 'gossiping betties' at the local grocer checkout, the very real danger and importance of their present tasks and responsibilities makes from some genuine fireworks and ultimately moving triumphs. I especially enjoyed noting, while each woman had clearly defined strengths, none were without flaws. Sure Vera Burr's label as a 'Patriotute' is quite shocking even in today's time, but the emotional journey of her character alone was enough to keep me returning each episode.

Bomb Girls is a drama that has a little bit of everything from gorgeous young soldiers to determined women fighting for recognition and equal rights. My only real complaint is that the series wasn't picked up for a 3rd season and, despite promises for a 2 hour film conclusion, remains a bit unfinished at the end of the second season. In all, however, Bomb Girls has inspired me to delve a little deeper into the history behind these fictional characters and I've been truly inspired by the truth they were built on. It's indeed inspiring seeing how women have come so far, and fought so hard, even among the struggles of today! Catch seasons 1 and 2 of Bomb Girls on Netflix now.

What I'm Streaming: Reign (CW- 2013+)

Momma Told Me: It's just a TV show-

By now you know that we don't have cable- our primary source of entertainment is subscription streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. However, viewing this way still presents someone with various networks to follow; it simply may take a day or two for the most current episode of your favorite show to appear. My point is that there are a few networks you love, a few you never use because you simply see no value in them, and a few networks you avoid at all costs because the content is clearly not marketed toward your demographic. The CW falls into the latter for me; I haven't watched it since high school and the days of Gillmore Girls and Smallville. The content is usually over-dramatic, littered with bare skin, and targeted towards the fantasies of teenagers.

In the past few years the CW has become particularly obsessed with supernatural themed spinoffs full of lusty vampires and demon slayers where the main characters  on and off again romance requires 2/3 of an episodes screen time. It's no wonder those shows go on and on, season after season! So, when I recently discovered a newer show, Reign, on Netflix I was quickly shocked to find myself becoming engrossed in the characters and their lives of intrigue. Loosely chronicling the younger years and rise of Mary, Queen of Scotts, this historical based drama is less absurd CG graphics and more scandalously compelling plots.

Reign has a few pros and cons; but I'll admit it quickly became a guilty pleasure for me. This was one I made time to stream straight through! The costumes and sets are gorgeous, as are the actors who portray the characters in them, and the dialogue is authentic enough not to lose its time, yet witty and tongue in cheek at the same time. The believability of these characters being in their early adulthood is plausible, thanks to the time frame, and the CW still manages their pillow talk and steamy scenes because of it. There is plenty of gossip and drama among the court and Mary's ladies, and each episode covers a smaller plot while making progress on the storyline as whole.

In all, I could do without the seemingly continual emphasis of Mary's innocence in Season 1, and find that the recently aired Season 2 premiere promises a much more dark and controlling Mary. I prefer my female leads to be in control of their story, not a pawn, so this will be especially enjoyable. The biggest downside, however, is that Mary's tale has been told as a character in so many programs and films that I sometimes know which road a story is heading. That's the benefit of being 'educated' I guess. Don't worry, having greater knowledge of the characters in Reign doesn't detract from the enjoyment one bit!

Update: 12/8/14- After having watched the majority of the current season airing, I am reprising my opinion that this s a must watch show for fans of intrigue, historical drama, and romance. The most recent episode dealt with some tough topics, but the cast and show continue to surprise with the way they tackle modern challenges across the centuries.

What Daughter Says: Even the History Channel and the BBC take creative rights with historical characters, it's what makes for entertainment. Try to enjoy it for what it is, not a history lesson.