Back in 1979 the world was introduced to Sigourney Weaver. OK – Sigourney did appear in a non-speaking role, briefly, in the movie Annie Hall two years previously. But the film that launched her incredible career was a little film called “Alien.” Most people include Alien in their top ten list of science fiction films.

The film is considered a classic, and both Troy and David had Alien in their top ten science fiction films of all time. A lot of the credit can go to the director, Ridley Scott, and to the screenplay, the alien design (thanks to H.R. Giger), the alien effects, the sets, the music, sound design, a whole host of things. But perhaps first among the many things that make this film great is the cast. The cast is incredible. Everyone is brilliant in their roles. Primarily we look to the character Ellen Ripley, a Warrant Officer and second in command of the Nostromo. Ellen Ripley was played by Sigourney Weaver.

Rachel A. Rosen is the guest for this two-part episode that looks at two films starring Sigourney Weaver.

PT. 1 Troy and David and Rachel look at the movie Alien, including their first experiences seeing it, their favorite moments, the lasting impact of the movie, and take a close look at some of the more impactful moments in the movie. Please stay until the end of the episode, after our closing music, for some additional content.

PT. 2 Our next episode, episode 10 of season 7, to be dropped on June 30th, 2026, will be an episode looking at Galaxy Quest, which also starred Sigourney Weaver. Rachel joins Troy and David to look at a film that both fans and non-fans of episodic science fiction series like.

By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Worvan, what a movie!

RACHEL A. ROSEN
https://rachelrosen.ca/

From her website:

“I’m an activist, graphic designer, and for my sins, a high school teacher. Through magic dark as Vantablack, I have somehow conjured the time to write a book series, The Sleep of Reason. If you’re looking for more disaster wizards, check out my first novel, Cascade. I’m part of the Night Beats artist collective, so if you like my ideas, you can subscribe to my newsletter.”

Rachel also has the second book in the series, “Blight”.
https://rachelrosen.ca/index.php/a-homepage-section/

Rachel A. Rosen has been a guest for a previous show:

“Queer SFFH” LINK
[Season 5 Episode 13, April 20, 2024]

We hope you enjoy the show!

Note: As mentioned earlier, Rachel will be back for our second Sigourney Weaver episode, on Galaxy Quest, which should drop June 30, 2026.

Queer SFFH (Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror) has been with us for a very long time. One of the first English-language science fiction novels is Frankenstein, 1818, and it was written by bisexual author Mary Shelley. And representation has recently reached new heights, in both how many queer creators there are, but also the number of queer characters appearing in SFFH, in books and media, but also in the quality and impact they have in storylines.

Rachel A. Rosen joins Troy and David, to discuss the topic. Rachel, being a first guest, is asked about her earliest genre memories, and her first genre love. She then is asked the standard 6 questions for first time guests: Fave Author; Fave Novel; Fave Shorter Work; Fave Movie; Fave TV Series; and, Fave TV episode.

Troy presents an overview of queer representation in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, as part of his history segment.

Rachel mentions the influence of the character Dax from DS9, and other queer creators, including Francesca Lia Block, Clive Barker, and Mary Shelley.

The “Bury Your Gays” trope is discussed.

Is Hollywood getting better at depictions of queer characters?

Doctor Who and queer culture is discussed. Many queer Doctors, and queer companions have been featured. Russell T. Davis is openly gay, and he has brought in queer characters and trans characters, more than any other showrunner. The 15th doctor is openly gay. Bill Potts (played by Pearl Mackie) was the first openly gay companion.

Xena and Gabrielle as gay icons is covered.
Is Dr. Frank-N-Furter a gay icon or a caricature?

Rachel and Troy and David spend time talking about the third episode of The Last of Us. Troy does a history, for this episode.

RACHEL A. ROSEN lives and makes trouble in Tkaronto (Toronto) in the country currently known as Canada.

A genre strumpet with an outlook darker than VantaBlack, she straddles urban fantasy, cosmic horror, dystopian futures, and eco-fiction.

Her stone-cold bummer of a first novel, Cascade (The Sleep of Reason Book 1), was published by The BumblePuppy Press in 2022, and with Zilla Novikov, she’s the co-author of The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food You Can Make So You Don’t Die.

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