Synviks

Hi! Synnöve here. Obviously big fan of your outstanding work on creating a character and work of art that continues to resonate with millions of people 20+ years later! Also, an even bigger fan of your apparent academic super-powers! I’ve provided five questions below; answer as few or as many as you’d like : ).

Thanks, congrats on the new film, and best of luck with your studies and career!!

1: We live in an age where almost every media property is, by perceived necessity, a multimedia experience designed to stoke fandoms and provide ever growing avenues for engagement with said property... it's a good time to be interested in transmedia! What aspect(s) of the phenomena decidedly drew your attention to the point that it's the focus of your PhD? Have you published yet (If so I'd love to read your work)?

2: Speaking of PhD studies, how were you able to participate in TJM whilst attending to them?! As someone staring down the barrel of a future maths PhD, I understand how they tend to UTTERLY CONSUME your life. If a S6 were green-lit would you not be able to participate due to this?

3: Since the advent of feminist frameworks of analysis and criticism, the trope of female characters being defined in relation to/motivated by male characters has been rightfully called out for its sexist underpinnings. One would initially think Helga would be an example of this trope, but many viewers find enough depth and complexity within her character to feel that such a reading is erroneous. What are your views on this matter?

5: Helga’s depth as a character seems to originate from many contradictory aspects of personality:

Very large heart and emotional sensitivity that’s walled off by cynicism and fear of vulnerability, an extremely gifted intellect that's nevertheless prone to repeat mistakes which alienate those she cares about (namely Arnold), a loathing of familial interaction yet a deep-seated desire to have an authentic/loving interaction with them, a strong sense-of-self/self-confidence that is occasionally tossed aside when it may impress Arnold/deflated when comparing herself to her sister or peers, etc. etc.!

These almost paradoxical traits push and pull her in many directions, causing her instability and anguish. In your view, what would Helga need to be “okay”? That is to say, to grow up in to a successful, stable person who is mostly secure with themselves and doesn't feel empty?

Thanks again!

Awe that's very kind of you! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you get the time : )

Hi there Craig! I posed these questions to Francesca Marie Smith when she did her AMA several months back, and now I'd love to hear what you've to say!

1: Helga’s depth as a character seems to originate from many contradictory aspects of personality:

Very large heart and emotional sensitivity that’s walled off by cynicism and fear of vulnerability, an extremely gifted intellect that's nevertheless prone to repeat mistakes which alienate those she cares about (namely Arnold), a loathing of familial interaction yet a deep-seated desire to have an authentic/loving interaction with them, a strong sense-of-self/self-confidence that is occasionally tossed aside when it may impress Arnold/deflated when comparing herself to her sister or peers, etc. etc.!

These almost paradoxical traits push and pull her in many directions, causing her instability and anguish. In your view, what would Helga need to be “okay”? That is to say, to grow up in to a successful, stable person who is mostly secure with themselves and doesn't feel empty?

2: Since the advent of feminist frameworks of analysis and criticism, the trope of female characters being defined in relation to/motivated by male characters has been rightfully called out for its sexist underpinnings. One would initially think Helga would be an example of this trope, but many viewers find enough depth and complexity within her character to feel that such a reading is erroneous. What are your views on this matter?

And one more question for my own nerdy satisfaction: throughout the series the effort is made to portray Helga as being someone who doesn't fit the archytypes for Western beauty standard in various ways (large nose, large ears, unibrow, lanky, overbite, etc). This aspect of the series, and Helga's alternating views on herself in those regards, made her character more relatable and somewhat inspiring when she fully embraced her qualities.

As such I simply must know: does she keep her unibrow?

Haha on that note, thank you very much for your time here! It goes without saying that all of us here have a great love and appreciation for your art and the way it has effected our lives, and we certainly look forward to the wondrous beauty and effect of your future endeavors : ).

Wow! I'd be really interested to hear as to what the changes were! Specifically, I remember Biosquare feeling out of place amongst Helga and Arnold episodes because she doesn't seem to regret nor have a problem with the harsh way she treats him (no soliloquies on her part)... felt as though a few minutes of footage from her POV were cut.