Silhouettes of girls in front of a world map

5 Moments of Girl Power in Knightmare

By Keith McDonald

Knightmare was mentioned in an article about gender equality in tonight's Evening Standard - so we've picked five top moments of Knightmare girl power for us all to enjoy.


Rosamund Urwin argues that men with daughters are becoming increasingly strong advocates of gender equality as they witness their daughters' struggles. She says it may be the case that we 'need to see the personal to get political'.

"We can't begin to understand a type of prejudice that doesn't affect us - be it sexism or anti-Semitism - until we listen to those it does," she writes.

Before that, we're like the blind dungeoneer in Knightmare: we need someone who can see to guide us.

Rosamund Urwin

See the full article.

Admittedly, Knightmare did tread a fine line here. We heard Lord Fear shouting "Never trust a woman to do anything". We saw a blonde 'Sidriss the Confused' (and a 'Bimboid' robot). We also heard the escapades of the wondering troubadour who repeatedly got caught with his breeches round his ankles.

But despite this, Knightmare also gave us the following:

Morghanna (1989)

The dark melodramatic sorceress only appeared twice in Series 3, but claimed victims on both occasions.

100% kill rate. Beat that!

Morghanna, the Sorceress, played by Natasha Pope in Series 3 of Knightmare (1989).

You were simply no match for Morghanna.

Treguard

Julie and Team (1993)

Probably the best two teams to appear on Knightmare featured back-to-back at the end of Series 7.

It was Julie Connell and team from Staffordshire who led the way, becoming the only team to successfully retrieve the Sword.

In a fabulous scene, they also got Sylvester Hands drunk. "FOUR DEAD GOBLINS..."

Outstanding job, ladies!

Maldame (1994)

I got where I am today by sheer ability!

Maldame

Love her or loathe her, Maldame carried the rhetoric and demeanour of the recently deposed Margaret Thatcher.

Full of sanctimonious remarks about "young people today", she bargained her way into one of Lord Fear's towers with Machiavellian intent and set up home.

Visiting dungeoneers were expected to kneel before she would address them.

When Lord Fear sent a red dragon to destroy her, all indications are that she came off best. She proved to be a real survivor in an unforgiving environment.

Majida (1993-4)

You think a girl can't do this? Like camel I spit on you!

Majida

Treguard's new assistant in 1993 took a little getting used to. At first fiery and obstinate, she quickly became absorbed by the game and provoked a lot of laughs in her two-year spell.

She also holds the record for one of the longest names in the history of mankind. (Listen to Series 7 Episode 1 to find out!)

The Dungeon Master soon grew fond of her and her outbursts, as we did too. It wasn't too hard after Pickle, was it?

Oop! Boy! Treguard - you sure about this one? Maybe we throw him back and get another girl?

Majida

Sophia vs. Elita (1992)

You're a face-ache too.

Sophia

The famously difficult cavern-elf came across a dungeoneer who was quite happy to give as good as she got.

The funny thing was - Elita had been in an unusually polite mood. It was a young team in play, and with the season end approaching, the story arc took priority over her riskier bursts of attitude.

But Sophia wasn't taking even casual insults lying down. By Level 3, tension was at boiling point. And with one more jibe, Elita had heard enough.

She was only narrowly persuaded to save Sophia's skin and send goblin master Skarkill packing.

Sophia also got a kiss on the hand from the lothario, Ridolfo, who raised a few giggles among the advisors.

I, of course, got to thank you on behalf of all o'the ladies with-a the empty lives.

Ridolfo

So yes - the connection between Knightmare and feminism is a question mark. But for entertainment value and development of boys and girls alike, I'm not sure we can fault it for trying.

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The Level 1 Wellway Room was used for the first three series of Knightmare.

Wellway rooms allowed dungeoneers to descend to the second and third levels in the early series of Knightmare.

Wall Monsters

The Brangwen-Shee, one of the Wall Monsters. Voiced by Natasha Pope.

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