Ep 7. Tribute to Nerd Girls

In episode 7 of The Nerdist, titled "Tribute to Nerd Girls," host Chris Hardwick and his guests embark on a celebration of nerd culture through the lens of female representation. Hardwick is joined by actress and writer Tara Platt, author Bonnie Burton, and actress and singer Rileah Vanderbilt for a lively discussion and exploration of the many ways in which women have contributed to and shaped nerd culture over the years.

The episode opens with a roundtable discussion with Hardwick and his guests, who all share their personal experiences with nerd culture and how they first became interested in it. They discuss their favorite female characters from movies, TV shows, and comics, and talk about the impact those characters had on their own lives. The conversation then turns to the topic of representation, and the importance of having diverse and relatable characters for people to identify with. The guests share their thoughts on how far nerd culture has come in terms of diversity, and the changes they hope to see in the future.

Next, the episode features a segment where Hardwick interviews special guest Felicia Day, actress and creator of the web series The Guild. Day talks about the process of creating The Guild, and how it grew from a small project she made with friends into a full-fledged show with a large and dedicated fan base. She also discusses her own experiences with being a woman in nerd culture, and the challenges she's faced along the way.

The episode then shifts to a segment called "Girl Talk," where Hardwick and his guests discuss a range of topics related to being a woman in nerd culture. They talk about the stereotypes that women in nerd culture face, such as being labeled as "fake geeks" or being objectified, and how those negative attitudes can be overcome. They also discuss the ways in which women have historically been excluded from certain aspects of nerd culture, such as tabletop gaming or comic book fandom, and how those barriers can be broken down.

The final segment of the episode features a tribute to some of the most iconic female characters in nerd culture. Hardwick and his guests share their favorite female characters from movies, TV shows, and comics, and talk about what makes those characters so special and meaningful to them. They also take a look back at some of the most groundbreaking female characters from nerd culture history, such as Wonder Woman and Ripley from Alien, and discuss how those characters paved the way for future generations.

Overall, episode 7 of The Nerdist is a heartfelt tribute to the contributions of women to nerd culture, as well as a thoughtful exploration of the challenges that women face in this male-dominated world. With its lively discussion and insightful commentary, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of gender and nerd culture.