Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this includes fictional female characters in geeky media and creators. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers from The Expanse. Do yourself a favor and catch up on this critically acclaimed sci-fi series.
Camina Drummer
Fast Facts:
Pictured: Cara Gee as Camina Drummer in THE EXPANSE. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Camina Drummer (Cara Gee) serves as the second in command to Fred Johnson (Chad L. Coleman) at Tycho Station. She rose through the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA) ranks, having collaborated with Anderson Dawes (Jared Harris).
Eventually, Drummer becomes captain of the Behemoth, a Belter war vessel. In Season Three of The Expanse, Johnson sent Drummer to retrieve the Behemoth (formerly the Nauvoo) and serve as the face of the Belt, unifying Belters amid the war between Earth and Mars.
Although we know little about Drummer’s past save the brief allusions to her relationship with Dawes and her formative years on Ceres, Drummer is an integral part of Tycho Station and the Belt.
Later, Drummer rises as the OPAN Station Commander of Medina Station, working alongside Klaes Ashford (David Strathairn) to investigate the myriad disappearances of UN and MCRN ships near the Ring Gate. Drummer resigns from her position and embarks on a solo journey by the end of Season Four.
After Ashford
She seizes command of the Dewalt with her “Polyam Belter Fam,” running a pirate fleet in the Sohiro territory.
After Ashford’s death at the hands of political extremist and Free Navy Commander Marco Inaros (Keon Alexander), Drummer blazes the warpath of vengeance. She forges a tenuous alliance with Marco but later backs out when she helps the Rocinante escape Marco’s deathtrap.
Then, Drummer’s poly family splits following her decision to take a stand against Marco. She finds Ashford’s old ship, the Tynan, and takes control of it. Drummer attempts to fly under Marco’s radar as the bounty on her head increases tenfold. With the help of Liang Walker (Stuart Hughes), Drummer raids one of Marco’s supply depots and transports those supplies to the impoverished Belters on Ceres.
In the penultimate episode of The Expanse, UN Secretary-General Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo) stages a meeting with Drummer to join forces against Marco.
The Real Deal:
Now, Drummer is a badass. Plain and simple. She doesn’t mince words and refuses to “beat around the bush.” If she doesn’t like you, she’ll tell you point-blank. Not only that, but our girl is a skilled fighter. She possesses a razor-sharp intellect with a sense of humor to match. Drummer also refuses to tiptoe around the male ego.
She’ll put her colleagues in place with an ease that only someone who works in a male-dominated field can. Drummer is a proud Belter, one who’s willing to sacrifice herself for the good of the Belt.
Why She Matters:
Pictured: Cara Gee as Camina Drummer in THE EXPANSE. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Did I mention Drummer’s expansive (hee hee) and impressive resume? While it’s not uncommon in The Expanse universe to see a woman in charge, she’s almost universally beloved by the Belt (we’re not counting the Free Navy).
Nowadays, it’s essential for women to see themselves in authority positions and know it’s possible to succeed. Drummer matters tremendously, if not for her immense inner and outer strength, but because of her leadership qualities. Drummer doesn’t let others define her — she knows who she is. She marches to the beat of her drum (pun intended).
Drummer is selfless and strong, physically and mentally. She’ll do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of Belters everywhere. Beltalowda, remember in Season Three when Drummer sacrificed herself so Ashford could prevent the Behemoth from being sucked into the Station?
Drummer is incredibly loyal, forging a deep bond with Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper), despite the latter’s loyalty to a few “Inners.”
Screaming Firehawks, I encourage you to be like our bosmang. Be strong. Dole out a Braveheart-like speech whenever a dire situation arises. Be brave. Do what you must do to protect those you love. Know your self-worth and don’t take s**t from anyone. Be a space pirate, should the chance ever present itself. Lastly, march to the beat of your drum(mer).
This article was originally posted on 08/08/2018. It’s updated to reflect the latest season.
RELATED: Catch up on all the protomolecule goodness with The Expanse recaps!
Melody.McCune@geekgirlauthority.com
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- DOCTOR WHO Recap: (S01E03) Boom - May 17, 2024
- 15 Song Covers We Want to Hear on BRIDGERTON - May 17, 2024
- BRIDGERTON Season 3 Part 1 Finale Recap: (S03E04) Old Friends - May 16, 2024
