The Alienist became a successful mini-series when it first premiered on TNT in 2018. So successful amongst fans that the network ordered a second season that premiered in 2020 titled The Alienist: Angel of Darkness. The show and seasons were based on the first novel of the same name by Caleb Carr and the follow-up novel.
Besides the thrilling crime drama and the chase to find the ruthless killer in both seasons, fans admired the main character of Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning). Set in the 1890s, there were certain expectations for a sophisticated lady of the time. Sara Howard defied these expectations, broke the mold and wrote her own story in a world and time period dominated by men.
When She Smoked On The Ferry
Back in the 1890’s, revolution and civil rights were on the rise, but it didn’t change the way women were expected to look in society. They were meant to wear petticoats, detailed dresses and always look prim and proper. One of the aspects of looking proper was not indulging in activities that were more suited for men, including smoking cigarettes.
Her smoking in the show is prominent, and is not considered a lady-like thing to do. Even in episode six of the first season, she’s on a ferry sitting next to another woman, and when she starts smoking the woman looks at her in disgust and distaste.
She Asked For A Glass Of Whiskey
Even alcoholic drinks are associated with certain genders. Drinking alcohol was a big pleasure activity at the time, but it also meant that women were more prone to drinking wine. Sara was a different case. She enjoys a glass of wine like anyone else, but that’s not her preferred poison.
When she interrupts Laszlo Kreizler’s dinner she’s offered a glass of wine. But he realizes it’s not up to her standards. Instead, she asks for a glass of whiskey. She explains her father insisted and it took her years to acquire the taste.
Willingly Ventured To The Slums
As much as Sara tries to showcase herself as not the average lady, those around her still try to think of her as such. A comical moment where Sara broke the common misconceptions of women during the time was with John Moore.
Sara has a possible lead on some information in the first season in episode two, but it’s in an undesirable part of the city, also known as the slums. Class divide was prevalent during the time and women were to never venture to low-end neighborhoods. Sara brushed this aside. John was baffled that she even considered going, and was scared to go himself. Sara teases him about it and instead shows more bravado than John.
Went To Investigate On Her Own
Sara takes on a new career path in season two of the show. She’s now one of the city’s first female detectives with her own private agency. In episode five, Sara shows immense bravery that wasn’t seen in a woman in the 1890’s. She and another one of her female employees followed their suspect.
Afraid of possibly losing track of them, she goes on alone to follow the suspect. She instructs her partner to go advise John of her plan, and he is shocked to hear that she went alone.
When She Challenged Laszlo
Back during the time period, women were meant to be subordinate to men. They were meant to be housewives and dote on their husbands, or any man for that matter. They were not meant to challenge them in any way. Sara broke the mold in this regard when confronting Laszlo in episode six of the first season.
Sara uncovers the truth behind one of Laszlo’s lies and confronts him. She berates him for expecting others to be honest when he isn’t honest about himself and calls him a coward. This leads to Laszlo striking her. Sara shows strength to confront him and even keeps a level head after the events.
When She Uses A Gun To Save John
Audiences are aware that Sara’s father taught her how to take care of herself in a world full of misogyny. One of his lessons was teach her how to handle and shoot a firearm. At the time, woman would occasionally shoot a firearm for sport, but it was very rare it was seen as a manly thing to do.
At the end of the first season, audiences see Sara use a firearm. In the second season, it progresses. She has a wide display of firearms on the wall behind her desk, courtesy of her father. She even uses a small firearm to protect John when confronted by a local gang. It’s the ultimate power play, as John is there being protected by a woman against a group of tough men.
The First Introduction Of Sara At The Police Station
Sara has the honor of being titled the first-ever female secretary to hold the job at a police station in New York City. Women weren’t allowed to work much less hold a job in a male-dominated career. Sara wore the honor with pride and didn’t let the officers berate her for being a woman.
One of her best moments was when she’s first introduced. John tried to be courteous and personal with Sara due to history, but Sara won’t allow it. She says the sassy and powerful line “I am Miss Howard, an employee of the New York Police Department. You will please accord me the respect that my position demands.” Sara holds her head high against the misogyny of the police department.
Stands Up For Her Intellect And Career Against Hearst And Vanderbilt
Sara proves her abilities as a private investigator when safely brings back the Linares baby. She is contracted by the Vanderbilt family to bring back their missing baby. She shocks them by stating she already knew about the incident after her own investigations.
She effectively quiets down the men in the room with her intellect and knowledge of the case and suspect. She even makes a bargain in return for working on the case. A comical moment occurs when she requests Byrnes to work for her, not with her. Vanderbilt even defends her when Byrnes disagrees.
Helps Stand Up For Women’s Rights And Right To Vote
In the second season, a civil revolution starts to occur in regards to women’s rights. Audiences first see Sara breaking the mold of a typical woman by attending the electrocution of a woman wrongly accused of killing her baby. She speaks her mind against the electrocution in a room full of men, and is almost kicked out.
The scene prior to this is what really sets Sara apart and puts her in line with the new woman’s revolution. In her office there are multiple banners advocating for women against murder. She allows her female staff to take part in the rally held outside the prison and instructs them to be safe. At the time, the idea of a woman having many forms of legal rights was blasphemous. Sara even applauds the woman asking for the right to vote.
She Welcomes a New Team Member To The Detective Agency
The very first episode of season one is when audiences truly see that Sara broke the mold of the 1890s. Viewers see her enter her own private investigative office under her name. She’s often ridiculed for her profession, seeing as it wasn’t customary for woman to become investigators. A real treat of Sara’s strong need to make a way for women and empower them is in the very last scene of the season.
She welcomes a new team member and explains that she won’t find many detectives who look like them in the police gazette. They may be judged as women, and whether they wear skirts or trousers is immaterial to their work as detectives. She sees her work and her colleagues as the stepping stone to a new future.
