The Power

Girls gain a biological power, and the story uses it to flip who can hurt, control, and lead. The show repeatedly links female power to freedom from male violence, fear, and old gender roles. Margot, Allie, and other women use the change to seek political, religious, or military power. Ryan’s intersex identity and Sister Maria’s trans identity challenge a strict two-sex view of the world. The show also warns that women can abuse power just as men do.

Male-led government officials force women to take power tests and punish women who have it. UrbanDox presents male anger and entitlement as a movement against women’s public power. Margot’s family conflict treats old husband and mother roles as a source of pressure. Some church leaders punish nuns who shelter Maria and girls. The show repeatedly presents old gender rules and male control as systems that must be challenged.

The adaptation adds Sister Maria, a trans nun played by Daniela Vega, to the novel’s story. The show gives her a backstory about family rejection and acceptance at the convent. That addition creates a continuing subplot about trans identity and religious belonging. The change is important to one part of season one, but it does not replace the main story or premise.

A Spanish FilmAffinity review called the series a left-wing woke activism story and criticized its feminist message. One Reddit viewer complained that the show reduced its message to women being good and men being bad. No major outlet reported a broad anti-woke campaign. The supplied X research found no clear anti-woke thread.

Naomi Alderman’s cached score is 84, and her title interviews describe feminist and trans-inclusive goals. Raelle Tucker’s cached score is 65 because her work often centers women and people facing unfair treatment. Producer Naomi de Pear’s cached score is 78 because of queer-focused work and public diversity advocacy. Other key creators have low or mild cached scores, so the overall context is strong but mixed.