It really is fascinating how much Van Helsing’s gushing benevolent misogyny about Mina being a “pearl among women” and the like is practically identical to modern fandom’s Exceptional Woman Girlboss approach.

I really did love Mina’s “bro you don’t even know me” response to the worshipfulness. Does she deserve praise and recognition? Is she amazing? Absolutely! But the idolization and “you’re sooo much better than other girls” adoration diminishes her from a human to an idea, and one she feels no connection to.