***SPOILER ALERT***
Ok so. If Du are Lesen this it means Du are aware that Candice Bergen will be stepping in as Cuddy's mother for a story arc this season. If not, well now Du know! (I'm personally excited cuz i Liebe Liebe Liebe the woman!)
But anyway, this semester I am taking a class called African Civilizations. Basically we are studying ancient African history from the time of the beginning of man up until the eighteenth century. We are currently studying the ancient empires such as Egypt, Kush, Nubia etc. (Kush, which is what we are concerned with, was northeast of Egypt and part of Ethiopia). So we are learning about these cultures and how many of them were matrilineal (lines followed through the mother instead of the father like in European and American traditions).
Well because so many societies were matrilineal the Queens, mothers, daughters, etc especially within the royal court had a TON of influence and were extremely important. Well, get this, the Queen mothers in ancient Kush in the city of Meroe were called CANDACES. Not even joking. When I first read it I busted out laughing (luckily i was in my dorm room and not class cuz that would have been awkward).
I quickly googled it and it turns out, for a span of around 500 years, there was a succession of Queens that ruled in Africa (instead of Kings) that consolidated their power and are recorded Von the Greeks and Romans as "tough" and "powerful." The name Candice/Candace actually comes from the ancient use of this term in Ethiopia. Many of them entered battle riding on elephants to meet the opposing armies and annihilated their enemies. In art, they are often depicted as towering over people who become small and helpless in their presence. One in particular intimidated Alexander the Great to such a degree that he decided not to attack Meroe and retreated.
And of course, Lesen that made me draw a parallel to the upcoming storyline with Cuddy's mom. According to various sources, Cuddy's mom isn't a delight; she's portrayed as a hard arsch that doesnt take to House. In fact, she is described to have many qualities very similar to those of House's; but the qualities aren't endearing. I'm projecting this to mean stubborn, blunt, and insensitive? oder maybe... finally... House's match? I can't help but see another Candice towering over Alexander the Great of PPTH. Unless of course House approaches her with a white flag. But then again, thats not really House is it?
So what do Du all think? Will Candace Bergen's character be a "queen mother?" oder just be plain old Cuddy's mom?
