Palace-dramas and Elon’s Baby Mamas

Just for fun this Sunday, a comparatively look at how Elon’s Baby Mamas have started to conform to Chinese Imperial drama stereotypes.

I know y’all are dying to hear the Taipology take on the TSMC/Intel JV. But it’s Sunday, so just for fun, let’s instead talk about how Elon Musk’s have now amassed enough Baby Mamas to conform to Imperial Palace Drama stereotypes. (I’m just gonna assume you’re caught up on all the details. But if you’ve been napping in a mayonnaise jar then you can read this article to get up to speed.)

I don’t know if you grew up on those palace-intrigue dramas like I did. But they are a staple of the Taiwanese/Chinese TV diet from the 80s up to the present day! And there are very definite archetype characters that show up again and again.

Grimes is the Beloved But Defiant concubine. She is the emperor’s actual favorite, but because she refuses to conform, she suffered exile, ridicule and repeated betrayals.

Grimes’ historical analog is the Pearl Consort, clearly adored by Emperor Guangxu but eventually thrown down a well and drowned for disrespecting the the Empress Dowager.

Shivon Zilis is the Perfectly Behaved Court Favorite. She is dutiful, competent, strategic and approved by the Dowager Empress. This is the concubine that plays her cards just right. But she will never be the favorite of the Emperor’s heart.

Her historical analog is Consort Hui: The brainy, competent woman who secures stability but never had the Emperor Qianlong’s full passion. She won the long game though…her son eventually became Emperor Jiaqing.

The latest addition to the harem is Ashley St. Clair. She is the Scheming Upstart Concubine, another favorite trope. Usually the villainess of the drama, she is the overly ambitious new favorite who thinks she can skip the subtle maneuvering and go straight for the kill.

The Valentine’s Day public baby reveal is TYPICAL Scheming Upstart Concubine behavior. She overstepped, and the emperor is likely displeased.

Her historical analog is Consort Gao. Power-hungry and unsubtly scheming, Consort Gao gets too bold too fast, a recipe for downfall in the Forbidden City!

Will there be more baby mamas? Probably! But even without, there’s enough material for a modern palace-drama series right there!