Saturday, February 13, 2010

Genre Meta: Why We're Fans - Favorite Characters

We recently decided (well, it was Stephanie S.'s idea, but SABR Matt was quick to get on board) that a retrospective on the characters who have drawn us to science fiction - the characters who have kept us watching and loving the genre through the years - might make a fun feature article. Obviously, although we have unique perspectives and different core philosophies, we have enough in common when it comes to the things we like that we can share this blog and frequently agree on the central message this space sends its readers. When we sat down to make a list of favorite characters, we had many in common, but we found that, most of the time, we loved those characters for somewhat different reasons.

We thought it would be interesting to give a short little blurb about some of our absolute favorite heroes and villains and - when we agree - share our unique reasoning. This post will start with a general overview from each of us as to what sorts of characters we tend to enjoy most; then we'll run through our top choices one by one and talk about each of them. When we both have something to say, we'll both make comments! We hope you enjoy this little detour from ratings and perspectives on individual episodes and let us take you on a tour of our lives in fandom.

The Overviews:

SABR Matt: I tend to gravitate toward three different types of characters. First, there are the passionate, heroic types. These are the characters who are ruled by their emotions and their good hearts (or more accurately in some cases, their senses of morality and honor); they are easily filled with motivation to take action, often getting themselves into trouble because they have difficulty holding themselves back when caution may be the better part of valor, and they often doing the right thing even when the consequences could be disastrous. Characters like this include Kira Nerys (Deep Space Nine), Mark Benford (FlashForward), Ben Sisko (Deep Space Nine), Jonathan Archer (Enterprise), Saul Tigh (Battlestar Galactica), early Daniel Jackson (Stargate SG-1), Gary Hobson (Early Edition), John Sheppard (Stargate Atlantis), Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly) and Dr. Rodney McKay (Stargate Atlantis)

Second are the underdogs - people who lack the skills to "belong" in a sweeping epic science fiction canon and yet come up big through shear will and determination. This group includes Chuck Fishman (Early Edition), Xander Harris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jake Sisko (Deep Space Nine), Ezri Dax (Deep Space Nine), The Doctor (Voyager), Leonard McCoy (Star Trek: The Original Series), Willow Rosenburg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jack O'Neill (Stargate SG-1), Vir Cotto (Babylon 5), Eli Wallace (Stargate Universe), Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Stargate Atlantis), Kaylee Fry (Firefly) and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Stargate Atlantis).

Finally, there are the unique perspectives on humanity delivered by voices from outside humanity. The vital roll folks like these play in shedding light on the human condition should not be underestimated. They're the ones who challenge you to think about what it means to be human and upend assumptions and conceits. Star Trek is full of these types, but they exist in most genre series -- even the ones without aliens. This list includes Spock (Star Trek: The Original Series), Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Quark (Deep Space Nine), Seven of Nine (Voyager), Odo (Deep Space Nine), Greg House (um...House...LOL), Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Anya (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Teal'c (Stargate SG-1).

The characters I've commented on below do not represent an exhaustive list of the characters I've enjoyed over the years, but these remarks should give you a sense of the types of characters that interest me. I've decided to pick three representatives - the best of the best from each of my lists above - the ones who have inspired more thought (and even occasional fan fiction) than any others - and I've decided to cover a wide range of parent series in order to give the reader a broader perspective. Some of my all time favorite characters have been left off this list, but that should not be read as an indication that they have a lesser place in my mind.

Stephanie S.:  Looking back on the characters I have loved over the years, I see several consistent themes. First of all, I am especially fond of close male-male relationships. The quality that ties duos such as Tigh & Adama (Battlestar Galactica), Londo & Vir (Babylon 5), Jack & Daniel (Stargate SG1), Jack & Teal'c (ditto), or (if you'll permit me to wander outside of genre for a moment) Radar & Hawkeye (M*A*S*H) together is masculine devotion. If a character is willing to walk through fire for his best friend, I am so there.

Secondly, I share with my co-author a love for characters who live by stiff moral codes. Vir Cotto, for example, agonizes over the fallout of his world's imperial ambitions and eventually acts to try to change the tide. Gary Hobson, meanwhile, is ruled by a conscience so unrelenting that he often feels he's being controlled by some unforgiving outside force -- though, of course, the choice to go out and do something is always his. Or, if a character I like does not live according to certain standards of human decency, said character will always be willing to face the consequences of his sin by the end of his arc. Londo Mollari is my go-to example here.

Lastly, I seem to be attracted to the maturation narrative. Many of my favorite characters enter the fray as naive young men and come out leaders on the other side. Vir is the classic example of this progression. 

The characters I've seen fit to discuss below are those characters who have inspired full-fledged obsession. These are the characters I have written fanfiction for - or even role-played. 

The Characters (In No Particular Order):

Greg House (House M.D.):

SABR Matt writes: Some of you may be wondering why I would include House here. a) It's not sci-fi (although real M.D.'s might beg to differ when it comes to the medical aspect of the show - LOL) and b) House is most definitely human and displays a number of very common human frailties. So how can he be a perspective outside of humanity? The answer is simple (in my mind anyway): House's mind does not function normally. He represents what happens to a human when they try to ignore that part of themselves that is distinctly imperfect and irrational - that part that makes them truly human. Unlike the naive Roddenbury creations that divorce themselves from irrational emotions (*cough*Vulcans*cough*), House paints a much clearer picture of what would happen to one of us if we tried to rise above our emotions. He is miserable - struggles to make lasting connections with other people - lives his life from case to case, latching on to medicine as an addiction even after escaping his Vicodin habit. He angrily professes atheism as the only logical belief system and finds his life utterly without meaning. There has never been (in my lifetime at any rate) a better-written character serving in this capacity - he's the ultimate argument in favor of faith and that divine little spark of humanity that makes us do things we might regret later - or things that make us great.

Stephanie S. concurs, adding: He is also incredibly funny much of the time. We must never forget that.

Kira Nerys (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine):

SABR Matt writes: I find Kira extremely uplifting for any number of reasons. She EXPLODES with life; everything she does is driven by intense passion, fierce self-confidence and a strength of character all deriving from a personal code (as Odo puts it in "The Circle") of morality and a dedication to faith. She's one of the best female characters I've ever seen in my (admittedly short) life time, showing the strength to rise above a painful childhood full of suffering and loss, the resilience to bounce back from tragedy or betrayal (as she did with Odo following "Favor the Bold"), a deep passion for and loyalty to her friends and loved ones (the way she mothers Jake from time to time is a favorite example of mine), and a generosity of spirit. She does the incredible (or nearly impossible) time after time despite her many flaws. It never gets old.

Stephanie S. concurs, adding: Kira was my first girlcrush. When I was fourteen years old, I went to school every day wearing a Bajoran earring -- and to this day, I continue to find her an immensely satisfying character. Perhaps it's because she can play chicken with a Romulan fleet and win - or take down a Starfleet security team while very, very pregnant. Perhaps it's because she is unapologetically religious - or perhaps it's because she repeatedly challenges the Federation's benign arrogance. At any rate, I notice that her episodes are over-represented among the strongest the series has ever produced, likely because her violent history opens the door for some thematically powerful stories. 

Xander Harris (Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

SABR Matt writes: If you've been reading my Buffy reviews, you know I have a bad habit of gushing about Xander. This is because he's my leading "Marty Stu" (fanfic term for a character to which you strongly relate and into whom you place yourself when writing from his perspective). We're not identical at all. I'm relatively capable intellectually (I don't say that to be conceited - just stating a fact) and Xander... is not (which is just one example of our differences). :) But we share a gigantic heart which we both wear on our sleeves, a sense of love and loyalty, a caretaker instinct (it always seems to fall on Xander to pick up the pieces after a disaster and look after his friends in need however he can, and he never complains), and a sort of "ordinary man" perspective in extraordinary circumstances. The great things he's done in the service of his friends I can only hope to match in spirit.

Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation):

SABR Matt writes: One of the things the show's creators did best - and worst - was tell the story of Lt. Commander Data, an android who, in theory, lacked the capacity for human emotions and yet dreamed of being human (without emotion, how can one comprehend what he is missing enough to wish for it? The very nature of a wish is rooted in desire, an emotion!). We'll put aside my lack of faith on our ability to engineer a sentient life form or my concerns over whether Data stands as an argument that humanity comes from human intelligence and achievement and not from the soul. His story was still compelling and he still provided a fascinating look into our lives. We were made to wonder about just how important our human qualities were and how much we take them for granted. If only the writers hadn't thrown him an emotions chip - if only his story had gone the way it was naturally leading (if only he'd come to realize he was already exhibiting the very human attributes he so desired) - his character arc would have been one for the ages.


Chuck Fishman (Early Edition):

SABR Matt writes: I'm sure my sister will gush like a schoolgirl about Gary Hobson - hey, I love the guy too - but I want to talk about the guy who really made Early Edition work. :D (*ducks a flying shoe*) Gary's story is well told - but there's really no journey for him aside from his move from reluctant tool of God's mercy to willing hero. He was a great guy at the start, and he was a great guy at the end. Chuck always had a good heart, but he was a man who allowed himself to become cynical and world weary. Through his friendship with Gary and his brushes with the divine, however, he learned to listen to his conscience and strive to be a better man - even if he wasn't exactly a brighter man. :) Most of the time, he's Gary's comedic foil and support system, but I like characters who really change and grow in leaps and bounds - and that describes Chuck to a tee.

Gary Hobson (Early Edition):

Stephanie S. writes: I think it's a mistake to downplay Gary's progression through the series. Perhaps the most important thing an adult is called to do is to accept his or her peculiar vocation - and that is Gary's story in a nutshell. As I suggested in my introduction above, it takes Gary a very long time - most of the series, in fact - to accept that he is not a marionette and the paper is not holding his strings. He complains that he is not free to do as he wishes; he helps people, but not always joyfully. Most of the time, he sees the paper as a crushing, fun-sucking burden. Thus, when in Gifted, he tells another character that knowing the future can be a blessing after all, it's a huge breakthrough - not at all something to be dismissed.  

It is true, though, that Gary makes me very giggly. He is heart-rendingly adorable, not simply because of his almost preternatural decency - though that is certainly a big part of the appeal - but also because of the little things, like his rumpled morning look, his bouts of grouchiness (often brought on by the ingratitude of his rescuees), his complaining to Cat as if Cat were a person, or his nearly constant state of high anxiety (often brought on by the difficulties inherent in convincing total strangers that he is not a crackpot). Poor, put-upon Gary - if he were real, I would give him a big hug and urge him to relax.
  
Dr. Rodney McKay (Stargate Atlantis):

SABR Matt writes: Often abrasive (owing to a deep lack of self-confidence), frequently under enormous pressure to work miracles, and never a physical match for the enemies at the gate, the brilliant McKay started his run on Stargate SG-1 as an annoying counterpart to Sam Carter in a few guest spots, but he too took on new life and grew to become a better brother to his equally capable but far less ambitious sister, a better friend, and finally, a man who was ready to have a real and lasting romantic relationship. Most of the time, I loved him for the laughs (he always had the best lines on Atlantis), but in the end, watching an arrogant S.O.B. turn into one of the strongest and most admirable people you'll ever seen on TV (and grow into a more confident, slightly humbled man despite a continued outward abruptness among other faults - LOL) is particularly meaningful to me, as my own life has taken a similar course (though obviously with a bit less drama). He stands as an odd sort of role model for me - having a big heart and being filled with passion for discovery can only take you so far - being confident in who you are and letting that confidence fill you with peace will make you a better friend and a better lover too.

Vir Cotto (Babylon 5):

SABR Matt writes: Another Marty Stu of mine, Vir walks among giants and constantly feels about three inches tall. He lives with a GIGANTIC personality (with GIGANTIC flaws), and somehow, despite entering this world entirely unprepared for the challenges he will face and feeling unworthy of any responsibility or affection, Vir takes the good in Londo Mollari and leaves the bad. He remains loyal to his friend and mentor and sees him through some of the darkest days anyone could ever live. And he finds the strength - despite his brotherly love for Londo - to go against his wishes and turn down his delightfully evil betrothed, funnel Narns in secret out of the death camps and into less severe work camps while on Minbar, and eventually rise to become a leader in the Centauri resistance against the keepers in the books that append the on-air series. He gets that far because he is among the bravest people I've ever seen (fictionally, I mean). Real bravery doesn't come from fearlessness. It comes from facing one's fears when doing the right thing demands it. With the lionhearted bravery of a knight and a strong moral code to match, the smallest man on Babylon 5 becomes the most important man in Centauri history.

Stephanie S. concurs, adding: Vir Cotto’s character arc is Babylon 5’s great coming-of-age story, and Vir’s transformation throughout is arguably one of the most dramatic. He begins a child- a cast-off- and becomes at various points a Centauri de Sousa Mendes, an assassin, a resistance leader and saboteur, and, in the end, the leader of an intergalactic empire. And beneath all of this runs a poignant chronicle of a loss of innocence- a chronicle of friendship, tragedy, patriotism and unconditional love. Additionally, Vir is profoundly endearing as a person. He is shy, unfailingly polite, optimistic, often funny, compassionate and very affectionate. He simply makes me smile whenever he’s on screen. Honestly, who doesn’t love Vir’s wicked, cheery taunting of Morden? Or his retreat behind Londo’s hair when he is introduced to his arranged bride? Or his wide-eyed sexual inexperience? Vir is just so very huggable- so impossible to resist.


Mark Benford (FlashForward):

SABR Matt writes: This franchise is relative new, but already the star is repeatedly being put in the position of speaking for faith as a better guiding motivator than determinism. A recovering alcoholic, Mark stares down his own demons every day. In fact, he sees the end of his sober ways in his FlashForward (and quite possibly the end of his life). He could very easily join the Blue Hand Society and embrace his own destruction, particularly when his wife tells him she witnessed herself with another man. Instead, Mark chooses to believe that the future is not determined. He has faith that he can take action and save himself and many other lives in the process. We see him passionately defending this position against all manner of skepticism - from Demitri, from the Federal Government, from his wife, and even from his boss. His determination is leading him to take bigger and bigger risks in pursuit of the MOSAIC investigation, but the noble and IMHO quite correct sentiment makes his character quite enthralling.

Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager):

I know my sister thinks I just like Seven of Nine because she's a sex symbol from time to time on the show - complete with padded bra and skin tight cat suit (hee) - but she wouldn't make this list without a good reason. (Stephanie S. interjects: Actually, I trust that my brother is not that shallow.) In fact, I think Seven of Nine's character went a long way toward saving Voyager from descending into unwatchable territory as a franchise. The series' resurrection begins with the departure of weak-willed yawn-fest Kes and the arrival of a much more meaningful outside perspective on humanity.

Londo Mollari (Babylon 5):

Stephanie S. writes: Londo is J. Michael Straczynski's masterpiece. As I've noted in analytical essays elsewhere, Straczynski doesn't pull any punches in depicting Londo's capacity for cruelty and ruthlessness. Londo's crimes unfold on screen in real time; they are not relegated to the shadows of history. And yet - and this is the astonishing thing - Straczynski manages to maintain the viewer's sympathy for Londo by also presenting to us Londo's capacity for decency, love, and sacrifice, the last being best exemplified by the manner in which Londo accepts the punishment that is due to him at the end of his magnificent arc. What results is a fascinating bundle of contradictions that delights, saddens, angers, and frustrates the viewer, sometimes simultaneously.


Saul Tigh (Battlestar Galactica 2003):

Stephanie S. writes: Tigh is the only character I loved throughout BSG's entire run. Yes, that's right - I even loved him when he was royally screwing things up early in the second season. Why? Because he was consistent. Everything Tigh did was for Adama. Indeed, Tigh's loyalty was so rock solid that even the revelation that he was a Cylon didn't shake it -- and that is just awesome.

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy (Star Trek: The Original Series):

Stephanie S. writes: In childhood, Bones was my favorite fish out of water. I loved his paradoxes - like his fear of Starfleet technology despite his being in Starfleet. I loved his frankness; for example, the only reason I like The Immunity Syndrome to this day is that it contains a hilarious moment in which McCoy hollers over the comm line, "Shut up, Spock, we're rescuing you!" (McCoy always did get all the best lines.) And speaking of Spock, I also loved the way McCoy needled Spock at every opportunity, yet respected and loved him deep down. Perhaps my favorite scene in any movie featuring the original cast is the scene in The Search for Spock in which McCoy admits to a de-souled Spock that losing him was the most difficult thing he's ever experienced. But most of all, I loved how brave McCoy truly was. I will never forget, for instance, how he submitted himself to torture in The Empath to rescue Kirk and Spock from a similar fate.

*****

Do you have a favorite character who is not discussed above? Sound off in the comments!

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