What is an "anti-hero", you ask? Well, for those of you who are television fans, you may recognize some of the most recent and famous anti-hero characters...
Walter White of "Breaking Bad" (Side note: Mike and I JUST started watching BB. SO.DAMN.GOOD.)
Don Draper of "Mad Men"
Tony Soprano of "The Sopranos"
Vic Mackey of "The Shield"
An anti-hero is defined as a main character who blurs the line between good and evil / hero and villain. Take Don Draper, for instance. He has his vulnerable moments (usually due to his horrific childhood) that tug at our hearstrings, yet he can't seem to "keep it in his pants". Or Walter White. It's hard to hate his lifestyle because his illness and family forced his hand.
Anyway, I cannot speak intelligently about television writing (or any writing, for that matter), but I can't imagine it's easy to create an anti-hero. One has to find just the right balance of vulnerability (that we can usually relate to) and a lack of a moral compass.
Do you have a favorite "anti-hero"?
ooooh, my fave anti-hero is Mark Wahlberg in Shooter. Yummmm :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, your post had me at that picture of Jon Hamm :) Anyone on my feed can just feel free to post one of those every morning.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Don Draper is a really good example of the anti-hero. He's all around a pretty terrible person, yet they still manage to make him likable. Maybe it's because he's so smooth and good looking? Would that work with a less attractive actor? Hmmm.
I would say Dexter Morgan is mine. Because you cant help but route for him but hes clearly not a good guy even though hes doing good things hes not doing them the right way. I love BB we're all caught up now. Its amazeballs.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Walter Bishop from Fringe. I adore that man. And I adore that show! Plus, there's ANOTHER Walter in the alternate universe and they call him Walternate, which cracks me up to no end.
ReplyDeleteDeciding to start Breaking Bad is one of the best decisions anyone can make! And the show just gets better and better! But my favorite anti-hero is Dexter. It's weird rooting for a serial killer but he's lovable :) do you watch Dexter?
ReplyDeleteVic Mackey, Tony Soprano, Dexter etc may be anti-heros, but they all have back stories that even though they are evil make you like them! Now I need to go watch The Shield again.
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ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, I'm trying to think if I have a favorite anti-hero. The bad guy from "The Following" is very charismatic, but I don't think I like him that much hah.
ReplyDeleteMy anti hero is good old Victor Newman on the Young and the Restless. I am addicted to his drama...
ReplyDeleteIn a battle between My favorites Dexter and Mr. White, I don't know who would win! They're both crazy....yet I hope they both ride into the sunset with a "go bag" in both their series finales...
ReplyDeleteIt's a toss up between Dexter, Brody on Homeland and Walter White. I love me a good anti-hero. I'm on season 4 of Breaking Bad.. trying desperately to catch up before the finale.
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