I hope each of you had some time over the break to relax and spend quality time with family and friends.
I took some time to re-watch past seasons of the television show “The Walking Dead.” For several years I had avoided the show while my husband has been an avid reader of the books and watcher of the series, all the while listening to him go on and on about the fantastic writing and depth of the characters. So, I finally caved in and started watching a few seasons ago. Within 2 episodes I was completely hooked. Now anyone who knows me understands that I do not like violence, gore, horror, or anything remotely zombie…but these characters are compelling, driven, and as a viewer I want them to survive and succeed! (I just close my eyes every time a zombie comes on screen!) And the show is just SO GOOD that now we re-watch entire seasons for fun :)
I also took the time to read through some of your jumble stories and started thinking about how you could improve the characters and enhance their stories.
For this blog, I’d like you to think carefully about a character(s) in a current television show, movie, or book that you enjoy. Tell us why the character(s) are so compelling. What makes them so? Why do you keep watching/reading?
Please post your comment but go back and comment on 2 others’ as well.
Ms. Z.
In Breaking Bad, the main character Walter White is compelling and interesting to watch because he becomes the villain as the story progresses. Being the protagonist, you are immediately inclined to support his actions, yet this view gets challenged rather quickly. You keep watching because you want to see how far it will go before he stops or is stopped.
ReplyDeleteBreaking Bad is one of my favorite shows just because of how clever Heisenburg can be.
DeleteBreaking bad is all I remember from sophomore year
DeleteIn Friends, the character Ross, is witty and funny, making the show funny and addicting to watch. Throughout his adult life, he has had a difficult time, but most of the time you forget that based on the way he comes across. The viewer will most likely want to keep watching because you want to see Ross succeed and what will happen to him in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree, shows with these types of characters make you want to keep watching because you want them to succeed.
DeleteI completely agree. Every time I watch the show, I find myself rooting for Ross and hoping that he will have some luck in succeeding.
DeleteIn That 70's Show, one of the main characters Steven Hyde is by far the most intriguing. He is such a simple character yet is so complex at the same time. Out of all the other characters on the show, he has a the most different viewpoints on things. Although he is playing the role of a teenager and is surrounded by other kids the same age as him, he appears to be the older and most mature one despite his personal life struggles and conflicts.
ReplyDeleteAnnalise Keating in How To Get Away With Murder is compelling to watch because there are so many layers to her character. At first glance, she seems like someone who has it all. She has a successful career, and is a strong and accomplished woman. But as the show progresses, it is revealed that the strong suit she displays to the world is not true to who she is, and deep down she has lived a life full of hardships that have destroyed her on the inside. She rarely shows this side of her, but when she does, it is intriguing because it seems so unlike her, yet at the same time it explains a lot about why she is the way she is. The actions she takes throughout the show are consistently well thought out, unexpected, and well executed. You keep watching because you never know what she will do or how she will react to the circumstances at hand.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting facade for a character to display.
DeleteIn Blue Mountain State, one of the most compelling characters to me is Thad Castle. Thad is perceived as a dumb jock who only cares about football and girls, but as the show progresses we see different sides of Thad and learn a lot about him. Thad is also one of the most entertaining characters on the show because of how unpredictable he is which leads to the viewer never being able to anticipate what will happen next.
ReplyDeleteGreg House from House M.D. has to be my favorite character from television shows. House is a doctor who despises patients and is a complete jerk, but is an absolute genius of a doctor. House is older, alone, and resentful, and finds enjoyment in witty and rude jokes and solving puzzles (mainly the complicated medical cases he is given). While House-like characters are nothing new, putting one at the center of a story was very unique at the time. You get to see why House is the way he is and enjoy the unique way he gets through both the medical and life problems that are thrown at him.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a show I need to watch! I like your detailed analysis on this complex character.
DeleteIn How I Met Your Mother, the character Marshall is a very lovable and intriguing character. Marshall is the kind of guy who was born and raised very polite and respectful, stereotyping his home state of Minnesota. On the contrary, he's very protective of his wife, friends and the environment. So while he's a respectful man, he's also not afraid to get in somebody's face if they're not treating him with respect in return.
ReplyDeleteGotta love Marshall
DeleteIn Arrested Development, Michael Bluth is an intelligent person who never really got what he deserved after all his hard work. He worked for his father in the family company, but when his father was arrested for company fraud, Michael assumed leadership. Most people would think that now that he's the boss, the company should run much smoother. That's completely incorrect. When he inherited the company, he did not realize all the shenanigans he was getting into. Michael fails to gain the respect of his employees, some of which are his family members, he cannot make good decisions under pressure, and the company has many different secrets that his father kept from him. The show is interesting to see how Michael reacts to different situations, thinking his idea is a great plan, but then contemplating on how badly it backfired.
ReplyDeleteThose darn shenanigans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comin to screw errything up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteOne character from a TV show that I found very enjoyable is Ted from How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). Throughout the course of the show, Ted is in the search for love and all the reader wan ts is for him to find it. The writers do an excellent job of making Ted so relate-able to viewers and the actor (Josh Radnor) really helps to make Ted seem just like an every day man. I'm sucked into the show every time Ted finds a crazy ex or a one-night-stand or even a chance at "the one" and that's what makes HIMYM such a great show.
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ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite shows is Lost. I have re-watched episodes for fun and enjoyed them just as much as the first time. Although the show is many seasons long, I became attached to the characters very quickly. You are told each of their back stories, which made me feel like I knew them. The bonds they make and struggles they go through with one another on the island feel so real. Some of my favorite were Kate, Charlie, and Sawyer but I truly like them all. I kept wanting to watch not only because of the exciting, dangerous, and suspenseful tasks they were doing, but I wanted to see the characters succeed and was eager to see what they'd experience next.
ReplyDeleteIn Breaking Bad a character that was very enjoyable to watch as was Jesse Pinkman. He is this total screw up that when things are going good he manages to get himself back down a dark path again. That being said, it is hard not to love him as a person because he is still just a human and has very relatable characteristics. He out of everyone refuses to kill kids and it seems like he is always dogged by misfortune throughout the series. He also is constantly being manipulated and lied to by Walter White to keep selling meth with him. Jesse represents this high school drop out that could have escaped the business earlier with money but got stuck into the business due to the greedy Walter White. He is also is very funny and has a big heart for someone selling meth.
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DeleteGood point Dylan. It is interesting to follow someone with a unique background
DeleteThis is really interesting Dylan. I wrote about Walter White being a compelling character, but Jesse Pinkman is also that. Very neat how viewers start to relate to and follow these character's stories.
DeleteIn New Girl supporting lead Nick Miller enhances the show with his quirky, old school personality.He is a dynamic character with many layers; a bar tender with a tough exterior but as viewers get to know his character they find he is a hopeless romantic with an optimistic outlook. Viewers continue to watch to see if he will find love. His relationships with other characters are deeply developed thus creating witty dialogue and relatable friendships.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and think that this was the perfect way to describe him.
DeleteThere's this series of children's books called the Chronicles of Prydain that I read when I was younger (it's kind of an old series, I think they were written in the sixties). My favorite character of all time is from these books- her name is Eilonwy. She's not a stereotype, which is nice, and she's funny without meaning to be. She also ignores anyone who tells her she can't do something, and she's very stubborn. I actually wrote an entire college essay about her.
ReplyDeleteOne character that I find extremely compelling, is Frank Gallagher from Shameless. It is apparent from the beginning of the show that Frank is known as the town alcoholic and scammer who has little positive influence in his children's lives. But what I find so interesting about this character, is his ability to make viewers want him to succeed and be there for the kids. I don't know if it was for the kids sake or if it was his personality that somehow made me feel bad for him. I rooted for him in each season, hoping he would get back on his feet and be a better person for himself and family. Certain actions Frank portrayed throughout the show made me believe he changed his ways. Every now and then, Frank would show us a sliver of compassion for someone other than himself. Each time he did this, it gave me some hope that he would change for the better. Events that resulted because of his alcoholism also made me feel bad for him. I think the writers of Shameless really played the empathy card on the audience while creating the character of Frank and I found that for me personally, it worked.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting! I actually don't know if I personally was rooting for him, because I found most of his actions inexcusable. I do agree though that every once and a while when he would be compassionate it made me hope he would change. Definitely an amazing character!
DeleteI agree i continue to watch hoping that Frank will find the right path
DeleteIsabelle, I don't want you to think that I meant I find any of his actions excusable, because I don't at all. What I meant when I used the word succeed was hoping he could make a change and be a father that could be there for his kids. But I completely agree that Frank is an amazing and interesting character :)
DeleteFrank is a good character because he is so multidimensional. You love him but you also hate him.
DeleteMy favorite character is Michael Scott from The Office. From the beginning of the show, Michael showed a sense of humor like no other and that was really enjoyable for me. His characters role is the manager of a paper company, and his lack of ability to control and discipline his employees makes his character all the more lovable. Throughout the show, the viewers are able to see the multiple sides of Michael Scotts character and I think that that helps to make his character more compelling.
ReplyDeleteMichael Scott is why The Office is one of the best TV shows.
DeleteI agree 100% his sense of humor is what drives the show!
DeleteYeah at first I didn't really like him that much but as you get to know him better over the course of the show you start to see how he's really a good person, and a great character
DeleteIn the show Shameless, Frank Gallagher is a very compelling character. Everyone views him as an alcoholic that has lost everything including his family. Some of his actions prove that to be true, but he does do selfless acts that shows that he does want his life and family back. The writers make the audience feel bad for him and want the best for him.
ReplyDeleteIn the show Breaking Bad, Walter White is a very compelling character to watch because it is such an unusual story about a chemistry teacher becoming one of the most famous drug lords in the area. Throughout the whole show I found myself rooting for Walter because of his will to do something for his family when he did not have to much time left due to illness. Walter White is such a compelling character because of how he uprooted his little suburban life and job as a high school chemistry teacher to become a drug lord .
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. It is cool to see a character with an occupation we as kids are involved with everyday have a different life out of school.
DeleteIn the show, The Office, Dwight Schrute is a character I find intriguing to follow because he is a very funny character. His character is consistent and does not change as time goes on. He is a funny character because he is so strikingly different and nerdy compared to the rest of the characters in the show. He is also only a supporting character so he is used less frequently than the main character which makes viewers anticipate and have to wait to see him in the show. every episode I am waiting to get to a scene in which he is used as comic relief.
ReplyDeleteI love Dwight! It's interesting how such a static character can be enjoyable for nine entire seasons! I think the key to this was making the slight character development that he did have really impactful for the viewer.
DeleteDwight is awesome, he is the type of character we laugh at instead of with
DeleteDwight is just such a weird person that even though he is such a static character, you still never know what to expect from him
DeleteI love the character Bob from Bob’s Burgers. At first it seems easy to write him off as a stereotypical dad, but it is clear as the show progresses that he is much more than that. He gets into all kinds of shenanigans by himself, with his kids, and with his family as a whole, and his dry humor always prevails no matter how dire the situation is. He most definitely has his own personality, and he is not defined by his role as a father. However, it is endearing to see his clear love for his children and his wife in every episode.
ReplyDeleteMy brother likes that TV show; I should watch it eventually. It's a compelling trait for a character to fit the mold of a stereotype and break out of it.
DeleteIn the show Futurama, the character Bender is definitely my favorite. He is a very special type of comedy relief character, because he really doesn't have any morals, considering he's a robot. He is arrogant, an alcoholic, an extremely inconsiderate. Some of my favorite things he’s said before are, “The game’s over. I have all the money. Compare your lives to mine and then kill yourselves!” and “Have you tried turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?” The fact that he's so good at being horrible, he becomes likable.
ReplyDeleteIn A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, there isn't a character I don't want to read about. Even the villains. The first book in this series is good, but it's really just setting the stage to introduce you to all of these fantastic characters, their stories, and the main character Feyre's journey to rediscover herself after leaving her abusive fiancee and learning to use the powers she received after being resurrected. Feyre herself feels so real because she's not the stereotypical, perfect protagonist who finds herself caught in the middle of an unfortunate love triangle. That's not even close to what it's about. While some of the story is about her romance, most of it is about learning to work past her fears, learning to control the new powers she has, and learning to be able to be herself again. It was such an emotional, intense book, and it's definitely one of my all-time favorites.
ReplyDeleteBetter Call Saul, is show based on the breaking bad character of Saul Goodman. In breaking bad he was a corrupt lawyer, in better call saul it takes place before he became a criminal. It shows him as a clever, talented lawyer living in the shadow of his older brother. His older brother looks down on his and doesn't think he is capable to practice law due to his hoodlum activities as a kid. The show will soon start to show Saul's character turn into the criminal we all loved from breaking bad.
ReplyDeleteIn Dexter the TV show, I find Dexter's character to be very intriguing. He does not have any empathy and is taken over by serial killer compulsions of having to kill people to survive. Instead he kills other serial killers as he had learned as a kid to try to stay out of jail. The way that he is unable to understand human emotion is very interesting. He is a very complex character that is unlike many characters on the show.
ReplyDeleteIn Breaking Bad, a certain character stood out to me, his name was Gus Fring. This show is particular has a lot of dynamic to it, many layers between the plot and the characters in term of development... but, this one character adds the most thrill to the show. We as the watcher are just as afraid of this character as Walter White and surrounding characters are. Gus not only adds a drop of fear to the show on top of all of the mayhem, but also he allows for other characters to develop as well because of the way his character works out for the dynamic of the show.
ReplyDeleteIn the film American Beauty, the character Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey tries to regain control of his life. He is of the highest echelon of mundanity. His wife and daughter walk all over him and he hates his job. He decides to take up smoking pot, working out, and develops a rather sinister fascination with his high school daughters friend. It is a movie about what can become lost in a marriage and the pitfalls of life in high end suburbia.
ReplyDeleteIn Game of Thrones, Khalesi is a very strong and powerful female character, which is a rarity for this setting. The contrast of her vs the other female characters is very drastic and emphasizes the strength of her character. She is the leader of an army, while the other female characters take orders and are viewed more as objects.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I love her character!
DeleteI also am a fan of the Walking Dead, and one of my favorite characters to watch is Neegan. While he is far from the hero of the show, I find that I enjoy the show more because of his dangerous and unpredictable nature. While many of the characters in the show are great, I think Neegan is the perfect example of the person that the viewer loves to hate, and he adds more intensity to the show than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteIn Phineas and Ferb, Perry the Platypus is an interesting character because he appears to be just an average, normal pet platypus around the family but also has a life as a secret agent. I think it is funny how although he never talks, he still has so much personality. He adds a nice flare to the show and it is always fun to watch how he stops Dr. Doofenshmurtz from his evil schemes.
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic. Nice discussions generated. I have a lot of new shows/movies to put on my list!
ReplyDeleteIn shameless Fiona gallager is a very interesting character due to her strong and independent capabilities. Fiona has been bringing up her whole family since she was around 12 due to her alcoholic and drug using parents. She adds so much character to the show.
ReplyDeleteIn Blue Mountain State, one of the most compelling characters to me is Alex Moran. Alex is perceived as a lazy athelte who only cares about partying and girls, but as the show progresses we see different sides of Alex and learn a lot about him. Moran is also one of the most entertaining characters on the show because of how unpredictable he is which leads to the viewer to expect the unexpected.
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