This month is Power of Love month, where most of the website’s content is dedicated to those who are caregivers and romantics. They believe that those they love owe them for their constant affections. There is nothing they won’t do for love, with it be for selfless or selfish reasons. These Characters can be mentors and parents, lovers, or stalker or clingy, needy nightmares!
We will celebrate Valentine’s Day month by examining these characters. I’ll be looking at some of these examples from TV, Film and elsewhere throughout the course of February.
I recently viewed an excellent high-concept sitcom produced by NBC and Netflix called The Good Place. It’s created by Michael Schur, the co-creator of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks & Recreation. Unlike, but those sitcoms, it manages to do something really original. I have to be careful how much I say because each episode is full of twists and turns I don’t want to spoil the fun.
The basic premise it this: Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) has died and gone to “The Good Place”, which is basically Heaven. But Eleanor doesn’t belong there- she was brought to “The Good Place” by mistake- and is terrified someone discovering the mistake. With the help of her friends, she tries to avoid detection until she can become a good enough person to stay.
The Good Place is managed by Michael (Ted Danson), the architect of the neighborhood and a classic Power of Ambition character, desperate to please his boss and keep the inhabitants of The Good Place happy. Eleanor’s fellow inhabitants include Chidi (William Jackson Harper), a Moral Ethics professor who couldn’t be more Power of Conscience if he tried- his constant consideration for every possible ethical outcome caused his death.
There is also couple Tahini (Jameela Jamil), a British socialite who is determined to have the best, the finest, the most exquisite things in The Good Place, and Buddhist Monk Jianyu (Manny Jacinto) a simpleton who lacks common sense – Power of Idealism and Excitement respectively- who are incompatible as soulmates. Eleanor, both before and after her transformation from a self-absorbed jerk, is Power of Love.
Eleanor very quickly attaches herself to the rest of the ensemble out of necessity, believing they owe her something as they become embroiled in her conspiracy- that Michael cannot know that she should be in The Bad Place. Power of Love characters make themselves indispensable to those around them, smothering them with affection or acting needy and possessive of them. Without these people, Eleanor faces eternal damnation.
As the series progresses, the main ensemble of characters are kept together by Eleanor as she truly learns to love them and becomes protective of them. The most selfish character becomes the most selfless, at first out of necessity, then eventually out of genuine affection for her friends. Eleanor judges herself by how her friends perceive her. Everything she does in The Good Place is for her friends, and for Michael’s self-preservation.
The show is full of ethical questions, which makes it a bit more interesting than your average sitcom. It is a Power of Love because every decision our lead characters make is out of love for the others, or because they feel they owe something to the others. They are all dependent on each other, and though it may not seem like it at the start of the show, they love each other.
I would highly recommend this show; it’s the best new sitcom I’ve seen in quite a while and provides a great example of a Power of Love character in Eleanor. The Good Place it is a Power of Love story answering the question– what do we owe each other?
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Each Character Type has unique flaws that can drag them down, and can be overcome to create a satisfying story – Protagonist has a problem, their traits make things more difficult, they overcome those character traits to resolve their conflict, etc.
But what if your character tries to redeem themselves and fails so many times in ways that are harmful to others, that they can never truly be redeemed? To examine this, we’ll be looking at the Netflix adult animation Bojack Horseman. Be advised that MAJOR SPOILERS follow for all four seasons of the show.
Bojack Horseman (voiced by Will Arnett) is Power of Ambition, but the front that he puts on is so typically Power of Excitement that it is initially hard to determine which type he is. His party-loving ways seem like Power of Excitement behaviour, but deep down all his wants is to be liked, and to be successful again.
Bojack is a washed-up actor famed for his role on a network family sitcom back in the 90’s. Now he just drinks and makes the lives of those around him- agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), rival Mister Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins), roommate Todd (Aaron Paul) and biographer Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie)- a living hell. Bojack is aware of his deep insecurities and reckless behaviour and manages to ruin the constant shots at redemption that come his way.
Many characters that seem irredeemable never actually try to fix themselves. But Bojack has attempted on multiple occasions to get his life back on track, even abandon Hollywood and live a quiet life, but every time he tries this it ends in disaster and he returns to his miserable bachelor pad near the Hollywood sign.
Most notably he tries to seduce the underage daughter on a woman he once loved, and in a later season, he upsets a man who fixes up Bojack’s decrepit country house while mourning the death of his wife. Even his shots at rehabilitation and growth end in disaster. At some point, an audience must realise that no matter what, a character will never truly change.
Bojack discovers he has a sister, a young woman in his life that he has neglected up until that revelation. It seems like he has found someone to care for, and who may be a positive influence on him, but the viewer is left knowing that inevitably Bojack will destroy the relationship in some unforgivable way.
There are only so many times he can get himself clean of drugs and alcohol, and claim to be thinking of anyone but himself. He is a self-loathing narcissist who may experience profound revelations but never acts on them, and likely never will.
I cannot think of another show willing to show a character is such a self-destructive cycle, especially because the rug is always pulled from underneath our feet. Bojack may never change, but even though he tries- and effort should be commended- he is arguably worse than those that never try.
They may have a shot at redemption, but unwillingness holds them back. Bojack is willing to try, but he is his own worst enemy, and perhaps is truly irredeemable. I’d like to see more writers taking such a risk with their characters, especially ones as amusing as Bojack Horseman.
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Wrestling is something I never thought I’d cover on this website. But watching the excellent Netflix series “GLOW” made me think about just how much characterisation is built into wrestling. It’s essentially an over-the-top soap opera, but with fighting.
Wrestling works on two levels- the first and most obvious level is the actual physical activity itself. The second, which keeps people coming back for more, is the narrative element. Characters and elaborate storylines are mapped out to engage the viewers. Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling, in particular, is essentially a telenovela with capes and masks.
There is a reason that former Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Dave Bautista, Jesse Ventura, John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson transitioned so naturally into acting. They are not competitive athletes, they are actors playing to a crowd in a different narrative arena. It’s not like MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), or Cagefighting. These are actual sportsand far less about showmanship. They are not primarily a form of narrative entertainment.
Watching GLOW- an acronym for “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling”- made me appreciate the efforts that go into crafting storylines and characters. It’s based on a true story which is covered in more detail in the 2012 documentary of the same name.
In the show, it is a shlocky filmmaker (Marc Maron) who is running the show. He’s not a professional wrestling coach. He hires young pretty actresses not professional wrestlers. GLOW was meant to be entertainment, as is WWF. The show is treated like more like a continuing soap–opera than a sport. Each “wrestler” is shown throughout the show not honing their craft, but developing their character.
The producers of these wrestling shows couldn’t, and still can’t, just rely on the prowess of the staged fights (and they are all clearly staged, sorry to break it to some of you!). The audience needs a story of personal rivalry to keep audiences entertained. In GLOW, Alison Brie’s character realizes that to stand out, she has to carve out a niche as the despicable villain that the audience will turn against. The same character dynamics apply to wrestling as would apply to a crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster. Great villains make great stories.
The lesson here is that even something as ridiculous as the “sport” of professional wrestling has to tell an engaging story, and create characters that spectators can connect with emotionally. Don’t turn your nose up at this kind of narrative, it is as legitimate a form of storytelling as any novel. (Charles Dickens was actually writing the soap operas of his day in serialized newspaper form). You can learn the lessons of story-telling from anywhere!)
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This month is Power of Conscience month, where most of the website’s content will be dedicated to those who think themselves righteous, the justice seekers, though who believe only they know what is right or wrong, and will go as far as they have to do ensure that their judgment is carried through. After last year, a light was shone on what is right and what is wrong. Power of Conscience dominated last year, so it’s a good way to start 2018 by examining these characters. I’ll be looking at some of these examples from TV, Film and the world of politics throughout the course of January.
Today, we’ll be examining an actor who seems to always play Power of Conscience characters – Kyle Chandler. He always plays the character who does the right thing, and lives a humble existence trying to hold others to the law, or some kind of code. He is honourable and loyal, steadfast and decent. He will do what he believes is the decent thing for his team, his family, and America as a whole, as we will see by analysing three of his most iconic roles, all of which are Power of Conscience characters.
Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights
“Right here, right now, God has placed you to do what you do best. Go all the way.”
The fatherly coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) in Friday Night Lights demonstrates the best qualities of a Power of Conscience character.
He sets a moral example for the high school boys he coaches.
Taylor promotes teamwork, good sportsmanship, responsibility to others and the ethics of fair play in a small town that likes to win and has little patience for losing. He faces constant pressure to bend the rules in order to win games. He shows his team what winning is “worth” and what truly defines “winning.”
In the pilot episode, Taylor prays about strength of character.
Coach Taylor: “Give all of us gathered here tonight the strength to remember that life is so very fragile. We are all vulnerable, and we will all, at some point in our lives… fall. We will all fall. We must carry this in our hearts… that what we have is special. That it can be taken from us, and when it is taken from us, we will be tested. We will be tested to our very souls. We will now all be tested. It is these times, it is this pain, that allows us to look inside ourselves.”
Taylor is always torn between his duty and obligations to the team and the demands of his growing family. Like all Power of Conscience characters it’s not easy for him to balance the conflicting demands for his time an attention. Taylor struggles with what is the higher duty in any given situation.
John Rayburn in Bloodline
Chandler plays a similar role in Netflix’s show Bloodline, but he is the patriarch of a dysfunctional family as opposed to the father figure for a team of college football players. He is the big brother who cleans everyone’s mess up, similar to the Older Brother in the biblical parable of The Prodigal Son.
John’s reckless brother Danny (Ben Mendelsohn) is a Power of Excitement who upsets the family balance, and Rayburn is tested by a polarising opposite to his character, as is Agent Denham in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Rayburn is driven to protect his family, no matter the cost. He doesn’t do this out of love or obsession, but because they are his family and he believes it is his job to do the right thing. This is the closest Chandler gets to showing us the darkest side of Power of Conscience.
Agent Patrick Denham in The Wolf of Wall Street
Working for the FBI, it’s obvious that Chandler’s portrayal of G-Man Patrick Denham is Power of Conscience. FBI agents can often be confused with Power of Truth, for their detective/cop abilities, or Power of Reason, since FBI agents are trained to be meticulous and methodical, like Robert Mueller and James Comey.
However Denham, like all FBI agents, is driven by the law. He defines himself by it. In one telling scene, after he has arrested Power of Will protagonist Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), we see him go back to his normal life on a very average salary, in amongst the fabulously wealthy. He is content to live within his means, and not aspire for more.
In a film about greed, wealth and hedonism, Denham is the dogged Power of Conscience character upholding the law and doing what is right, even though he will never be as successful, comfortable or affluent as crooks like Jordan Belfort. It’s fascinating to see Chandler’s typical Power of Conscience character distilled into a 2.5-hour movie, as opposed to ongoing TV series.
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This month is Power of Conscience month, where most of the website’s content is dedicated to those who are justice seekers. They believe only they know what is right or wrong, and will go as far as they have to do ensure that wrong is punished or set right.
We will start 2018 by examining these characters. I’ll be looking at some of these examples from TV, Film and the world of politics throughout the course of January.
Frank Castle, A.K.A “The Punisher”, in Netflix’s recent show of the same name, brings to life one of the most controversial and iconic characters in Comic Book history. Driven only by vengeance, he will not stop until everyone involved in the brutal murder of his wife and children is dead. This show and its central character are great recent examples of the Dark Side of Power of Conscience. In fact, the show is full of great Power of Conscience characters
Power of Conscience characters take the law into their own hands and exact their own unique brand of justice. They are fighting for what they believe is right, and never listen to anyone who suggests they may be wrong. Even when they are acting to protect others, they are oblivious to the fact that their approach may actually put people in harm’s way
Frank represents the darkest side of Power of Conscience- he has continued to go further and further to do what he believes is right, without listening to those who may curb his righteousness that he seems like a total lost cause, and many believe him to be nothing more than a psychopath. he has good reasons for what he is doing, but what he is doing will not bring him peace or ultimately resolve his inner conflict, or get rid of the inner demons that haunt him. Frank Castle is a tragic character because he cannot see beyond his mission. As many characters remind him in the show, “say you I’ll kill everyone involved in my family’s death- what then?” and Frank never has an answer.
The show also features David Lieberman, A.K.A. Micro (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a whistleblower who has to pretend to be dead in order to protect his family. He paid the price for doing the right thing, and Whistleblowers tend to be Power of Conscience characters. He is morally twisted and has no problem enabling Frank’s brutal murdering spree against those who have wronged him, but he represents the lighter side of Power of Conscience. He is one of the few to support Frank, and tolerate him. He understands that Frank is very much like him, but is able to go further than him in order to exact justice and vengeance, so he partners with Frank in order to achieve what he believes to be right.
He is doing it all for his family, both to protect them and eventually return home to them. But he is the only one stopping himself from getting his life back. He is too determined to finish what he started- being a Whistleblower and doing the right thing.
Frank only considers one person as family, and that is journalist Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). Karen has escaped death at the hands of brutal gangsters, vigilantes and even ninjas, but through it all, she has been dedicated to exposing corruption which she does through official channels. She could easily be viewed as a Power of Truth character, but her sense of right and wrong is more important to her than solving and mystery or exploring a conspiracy.
In the past, dangerous people have asked for her help and she has turned them down because it goes against her own moral code. The fact she is one of the few to constantly defend Frank, despite his brutal methods, shows she will support those who she believes to the good and pure in their actions, even if they cross the line.
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It’s that time of the new year where everyone is doing their round-up of the best and worst of the previous year. Well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! I’ve been able to consume a lot of media this year, so I thought now would be a good time to start an annual tradition where I let you know what movies, TV shows, plays, musical, books and people made an impression on me, for better or worse. So, without further ado, it’s time to announce the winners of the 1st Annual Lauries!
Best Film of 2017
Paddington 2
What a wonderful antidote this was to a year full of nastiness in the news. We could all use a reminder that essentially, everyone is decent. Paddington brings out the best in us, and this sequel was even more funny, inventive and touching than the first. I’ll be going into more detail about the character Of Paddington himself further down.
It was so refreshing to see a simple, stripped-down film that was gentle-humoured and charming. It wasn’t trying to be a spectacle, and the stakes were low. The whole film revolves around a pop-up book that Paddington wants to buy for his Aunt Lucy.
This gives us time to just enjoy the wonderful characters, especially Hugh Grant as a washed-up flamboyant actor, and the ludicrous scenarios, like Paddington being falsely imprisoned only to turn the jail into a victorian-style tearoom. No matter your age, it’s hard to think of someone who wouldn’t love Paddington 2, both as an exercise in good writing and just an all-round enjoyable film.
Worst Film of 2017
Detroit
I have real issues with Katheryn Bigelow’s Detroit, especially after her brilliant work on films like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. Whilst Bigelow focused more on atmosphere than story, which is not necessarily a bad thing but one I’m not personally keen on doing, everything about the film is exaggerated. Every character is a caricature.
The antagonists are violent and racist but we never really understand their point of view. The protagonists are seen as helpless victims and nothing more. It never earns its shocks, its violence or its tension because we never care about what is going on or who it is happening to.
Detroit could have been something special. Instead, its troubling for all the wrong reasons.
TV show of 2017
Mindhunter
The latest Netflix drama directed by David Fincher is a real slow-burner, and has tested the patience of many a viewer. I, however, loved it. It features a winning combination of Power of Truth and Power of Reason characters, as the series depicts the formation of the FBI’s behavioral science unit.
Whizzkid Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) interviews some of America’ most notorious serial killers under the weary gaze of gruff older agent Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and academic Wendy Carr (Anna Torv). These are truth-seekers and mystery-solvers attempted to unravel the twisted logic of those who believe that their victims deserved to die, and that the world should bend to their set of rules. As a tale of Power of Truth vs Power of Reason, it made for the most engrossing TV of the year.
Power of Ambition Character of 2017
Boris Johnson
Power of Ambition characters will do whatever they have to in order to gain power and influence. They will change face at a moment’s notice, and stab others in the back in order to command respect and admiration.
This year, no one has undermined his own leader, and his own cabinet, like Boris Johnson. Rumour has it that his own colleagues are sick of him attempting to usurp Prime Minister Theresa May and take over as Prime Minister himself, an ambition he has held for years but will likely never achieve. What could once have been seen as strategic and calculating has now become embarrassing.
The one thing he has been consistent in is behaving like a Power of Ambition character should.
Power of Conscience Character of 2017
Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) in The Punisher
I will be publishing a much more in-depth article about Netflix’s Power of Conscience show The Punisher soon, but its titular character is a brilliant demonstration of how far a Power of Conscience character can fall to the dark side. Driven to extreme vengeance following the brutal murder of his family, “The Punisher” doles out his own brutal judgment upon everyone he believes has done wrong. Few are left alive or without lasting injuries.
Frank Castle is a tragic character, bolstered by Bernthal’s heartbreaking performance, and it’s refreshing to see the darkest side of Power of Conscience. This Character Type can be more dangerous than even Power of Will when they are pushed too far, and truly believe their law is above everyone else’s. He is surrounded by other Power of Conscience characters, but he is at the furthest end of a spectrum. He is a great anti-hero, and a good way to judge how far you think a Power of Conscience character could go when you’re writing them.
Power of Excitement Character of 2017
Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant) in Paddington 2
Another entry from Paddington 2, for a character portrayed by an actor commonly associated with the Power of Excitement Character Type. Hugh Grant has played so many Power of Excitement roles in his career- womanizers with rakish charm and carefree thrillseekers who are the life and soul of the party. Although the wonderful Phoenix Buchanan is a variation, he is a classic entry into Grant’s canon.
Phoenix Buchanan is willing to let an innocent Paddington rot in jail so he can pursue his ancestor’s treasure hunt, with a prize that will finance his endless pursual of his lavish lifestyle, where he can indulge his own enjoyment. His motivation is quintessentially Power of Excitement, and he ultimatelt gets what he wants- all eyes on him, as he becomes the centre of attention.
Power of Idealism Character of 2017
Alexander Hamilton (Jamael Westman) in Hamilton
The hit American musical Hamilton, a hip-hop retelling of the life of Founding Father and Secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton, recently arrived in London, with Jamael Westman playing the titular lead character.
Hamilton is all about the creation of a nation, and the sacrifices one must make for legacy and achieving a destiny, often at the cost of family, friends and morals. Alexander Hamilton, as he is depicted in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, is a brilliant example of a Power of Idealism character as their best and their worst. His striving for the best helping shape The United States of America as we know it, but also brough him unspeakable tragedy and eventually led to his own death.
Hamilton is Power of Idealism in its extreme. Even listening to the soundtrack by itself will demonstrate how far this Character Type will go for that next high, or to embrace that exaggerated drama that they crave in their life, or to acheive their grand destiny. Nobody believes in grand destiny like Alexander Hamilton, who constantly reminds us that he is “not throwing away [his] shot”.
Power of Imagination character of 2017
Paddington Brown (Ben Whishaw) in Paddington 2
Power of Imagination are commonly young naïfs who have adventure unwittingly thrust upon them and have to rise to the occasion. Paddington, star of my favourite film of the year, is a great example of this Character Type.
Another trait of Power of Imagination characters is that they often bring people together for a common good. Paddington 2 goes to great lengths to show us how much his neighbours rely on Paddington to help their street to run smoothly. When he is falsely imprisoned, his charm and good manners win over an entire jail full of hardened criminals. His adoptive family, The Browns, aren’t quite the same without him. He is the glue that holds everyone together, and they will do anything for him in the same way that The Fellowship of the Ring would do anything for Frodo Baggins, or The Rebellion would do for Luke Skywalker.
Paddington works as a character because he takes the extraordinary situations he gets involved in, and tackles them head on in the only way he knows how, no matter how out of his deapth that he feels. We could all learn something for Paddington, perhaps more than any other Power of Imagination character.
Power of Love Character of 2017
Mija (Seo hyun-Ahn) in Okja
Okja is another Netflix production, but this time a feature film. It is a great Power of Love story that may at times seem like a Power of Truth story, once it veers into a group of environmental activists trying to uncover the wicked acts of a global corporation, but at its heart, it is a love story between Mija and her bizarre giant friend, Okja.
Mija, in theory, ruins a lot of lives and breaks a lot of hearts in her pursuit of her kidnapped animal companion. She is relentless in her mission to regain Okja, whether or not Okja’s return to the city is the best thing for her or not. For a selfish journey that is ultimately selfless, Mija is this year’s best example of a Power of Love character because of her unwavering belief that Okja belongs to her, and her love is the best thing no matter who gets in her way.
Power of Reason character of 2017
Robert Mueller
Robert Mueller is a classic “G-Man” for the FBI, a conservative with traditional values who is loyal to the Bureau and has always upheld its core beliefs. He is not Power of Truth, despite his detective-like behavior uncovering inciting documents and damning evidence during the Russia investigation.
Mueller is meticulous, as he was trained to be, and his approach to the investigation has been typically Power of Reason. He is only interested in the facts, as well as cold, hard statistics. He is cool, calm and collected. This year he has proved to be someone totally neutral and only interested in finding out the truth. He is not paranoid, or unsure of himself- he has more conviction than any Power of Truth character could.
Power of Truth Character of 2017
Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) in American Vandal
My favorite Power of Truth story this year was the Netflix spoof American Vandal, who parodied true-crime documentaries like Making A Murderer and Serial so perfectly that it became every bit as good as them. At the heart of the story was its narrator, student filmmaker Peter Maldonado, who is making this “documentary” to uncover the truth behind “Who Drew The Dicks?”.
Peter displays all the flaws of a classic Power of Truth character. He doesn’t trust anyone and loses friends because of how far he is willing to go to uncover a conspiracy and solve a mystery that may not even be there. It’s surprising how a show that makes fun of the tropes from detective stories and crime investigations would provide such a great example of a typical Power of Truth character.
Power of Will Character of 2017
Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in Peaky Blinders
Gangsters are typically Power of Will characters, and Tommy Shelby is no exception. He might just be the greatest Small Screen Gangster since Tony Soprano. For non-British viewers, Peaky Blinders is essentially The Godfather set in early 20th-century Birmingham, UK. War veteran Tommy is the patriarch of his crime family, keeping everyone in check, from his reckless brothers to the Prime Minister and King of England themselves.
Tommy is ruthless and violent but in an intelligent way. Gangsters all have different styles of management, and Tommy uses violence only sparingly, preferring to use intimidation, and controlling people through legitimate business and official channels. His methods work, and as the show has progressed Tommy has become increasingly powerful. He is an incredible success Power of Will character, and for that, he is my favorite example of this Character type from last year.
Moment of the year
#MeToo
It’s hard to choose one specific moment, because there’s been so many notable events this year. What has been happening in the real world in 2017 has been so volatile that it’s far more dramatic than something any TV Show or Film could have mustered up.
So this year, which has been so relentlessly bleak, I’m awarding Moment of the Year to something hopeful. The #MeToo movement, which was also Time’s Person of the Year. Brave women (and men) came forward and exposed an abusive culture that is long overdue to be eradicated. It’s only the start, but it’s a start nonetheless.
So to those of us who have been harassed or assaulted, the rise of #MeToo was a Moment that will define this year more than any Film, TV show or politician.
I’ll be continuing Power of Conscience month with an examination of Whistle Blowers this Thursday, much like the instigators of #MeToo who spoke out because it was the right thing to do. A great example of Power of Conscience behavior working for the better.
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by Guest Contributor Oscar Harding
Three of the highest-grossing films of all time are The Avengers and the two most recent installments of the Fast & Furious franchise. Besides a blockbuster budget and total abandonment of reality, they have something in common- they are ensemble pieces featuring much-loved characters interacting with each other.
Audiences have made it clear they want very different characters to come together for massive summer events. On the smaller screen, the latest attempt at capitalizing on this success has been Netflix’s The Defenders, bringing together the main characters from their 4 original series so far. The ratings aren’t believed to have been stellar, but critically it has received mixed reviews. It is an excellent opportunity to examine how different character types interact with each other when forced together by extraordinary circumstances.
Daredevil – Power of Love
Daredevil, the heroic alias for blind lawyer Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is all-too-human, his decisions- rather ironically- blinded by his love for his friends, his city, his religion and the troublesome Elektra (Elodie Yung). He can never truly be a perfect superhero, despite his incredible skills and decades of training, because he lets affection get in the way.
Daredevil has been compared to Batman, but whilst both are motivated by justice, Batman is not held back by love (he is a Power of Truth character) and trusts few people. Matt, however, regularly ignores his calling because he knows it will put people in harm’s way. The only reason he teams up with Jessica, Luke and Danny is an entire city of innocent people is at stake.
Power of Love characters can be undone by there constant need to be relied on, indulging in self-pity as they believe they go above and beyond for those they love and their devotion is not returned. The more attached Daredevil gets, the more he sabotages himself, and in The Defenders his love for the antagonist constantly hinders the team’s efforts to save New York City.
But it is this personality that means he is equally reliable and will always protect his fellow teammates. In the dire situation that The Defenders find themselves in, Daredevil’s Power of Love traits are their greatest strength as well as their greatest weakness.
Jessica Jones – Power of Reason
Private eye Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) is the polar opposite to Daredevil- the cynical alcoholic has little emotional attachment to anyone, driven only by the need to solve mysteries- it’s what she’s best at.
She is not obsessed with justice or love, and wants to defeat The Hand as soon as possible so she can be left alone. Everything but the mission at hand is a distraction.
Like all Power of Reason characters, be they detectives or not, Jessica sees the world as a series of puzzle to be solved, questions to be answers and codes to be cracked. The world has to adhere to set rules, and any deviation from that presents a problem. She also lacks the charm of other Private Eyes- Rick Deckard and Jake Gittes are Power of Truth characters who can use their charisma to achieve their objectives, but Jessica can’t rely on that.
Jessica, as reluctant as she is, is a vital part of The Defenders because … Luke is the emotional anchor, Daredevil is the defacto leader, and Iron Fist is the muscle, but Jessica is the one who drives the others to stay focused. Once she knows she has been proven right about this mystery that threatens New York, she is totally dedicated to the cause and never wavers. This cobbled-together team is an uneasy alliance, and when Jessica knows they are vital to restoring order, she is ruthless in making them stick to their objective.
Luke Cage – Power of Conscience
Bulletproof hero Luke Cage (Mike Colter) was once described by a nemesis as “Harlem’s Captain America”, and it’s an apt description. Like Captain America, Luke is a Power of Conscience character.
These characters believe they have to look out for others. They have a profound sense of right and wrong. Luke is no exception- He fights for what he believes to be moral and right. He will sacrifice everything to be Harlem’s hero, looking out for the residents of the borough because he thinks no one else will.
He encounters the rest of The Defenders whilst on a mission to deliver justice for a resident of Harlem who has been ruined by the secret organization, The Hand. The others cross paths whilst undertaking a quest or to solve a mystery- only Luke is acting out of the interest of someone else. This action speaks volumes about his character.
As part of an ensemble, he is the real anchor of the group. Jessica is reluctant to be part of the team every step of the way, Daredevil is blinded by his love for the enemy. Danny is unfocused in terms of who he is, and his mission. Luke has to remind them why they are fighting, who they are fighting for, and what is at stake. Like Jessica, he is reluctant to be part of The Defenders but understands it is necessary for them to stand to together. He is their moral compass and their steadying influence is essential with a group of such wildcards.
Iron Fist – Power of Ambition
Danny Rand (Finn Jones) refers to himself by the mouthful of a title “The Immortal Iron Fist, Protector of K’un-L’un and sworn enemy of The Hand”. It’s pretty obvious that he puts up a front to impress others.
He thinks that focusing on the mission will make him impervious to criticism, and will gain him the respect of others. Power of Ambition characters like Danny seek approval and often put on a facade to make themselves seem worthy of that approval. Whether they be ninjas with a magic hand or more pedestrian characters like Michael Scott or David Brent.
Danny has a reason for this behavior that does evoke empathy- the only survivor when his family’s plane crashed in the Far East, the young Danny was taken in by an ancient order of Monks and trained to be a weapon. He effectively has been brainwashed rather than having developed true conviction. Such a tragic childhood means he is searching for people that will accept him and give him the love he hasn’t received since his parents’ death.
Danny is the one that brings together The Defenders- since he has the most knowledge of the enemy and their evil plan. He becomes the key to The Hand’s scheme which has been centuries in the making. Danny finally becomes the center of attention for good and bad reasons. He gets what he wants but has to learn humility and realize he has found, in The Defenders, the honest acceptance he has craved since he was an orphaned child.
For more examples of all the character types, you can purchase my in-depth e-books at the ETB shop, or you can read more articles on all the “Power Of…” types including James Bond, Doctor Who, Batman and Sherlock Holmes, every Tuesday.
There are also 9 pinterest boards full of character examples online. Check them out and let us know at [email protected] if you have any other suggestions.
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It was thirty years ago last week that the seminal television series 30 Something first aired on ABC. Within a year it won an Emmy as best drama. Hollywood Reporter published a great look back at the development of the show. Here is a quote:
Baby boomers Herskovitz and Zwick realized that outside of Kate & Allie and Saturday Night Live, they weren’t seeing a lot of their baby boomer peer group on television. That led to conversations about doing a series that not only captured who their generation was but did it without making them be doctors, lawyers or cops. As they talked things out, they realized how they and their friends were all struggling with the same issues: fear of marriage, having kids and not really understanding how to be a parent and not having a clear career path.
I think we are in the same situation thirty years on. You never see 60 somethings on TV unless they fill the minor role of grandparents in a drama. It’s like this whole huge population segment has no life of their own. (Netflix’s Grace and Frankie is a rare exception but, like Golden Girls, is a comedy.)
I wish someone would realize that this age group (as above) is struggling with the same issues: fear of losing independence, launching kids and have them coming back and not knowing where to draw the line, not having a clear path to retirement or what comes next, dating and finding love again. This is the stuff of drama. I wish someone could take the leap that ABC took with 30 Something.
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As between The Leftovers and Sense8, I am definitely more of a Sense8 fan. True, there is the usual silliness, over-seriousness, and logic holes not uncommon to Lana Wachowski’s and Lilly Wachowski’s work. But I loved the characters! They are people I’ve enjoyed spending time with and getting to know better. Among my favorites is Lito Rodriguez, telenovela superstar.
Lito is an immensely popular, sexy, romantic leading man. Women swoon. Men quote Lito’s lines like Evangelicals quote the Bible. But… He is a deeply closeted gay man. His image is a lie. He characterizes himself as a smooth talking fraud. He is terrified his secret will be exposed. Lito is a Power of Ambition character.
Power of Ambition characters believe that nothing is as important as projecting a successful, polished image– Even if the character has lie, cheat, or steal to do so. Image is everything. Popularity is crucial to their sense of self and feelings of well being.
Characters like Lito, crave the reassurance of the visible, tangible evidence of their outward success. The definition and meaning of “success” are at the heart of any Power of Ambition character’s story arc. Is success measured from the outside or from within?
This is Lito’s struggle. Can he be truly authentically himself (and be true to the man he loves) even if it destroys his popularity and ruins his lucrative career? Or will he desperately continue to maintain the lie that is his life and destroy his chance at happiness with the love of his life? Is inner integrity and authenticity success or are the toys, trapping, accolades, and applause success?
For more information on Power of Ambition characters and other examples click HERE.
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When I selected this movie on NetFlix Instant Watch I thought it was a drama. It’s a documentary as riveting as any drama. I decided to keep watching and I’m glad I did. It’s an amazing and uplifting way to end this Lenten project.
The three boys featured learned to adapt to the shock of modern life and the high-octane pace of life and culture of the United States. They dedicated themselves to doing whatever they could to help those they left behind in Kakuma, and to discovering the fate of their parents and family.