Character Analysis: Villains and Personal Love Hates in Fictional Universes
As a fan of fictional universes, it's fascinating to explore the depth and complexity of characters that populate these worlds. Sometimes, a particular character exerts such a strong negative impact on us that our initial dislike transforms into a more profound understanding of the role they play. This article delves into characters that I don't really like but recognize as crucial to their respective fictional narratives.
Why She Ruins My Batman Experience
I've been wanting to express my long-held disdain for her for quite some time. It's not so much about the actresses who portray her, as Tara Strong and Arleen Soykin (Rest in Peace), they both do a fantastic job. However, the character herself frequently evokes memories of Fran from The Nanny, a show I detested as a child. This connection to a show I disliked is perhaps the reason for my dislike, but it has influenced my perspective on her as a character in the Batman universe.
Batman's rogues gallery certainly has its fair share of wild, comical characters like the Condiment King and the maniacal Joker. However, I find that she often falls into a category that is hard to define. While there are anecdotes of her role as a manipulator, some might argue that I have a more intense hatred towards the proliferation of her in various media, including her own cartoon and even an animated series. Despite this, it is undeniable that she serves an important function in the story. Her interactions highlight the manipulative nature of the Joker, and they illustrate that not all of Batman's villains are entirely evil. Even in the controversial Injustice series, her scenes are still worth noting, especially when it comes to her interaction with her kid.
The Boring Quan Chi: A Mortal Kombat Legend
Quan Chi is, without a doubt, one of the most underwhelming characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise. Let me explain why I view him as such a bland character. Quan Chi's template is so rote, it's as though the character was a literal carbon copy of Shang Tsung with charisma and uniqueness stripped away. Essentially, he serves as a substitute for the original character without any of the flair that made Shang Tsung a fan favorite.
That said, despite all my disdain for Quan Chi, he holds an important place in Mortal Kombat lore. As the primary architect behind Scorpion's and Noob Saibot's existence, Quan Chi has played a pivotal role in various narrative arcs within the franchise. His notable involvement in the Deadly Alliance game is a testament to his impact on the Mortal Kombat universe. Furthermore, he has contributed to advancing the storyline, most notably by freeing Shinnok from his imprisonment. Without these contributions, Quan Chi would simply be another forgettable villain in the franchise.
Voices of Controversy: Personal Strong Stances on Fictional Characters
Here are my thoughts on a few more characters I personally don't like, but understand their importance to their universes.
Darth Vader: Widely regarded as a beloved character, Darth Vader is often seen as a tragic figure turned into a symbol of manipulative evil. To me, he's a whiny, pitiful character who became the embodiment of space Hitler due to the Jedi. His transformation is a narrative that is hard to reconcile with my initial impression.
The Joker: Think the Batman villains aren't all bad? The Joker is a prime example. I find the character repulsive and think Batman should have eliminated him earlier. While he serves as a foil to Batman, his negative impact overshadows the narrative's intended purpose, at least as I see it.
Iron Man (Tony Stark): My take on Iron Man is one of frustration. Tony Stark is often portrayed as a self-righteous genius who looks down on others due to his wealth and intelligence. This makes him an unlikable character, similar to other wealthy individuals like Elon Musk. Fans may see him as a hero, but to me, his arrogance and self-importance detract from the narrative and the series' overall impact.
Main Characters from Game of Thrones: In the case of Game of Thrones, most of the main characters seem like unpleasant people. Of those few who have redeeming qualities, their moments are often overshadowed by the grittiness of the plot. As a whole, the series often feels like a descent into moral ambiguity with very few truly good characters.
In conclusion, these characters evoke strong personal sentiments, but their essential roles in their respective universes cannot be denied. Understanding the depth of characters, even those we dislike, adds a richer and more nuanced appreciation of the stories and worlds they inhabit.