Odd choices for favorite characters in a long running TV series or movie franchise

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**Dysartes**

Easy E wrote:
Wang in Dr. Strange and Rhodey in Iron Man. I don't know why, but they were my favorite "side kicks" in the MCU.

...Wong, dude, not Wang. Poor guy.

Both Agent Broyles and Astrid Farnsworth from Fringe count, right?

Not an odd choice, and definitely helped by the EU novels, but Wedge Antilles from Star Wars.

Dr Hodgins, Caroline Julian or Colin Fisher, from Bones.

**Hulksmash**

Hodgins from Bones. He was really the only consistent character across the run of the show.

Win Duffy from Justified. Cause he's an amazing bad guy/functional sociopath.

Sheriff Judy Mills from Supernatural. She's just a perfect character.

**trexmeyer**

LordofHats wrote:
I think one of the things that makes King of the Hill forever endearing is its humanity. It's a show that does almost nothing but poke fun at being a stereotypical redneck, but does it in a way that is compassionate and kind of awesome. It's the kind of comedy we just don't seem to get anymore. Takes too much genius, or a willingness to make a joke at someone's expense but with a desire to love them for who they are rather than just laugh at them. That whole show is one of a kind and Lucky kind of exemplifies it in his transition from being a total loser to being a lovable goof trying to do right by the people he loves.

The entire run is excellent, but what stands out the most to me is how well they nailed bodybuilding culture in Bill, Bulk, and the Body Buddies. Especially back in 2007 when that culture was really on the edge of polite society.

**LordofHats**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Yeah. It pokes fun at Hank Hill’s sensibilities, without poking fun at the man himself.

More than that. Hank Hill's sensibilities are both what makes him funny and what makes him endearing. It's hard for me to describe it. Folksy charm? The series will laugh at Hank's lifestyle, interests, and relationships, but all those things are what makes him likeable in the first place.

**Easy E**

Dysartes wrote:
Easy E wrote:
Wang in Dr. Strange and Rhodey in Iron Man. I don't know why, but they were my favorite "side kicks" in the MCU.

...Wong, dude, not Wang. Poor guy.

Both Agent Broyles and Astrid Farnsworth from Fringe count, right?

Not an odd choice, and definitely helped by the EU novels, but Wedge Antilles from Star Wars.

Dr Hodgins, Caroline Julian or Colin Fisher, from Bones.

Damn.... you are right!

I will claim I got confused as I recently finished season 7 of Agents of Shield and was reminded that Chloe Bennet's original name was Chloe Wang IIRC. She changed it to Bennett to get parts in Hollywood as everyone who brought her in to audition thought she was Asian, which she IS; but doesn't really look all that Asian. Therefore, she changed her name to something more "American" in nature.

That is my defense for calling Wong.... Wang. My bad!

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Principal Skinner.

Poor bloke. The face of an underfunded, overstretched vital service. Yet he tries.

**LordofHats**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Principal Skinner.

Poor bloke. The face of an underfunded, overstretched vital service. Yet he tries.

He's also the source of some of the best Simpson's memes.

**hotsauceman1**

LordofHats wrote:
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Yeah. It pokes fun at Hank Hill’s sensibilities, without poking fun at the man himself.

More than that. Hank Hill's sensibilities are both what makes him funny and what makes him endearing. It's hard for me to describe it. Folksy charm? The series will laugh at Hank's lifestyle, interests, and relationships, but all those things are what makes him likeable in the first place.

I think what I like is that Hank is kinda progressive in his tendencies compared to his contemporaries.
The Sex ed episode where it's clear he has a very healthy sex life with Peggy, even if they don't talk about.
Earlier episodes have him clearly believing in global warming.
As much as his son confused him, at the end of the day he supports what his son does.

**Matt Swain**

Back to deep space 9, i liked garack. He was a fundamentally good guy who understood the realities of having to get one's hands dirty to see your side win the war. His role in "In the pale moonlight" really made him a favorite to me.

Helo on nBSG was a good character, he was an example of a guy being a lot smarter than he looked and generally being the good guy in a bad world.

**LordofHats**

The Cardassian's in general had so many good characters and plots. How about 'Gul Darheel' from Duet? I think that was one of the most emotionally powerful episodes in the entire series, and one of the strongest episodes of the early seasons.

There's a great Youtube video with an amazing top comment on the episode too!

In season 2's episode "Tribunal", we get a closer look at Cardassian ideas of crime and punishment. To Cardassians, the purpose of a trial is not to prove innocence or guilt, but to drag the crimes into the light of day and convince the criminals to accept their wrongdoing.

This cultural context puts Marritza's plan in a whole new light. From his point of view, him going up as Gul Darheel would be a fair trial, because it would still serve a trial's purpose: to drag the Occupation's war crimes into the light of day, and force Cardassia to own up to them. ~ MenloMarseilles (Youtube)

This episode now that I think of it, really only gets more and more tragic as DS9 continues, and 'Darheel's' fears that Cardassia would destroy itself if it couldn't own up to the truth become reality.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Shows like DS9 and B5 have a huge advantage in that they were essentially character actor showcases. “We need some guy for an episode. Get me that B movie actor everyone loves!”

Jeffrey Combs, Robin Sachs, General Haig, his replacement... even Bryan Cranston got a memorable spot on B5.

**Bromsy**

Hulksmash wrote:
Hodgins from Bones. He was really the only consistent character across the run of the show.

Win Duffy from Justified. Cause he's an amazing bad guy/functional sociopath.

Sheriff Judy Mills from Supernatural. She's just a perfect character.

Jody. Her and Donna could have carried a show, without leaning too hard into the family stuff.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Shows like DS9 and B5 have a huge advantage in that they were essentially character actor showcases. “We need some guy for an episode. Get me that B movie actor everyone loves!”

Jeffrey Combs, Robin Sachs, General Haig, his replacement... even Bryan Cranston got a memorable spot on B5.

And Bishop Len Brennan out of Father Ted.

**Jadenim**

Brad Dourif had a great guest spot in B5

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Perhaps not an odd choice, but definitely the character I’m most jealous of.

Q, from James Bond.

What a wonderful life he has! A natural and talented inventor, paid and encouraged to just sort of bugger about inventing new, often dubiously situational gadgets and weapons.

I mean, I’m no inventor. But I can always relate to someone genuinely living their best life and loving it. A real life example of good natured jealousy? Go seek out KanachanTV on YouTube. If everyone could be enjoying life even half as much as her, the world would be a much better place. Definitely something to aspire to!

**hotsauceman1**

Hmm, If i was to say one odd side character.
I always loved Rom from Ds9, his lovable goofball most of the time.

**Bran Dawri**

BobtheInquisitor wrote:
Shows like DS9 and B5 have a huge advantage in that they were essentially character actor showcases. “We need some guy for an episode. Get me that B movie actor everyone loves!”

Jeffrey Combs, Robin Sachs, General Haig, his replacement... even Bryan Cranston got a memorable spot on B5.

B5 is full of loving references to scifi in general as well. Agent Bester. The Gaim. The list goes on.

**Matt Swain**

I always liked Scotty in classic trek.

**Elemental**

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
A solid argument.

To the degree I kinda hope they just leave him as is background wise. Just a spod with a conscience.

It's the same reason that I liked Finn and Rose, as badly mishandled as their characters were after their introductions. I love the idea of the Star Wars universe as being this place where anyone can become a hero if they step up at the right moment.