fictional characters! favorite discussion topic!

[lirazel]

List fifteen of your favorite characters from different fandoms, and ask people to spot patterns in your choices, if they're so inclined

Annie Sawyer
Buffy Summers
Ron Weasley
Eleventh Doctor
Toby Ziegler
Tami Taylor
Zoe Washburn
Caroline Forbes
Shosanna Dreyfus
Spike
Veronica Mars
Troy Barnes
Edmund Pevensie
Michelle Richardson
Sibyl Crawley

These are the first fifteen of my favorites who popped into my head. I felt so awful leaving people off, though! *sob*

Comments

[laeria.livejournal.com]

You know, I can't wait to see what people think because I can't for the life of me figure out why you like Eleven more than Ten (who is HYPEREMOTIVE) and Nine (who is REPRESSEDLY HYPEREMOTIVE). Eleven's just sort of mellow and that doesn't seem to fit into your regular pattern of character-adoration.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

I can't really make the comparisons because I don't know Nine and Ten all that well, but...

Eleven is a kind, grumpy grandfather. He's a caregiver who loves children most of all. It seems like the Doctor might have always cared for children, but for Eleven this is very much explicit. He's a caregiver.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I thought I would always love Ten best…but I still haven’t forgiven him for what he did to Donna, and it’s ruined a lot of my love for him? It’s entirely possible that a huge part of my love for Eleven is stanning the hell out of Matt Smith and his ridiculously physical performance. I also love how he’s totally baffled by things—kissing! Soccer!—and yet a total genius. I also love how he seems to be genuinely delighted by just about everyone. Also, the contrast between his personality—very much an old man—and his body—that of a young man. Plus: fezzes! Bowties! River Song! Love all arooooound!

[muneca-brava.livejournal.com]

From the people I know - I'd say they're all fighters. People who can take care of themselves and have a moral code (whether it's a good one or not) that they stick to and defend? And they're loyal to the people they love.

Of course, there's a bunch I don't know so maybe they don't fit that at all :P

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Certainly a lot of them do fit that pattern! Good eye! And yeah, there are several of them that don't, but I do think I like capable people (probably because I feel that I'm not) and I have a strong moral code myself, so there's that.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Okay, this might be because the pattern's on my mind right now, but...

I think they're people who take care of others.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Which would explain why I fangirl YOU!!!!! ♥

[magisterequitum.livejournal.com]

A really obvious note is that you typically don't pick the main character. You have a few exceptions. But you have more secondary or side kick type characters as opposed to those who get the main focus.

Also, you have people on here who usually are guided by strong emotions.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

This is very true. I especially don't go for the kind of characters who fall into the Hero Narrative, especially if they're male.

Also, you have people on here who usually are guided by strong emotions.

HAHAHA STRONG EMOTIONS STORY OF MY LIFE.

MY OBSERVATIONS:

[madcap-shiny.livejournal.com]

1. Badass heroes who get shit done and might sometimes get accused of being emotionally closed off when actually the complete opposite is true

2. Sidekicks/second-in-commands/BFFs who are unsure of their own self-worth when compared to the hero

3. WOOBIES IN EVERY FLAVOR. Except for the obnoxious justifications-and-apologia-invoking type. (I'm lookin' at you, Damon Salvatore.)

Re: MY OBSERVATIONS:

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

YOU KIND OF MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH MYSELF A LITTLE BIT HERE.

But seriously, you're so on point. Seriously.

Hey, remember that time where I liked Damon as a character in S1 and then started getting annoyed beyond annoyed with him in S2? And how I'm now just here for the ladies? Yeah.

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

Most of them are very independent, in their thinking and other ways. Watching season 1 of Being Human, Annie reminds me very much of you - and I can imagine you holding cups of tea you never drink because of the comfort of holding a cup of tea! That's not exactly the question, but it's something I was thinking about recently. Oh, I need to get some Being Human icons now that I've seen the show!

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Yeah, probably I'm drawn to that because I'm deathly afraid of being independent? Probably.

ANNIE. FAVORITE GIRL. How much did you enjoy the show? Are you all caught up? Where are you at? TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME!

[blackfrancine.livejournal.com]

I don't know some of these, but I say...

Emotions just under the surface = trend.

[blackfrancine.livejournal.com]

Also! They're underestimated by their peers. (Or at least Spike, Buffy, Caroline and Ron are)

Also! Hey! I just started watching Vampire Diaries! About halfway through season 1.

[zombie_boogie.livejournal.com]

I see a lot of people with a strong moral compass. Mind you, that compass might not always be pointed in the direction one might call traditionally "moral", but you like a number of people with really strong convictions (even if those convictions might be self-serving or motivated by not-so-nice factors). I see people who fight for what they believe in. I also see a lot of people who do in general, people who can be defined by being active agents rather than people who are passive, who lurk in the background, or who work in the shadows. There's a lot of out there, being bold types. I also spotted the trend of those who care for others.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Yeah, all of that sounds about right. And some things I hadn't really noticed. Awesome insights. :D

[marketchippie.livejournal.com]

Moral compass. Not necessarily society's, but I'm seeing a lot of people who believe in something that is Right, and in trying to pursue it, even if their methods take them sideways from the world.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I can see that, yeah. *ponders*

YOUR ICON. THOSE TWO. FLAWLESS.

[ladysophiekitty.livejournal.com]

I don't know most of these people. But the ones I do, well, I notice two patterns,

One is that these are strong people. I mean that physically, but mostly emotionally. When life hurts, it hurts badly, but they keep going and keep trying to protect and be there for the people that they care about.

The second is that some of these are kinda snarky or give the appearance of not caring, but deep down they do, and when you get to know them better, they're warmer. And sometimes they run off or bail out on friends, but in the end, they come back when it matters most.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Awww! ♥

[gryfndor-godess.livejournal.com]

I only know about a third of these characters, but of the males I know (Spike, Ron, Edmund), I see a pattern of insecurity, especially in regards to thinking they're unwanted by or superfluous to their group (Edmund really only for LW&W, though). May I steal this meme? It's fun (and difficult) pegging down favorites.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like competent women but insecure guys who don't ever cross the line into Nice Guy TM territory.

You never have to ask permission about a meme--steal away! It's definitely fun.

[viorica8957.livejournal.com]

I can see a pattern of characters who feel unloved/unappreciated (Caroline, Ron, Edmund) and more than a few who like to take care of people (Annie, Eleven, Buffy to an extent). And then there are straight-up badasses like Shoshanna, Zoe, and Buffy again.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Yup. Those are some of the conclusions I'm arriving at! Always on the side of the underdogs, and I love selfless people. Also, badasses, especially in lady form.

[redsilverchains.livejournal.com]

I noticed a pattern of beta males and alpha females!

The ladies are badasses but vulnerable on the inside. And they've all been through something really difficult, they've all reached a point where the world looks down on them for something. But they always came through with their heads held high.

[agnes-bean.livejournal.com]

Hmm. People have hit on a lot of what I'm seeing, but I'll just throw out my observations again because the more people who see it, the more it must be true, right?

1. Definitely characters who keep their feeling under the surface -- but HAVE those feelings and sometimes show them. And when they do, it tends to be glorious (be that gloriously hilarious a la Troy or gloriously moving a la Buffy).

2. I'm seeing a lot of characters who wear masks (which is related to #1 but doesn't apply in all cases). There are a number of character here that act with either more confidence and swagger (Spike, V Mars, Troy) or more cheer and nonchalance (11, Annie) than they actually feel.

3. Strong (physically and emotionally) kick-ass women.

4. All of these characters (at least the ones I know) are fundamentally good (or get there, in Spike's case), even if it's in unusual ways/not everyone realizes it all the time.


(This is a fun meme and I think I'll steal it)

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

Cool people that I also like. :D

[local-max.livejournal.com]

So there are strong female figures, who are physically formidable (Buffy, Zoe) and have a unique talent for revenge (Veronica, Shosanna). I detect at least two deeply trusted and loyal lieutenants (Zoe, Ron). And some people who go from cloistered British youth to baddest boy to hero (Spike, Edmund). And also, eight people I am unfamiliar with, so that's a pattern! :D (Not super unfamiliar, I mean, obviously I know who the Eleventh Doctor *is*...but, you know....)

[eldritchowl.livejournal.com]

well i immediately connect edmund & spike, because they've got redemptive arcs but have to continue grappling with their darker sides and their awesomeness comes from them constantly trying to be better, in spite of that. and ron has to struggle with that too-- i know you had that fabulous ron post a while back.

michelle and annie are both fabulous but have been vulnerable when it comes to guys but aren't trapped by that. they walk out stronger than they were. i guess buffy could be in there too.