Top Ten Characters of 2011
I'm continuing 2011 roundup posts with my top ten characters of of 2011. One character I already knew previously (Diana on White Collar) but it was last year she finally got some focus and I realized just how awesome she was. The others are all characters I first met in 2011 whether or not show/movie was actually released last year.
Once Upon a Time and Doctor Who make BIG showings here but I also have love for Peter Vincent, Much Ado About Nothing, Cal Lightman, Diana (from White Collar), Plunkett (from Plunkett & Macleane), and Kidnapped.
Everyone is in alphabetical order since there was NO WAY I could do more than a very rough favorites order. I mean really, how do I choose who is first! And who is last! It's too tough so I'm not going to. *nods firmly*
1. Benedick and Beatrice - Much Ado About Nothing
I am so pleased to be able to put this entry on the list! Earlier this year I certainly didn't expect to. With a pair like this, there is no choosing one over the other. Whoever I chose would be bereft without their companion (*g*) so all there is to do is keep them together. And when you have Tennant and Tate why would you want to split them up anyway?
2. Cal Lightman - Lie to Me
Tim Roth did make the character too broad in season 2 of Lie to Me but (with a some good advice from his wife), he reined himself in and brought out an even better performance in season 3 than he had in season 1. This was especially apparent in Killer App (the series finale) where Tim was playing every aspect of the character in perfect harmony.
3. Canton Everett Delaware III - Doctor Who
What can I say about him except that he's awesome? And that he's played by Mark Sheppard who is ALSO awesome. And even more awesome he is also played by Mark Shepard's dad. A circle of awesome.
4. Diana Barrington - White Collar
Diana has been on White Collar since the beginning though she didn't start to be featured until season 2 and it wasn't until season 3 that she FINALLY got an episode centered on her - Deadline. In that episode she got to be smart, funny, sexy, kickass AND we got meet her girlfriend. May she have some more screen time in 2012!
5. Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin - Once Upon a Time
If I had to pick a breakout character in 2011 it would definitely be Rumpelstiltskin as played by Robert Carlyle. (And obviously Robert Carlyle is a new favorite actor as well.) I love everything about this character that we've seen so far. He's dangerous and manipulative and a bit mad. But he's also honest (though not interested in volunteering information) and fair in his dealings. You make your choices and you take your chances. He WILL honor his side of a bargain and so will you whether you want to or not.
6. Idris - Doctor Who
The TARDIS finally gets a chance to tell the Doctor what she thinks about things, how she stole him all those years ago, and how she has been determining the Doctor's course. (which we had all suspected) This episode of Doctor Who was a gift to all the fans of the show and it sparkled.
7. Mary/Snow White - Once Upon a Time
One thing I love about Once Upon is that it has such GREAT roles for the women in the cast. They are central to the action and to the plot. And I think Snow White is the key. Everything starts with her and her family. But she is not just an archetype; she is a three dimensional character with faults and as steely determination to do what needs to be done.
8. Peter Vincent - Fright Night
Yeah, David Tennant barely clothed in leather trousers and swearing up a storm. I think my id picked this one but I'm not going to argue with it. David seemed to have such great FUN with role that I know it is one I will watch again many times in the future.
9. Plunkett - Plunkett & Macleane
Plunkett is a late entry since I only saw the movie about a week ago! However, I have now seen the movie three times so I think he has earned his place on the list of favorite characters. He is smart, single-minded, and angry at everything and everyone who had a hand in bringing him down from a comfortable existence with a shop and a wife to a life of fighting for scraps. Also, he looks really good shooting a gun.
10. Regina/Queen
What could have a been a simple 2-dimensional villain is instead a layered portrayal of a woman's need for revenge and control above all else. She wants love and happiness but has chosen to achieve them through pain and suffering. We know this will not work but it is so much fun watching her try.
And for the runners-up:
Conrad and Ellie Cain - Kidnapped
I know Jeremy Sisto was supposed to be the main star of the series but the characters that I wanted to know more about were Conrad and Ellie - the parents of the kidnapped child. Timothy Hutton and Dana Delany brought so much depth to the characters that I was on the edge of my seat for much of time waiting to see what new twist would be revealed about them. My love for these characters makes me quite satisfied with the show having one single season. They wouldn't have been on another season and it just wouldn't have been the same.
David/Charming - Once Upon a Time
While Prince Charming is the supporting character in the Snow/Charming relationship, he does bring the other half of the adorableness for these two. As David he does vacillate a bit (though to be fair that was the result of a fight between his hidden fairytale memories and his curse memories taking over) but he retains his essential honor and need to be true to whoever he thinks he is.
Older!Amy - Doctor Who
Older!Amy didn't last long but she was awesome while we had her. I can't imagine spending all those decades completely alone and especially not fighting for my life every day but Amy did it. Also, I loved seeing Amy without her faith in the Doctor. (Though keeping her faith in Rory. The woman has her priorities right.) As we see in the God Complex, her faith is a dangerous thing and I appreciated an Amy who could see him clearly even as I was sad for the loss of who she used to be.
This entry was originally posted here and has
comments. Comment here or there.
Once Upon a Time and Doctor Who make BIG showings here but I also have love for Peter Vincent, Much Ado About Nothing, Cal Lightman, Diana (from White Collar), Plunkett (from Plunkett & Macleane), and Kidnapped.
Everyone is in alphabetical order since there was NO WAY I could do more than a very rough favorites order. I mean really, how do I choose who is first! And who is last! It's too tough so I'm not going to. *nods firmly*
1. Benedick and Beatrice - Much Ado About Nothing
I am so pleased to be able to put this entry on the list! Earlier this year I certainly didn't expect to. With a pair like this, there is no choosing one over the other. Whoever I chose would be bereft without their companion (*g*) so all there is to do is keep them together. And when you have Tennant and Tate why would you want to split them up anyway?
2. Cal Lightman - Lie to Me
Tim Roth did make the character too broad in season 2 of Lie to Me but (with a some good advice from his wife), he reined himself in and brought out an even better performance in season 3 than he had in season 1. This was especially apparent in Killer App (the series finale) where Tim was playing every aspect of the character in perfect harmony.
3. Canton Everett Delaware III - Doctor Who
What can I say about him except that he's awesome? And that he's played by Mark Sheppard who is ALSO awesome. And even more awesome he is also played by Mark Shepard's dad. A circle of awesome.
4. Diana Barrington - White Collar
Diana has been on White Collar since the beginning though she didn't start to be featured until season 2 and it wasn't until season 3 that she FINALLY got an episode centered on her - Deadline. In that episode she got to be smart, funny, sexy, kickass AND we got meet her girlfriend. May she have some more screen time in 2012!
5. Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin - Once Upon a Time
If I had to pick a breakout character in 2011 it would definitely be Rumpelstiltskin as played by Robert Carlyle. (And obviously Robert Carlyle is a new favorite actor as well.) I love everything about this character that we've seen so far. He's dangerous and manipulative and a bit mad. But he's also honest (though not interested in volunteering information) and fair in his dealings. You make your choices and you take your chances. He WILL honor his side of a bargain and so will you whether you want to or not.
6. Idris - Doctor Who
The TARDIS finally gets a chance to tell the Doctor what she thinks about things, how she stole him all those years ago, and how she has been determining the Doctor's course. (which we had all suspected) This episode of Doctor Who was a gift to all the fans of the show and it sparkled.
7. Mary/Snow White - Once Upon a Time
One thing I love about Once Upon is that it has such GREAT roles for the women in the cast. They are central to the action and to the plot. And I think Snow White is the key. Everything starts with her and her family. But she is not just an archetype; she is a three dimensional character with faults and as steely determination to do what needs to be done.
8. Peter Vincent - Fright Night
Yeah, David Tennant barely clothed in leather trousers and swearing up a storm. I think my id picked this one but I'm not going to argue with it. David seemed to have such great FUN with role that I know it is one I will watch again many times in the future.
9. Plunkett - Plunkett & Macleane
Plunkett is a late entry since I only saw the movie about a week ago! However, I have now seen the movie three times so I think he has earned his place on the list of favorite characters. He is smart, single-minded, and angry at everything and everyone who had a hand in bringing him down from a comfortable existence with a shop and a wife to a life of fighting for scraps. Also, he looks really good shooting a gun.
10. Regina/Queen
What could have a been a simple 2-dimensional villain is instead a layered portrayal of a woman's need for revenge and control above all else. She wants love and happiness but has chosen to achieve them through pain and suffering. We know this will not work but it is so much fun watching her try.
And for the runners-up:
Conrad and Ellie Cain - Kidnapped
I know Jeremy Sisto was supposed to be the main star of the series but the characters that I wanted to know more about were Conrad and Ellie - the parents of the kidnapped child. Timothy Hutton and Dana Delany brought so much depth to the characters that I was on the edge of my seat for much of time waiting to see what new twist would be revealed about them. My love for these characters makes me quite satisfied with the show having one single season. They wouldn't have been on another season and it just wouldn't have been the same.
David/Charming - Once Upon a Time
While Prince Charming is the supporting character in the Snow/Charming relationship, he does bring the other half of the adorableness for these two. As David he does vacillate a bit (though to be fair that was the result of a fight between his hidden fairytale memories and his curse memories taking over) but he retains his essential honor and need to be true to whoever he thinks he is.
Older!Amy - Doctor Who
Older!Amy didn't last long but she was awesome while we had her. I can't imagine spending all those decades completely alone and especially not fighting for my life every day but Amy did it. Also, I loved seeing Amy without her faith in the Doctor. (Though keeping her faith in Rory. The woman has her priorities right.) As we see in the God Complex, her faith is a dangerous thing and I appreciated an Amy who could see him clearly even as I was sad for the loss of who she used to be.
This entry was originally posted here and has
comments. Comment here or there.