Have you noticed a trend in most of our favorite shows on TV right now? It’s not new, but more than ever we’re constantly rooting for the bad guys. We kind of have to, since they’re the protagonists of their shows. Why do we take these guys’ sides? I try to explain below.
The Biker – Jax Teller
Jax and the rest of the Sons have murdered more people than some small wars, yet still we keep cheering for them. Why? Well, in a land of evil, you’ve got to go with the bad. The Sons seem downright saintly compared to some of the foes they come across, and in the end, they don’t seem like a murderous group of crazies. They’re just like a big loving family that sometimes enjoys executions and international drugs and weapons trafficking.
The Kingpin – Walter White
Over the past year of his life, Walter White has broken more laws than he can even keep track of. First there was making meth, then there was distributing it, then there was disposing of a body, then there was murder, then there was MASS murder. He’s out of control. Yet still, we’ve been rooting for him. His initial goal, lest we forget, was to provide for his family by selling meth to ensure their financial security. Unfortunately he’s lost himself along the way and now by this last season, he IS the bad guy of the show we’re rooting AGAINST. Now our protagonist is Jesse, no saint himself.
The Rich Kid – Tyrion Lannister
A spoiled royal who is part of the most traitorous, scheming, incestuous clan in the kingdom. How could we possibly root for Tyrion Lannister? Well, outside of the old “a Lannister always pays his debts” thing, Tyrion has little in common with any of his family members. He’s funny, smart and loyal to a fault. While his family is bickering over the throne, he’s trying to keep the entire world from blowing itself up because of their greed. I think he should be the one in charge when all the dust settles.
The Sleazeball – Nucky Thompson
Nucky Thompson has taken over the “heartless mob boss” role on HBO that was formerly occupied by Tony Soprano. But that’s the thing, Nucky isn’t heartless. Despite all his greed and corruption, he does try to help out those in need. Even if it is through scheming, lying or ultra-violence. The worst thing we’ve seen him do was kill the guy who was like a son to him, and that’s changed him deeply. Perhaps we won’t always be rooting for Nucky.
The Serial Killer – Dexter Morgan
It’s a strange concept for a show, getting the audience to sympathize with a serial killer. How to do it? Make his cause seem just. Dexter, following in the path of the Boondock Saints, kills those who deserve it. How can we really say that prison with three meals a day and a roof over their heads for life is better than death for these scumbag killers? Dexter has a very utilitarian outlook on life, but one enough of the audience shares in order to get them on his side.
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