The 15 character meme going around

[shadowkat]

I'm not sure about this meme...because it requires a response and doing posts that require people to respond, worry me. Because, hello, what if no one does? Then you look a bit silly, right? Not to mention lonely? Also isn't a bit presumptious to be asking people to respond to your post and talk about you? I'm guessing no one else ever worries about these things?

But this looked a bit interesting to me...

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


1. Spike (Buffy)
2. Aeryn Sun (Farscape)
3. Susan Ivanonva from Bab 5
4. Kara Thrace (Starbuck) from Battlestar Galatica
5. Owen from Torchwood
6. Greg House from House
7. Sir Jamie Lannister (aka The Kingslayer) from Song of Ice and Fire
8. Illyria from Angel
9. Wash from Firefly
10. Nikita from La Femme Nikita
11. Kalinda from The Good Wife
12. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
13. Lock from Lost
14. Veronica Mars - Veronica Mars
15. Dr. River Song from Doctor Who

Comments

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

um... strong independent women and sarcastic/non-conformist men?
lots of sci-fi? Although not only sci-fi...

anyway, you do have friends (I liked your list a lot)

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Oh, read frenchani's response below - she nailed it.
All those characters have a soft under-belly, a crack. They are tough on the outside but vulnerable inside - which borders on self-destructive. (Sort of Barbara Stanwyck.)

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think "actively competent female characters" and "sarcastic morally-ambiguous men" covers it.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Read frenchani's comment below - she nails the common thread amongst all of them - tough exterior, with a crack of vulnerability leading to potentially self-destructive behavior.
Tough as nails, sarcastic, hiding the vulnerable core.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

You like characters that chose their own way and defy stereotypes, also women who take joy in the extraordinary things they do. Not angsting about being the chosen one but enjoying their own competence, if you know what I mean.

The men I know from the list all have a thing for sarcasm (well except Wash).

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thank you. This is a great response. Particularly this bit:

characters that chose their own way and defy stereotypes

Yes! Love those characters. Other favorites from Song of Ice and Fire are Ayra Stark and Tyrion Lannister - who equally defy stereotype.

and

Not angsting about being the chosen one but enjoying their own competence, if you know what I mean.

Exactly. Don't like whiny characters. LOL!

On the men? I like the crack through the tough exterior, that soft underbelly of vulnerability - which Frenchani nails below, probably because she has the same taste.

[frenchani.livejournal.com]

What they said above! Also you like men who have a soft side – a crack even bordering to self-destruction, hidden behind a tough façade (which works for Kara too).

We have a lot in common. Owen was what made me watch Torchwood despite the crappy writing, and Locke has always been my favourite character on Lost...and there's Spike of course. I would have added Daniel Graystone to the list.

I didn't do that meme precisely because I thought that nobody would comment on my LJ and it would look presumptious to expect people to talk about me.

You nailed it!

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Also you like men who have a soft side – a crack even bordering to self-destruction, hidden behind a tough façade (which works for Kara too).

That's the key ingredient to all the characters listed. The crack, the vulnerable, soft marshmellow underneath the tough exterior.
Just watched a bit on Barbara Stanwyck who comes across as tough as nails, but underneath all of that is warm and caring. I love those characters. They fascinate me.

Owen was what made me watch Torchwood despite the crappy writing

Hee. Owen was the reason I was watching it too. (Children of Earth luckily was so good that it didn't matter than Owen was gone.)

I would have added Daniel Graystone to the list.

Graystone was the main reason I was watching Caprica and the best thing about Caprica. I loved him. But ran out of options.

I didn't do that meme precisely because I thought that nobody would comment on my LJ and it would look presumptious to expect people to talk about me.

Sigh, yes. Thank you!