Fluff

[torquill]

I think that if there's one thing that Deep Space Nine did better than Babylon 5, it was in the creation of a character who could be described as a civilized evil (lawful evil, perhaps). Morden was slimy and crooked, and would sacrifice you as soon as you were of no further use; Molari was obviously proud, and led astray by visions of glory (and later unable to escape his fate); G'Kar was wounded and furious, until he was enlightened. All the others had failings, but didn't have that insidious logic that is the mark of lawful evil. The type which sounds utterly reasonable, and calm, and rational, until you realize that your sense of right and wrong has been rotted right out from under you.

It takes work to make a character like that, and I find them truly delightful when done well. I suppose that's why Gul Dukat has always been one of my favorite characters on DS9. The absolute integrity to a code which clashes with society's mores may be why I also find Heroes' Bennett fascinating -- even if he isn't evil, more a lawful neutral. These characters tend to be very charismatic, which is what makes them so dangerous. And fun to watch, in fiction. :)

Comments

[unseelie23.livejournal.com]

I disagree... Bester.

[luna-torquill.livejournal.com]

Ah -- you have a point. I forgot about Bester. It's interesting, though... he doesn't seem to me to have the same charisma I associate with the others, though I suspect he's quite comparable to Dukat in personality. Maybe it's just a matter of personal preference.