Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Dark Knight
I finally saw "The Dark Knight" this past weekend. I do agree that it is a great action movie, with much better acting and far more drama than the typical summer blockbusters that they throw at us now and am even willing to go on record and say that it is one of the best action movies ever made, along with The Matrix, Die Hard, Terminator 2 and the like. However, I can't possibly annoint this film the best of all time, as it is listed as on IMDB. I, in fact, almost consider it an outrage taht this film could be rated higher than Shawshank, The Godfather, Casablanca, and some of the absoulte all time greats. I don't understand how that could have happened. I give it a solid 8.5/10, which is the highest rating I've given to a film this year, but c'mon, best ever? The only thing about the film which approaches greatness is Heath Ledger's performance.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Closer
To be completely honest, I'm glad Billy Wagner is out for a little while. Hopefully, this time off will not only heal his ailing elbow, but give him enough rest to get into that early season form in which he didn't allow an earned run over the first month. As people age, their bodies break down on them and I think that he may not have the endurance to go a full 162 season any longer, so perhaps this 15 day holiday is just what he needs.
I was the first person who said that Heilman should get the first shot at closing, because he has the stuff to do it, and he's the only one out of the year-long bullpen guys who does. However, I still believe that Heilman must be either tipping his pitches or has a fastball that's extremely easy to see and hit, because he gives up home runs like the hitters are taking BP. None of the other pen regulars can get the job done on a consistant basis. Sanchez is probably either on his way to the DL or to the minors himself, Smith isn't tough enough on lefties, the same problem Schoenweis and Feliciano have with righties, Muniz isn't really all that electrifying and I'm not even sure if Matt Wise is still alive. With Willie Collazzo, Ruddy Lugo and the closer of the future Edie Kunz on the roster, it's a good sign that the times are a changin.
I say Jerry gives Kunz a shot. He's obviously got the stuff to do it, that's why he's on the roster, and he hasn't broken our hearts yet like everyone else out there has done so many times. Jerry said he wants to work the kid up into bigger spots, but that's not the type of pitcher he is. You can't work into a ninth inning role, you either have it, or you don't. I say you just throw the kid into the fire and see if he gets burned. He was remarkable in Binghamton, and has not shown anything that would make me believe he wouldn't succeed in the big leagues other than possible nerves, but closers don't get nervous, it's part of their makeup, and he's a closer.
I was the first person who said that Heilman should get the first shot at closing, because he has the stuff to do it, and he's the only one out of the year-long bullpen guys who does. However, I still believe that Heilman must be either tipping his pitches or has a fastball that's extremely easy to see and hit, because he gives up home runs like the hitters are taking BP. None of the other pen regulars can get the job done on a consistant basis. Sanchez is probably either on his way to the DL or to the minors himself, Smith isn't tough enough on lefties, the same problem Schoenweis and Feliciano have with righties, Muniz isn't really all that electrifying and I'm not even sure if Matt Wise is still alive. With Willie Collazzo, Ruddy Lugo and the closer of the future Edie Kunz on the roster, it's a good sign that the times are a changin.
I say Jerry gives Kunz a shot. He's obviously got the stuff to do it, that's why he's on the roster, and he hasn't broken our hearts yet like everyone else out there has done so many times. Jerry said he wants to work the kid up into bigger spots, but that's not the type of pitcher he is. You can't work into a ninth inning role, you either have it, or you don't. I say you just throw the kid into the fire and see if he gets burned. He was remarkable in Binghamton, and has not shown anything that would make me believe he wouldn't succeed in the big leagues other than possible nerves, but closers don't get nervous, it's part of their makeup, and he's a closer.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Marlins and Manny
While I write this, the deal isn't completed, but it appears as though it will be shortly. I must say, as a Mets fan, I hope the Marlins get Manny Ramirez. The Marlins are a team built around youth, energy and a never quite attitude. That is how they are only 1.5 games out yet have been outscored by their opponents this year. Bringing in a veteran who doesn't take the game too seriously, doesn't hustle and doesn't really care whether his team wins or loses, will negatively influence the young players the same way that Miguel Cabrera did. They will look up to Manny and he will show them the way he plays and they will emulate that. This means less hustle, less scrap and less heart, the three main reasons the Marlins are in the hunt. While he will certainly provide an upgrade offensively, the upside of one player cannot outweigh the bringing down of the other 24 around him: The same reason I thought the Mets would be clinically insane to go after Barry Bonds.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Mets and The Bullpen
The Mets really need a stopper out there in the bullpen. A stopper is a guy who can come in and stop the bleeding, someone who isn't afraid of gonig after hitters and who feels more comfortable when runners are on base then when they're not. The Mets haven't had a guy like that since Bradford. It's the only missing link out there in the bullpen. Unfortunately, the Mets have a few very similar guys. They all have average fastballs and then either a change-up or a slider. No variety whatsoever. What ever happened to the splitter? That was a hell of a pitch and it sort of disappeared in favor of the changeup. Anyway, I think that Heilman's got the stuff to do it, just not the mental make-up. I would love to get like a Scot Shields (when he was great) or a Joel Zumaya-type guy, someone who comes in and doesn't try to nibble away at hitters like Schoenweiss, Feliciano, Sanchez and Smith all do. We neeed someone who can come in and say I don't care what the pitch count or situation is, and just challenege a hitter right away. All of our guys nibble away and, since they are so similar, come in and get swept up in the same routine as the guy before them; that's why they never pick one another up they all have the same mindset. Schoenweiss came in yesterday as if he had just given up two base hits, these guys all have one mind, they need a real different presence out there in the bullpen. the talent is not the problem, it is the mindset.
5 Great Characters From Past Decade of Science Fiction
The past 10 years have been heavily influenced by three major players in the sci-fi/fantasy genre: Harry Potter, Star Wars and Star Trek. While the latter hasn't enjoyed the commercial success of the other two, the storylines are just as deep and the characters just as engrossing. There have been quite a few book series coming on of late, most notably game spinoffs such as Warcraft, Halo and Warhammer. Star Wars has expanded primarily from a literary standpoint over the past fifteen years with the release of The New Jedi Order and Legacy of the Force series. Harry Potter has been the stalwart however, putting up record sales numbers and appealing to the widest audience of perhaps any fictional series ever. Therefore, it is from those three series that I have picked five characters who really have stuck out and the stories what they are.
1. Severus Snape: (Harry Potter) – First appearance (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
When the reader is introduced to Severus Snape, he personifies the same outward persona that he wears throughout the rest of the series. The shrewd man with the greasy hair who is ruthlessly biased, and an apparent antagonist to our three heroes. While a principal antagonist for the majority of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), Snape is relegated to that of a nuisance and annoyance who takes pleasure in making Harry and his friends lives as miserable as possible over the next three volumes in the series. The reader is never sure what to think of Severus Snape. On one hand, there is Dumbledore's unwavering confidence and trust in the man. Rowling did an excellent job of slightly discrediting some of Dumbledore's beliefs through the thoughts of the protagonist, Harry Potter, enough at least as to where the reader wasn't thoroughly convinced that Dumbledore knew all there was to know about Snape. The character of Snape grew in both significance and complexity during the fifth book (The Order of the Phoenix) and remained at the forefront throughout the rest of the series. From Harry's point of view, Snape was evil, capable of doing all of the evil things spoken of throughout the wizarding series. It is true that Snape comes across as very harsh and cruel, and, in fact, shows great bias towards members of his own house; however it isn't until the beginning of the sixth installment that the reader truly begins to believe that Harry and his friends are correct and that Snape is as evil as they believe him to be. Snape's loyalties become the essential plotline in the final two books. His ability to shield his mind and read others' minds made it impossible for the reader to discern where his loyalties lay. Especially convincing is the fact that Snape kills Dumbledore at the climax of the sixth book, exits with the Death Eaters and is than with the same during the entirety of the final installment. Throughout all of this though, there is always some doubt about Snape. He seems to be the only character that no one, on either side can truly identify with. He is apparently the right-hand man of each side's leader respectively, and never is his true identity and purpose revealed until the final few chapters of the last book.
That being said, I believe the vindication of Snape and the chapter in which Harry finally learns of all the missing pieces throughout the years is the best in the entire series. When the reader realizes that Snape is the person Harry must go to in order to find his true destiny and fulfill the prophecy that was laid out ahead of him, it comes somewhat as a shock. The entire series shrouds Snape in darkness, deceit and complexity, and all of the secrets come spilling out in one 22 page chapter. Snape was the best character in the series, and with the series being the most successful fantasy novels of all time, he may arguably be the best fantasy character ever.
2. Nom Anor (Star Wars: New Jedi Order)- First Appearance: Vector Prime
Never have I read a more complex character. Throughout the 27 book series, Anor plays several different roles. He is particularly an interesting character because he is unlike every other member of his species. This is highly unusual when reading a fantasy/science fiction novel because the species and emotions are unusual enough in themselves the majority of the time. Nom Anor is a Yuuzhan Vong, however has no respect for any of the beliefs of his people, save one; the hatred of those in the galaxy they are invading. An absolutely masterful manipulator throughout the series, Anor’s character was written by different authors, each with their own personal spin on this very complex character, making him more unpredictable and loathsome as ever. By the midpoint of the series the reader begins to realize just how manipulative and narcissistic Anor is, caring nothing about the fate or outcome of the world, but only in his personal escalation. He plots to kill his superiors, forbidden amongst his people; he enjoys many of the delicacies of the galaxy, even more strongly forbidden by his people; he forges no real confidences wherever he goes, thus he was able to play both sides in the conflict holding his own objectives above all else. The fact that he never forged any amount of credibility amongst friend or foe allowed him to go into hiding and plot a lower class rebellion with the eventual goal of seating him, in disguise, essentially as ruler of the galaxy.
Anor’s charcter was one of complete duplicity. Brilliantly written, consistently altered, with no real insight to his ultimate goal until the reader was finally beginning to tire of all the backstabbing and ruthless politics. As a member of the politic party of his race, he was created to have all of the bad traits politicians may have, while also containing none of the good ones.
3. Q (Star Trek) First appearance: Pilot Episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
I know that his original appearance is 20 years ago and that would seemingly make him ineligible to appear on this list. However, Q appeared on an episode of Star Trek: Voyager just within the 10 year time period I gave myself, so he just barely counts. And how could I leave this character out.
Q makes his first appearance in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation by capturing the Enterprise and putting the entire crew of the ship on trial for the entire body of crimes committed by humanity. A being based on pure logic, as it’s the only thing that makes sense to him, Q doesn’t understand evolution and maturation, because as an omnipotent being, everything to him exists at the same time. After Picard proves his point and Q concedes humans should be allowed to exist, the crew is freed to go. Throughout the series Q makes several more appearances that allow his character and being to evolve far beyond what was seen in the first episode. The character himself becomes fascinated by the resilience of the human race and with Picard and Riker in general, once becoming mortal and attempting to become a member of the crew. Q places them in several tight situations, apparently playing games with their lives. However, in each case, the crew turns out more aware of some vital lesson and mantra that enables them to grow stronger and wiser, enabling them to complete more difficult tasks in the future. In this way, Q can be seen as a father to the race of humanity, very similar to the God portrayed in the Holy bible.
Therefore, Q is essentially god. More correctly, he is what we may envision god to be at this stage of our species’ development. An omnipotent being able to change anything, at any time to his liking, Q can appear at any time, in any form, to give advice, both wise and disastrous. The character was created to be a physical manifestation of god, tying into the beliefs of Gene Roddenbury and introduced to an upheaval from modern religious bodies. Q was the epitome of an omnipotent being with God-like powers and he turned out to be flawed and arrogant and, because he was immortal, had no regard for life and emotion. While this would incense religious patriarchs of the day, the character greatly intrigued the science fiction fan base and became a staple of modern fantasy.
4. Jacen Solo (Darth Caedus) – (Star Wars Expanded Universe) – First appearance: The Last Command
Jacen Solo is an interesting character in many ways. It was difficult to choose him over other Expanded Universe characters, particularly Corran Horn, who has become a huge Star Wars star in his own right, and Boba Fett, who simply doesn’t have enough of a role to foster being on this list. His arch was great in the Legacy of the Force Series, trumped only by Solo’s, and that also was a big factor. Anyway, Solo is unique, for he, his twin sister Jaina and his brother Anakin, are all completely bereft of the direct interpretation of George Lucas. The twins are in fact the first major characters to be born to the Star Wars Expanded Universe after the events of The Return of the Jedi. Throughout their childhood, Jacen, Jaina and Anakin existed in the stories as accessory characters; their roles were certainly significant and they always factored into the climax and resolution of each story, however they themselves were still not seen as the heroes, that honor still belonged to their parents, Uncle and all their other wacky friends. As the reader was able to see the children mature literally from birth through death, in Jacen and Anakin’s case, a sort of kinship began to develop between reader and character. By the time the twins were 15 they had their own young adult series, and they had become somewhat of co-main characters with their parents in the adult novels. The young adult series, Young Jedi Knights, enabled the reader to get to know the twins personalities in much more detail. Jacen was a lover of all forms of life, love and laughter; telling jokes repeatedly, capturing and caring for many different types of animals, and through the force he seemed to have a kinship with all living things. These were very important books in establishing Jacen as an adult and would establish a strong foundation for the character’s future.
When the New Jedi Order series hit, the roles of the classic heroes and the next generation of heroes took a dramatic shift, beginning with the death of Chewbacca. This event seemed to singlehandedly hand the reigns from one generation of Star Wars’ characters to the next. The new generation was now front and center while the classic heroes, while still heavily involved in the plot, became more accessory characters. Jacen was the star of the 27 book series. In each book a deep understanding of the character was embedded amongst the reader. He openly questioned beliefs of the Jedi in the beginning, eventually questioned the nature of the force, and finally decided he had to go and discover truth for himself. The character was supposed to be killed at the midpoint of the series in the novel Star By Star, however this was scratched and they killed his little brother Anakin instead. This enabled the breaking free of the Jedi doctrine which had, up to that point in his life, been all he had known. The Legacy of the Force series was essentially entirely about Jacen and his fall to the dark side. Because of his understanding more about the force than anyone else in the books, his fall to the dark side was nothing like any Star Wars fans could have imagined. It wasn’t a quick, painless thing that took place in the span of 2 hours and screen time, as is the case with Vader, but a long process embarked upon by someone who, even through his evil deeds, is trying to do some good. He eventually lets the power seduce him, as he promised he would never do, however the reader comes to understand the motives behind the fall and that it’s not as cut and dry as portrayed in the movies. With Jacen’s death, an entire new arch of Star Wars came to a close, and the bridge to a new generation began, with Ben Skywalker, Alanna, and others beginning to take the reigns as the next legends of the Star Wars Universe.
5. Harry Potter/Tom Marvolo Riddle (Lord Voldemort), Harry Potter Series – First appearance (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
These two characters are connected from the very first chapter of the series all the way through to its conclusion. They are very similar in most respects (which is the purpose of the entire story arc), and neither of them would be half as interesting without the other, which is why I have them listed together. Harry Potter would simply be a normal boy who had some unusual adventures, whereas Voldemort would have been the typical villain who was stopped in the end, if not for the fact that their souls were literally combined, and this fact adds to the complexity of the entire body of work.
Tom Riddle and Harry Potter were each brought up in the care of Muggles (non-Wizarding Folk) and neither of them found a meaning or purpose in life until they were admitted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both boys regarded Hogwarts as their home and each of them set out to destroy the other. Harry’s character is far less complex until the fifth installment, in which we learn that he is unavoidably connected with the evil Voldemort and will remain so unless one of them is killed. While their experiences are quite similar, they react to those experiences in exactly the opposite ways; Harry learned to love while Voldemort learned to hate. This is the essential concept behind J.K Rowling’s series. Love vs. hate/Light vs. Dark. And while the ending is obvious, light/love prevail over darkness, the means to which we are brought to that climax are quite original. As perplexing as their relationship is throughout much of the series, the two characters continue to display completely opposite responses to the same relative emotions. While Harry gets angry and forgives, Voldemort gets angry and punishes. Harry cares so much about others that he does whatever he can to help them, while Voldemort hates other so much that he will do whatever he can to hurt them. Harry’s character can tend to be a little on the annoying end, as he is unreasonably angry and frustrated many times throughout the series; the reader must realize that he is simply a teenager going through all normal teenage emotions, albeit with a huge weight bearing down on him in the form of imminent death. However, while Harry faces his challenges with bravery and perseverance, Voldemort chooses to do so with fear and loathing. This is the essential concept of character, and it is brilliantly demonstrated throughout the series. These two characters are perhaps the reason the series will remain a rampart in modern fiction for many years to come.
1. Severus Snape: (Harry Potter) – First appearance (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
When the reader is introduced to Severus Snape, he personifies the same outward persona that he wears throughout the rest of the series. The shrewd man with the greasy hair who is ruthlessly biased, and an apparent antagonist to our three heroes. While a principal antagonist for the majority of the first book (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), Snape is relegated to that of a nuisance and annoyance who takes pleasure in making Harry and his friends lives as miserable as possible over the next three volumes in the series. The reader is never sure what to think of Severus Snape. On one hand, there is Dumbledore's unwavering confidence and trust in the man. Rowling did an excellent job of slightly discrediting some of Dumbledore's beliefs through the thoughts of the protagonist, Harry Potter, enough at least as to where the reader wasn't thoroughly convinced that Dumbledore knew all there was to know about Snape. The character of Snape grew in both significance and complexity during the fifth book (The Order of the Phoenix) and remained at the forefront throughout the rest of the series. From Harry's point of view, Snape was evil, capable of doing all of the evil things spoken of throughout the wizarding series. It is true that Snape comes across as very harsh and cruel, and, in fact, shows great bias towards members of his own house; however it isn't until the beginning of the sixth installment that the reader truly begins to believe that Harry and his friends are correct and that Snape is as evil as they believe him to be. Snape's loyalties become the essential plotline in the final two books. His ability to shield his mind and read others' minds made it impossible for the reader to discern where his loyalties lay. Especially convincing is the fact that Snape kills Dumbledore at the climax of the sixth book, exits with the Death Eaters and is than with the same during the entirety of the final installment. Throughout all of this though, there is always some doubt about Snape. He seems to be the only character that no one, on either side can truly identify with. He is apparently the right-hand man of each side's leader respectively, and never is his true identity and purpose revealed until the final few chapters of the last book.
That being said, I believe the vindication of Snape and the chapter in which Harry finally learns of all the missing pieces throughout the years is the best in the entire series. When the reader realizes that Snape is the person Harry must go to in order to find his true destiny and fulfill the prophecy that was laid out ahead of him, it comes somewhat as a shock. The entire series shrouds Snape in darkness, deceit and complexity, and all of the secrets come spilling out in one 22 page chapter. Snape was the best character in the series, and with the series being the most successful fantasy novels of all time, he may arguably be the best fantasy character ever.
2. Nom Anor (Star Wars: New Jedi Order)- First Appearance: Vector Prime
Never have I read a more complex character. Throughout the 27 book series, Anor plays several different roles. He is particularly an interesting character because he is unlike every other member of his species. This is highly unusual when reading a fantasy/science fiction novel because the species and emotions are unusual enough in themselves the majority of the time. Nom Anor is a Yuuzhan Vong, however has no respect for any of the beliefs of his people, save one; the hatred of those in the galaxy they are invading. An absolutely masterful manipulator throughout the series, Anor’s character was written by different authors, each with their own personal spin on this very complex character, making him more unpredictable and loathsome as ever. By the midpoint of the series the reader begins to realize just how manipulative and narcissistic Anor is, caring nothing about the fate or outcome of the world, but only in his personal escalation. He plots to kill his superiors, forbidden amongst his people; he enjoys many of the delicacies of the galaxy, even more strongly forbidden by his people; he forges no real confidences wherever he goes, thus he was able to play both sides in the conflict holding his own objectives above all else. The fact that he never forged any amount of credibility amongst friend or foe allowed him to go into hiding and plot a lower class rebellion with the eventual goal of seating him, in disguise, essentially as ruler of the galaxy.
Anor’s charcter was one of complete duplicity. Brilliantly written, consistently altered, with no real insight to his ultimate goal until the reader was finally beginning to tire of all the backstabbing and ruthless politics. As a member of the politic party of his race, he was created to have all of the bad traits politicians may have, while also containing none of the good ones.
3. Q (Star Trek) First appearance: Pilot Episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation
I know that his original appearance is 20 years ago and that would seemingly make him ineligible to appear on this list. However, Q appeared on an episode of Star Trek: Voyager just within the 10 year time period I gave myself, so he just barely counts. And how could I leave this character out.
Q makes his first appearance in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation by capturing the Enterprise and putting the entire crew of the ship on trial for the entire body of crimes committed by humanity. A being based on pure logic, as it’s the only thing that makes sense to him, Q doesn’t understand evolution and maturation, because as an omnipotent being, everything to him exists at the same time. After Picard proves his point and Q concedes humans should be allowed to exist, the crew is freed to go. Throughout the series Q makes several more appearances that allow his character and being to evolve far beyond what was seen in the first episode. The character himself becomes fascinated by the resilience of the human race and with Picard and Riker in general, once becoming mortal and attempting to become a member of the crew. Q places them in several tight situations, apparently playing games with their lives. However, in each case, the crew turns out more aware of some vital lesson and mantra that enables them to grow stronger and wiser, enabling them to complete more difficult tasks in the future. In this way, Q can be seen as a father to the race of humanity, very similar to the God portrayed in the Holy bible.
Therefore, Q is essentially god. More correctly, he is what we may envision god to be at this stage of our species’ development. An omnipotent being able to change anything, at any time to his liking, Q can appear at any time, in any form, to give advice, both wise and disastrous. The character was created to be a physical manifestation of god, tying into the beliefs of Gene Roddenbury and introduced to an upheaval from modern religious bodies. Q was the epitome of an omnipotent being with God-like powers and he turned out to be flawed and arrogant and, because he was immortal, had no regard for life and emotion. While this would incense religious patriarchs of the day, the character greatly intrigued the science fiction fan base and became a staple of modern fantasy.
4. Jacen Solo (Darth Caedus) – (Star Wars Expanded Universe) – First appearance: The Last Command
Jacen Solo is an interesting character in many ways. It was difficult to choose him over other Expanded Universe characters, particularly Corran Horn, who has become a huge Star Wars star in his own right, and Boba Fett, who simply doesn’t have enough of a role to foster being on this list. His arch was great in the Legacy of the Force Series, trumped only by Solo’s, and that also was a big factor. Anyway, Solo is unique, for he, his twin sister Jaina and his brother Anakin, are all completely bereft of the direct interpretation of George Lucas. The twins are in fact the first major characters to be born to the Star Wars Expanded Universe after the events of The Return of the Jedi. Throughout their childhood, Jacen, Jaina and Anakin existed in the stories as accessory characters; their roles were certainly significant and they always factored into the climax and resolution of each story, however they themselves were still not seen as the heroes, that honor still belonged to their parents, Uncle and all their other wacky friends. As the reader was able to see the children mature literally from birth through death, in Jacen and Anakin’s case, a sort of kinship began to develop between reader and character. By the time the twins were 15 they had their own young adult series, and they had become somewhat of co-main characters with their parents in the adult novels. The young adult series, Young Jedi Knights, enabled the reader to get to know the twins personalities in much more detail. Jacen was a lover of all forms of life, love and laughter; telling jokes repeatedly, capturing and caring for many different types of animals, and through the force he seemed to have a kinship with all living things. These were very important books in establishing Jacen as an adult and would establish a strong foundation for the character’s future.
When the New Jedi Order series hit, the roles of the classic heroes and the next generation of heroes took a dramatic shift, beginning with the death of Chewbacca. This event seemed to singlehandedly hand the reigns from one generation of Star Wars’ characters to the next. The new generation was now front and center while the classic heroes, while still heavily involved in the plot, became more accessory characters. Jacen was the star of the 27 book series. In each book a deep understanding of the character was embedded amongst the reader. He openly questioned beliefs of the Jedi in the beginning, eventually questioned the nature of the force, and finally decided he had to go and discover truth for himself. The character was supposed to be killed at the midpoint of the series in the novel Star By Star, however this was scratched and they killed his little brother Anakin instead. This enabled the breaking free of the Jedi doctrine which had, up to that point in his life, been all he had known. The Legacy of the Force series was essentially entirely about Jacen and his fall to the dark side. Because of his understanding more about the force than anyone else in the books, his fall to the dark side was nothing like any Star Wars fans could have imagined. It wasn’t a quick, painless thing that took place in the span of 2 hours and screen time, as is the case with Vader, but a long process embarked upon by someone who, even through his evil deeds, is trying to do some good. He eventually lets the power seduce him, as he promised he would never do, however the reader comes to understand the motives behind the fall and that it’s not as cut and dry as portrayed in the movies. With Jacen’s death, an entire new arch of Star Wars came to a close, and the bridge to a new generation began, with Ben Skywalker, Alanna, and others beginning to take the reigns as the next legends of the Star Wars Universe.
5. Harry Potter/Tom Marvolo Riddle (Lord Voldemort), Harry Potter Series – First appearance (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
These two characters are connected from the very first chapter of the series all the way through to its conclusion. They are very similar in most respects (which is the purpose of the entire story arc), and neither of them would be half as interesting without the other, which is why I have them listed together. Harry Potter would simply be a normal boy who had some unusual adventures, whereas Voldemort would have been the typical villain who was stopped in the end, if not for the fact that their souls were literally combined, and this fact adds to the complexity of the entire body of work.
Tom Riddle and Harry Potter were each brought up in the care of Muggles (non-Wizarding Folk) and neither of them found a meaning or purpose in life until they were admitted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both boys regarded Hogwarts as their home and each of them set out to destroy the other. Harry’s character is far less complex until the fifth installment, in which we learn that he is unavoidably connected with the evil Voldemort and will remain so unless one of them is killed. While their experiences are quite similar, they react to those experiences in exactly the opposite ways; Harry learned to love while Voldemort learned to hate. This is the essential concept behind J.K Rowling’s series. Love vs. hate/Light vs. Dark. And while the ending is obvious, light/love prevail over darkness, the means to which we are brought to that climax are quite original. As perplexing as their relationship is throughout much of the series, the two characters continue to display completely opposite responses to the same relative emotions. While Harry gets angry and forgives, Voldemort gets angry and punishes. Harry cares so much about others that he does whatever he can to help them, while Voldemort hates other so much that he will do whatever he can to hurt them. Harry’s character can tend to be a little on the annoying end, as he is unreasonably angry and frustrated many times throughout the series; the reader must realize that he is simply a teenager going through all normal teenage emotions, albeit with a huge weight bearing down on him in the form of imminent death. However, while Harry faces his challenges with bravery and perseverance, Voldemort chooses to do so with fear and loathing. This is the essential concept of character, and it is brilliantly demonstrated throughout the series. These two characters are perhaps the reason the series will remain a rampart in modern fiction for many years to come.
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