Anti-Hero Worship

It is often argued that the first real anti-hero, meaning a protagonist who exhibits virtually none of the attributes typically associated with the central character of a work, first appeared in popular culture at the turn of the 20th century. The character was the downtrodden, ill-fated "Woycheck", of the eponymous play, taking place in Munich. Others would venture that the anti-hero first stepped up to the plate in 1599, as the titular character in a little known play called "Hamlet." Regardless, the anti-hero has remained fairly dormant over the following eras. Until now.

A quick look at the most popular televised cable shows is all the evidence one would need in support of this fact. The days of the Man's Man who perennially saves the day and ends up bedding gorgeous babes, or the strong, independent Woman who perfectly balances career and family life, have all but vanished. What has replaced these seminal go-getters is a host of flawed (beyond the point of having a few endearing faults), bizarre, in possession of questionable motives, and at times down right revolting, lead figures to our currently most beloved shows.

Here are a few highlighted examples of heralded series with just such central characters:

DEXTER - While this series wrapped up last year (with, yes, a universally disappointing finale), it had been a widespread favorite for quite some time. Dexter, the, at times, charming man, did posses a moral code - yes, we can give him that - yet this was in relation to murdering people. Often with a knife. Ultimately, for his own pleasure. I think we can move right along here.

GIRLS - Wünderkid Lena Dunham has truly crafted an amazing paradox in "Hanna." On one hand, she is quirky-funny, physically hilarious in her failed attempts at grace, and a mirror that we as an audience can look into and see our own insecurities about self image, cultural status and financial instability reflected accurately in. On the other hand...she is a completely narcissistic, often emotion-less (ie - the episode where her publisher dies and she has to fabricate a story in order to prove to boyfriend Adam that she actually has Feelings not just related to her own selfish goals) girl/woman with an overwhelming case of OCD that can flare up and render her a blubbering tub of tics and sheer anxiety personified. Compare this to "Murphy Brown", or even shop-aholic "Carrie."

AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Jessica Lange is essentially the lead on this show, which completely changes plot-lines every season. Each character she plays has become increasingly villainous and wicked - and we keep coming back for more! Sardonic quips are what give this commanding actress the soothing balm to a perpetually acerbic core; but regardless of the different character's make-up, she is un-mistakenly evil every time - and only getting worse/better.

TRUE DETECTIVE - This break-out hit has drawn quite a bit of fanfare and criticism alike. Here we have two leads, each vying for the title of "Most F-ed Up." Woody's "Marty" is a philandering, dishonest cop who preaches an ethical code that he himself seems most intent of breaking at all turns. Matthew's "Rust" is true to his name; while this tarnished existentialist has a sympathetic backstory that allows us to see why he is the lunatic way he is today, he comes off as so bat-sh*t crazy that he is all but un-relatable to. While this is ultimately a tale about friendship, and the many divergent roads we often take to arrive at this basic form of human relationships, these two guys are not really people we'd like to be in a room with. Ever.

BREAKING BAD - Saving arguably the best for last, here we have the perfect prototype for the Anti-hero. Walter White was having a pretty rough go at it. Teacher's salary. Wasted genius brain. Fortune lost to one time friends/partners. Diagnosis of terminal lung cancer. All these things combine for a truly unfortunate existence and have us primed to root for this quintessential underdog to the bitter end. So, master Vince Gilligan happily took us there, and well, well beyond. As we come to cherish the foibles of Walter, while simultaneously seeing him reaching his goals, we fall deeper and deeper in love with him. Then...things begin to change. Walter is so ensconced in his new role as a meth dealing kingpin, his power lust so unyielding, that he goes off the deep end and practically loses all sense of self. But it's too late. We are on the journey right alongside him, and will justify his every action. Murdering foes, poisoning children, endangering his family? Ah, so what. We love Walter White, unconditionally.

These are just a few examples of the sundry Villain-Heroes we are progressively presented with each year. And those are just cable shows. Recently even Network TV has offered up "Hannibal", "The Following", "Revenge", "Scandal", etc etc etc. How long will this trend continue? I think it is here to stay for a long, long time, because in the hyper-cynical world we actively reside in, bad guys are not only just more fun, they're more real.