Am I supposed to like Dirk Gently?
Because, I've seen this show and the English one starring Stephen Mangan, and I came away from both thinking the character is an utter jagoff.
shareAre they supposed to always make the main characters likeable?
shareTo an extent, at least; otherwise, why should the viewer stick around to watch this particular show?
I mean, Walter White, Tony Soprano, and Vic Mackey are all terrible human beings, but they're all likeable to an extent, at least enough to keep the viewer interested.
I'd watch this particular show, if only because of that holistic assassin psycho
But to answer your question - no you actually don't have to like the lead characters, you just need to find the world they inhabit interesting and involving to a certain degree.
Also I never understood questions that start with "am I supposed to" - you are never supposed to anything.
Especially this series being based on Douglas Adams is just gonna be a lot of weird people doing a lot of weird things. You are either up for this sort of stuff or you ain't ;)
Some of the best books I've ever read have been with main characters that are absolute *beep*
Why shouldn't you stick around to watch it? I don't get how liking a main character is relevant to that at all.
I watch movies for many reasons none of which have to do with how good a person I think the main character is.
Following an *beep* can be great fun. I had an amazing time watching american psycho for example.
Or to mention the biggest *beep* cowardly and narcissistic character I've ever had the pleasure of reading about, I'm of course talking about Harry Flashman. Not only is he the protagonist but it's read from his point of view and he is 100% despicable, but for some reason it's an awesome and at times hilarious read.
I think Walter White stopped becoming likeable at a certain point, he was just interesting to watch. Another example is Francis Underwood from House of Cards who is pretty evil and never really let up over the 3 seasons I watched (which is why I stopped watching), so to an extent I agreee with you: If you're just watching a bad guy do bad stuff and beating up the good guys week after week with no hope of change, it can get tough.
But the guys you mentioned are actively doing harm to their universes. Dirk Gentley is just a bother.
I think that you make a point that rootable characters are necessary, and in this case I think Gentley is just a wierd variable, the moral paramters lie in Todd, Amanda and the others.
There is a series on SyFy called The Magicians,I think. I tried hard to watch it but I hated every character....lol...now I'm seeing previews for the 2nd season and will try watching it again. Looks good. But your point is well taken. Good,bad,evil,angelic,whatever....we have to care enough for the characters and what they are up to. Otherwise she we don't come back. That is a must. As for Dirk. I can't wait for each and every scene he is is...but I feel that way about every character in this series.
This may be my new favorite.
I get what you're saying but being likable or liking something or someone is subjective, I'd think it's pretty hard to create a character that EVERYONE likes. I personally liked the DG character, but also in agreement with other posters here a protagonist doesn't have to be likable.
And on a further note, the rest of the characters could all be cardboard cutouts for all I cared, I'd watch it for Bart alone!
Welcome to Rivendell, Mr Anderson
ya because in real life, everyone is likeable. Didn't you know?
shareHell, I watched Mad Men for seven/eight years and didn't like MOST of the characters!
shareYou would think they would want to in order to encourage people to watch.
shareYes...truth is writers try to make characters,if not not especially likable,engaging in some way to bring the audience back.
shareYou don't need your characters to be liked, you need them to be compelling. Look at Lost for several examples of detestable but compelling characters.
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