Unearned Redemption: Examining Dubious Character Arcs in TV Shows

Article Overview

Crowley, the Master/Missy, and Grant Ward were intriguing and captivating villains, boasting complexity and entertainment value. However, their redemption arcs, which they didn't truly merit, detracted from their intricate nature and overall believability.

Spike's redemption in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was overshadowed by his romantic relationship with Buffy, diminishing the impact of his past crimes and dispelling his image as a villain.

Klaus Mikaelson's redemption in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals fell flat as it failed to address centuries worth of heinous acts, revealing a lack of genuine improvement in his negative behavior.

Villains or unsympathetic characters often possess the most intricate personas in a show, yet not all of them warrant the heroic treatment they receive. While certain characters can find redemption, there are many whose redemption either undermines the narrative or is simply unearned. When redemption is executed poorly, the credibility of the stories may suffer, as characters are forced into roles that do not align with their nature.

Complex villains contribute to the allure of a narrative. Despite being disliked by viewers, their antagonistic actions can enhance the stories being portrayed. Icons like Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones or Moriarty from the BBC Sherlock series exemplify how an exceptional villain can propel a show forward. However, bestowing undeserved redemption arcs upon exemplary villains can prove to be detrimental.

10. Crowley - Supernatural

First appeared in Season 5, episode 10: "Abandon All Hope"

Supernatural

Starring Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Jim Beaver, Jared Padalecki, Katie Cassidy, Lauren Cohan, Mark A. Sheppard, Mark Pellegrino, Alexander Calvert, the action-packed series Supernatural spans 15 seasons and explores the world of two brothers hunting evil supernatural beings. Mark A. Sheppard's portrayal of the demon Crowley establishes him as an antagonistic presence from the very beginning. With his smooth and witty demeanor, Crowley easily captivates audiences as a fascinating villain. Always manipulating situations from behind the scenes, he consistently surprises both the protagonists and viewers alike. This constant back-and-forth dynamic serves to highlight Crowley's exceptional skills as an antagonist. Ultimately, transforming him into an anti-hero detracted from the intricacies of his character. His redemption arc felt unwarranted and unnecessary.

9. The Master/Missy - Doctor Who

First appeared in series 8, episode 1: "Deep Breath"

Doctor Who

Release Date: November 23, 1963

Cast: Jenna Coleman, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Kingston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi

Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Seasons: 26

The Master, also known as Missy in their female form, is a significant adversary of the Doctor in the long-running BBC series, Doctor Who. Originally a childhood friend of the Doctor and a renegade Time Lord, the Master turned against the Doctor in pursuit of power. However, Missy, a later incarnation of the Master, showed signs of redemption. She sought to reconcile with the Doctor and engaged in various missions to accomplish this. At first, she betrayed the Doctor when another version of the Master emerged, but ultimately switched sides at the last moment and paid the ultimate price for her loyalty. Despite Missy's sacrifice to protect the Doctor, it does not erase the harm caused by the Master and their various incarnations, including Missy, throughout the universe.

The first appearance of the Master was in the 1971 serial, "Terror of the Autons", which ran for four parts. The serial follows the Third Doctor played by Jon Pertwee.

8. Grant Ward - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

First appeared in season 1, episode 1: "Pilot"

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a thrilling sci-fi action-adventure series, first aired on September 24, 2013. The talented cast includes Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Clark Gregg, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker, and Henry Simmons. With a total of seven seasons, this show is packed with superhero excitement.

7. Spike - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Grant Ward's character was defined by his betrayal of S.H.I.E.L.D., as he acted as a spy for Hydra within the organization. The death of his Hydra handler left him with conflicting loyalties, leading to a redemption arc that ultimately cost him his life. However, his story took a twist when he was possessed by the Hive and reappeared in virtual reality. The revelation of Ward's true identity in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. introduced a new level of threat to S.H.I.E.L.D. that offered intriguing possibilities to explore. Despite his attempts at redemption, the sincerity of his actions remained questionable due to the lives he had taken and the trust he had betrayed.

First appeared in season 2, episode 3: "School Hard"

Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a television series, first aired on March 10, 1997. The cast includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Dan Rubin, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters. The show falls into various genres, such as action, comedy, drama, horror, and supernatural. It consists of a total of 7 seasons.

Originally introduced as a villain, Spike underwent a redemption arc in Buffy the Vampire Slayer by falling in love with Buffy. Spike's malicious nature added depth to his character, serving as a formidable antagonist for the main heroes. He possessed a charismatic and confident demeanor, reminiscent of Crowley from Supernatural. However, his redemption journey stripped him of these qualities, instead highlighting his self-doubt and yearning for Buffy's affection. This attempt to redeem him through a romantic relationship with Buffy was a misstep, as it overshadowed his past misdeeds and felt out of place. While not as merciless as other villains in the show, Spike committed heinous acts, including the killings of multiple Slayers and innocent individuals, without displaying any remorse.

6. Klaus Mikaelson - The Vampire Diaries and The Originals

First appeared in The Vampire Diaries season 2, episode 19: "Klaus"

The Originals

Release Date October 3, 2013Cast Joseph Morgan, Charles Michael Davis, Phoebe Tonkin, Danielle Campbell, Daniel Gillies, Leah PipesGenres Horror, Fantasy, DramaSeasons 5

Klaus Mikaelson made his debut in season two of the CW show, The Vampire Diaries, before taking center stage in his own spin-off, The Originals. Throughout his presence in The Vampire Diaries, Klaus assumes the role of the antagonist, engaging in acts of torture, blackmail, and murder. Both series portray him as manipulative and violent, albeit a redemption arc unfolds as he falls in love with Caroline in The Vampire Diaries and experiences the birth of his daughter in The Originals. Nevertheless, despite the attempts of the shows to redeem him, Klaus never truly earns these narratives. The countless crimes he has committed over centuries cannot simply be disregarded, nor does he exhibit genuine growth in controlling his destructive behavior.

5. Merle Dixon - The Walking Dead

First appeared in season 1, episode 2, "Guts"

"The Walking Dead" is a popular television series that first premiered on October 31, 2010. The show features a talented cast including Steven Yeun, Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs, Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn, Sarah Wayne Callies, Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, and Iron E. Singleton. It falls under the genres of horror, thriller, and drama, and has a total of 11 seasons.

The older brother of popular character Daryl Dixon, Merle was a highly antagonistic character, despite not being a main villain in The Walking Dead. Merle was aggressive and constantly angered those around him through discriminatory behavior. While his desire to protect Daryl is commendable, it does not absolve the Atlanta group from the harm he inflicted on them during his time on the show. His racist remarks towards T-Dog in season 1 ultimately forced him to sever his own hand in order to escape walkers. Despite these actions, and his subsequent role as the Governor's second-in-command in season 3, Merle still had a redemption arc when he sacrificed himself to save Daryl.

4. Billy Hargrove - Stranger Things

First appeared in season 2, episode 1, "Chapter One: MADMAX"

Stranger Things is a highly acclaimed television series that originally premiered on July 15, 2016. The cast includes talented actors such as Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery, Jamie Campbell Bower, Brett Gelman, Caleb McLaughlin, Maya Hawke, David Harbour, Matthew Modine, Priah Ferguson, Gaten Matarazzo, Winona Ryder, Charlie Heaton, Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, Joseph Quinn, Dacre Montgomery, Natalia Dyer, and Noah Schnapp. This thrilling show combines elements of fantasy, horror, and drama, and has successfully completed four seasons thus far.

Billy Hargrove, the older stepbrother of Max Mayfield, makes his first appearance in season two of Stranger Things. His antagonistic behavior primarily manifested in the form of bullying, particularly towards Max and several other children from Hawkins. While it is revealed that his father's abusive tendencies shaped Billy's actions, it is important to note that his redemption was undeserved. Only through the intervention of Eleven does Billy rediscover his own humanity and ultimately sacrifices himself to thwart the Mind Flayer in season 3. This implies that without Eleven's influence, Billy would have likely continued down a path of violence.

3. Sylar - Heroes

First appeared in season 1, episode 3: "One Giant Leap"

Heroes is a captivating television series that first aired on September 25, 2006. The show stars talented actors and actresses including Hayden Panettiere, Santiago Cabrera, Jack Coleman, Tawny Cypress, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Masi Oka, Adrian Pasdar, Milo Ventimiglia, and Zachary Quinto. It falls under the genres of drama and science fiction, and has a total of four seasons.

2. Negan Smith - The Walking Dead

Sylar, the primary antagonist of NBC's sci-fi series, Heroes, utilized his powers to transform into a ruthless serial killer. His complete lack of empathy and insatiable thirst for power drove him to commit atrocious acts against innocent individuals. By violently eliminating his victims, he acquired their unique abilities, displaying minimal remorse for his murderous actions. Despite the show's attempt to portray Sylar as seeking redemption and striving to become a hero, he remained largely unsuccessful, only achieving this transformation towards the conclusion of the series. Mere acknowledgement of his change in status does not absolve Sylar of his past, as the majority of his presence on the show was marred by his role as a remorseless serial killer. This storyline felt shallow, as Sylar made little to no genuine effort in actively seeking personal growth.

First appeared in season 6, episode 16: "Last Day on Earth"

The primary antagonist of seasons 7-11 of The Walking Dead is Negan, the leader of the Saviors, a tyrannical group of survivors. Among Negan's many transgressions, his most memorable acts were executing Abraham and Glenn with his weapon, Lucille, in season 7, episode 1, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be". Over the course of his five seasons on the show, Negan's path to redemption was a slow and protracted one. While he did develop some respect for Rick, he still remained willing to attack members of Rick's group when displeased. Negan's relationships with Rick's children, Carl and Judith, played a pivotal role in prompting his transformation. However, despite these factors, Negan's past actions are not easily absolved or enough to fully justify his redemption.

1. Jaime Lannister - Game of Thrones

First appeared in season 1, episode 1: "Winter is Coming"

Game of Thrones is a television series that originally premiered on April 11, 2011. It features a talented cast that includes Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Richard Madden, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, Alfie Allen, and Peter Dinklage. The show falls under the genres of drama, action, and adventure, and spans across a total of eight seasons. The intricate story of Game of Thrones was created by renowned author George R.R. Martin.

Jamie Lannister, featured in the Games of Thrones franchise, is widely recognized as an extremely popular and controversial antagonist. Due to his intricate nature, viewers hold varied opinions about Jamie's character. Despite being presented multiple opportunities to sincerely regret his actions, Jamie consistently neglects to take advantage of them. His incestuous relationship with his sister Cersei endures throughout all 8 seasons, reaching a point where neither of them bothers concealing it. Although Jamie managed to secure allies such as Brienne and Tyrion, he repeatedly betrays them in favor of Cersei. Ultimately, Jamie meets his demise while attempting to save Cersei, despite her willingness to commit murder in her pursuit of becoming queen. Even Jamie himself struggles to come to terms with this choice. It is his unwavering loyalty to Cersei that renders his journey of redemption undeserving, as he never truly evolves. The positive actions he directs towards Brienne fail to sufficiently justify the redemption he ultimately attains.

Editor's P/S

In the realm of TV shows, redemption arcs are a powerful tool to explore character growth and transformation. However, when unearned redemption arcs are bestowed upon complex villains, it can undermine the narrative and believability of the story. Characters like Crowley from Supernatural and the Master/Missy from Doctor Who exemplify this issue. Their intriguing and captivating nature as villains is overshadowed by undeserved redemption arcs that detract from their intricate personas.

Crowley's smooth and witty demeanor, coupled with his constant manipulation behind the scenes, made him a fascinating villain. However, transforming him into an anti-hero diminished the impact of his past crimes and weakened his overall credibility. Similarly, the Master's journey towards redemption, despite her ultimate sacrifice, fails to address the harm caused by their various incarnations throughout the universe. Redeeming such exemplary villains can be detrimental to the narrative, as it forces characters into roles that do not align with their true nature.

Overall, while redemption arcs can be compelling when executed well, it is crucial for writers to carefully consider the deservingness of such redemption. Complex villains contribute to the allure of a narrative, and their antagonistic actions can enhance the stories being portrayed. However, bestowing unearned redemption arcs upon them can prove detrimental, undermining the credibility of the show and leaving viewers unsatisfied.