Cruel torment, depraved violence, evil turns: where did TV’s real baddies go?
From Carrie’s bullies to Cathy Ames, sympathetic backstories have made villains boring. It’s time to bring back truly awful villains – in all their deliciously sinful glory
TL;DR
- Modern TV adaptations are making villains more sympathetic with backstories explaining their cruelty.
- Characters like Cathy Ames in 'East of Eden' and those in the new 'Carrie' series are given reasons for their bad behavior, such as childhood abuse.
- This trend softens characters who were originally depicted as purely evil and unfeeling.
- The author believes this makes television less entertaining, as the enjoyment of 'hate-watching' an unapologetically evil antagonist is diminished.
- The article contrasts these softened villains with characters like the amoral sociopath played by Matthew Rhys, which provided a more enjoyable viewing experience.
- The author suggests that while empathy and redemption are positive traits, their overuse in fictional villains can make them less compelling and fun to watch.