No drama can be truly great without well written and developed characters. It is why video game movies rarely work, it is why I think The Stand is one of the greatest works in contemporary literature, and it’s why I love television as a dramatic medium.
TV, by its nature, gives the audience the opportunity to watch characters grow over the course of multiple episodes and seasons. Not all great characters have to change much (Hawkeye Pierce), but it’s a much better story when they do. And without realizing it, the show becomes about the character(s), and not necessarily the story.
My stock example I like to bring up when talking about this is ER‘s Dr. John Carter. I was so disappointed when Noah Wyle originally left, because I thought he WAS the show. Listen, I know that ER was an ensemble. Stories about Benton, Green, Corday, Hathaway, Ross, et al were just as much a part of the show as Carter’s. But when you look back at the show as a whole (or even until Wyle left as a regular), what changed most? What thread connected everything? To me, it was how John Carter became a man. Carter also proves that while you may grow up and change, most times, your core personality stays the same.
When it comes to the character in television history that I love the most (granted, I’m 30ish, so my experience is tempered by time), it’s The West Wing‘s Joshua Lyman. I emphasized with Lyman from episode one. Brilliant, kind of immature, dedicated, fiercely loyal, and has a problem with that whole “brain, mouth, filter thing.” (My friends would say I’m nothing like that. I mean, I wish they would.) His personality did not change much over seven seasons, but through his life experiences (father dying, quitting his job, and, you know, getting shot), he was not the same person that mouthed off to the Religious Right in the Pilot.
My love of characters is probably why I’m not into many procedurals. In my opinion, those are generally more story driven, at the expense of the people actually living the story. That distinction is probably why I love the few procedurals that I do watch: Bones, NCIS (though, there’s a bit of a disagreement over how much development actually occurs there), The Mentalist (still holding out for more there) and Flashpoint. These shows (and probably more that I don’t watch) prove that you can balance a series driving both characters and story.
Every aspect is important when putting together a good television show. Direction, production design, writing, costuming … everything. I’m just worried that in today’s age, sometimes we forget good character development.
Clacked by Ivey West 
on May 28, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
I never really watched ER, though I do have recollections of Carter standing out.
Absolutely Josh was a phenomenal character, although we could get a laundry list going of them on Sorkin shows (Charlie? Sam? Matt and Danny? Timothy Busfield on both shows?)
It’s true that characters are a rare breed today, although USA is having pretty crazy success with Shawn Spencer, Gustopher, Michael Weston, Mary Shannon, and Monk (who I just know from word of mouth). It’s also a pretty crude show, but Hank on Californication makes for a very solid character study as well. In fact, cable’s gotten it right often, with The Sopranos, Entourage (talk about character evolution), etc.
Unfortunately, network’s dropping the ball. Or are we? Maybe audiences are less willing to invest in character…
*POST AUTHOR*
See, I don’t know about Charlie. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Charlie, but I always thought he was way underutilized on the show.
You’re right… Picking my favorite Sorkin characters would be tough. I tell you this, I think he writes friendships greater than anyone on television: Matt & Danny, Dan & Casey, Leo & Jed, CJ & Toby…
Charlie was criminally underutilized; I just think he was still crafted excellently, and, if you want to talk about character development, picture him in his interview with Josh, and then working for CJ. Huge.
I ask this timidly, and as a fellow fan (keep that in mind): who are Dan and Casey?
*POST AUTHOR*
Sports Night. I’ve you’ve not seen it yet, you’re totally missing out. I mean, go get it right now.
Outstanding show…
Ivey….I’m glad you brought this topic up.
I know one of your viewing tenents is the strong character…the building, the evolution if you will….of the character that grows, dominates, and even creates the driving force of the program at hand. Of course, the players you mention are excellent examples but I will submit one that I believe most (probably all) will agree that belongs in the legendary category of stand-out characters that molded and defined a tv show. so why not give this actress a mention? I am, of course, speaking of GRACE PARK….the actress that has it all in looks, talent, and class.
*POST AUTHOR*
Tim-1, actually, she’d be a pretty interesting study. While Park played a lot of different iterations of Eight, Boomer and Athena would be an interesting character study.
When its all said and done, though, I don’t think you’d like my conclusions… In fact, I know you wouldn’t because I’m pretty sure I’ve told you a couple of times :)
Now, taking a look at Saul or Ellen, that would be fun.
That’s OK Ivey. But of your other choices, I like Saul. Now there is a study you would like (as you wrote).
While I’m here I noticed on your “Buffy” post that you liked Angel better. I think that is interesting because while I liked BTVS, I never watched Angel. So I think I will pick up some dvds and check the Angel series out.
*POST AUTHOR*
Angel takes some time to develop… Its really halfway through the first season that it gets its footing (and unfortunately the entire fourth season that it looses it).