"Between his howling and your blasting everything in sight it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here."
As you know, I've been reading - nearly finished reading - Star Wars, A New Hope. I won't say much about it here as I plan on reviewing it. But, I've been a bit at a loss for a character post, which is why I skipped a day. (That and I was too busy sulking on learning that Matt Smith will no longer be playing the Doctor after the Christmas Special. You've no idea how excited I was to have him and Clara in a whole series together. Then they had to go and break my heart.)
Anyways, I still am too busy sulking to come up with an actual character to post about, that and I want to finish the book before I do the one I really want to do. But, I do have a post on characters.
Han Solo has got me thinking about sidekicks, a subject which comes to mind every now and then when I watch movies or read books.
Typically, sidekicks are supposed to stay in the background of the story. Their goal is to make the hero look even cooler then he normally would. Their not supposed to get the girl, they're not supposed to defeat the villain, they're just supposed to be there. Yet, very few sidekicks stick to this rule.
There are different kinds of sidekicks. There are the ones who provide comic relief - Haddock, the Thompsons, Pippin, Puddleglum, Scotty, Reily from National Treasure, and even Han Solo. Whenever there is a tense moment, these types of sidekicks will say or do something ridiculous to keep things on a lighter side. They work best with the quieter, more solemn heroes. They are not supposed to get the girl, they are not supposed to steal the spotlight, they are just supposed to make us laugh.
Then you have the sidekicks who are completely devoted to keeping the hero alive. Samwise Gamgee, Kenobi, Gandalf, - I think Haddock could fit into this category as well. He provided a lot of comedy in the books, but when it came down to it, he gladly would have died if it meant keeping Tintin alive, such as in Tintin in Tibet. These characters usually end up sacrificing something for the hero, whether it is their life or giving up something they really want. (Such as for Sam, giving up his life working in the quiet gardens he loved to travel into Mordor with Frodo. Haddock giving up his "quiet" life at Marlinspike to join Tintin on many of his dangerous adventures. Gandalf risking his life to help Frodo and Aragorn in their quests. And Kenobi, who died to give Luke and the others a chance to escape.)
But the point is, no matter what kind of sidekick a book or movie has, the story really wouldn't work without them. Where would Jill and Eustice be without Puddleglum? They would probably have not made it ten steps into their quest before giving up to have a good, long argument. It was Sam who helped Frodo carry the ring up to Mount Doom. If Sam hadn't carried him, I doubt he would have made it into the mountain at all. (And I won't go into Haddock and Tintin now because they get a whole post to themselves.) The same with Han and Luke, the two who inspired this post. But, basically, where would Luke have been without Han? After Kenobi died, there was the risk of him just giving up, Han reminded him of what he had to do.
And sometimes these sidekicks get tired of hanging out in the background, as if they were ever in the background to start with. After all, we remember them as much as we do the heroes. But, sometimes, they decide the hero shouldn't get the girl, so they take her instead. (Han, Sam, Ron, I'd be tempted to say the Doctor but I don't think there was ever a chance of him getting Amy.) And sometimes they accomplish in stealing the spot light - I think Han fits into this one. I've noticed that a lot more people now like him over Luke - at least those who don't hate him over his "I know" after Leia said she loved him.
So, in spite of a few girl stealing cases, and some attempts at role swapping, most sidekicks seem content to help out the hero in whatever way possible. And because of this role, they are never forgotten by the reader or viewer, though sometimes the rouge sidekicks are remembered more. (I have one such sidekick in one of my books, so don't tell him this or he's likely to take over the whole story.)
What about for all of you? What are some of your favourite hero/ sidekick teams? And which kind of sidekick do you like the best?
Don't forget, these posts are part of the lead up to the publication of my newest book, A Stretch of Loyalty. I am holding a giveaway for one free, signed copy of the book. If you wish to enter all you have to do is write your own character post, then leave your name in one of my comment boxes. I will read the post and add your name to the giveaway. You may enter more than once. Closing date is June 14th, when the book will be published. I will announce the winner June 15th. Thanks to those who have already entered and helped in spreading the news about my book!
And on a side note to all you Whovains out there. What are your thoughts on Matt Smith leaving?
Quote is from Star Wars.
Allons-y!
Anyways, I still am too busy sulking to come up with an actual character to post about, that and I want to finish the book before I do the one I really want to do. But, I do have a post on characters.
Han Solo has got me thinking about sidekicks, a subject which comes to mind every now and then when I watch movies or read books.
Typically, sidekicks are supposed to stay in the background of the story. Their goal is to make the hero look even cooler then he normally would. Their not supposed to get the girl, they're not supposed to defeat the villain, they're just supposed to be there. Yet, very few sidekicks stick to this rule.
There are different kinds of sidekicks. There are the ones who provide comic relief - Haddock, the Thompsons, Pippin, Puddleglum, Scotty, Reily from National Treasure, and even Han Solo. Whenever there is a tense moment, these types of sidekicks will say or do something ridiculous to keep things on a lighter side. They work best with the quieter, more solemn heroes. They are not supposed to get the girl, they are not supposed to steal the spotlight, they are just supposed to make us laugh.
Then you have the sidekicks who are completely devoted to keeping the hero alive. Samwise Gamgee, Kenobi, Gandalf, - I think Haddock could fit into this category as well. He provided a lot of comedy in the books, but when it came down to it, he gladly would have died if it meant keeping Tintin alive, such as in Tintin in Tibet. These characters usually end up sacrificing something for the hero, whether it is their life or giving up something they really want. (Such as for Sam, giving up his life working in the quiet gardens he loved to travel into Mordor with Frodo. Haddock giving up his "quiet" life at Marlinspike to join Tintin on many of his dangerous adventures. Gandalf risking his life to help Frodo and Aragorn in their quests. And Kenobi, who died to give Luke and the others a chance to escape.)
But the point is, no matter what kind of sidekick a book or movie has, the story really wouldn't work without them. Where would Jill and Eustice be without Puddleglum? They would probably have not made it ten steps into their quest before giving up to have a good, long argument. It was Sam who helped Frodo carry the ring up to Mount Doom. If Sam hadn't carried him, I doubt he would have made it into the mountain at all. (And I won't go into Haddock and Tintin now because they get a whole post to themselves.) The same with Han and Luke, the two who inspired this post. But, basically, where would Luke have been without Han? After Kenobi died, there was the risk of him just giving up, Han reminded him of what he had to do.
And sometimes these sidekicks get tired of hanging out in the background, as if they were ever in the background to start with. After all, we remember them as much as we do the heroes. But, sometimes, they decide the hero shouldn't get the girl, so they take her instead. (Han, Sam, Ron, I'd be tempted to say the Doctor but I don't think there was ever a chance of him getting Amy.) And sometimes they accomplish in stealing the spot light - I think Han fits into this one. I've noticed that a lot more people now like him over Luke - at least those who don't hate him over his "I know" after Leia said she loved him.
So, in spite of a few girl stealing cases, and some attempts at role swapping, most sidekicks seem content to help out the hero in whatever way possible. And because of this role, they are never forgotten by the reader or viewer, though sometimes the rouge sidekicks are remembered more. (I have one such sidekick in one of my books, so don't tell him this or he's likely to take over the whole story.)
What about for all of you? What are some of your favourite hero/ sidekick teams? And which kind of sidekick do you like the best?
Don't forget, these posts are part of the lead up to the publication of my newest book, A Stretch of Loyalty. I am holding a giveaway for one free, signed copy of the book. If you wish to enter all you have to do is write your own character post, then leave your name in one of my comment boxes. I will read the post and add your name to the giveaway. You may enter more than once. Closing date is June 14th, when the book will be published. I will announce the winner June 15th. Thanks to those who have already entered and helped in spreading the news about my book!
And on a side note to all you Whovains out there. What are your thoughts on Matt Smith leaving?
Quote is from Star Wars.
Allons-y!
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