Magnificent Bastard/Live-Action TV: Difference between revisions

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** [[Word of God]] has it that their respective actors tossed a coin to see which one of Londo Mollari and his rival G'Kar would be the bad guy. [[Word of God]] did not reveal which actor won. Ten years after the show ended, its fans still haven't figured out which character was the bad guy. ''That's'' complexity.
** [[Word of God]] has it that their respective actors tossed a coin to see which one of Londo Mollari and his rival G'Kar would be the bad guy. [[Word of God]] did not reveal which actor won. Ten years after the show ended, its fans still haven't figured out which character was the bad guy. ''That's'' complexity.
*** Of course, Magnificent Bastardry seems to be the Centauri's "[[Planet of Hats|hat]]"; What does [[Beware the Nice Ones|timid, gentle Vir Cotto]] do when a [[The Caligula|madman becomes Emperor]] and is ordering [[Moral Event Horizon|daily genocides]]? Make protests? [[The Mole|Feed information]] to [[La Résistance]]? Nope! He cooks up a [[The Plan|byzantine scheme]] to secretly relocate hundreds of thousands of would-be victims by [[Faking the Dead|pretending to have them killed!]] He's a nice guy, but he's still a Centauri.
*** Of course, Magnificent Bastardry seems to be the Centauri's "[[Planet of Hats|hat]]"; What does [[Beware the Nice Ones|timid, gentle Vir Cotto]] do when a [[The Caligula|madman becomes Emperor]] and is ordering [[Moral Event Horizon|daily genocides]]? Make protests? [[The Mole|Feed information]] to [[La Résistance]]? Nope! He cooks up a [[The Plan|byzantine scheme]] to secretly relocate hundreds of thousands of would-be victims by [[Faking the Dead|pretending to have them killed!]] He's a nice guy, but he's still a Centauri.
** Morden is another example. For a long time, he successfully manipulated ''Londo'', with the help of his "associates". {{spoiler|Until Londo finally out-gambitted him in "Into the Fire".}}
** Morden is another example. For a long time, he successfully manipulated ''Londo'', with the help of his "associates". {{spoiler|Until Londo finally [[Out-Gambitted]] him in "Into the Fire".}}
* Luther Graves from ''Justice''. In False Confession, he is able to get an alternate theory across easily, completely tears apart the pompous detective and makes him like a total douchebag in front of the entire jury while said detective can only stew in impotent rage, and he's able to convince the jury that a kid is lying without being a jerk (he simply conveys that the kid was telling the DA what she wanted to hear so that he could get out of his tough situation, and that he lied to the mother simply to prevent her feelings from being hurt.) In Crucified he tears up the profiler, and in Prior Conviction, his closing arguement is just a beautifully crafted speech. From the same series is Ron Trott. Though Ron is sort of a douchebag, he's got lots of style.
* Luther Graves from ''Justice''. In False Confession, he is able to get an alternate theory across easily, completely tears apart the pompous detective and makes him like a total douchebag in front of the entire jury while said detective can only stew in impotent rage, and he's able to convince the jury that a kid is lying without being a jerk (he simply conveys that the kid was telling the DA what she wanted to hear so that he could get out of his tough situation, and that he lied to the mother simply to prevent her feelings from being hurt.) In Crucified he tears up the profiler, and in Prior Conviction, his closing arguement is just a beautifully crafted speech. From the same series is Ron Trott. Though Ron is sort of a douchebag, he's got lots of style.
* Jim Moriarty from ''[[Sherlock]]''. "The Napoleon of crime" to be sure.
* Jim Moriarty from ''[[Sherlock]]''. "The Napoleon of crime" to be sure.
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** Major Zod, Season 9's [[Big Bad]] is a non-Luthor example, in sharp contrast to his [[General Ripper]] [[Cloning Blues|genetic source material]]. He manages to use pretty much everyone in-show, including [[Manipulative Bastard|Tess]], and [[The Chessmaster|Amanda Waller]] and [[Government Conspiracy|Checkmate]] to fullfill his own ends, and does it all while more or less flying by the seat of his pants. He's less of a [[Chessmaster]] than Lionel was, but even more of a [[Trickster]].
** Major Zod, Season 9's [[Big Bad]] is a non-Luthor example, in sharp contrast to his [[General Ripper]] [[Cloning Blues|genetic source material]]. He manages to use pretty much everyone in-show, including [[Manipulative Bastard|Tess]], and [[The Chessmaster|Amanda Waller]] and [[Government Conspiracy|Checkmate]] to fullfill his own ends, and does it all while more or less flying by the seat of his pants. He's less of a [[Chessmaster]] than Lionel was, but even more of a [[Trickster]].
* Azazel of ''[[Supernatural]]'' is no slouch on the bastardry, but with [http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/supernatural-azazels-master-plan-43052.aspx the revelations of the end of season 4], [[Fridge Brilliance]] kicks in, and he becomes the magnificent bastard we know and loathe. For starters, we find out that his master plan, previously hinted at, was to {{spoiler|release Lucifer himself, and for kicks, exclusively torment one family.}} He starts by {{spoiler|arranging the release of Lucifer's firstborn, Lilith, who is the LAST of the 66 (of 600+) seals necessary to free Lucifer. He then tricks various parents into signing away their unborn children's futures as incubators for demon blood, specifically so that they can kill said firstborn. The master stroke here being picking a favorite future mother, killing the parents of [[What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic|Mother Mary]] brutally, possessing the dead father, killing her future husband for the first of TWO times, THEN tricking her into unwittingly signing away her child's future, with a deal of bringing back John, the future husband. This "bargain" was of course done for the sole purpose of creating the child he'd had her sign away. The deal was sealed with a kiss, again, [[Squick|between Mary and her dead father, whom Azazel was wearing]]. Of course, leaving right afterwards, [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|no doubt making her carry the body away]].}} This takes place a few decades before the series begins. During the course of the show, on the other hand, he has a couple of pet projects: plotting to get his hands on a gun that kills everything, attempting to kill the entire remaining Winchester family, choosing an heir to herald the armies of hell, and attempting to literally open the gates of Hell. He succeeds in ALL OF THEM. The kicker is, his greatest victories, as well our knowledge of ANY of his true plan, only come ''after'' he dies, with the knowledge that he's basically already succeeded in everything he set his mind to. MAGNIFICENT.
* Azazel of ''[[Supernatural]]'' is no slouch on the bastardry, but with [http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/supernatural-azazels-master-plan-43052.aspx the revelations of the end of season 4], [[Fridge Brilliance]] kicks in, and he becomes the magnificent bastard we know and loathe. For starters, we find out that his master plan, previously hinted at, was to {{spoiler|release Lucifer himself, and for kicks, exclusively torment one family.}} He starts by {{spoiler|arranging the release of Lucifer's firstborn, Lilith, who is the LAST of the 66 (of 600+) seals necessary to free Lucifer. He then tricks various parents into signing away their unborn children's futures as incubators for demon blood, specifically so that they can kill said firstborn. The master stroke here being picking a favorite future mother, killing the parents of [[What Do You Mean Its Not Symbolic|Mother Mary]] brutally, possessing the dead father, killing her future husband for the first of TWO times, THEN tricking her into unwittingly signing away her child's future, with a deal of bringing back John, the future husband. This "bargain" was of course done for the sole purpose of creating the child he'd had her sign away. The deal was sealed with a kiss, again, [[Squick|between Mary and her dead father, whom Azazel was wearing]]. Of course, leaving right afterwards, [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|no doubt making her carry the body away]].}} This takes place a few decades before the series begins. During the course of the show, on the other hand, he has a couple of pet projects: plotting to get his hands on a gun that kills everything, attempting to kill the entire remaining Winchester family, choosing an heir to herald the armies of hell, and attempting to literally open the gates of Hell. He succeeds in ALL OF THEM. The kicker is, his greatest victories, as well our knowledge of ANY of his true plan, only come ''after'' he dies, with the knowledge that he's basically already succeeded in everything he set his mind to. MAGNIFICENT.
** And he only died because he made the mistake of underestimating Dean, John happened to raise out of hell at the last minute, and there was one bullet left in the Colt that could kill (almost) anything. Leaving both Dean and John alive and uncorrupted was an ''integral part'' of his plan, {{spoiler|as one of them would need to be pure so that they could break the first seal by becoming a torturer in hell. Assuming John had remained in hell and would eventually break, Azazel planned to use that last bullet to kill Dean, the future host of Michael, thus ensuring Lucifer's victory in bringing about the Apocalypse. When John escaped without breaking, that left Dean to break the first seal that paved the way to setting Lucifer free}}. Magnificence again.
** And he only died because he made the mistake of underestimating Dean, John happened to raise out of hell at the last minute, and there was one bullet left in the Colt that could kill (almost) anything. Leaving both Dean and John alive and uncorrupted was an ''integral part'' of his plan, {{spoiler|as one of them would need to be pure so that they could break the first seal by becoming a torturer in hell. Assuming John had remained in hell and would eventually break, Azazel planned to use that last bullet to kill Dean, the future host of Michael, thus ensuring Lucifer's victory in bringing about the Apocalypse. When John escaped without breaking, that left Dean to break the first seal that paved the way to setting Lucifer free}}.
*** It turns out Lucifer's the [[Man Behind the Man|magnificent bastard behind the magnificent bastard]] Azazel, since he told Azazel what to do. But Azazel's still the one who set up that [[The Plan|magnificent plan]].
*** It turns out Lucifer's the [[Man Behind the Man|magnificent bastard behind the magnificent bastard]] Azazel, since he told Azazel what to do. But Azazel's still the one who set up that [[The Plan|magnificent plan]].
**** It's debatable that The Trickster {{spoiler|AKA the Archangel Gabriel}} and Zachariah deserve a mention.
**** It's debatable that The Trickster {{spoiler|AKA the Archangel Gabriel}} and Zachariah deserve a mention.
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* This seems to be a requirement to be the [[Big Bad]] on ''[[Warehouse 13]]'', as, to date, all three of them (James MacPherson, HG Wells, Walter Sykes) have spent their respective seasons carrying out elaborate [[The Plan|plots]] against the Warehouse agents, always staying one step ahead of them, and ultimately only being stopped by unforeseen circumstances {{spoiler|(and in Sykes' case, isn't stopped at all; he dies, but his plan still succeeds, granting him a post-mortem victory).}}
* This seems to be a requirement to be the [[Big Bad]] on ''[[Warehouse 13]]'', as, to date, all three of them (James MacPherson, HG Wells, Walter Sykes) have spent their respective seasons carrying out elaborate [[The Plan|plots]] against the Warehouse agents, always staying one step ahead of them, and ultimately only being stopped by unforeseen circumstances {{spoiler|(and in Sykes' case, isn't stopped at all; he dies, but his plan still succeeds, granting him a post-mortem victory).}}
* [[Eastenders]] has known its fair share over the years.
* [[Eastenders]] has known its fair share over the years.
** Dirty Den was probably the best out of them all. A sharp-suited, womanising [[Deadpan Snarker]] who managed to play everyone for fools, even the audience but still had moments of [[Even Evil Has Standards|philanthropy]]. He was to Walford what Lionel Luthor is to Smallville, complete with his own Lex Luthor in the form of Dennis Rickman!
** Dirty Den was probably the best out of them all. A sharp-suited, womanising [[Deadpan Snarker]] who managed to play everyone for fools, even the audience but still had moments of [[Even Evil Has Standards|philanthropy]]. He was to Walford what Lionel Luthor is to Smallville, complete with his own [[Lex Luthor]] in the form of Dennis Rickman!
** Den was outplayed by his wife, Chrissie Watts in the end though.
** Den was outplayed by his wife, Chrissie Watts in the end though.
** Johnny Alan was conceived as a Magnificent Bastard but could never quite pull it off.
** Johnny Alan was conceived as a Magnificent Bastard but could never quite pull it off.
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* Ming in the re-imagined ''[[Flash Gordon (TV series)|Flash Gordon]]'' series. Unlike his comic book or movie portrayal, this Ming doesn't look like a [[Fashion Victim Villain]] and try to out-ham everyone. Instead, he dresses and acts like a third-world dictator by relying as heavily on propaganda and the media as on his Patriot troops. He wears a (mostly) plain military uniform, except for one episode where he wears a ceremonial cloak for a day of rememberance. He can be ruthless or kind (although, he usually leans towards the former). In one episode, a man is caught smuggling ice, a crime punishable by death on Mongo, as most of the water on the planet is contaminated. When the man pleads that he only did it to save his sick daughter, his words seemingly fall on deaf ears. Then, on the day of the public execution (via a gas chamber), Ming addresses the wife and daughter of the man, publicly promising them several rations of water in order to cure the girl... and then orders the execution of the man anyway. After all, a crime is a crime, no matter the reasons. The name "Ming the Merciless" does show up in an episode, which is revealed to be a nickname given to him by the poor. When he finds out, he personally chokes the entertainer who speaks it. Ming usually prefers "Benevolent Father", and you better use it.
* Ming in the re-imagined ''[[Flash Gordon (TV series)|Flash Gordon]]'' series. Unlike his comic book or movie portrayal, this Ming doesn't look like a [[Fashion Victim Villain]] and try to out-ham everyone. Instead, he dresses and acts like a third-world dictator by relying as heavily on propaganda and the media as on his Patriot troops. He wears a (mostly) plain military uniform, except for one episode where he wears a ceremonial cloak for a day of rememberance. He can be ruthless or kind (although, he usually leans towards the former). In one episode, a man is caught smuggling ice, a crime punishable by death on Mongo, as most of the water on the planet is contaminated. When the man pleads that he only did it to save his sick daughter, his words seemingly fall on deaf ears. Then, on the day of the public execution (via a gas chamber), Ming addresses the wife and daughter of the man, publicly promising them several rations of water in order to cure the girl... and then orders the execution of the man anyway. After all, a crime is a crime, no matter the reasons. The name "Ming the Merciless" does show up in an episode, which is revealed to be a nickname given to him by the poor. When he finds out, he personally chokes the entertainer who speaks it. Ming usually prefers "Benevolent Father", and you better use it.
* Ron Sandoval of [[Earth: Final Conflict]] played virtually ''everyone else'' in that series like cheap flutes - Taelon, human, and Jaridian. Mostly, it appeared he was playing them all against each other for mutual destruction out of revenge for the Taelons manipulating him and him being too much of a bastard for most humans' standards.
* Ron Sandoval of [[Earth: Final Conflict]] played virtually ''everyone else'' in that series like cheap flutes - Taelon, human, and Jaridian. Mostly, it appeared he was playing them all against each other for mutual destruction out of revenge for the Taelons manipulating him and him being too much of a bastard for most humans' standards.
* Rumplestitskin (or Mr. Gold) in ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)|Once Upon a Time]]'' has mastered the art of [[Deal with the Devil|the deal]], suckering virtually every fairy-tale character into his plans in one way or another. Even from behind bars, he was cheerfully cutting deals and calling the shots! In the Storybrooke reality, he literally owns the town, and has ensnared both Emma and Regina into oweing him favors. Usually while maintaining a smooth, charismatic, occasionally generous and affable persona. It turns out that the entire story of the first season is his [[Batman Gambit]] that will result in him being able to find his lost son AND being free to keep his magic powers. And no matter how many people manage to get the drop on him, he always manages to rebound and comes out on top.
* Rumplestitskin (or Mr. Gold) in ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)|Once Upon a Time]]'' has mastered the art of [[Deal with the Devil|the deal]], suckering virtually every fairy-tale character into his plans in one way or another. Even from behind bars, he was cheerfully cutting deals and calling the shots! In the Storybrooke reality, he literally owns the town, and has ensnared both Emma and Regina into oweing him favors. Usually while maintaining a smooth, charismatic, occasionally generous and affable persona. It turns out that the entire story of the first season is his [[Batman Gambit]] that will result in him being able to find his lost son AND being free to keep his magic powers. And no matter how many people manage to get the drop on him, he manages to rebound and comes out on top.
** Speaking of Regina, she can be quite the [[Magnificent Bitch]] in her own right; even getting the drop on Rumplestiskin ''twice.'' In the fairy-tale world she manipulates Belle into almost stripping him of power, and in the Storybrooke world arranged for his [[Tragic Keepsake]] to be stolen, helped him get arrested, and then forced him to reveal that he was unaffected by the curse like she was. She tried to manipulate Emma and Henry by [[Exact Eavesdropping|arranging so Henry would overhear Emma doubting his belief in the curse]]. She also arranged for the genie of Agrabah to murder her husband via a [[Wounded Gazelle Gambit]], then tricked him into becoming her magic mirror. Regina and Gold are basically a [[Magnificent Bastard]] tennis match with everyone else in town as the tennis balls.
** Speaking of Regina, she can be quite the [[Magnificent Bitch]] in her own right; even getting the drop on Rumplestiskin ''twice.'' In the fairy-tale world she manipulates Belle into almost stripping him of power, and in the Storybrooke world arranged for his [[Tragic Keepsake]] to be stolen, helped him get arrested, and then forced him to reveal that he was unaffected by the curse like she was. She tried to manipulate Emma and Henry by [[Exact Eavesdropping|arranging so Henry would overhear Emma doubting his belief in the curse]]. She also arranged for the genie of Agrabah to murder her husband via a [[Wounded Gazelle Gambit]], then tricked him into becoming her magic mirror. Regina and Gold are basically a [[Magnificent Bastard]] tennis match with everyone else in town as the tennis balls.
** Even worse? Cora (Regina's Mother) manages to manipulate both of them. She becomes Rumpelstiltskin's lover to gain magic power, and then promptly double-crosses him on a deal (after the influential King Xavier gives her the option to), using his own tactic of [[Exact Words]], marries a docile and easily-led prince, and Regina's birth was just one more element in a grand scheme to have everyone else in the universe kissing her ass in revenge on the world for slighting her low birth as a miller's daughter. She will and does do absolutely anything in the name of getting ultimate power and status. The only thing that manged to stop her? Snow White taking a few levels in this herself, tricking Regina into killing her own mother. Granted, as Regina set up Snow's dad to be killed, Cora killed Snow's mum, and the pair of them just killed Snow's old nanny in front of her For the Lulz, it's a pretty good case of [[Pay Evil Unto Evil]].
** Even worse? Cora (Regina's Mother) manages to manipulate both of them. She becomes Rumpelstiltskin's lover to gain magic power, and then promptly double-crosses him on a deal (after the influential King Xavier gives her the option to), using his own tactic of [[Exact Words]], marries a docile and easily-led prince, and Regina's birth was just one more element in a grand scheme to have everyone else in the universe kissing her ass in revenge on the world for slighting her low birth as a miller's daughter. She will and does do absolutely anything in the name of getting ultimate power and status. The only thing that manged to stop her? Snow White taking a few levels in this herself, tricking Regina into killing her own mother. Granted, as Regina set up Snow's dad to be killed, Cora killed Snow's mum, and the pair of them just killed Snow's old nanny in front of her For the Lulz, it's a pretty good case of [[Pay Evil Unto Evil]].
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