There are regularly a bunch of television characters abused for our amusement. But you'd be surprised at the amount of characters that don't actually deserve it. I've never given it much thought before writing this, but it was alarming the amount of choices I had. I feel quite passionately, especially by my the character taking the number one slot and I've been wanting to rant about it for a couple of weeks now. Innocence is a funny thing, whether it be the innocence and naivety of the character in particular, or whether the show twists scenarios for a morally good person to end up in with a microwave curry for one as their dinner every night. And microwave curries for one taste horrible.
10. Dave (Gavin & Stacey)
I dont like Dave. I never hide that fact. But thats because Ive been manipulated into disliking Dave. Im a massive Smithy fan, not just because of my man crush on James Corden, but because theres an innocence to him that I feel is often overlooked. But Dave, Dave is perhaps even more innocent. Hes introduced as a love interest for Nessa, with the two eventually becoming engaged. We, as viewers, are encouraged to root for Smithy to step up and become a father for Neil, the baby. Dave is the roadblock. Its not that Dave is a bad person, its a case of wrong place, wrong time. If he were already in relationship with Nessa, wed probably think differently. In fact, theres only one instance I can think of when Dave is a bad person, when he attempts to disallow Smithy his father / son time. This sort-of love triangle culminates in the last episode, as he nobly steps down and stops his marriage ceremony as he realises Nessa doesnt love him. And then leaves, probably never to be heard of again. Dave is largely innocent, but were encouraged to dislike him and that is mistreatment, because hes not a bad person.