10 TV Nerds Who Could Kick Your Ass

When we see the nerd stereotypes on television, most of the time they tend to fall into Big Bang Theory territory. Obsessed with some elements of popular culture while woefully ignorant of even the most basic social interactions. But it's important to remember that nerds, like regular human beings and snowflakes, are all unique, and while some may fall into that archetype, many others do not. The most dynamic and interesting geek characters tend to be the ones that defy expectations, usually by demonstrating an unexpected level of physical prowess. The ones who could might be in the library catching up on their Dickens, but they could also be unleashing holy vengeance on their adversaries. Sure, they might be into books or have a frankly alarming collection of 1978 Star Wars action figures still in the box, but do not cross them, or you will regret it. Probably with your head detached from your body.

10. Giles - Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Sure, on the surface Giles is a bit of a fuddy duddy (albeit a sexy one, as Jenny Calendar rightly points out). He's an English librarian in glasses and a tweed suit, how threatening could he possibly be? Well...very, as it turns out. Because like any seemingly even-keeled adult, he has a dark past. Back in the day, he and a gang of his closest friends were like a weird combination of the Sex Pistols and Harry Potter, doing a lot of drugs and raising a lot of demons. Nowadays, he's pretty much gotten over his wild child past, but every once in a while a steely look gets in his eye and you remember exactly what he's capable of. You need only watch him beat the stuffing out of Ethan Rayne, perpetual nuisance, to see that this guy means business. We could mention the moment he challenged Dark Willow with magic and one of the smoothest lines in television history, ("I'd like to test that theory.") but we think we've made our case.