Without villains, the medium of television would be comprised of nothing more than a bunch of nice people sitting around playing Monopoly. Even if you hate the bad guys, you can't deny that their existence is completely necessary to create engaging story lines that continually challenge not only the characters, but the viewers themselves. That said, writing a good villain is easier said than done. That's why there are so many power-hungry cardboard Snidely Whiplashes running around out there. Harder still is the task of finding an actor who can bring a truly evil character to life while resisting the urge to chew on all the scenery they can find. It's a difficult equation to get right, because it depends on the mood of the piece. Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more. But in the end, you just know it when you see it. And when a great antagonist is born, they captivate viewers and make a show into something special. Because the audience doesn't have to like a villain, they are allowed a great deal more emotional latitude, and can be complicated, conflicted, and morally ambiguous.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
