I can add another misanthropic, specialist genius, empathy lacking fictional character to my list of favourite characters I have made so far.

 

Lisbeth Salander – aka The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo. She is possibly borderline psychotic with severe anger management issues as well but I happily overlook this in light of her epic awesomeness in all things investigative and computer related. Plus that tattoo on the back of her shoulder is an art piece to be envied. First female now that I come to think of it that is on my list.

The list probably reads like Geek’s Dream Dinner Party Guest List and for that I am utterly unapologetic.

 

Mr Spock. My first anti-emotionalist member. Brilliant science officer who has an answer for everything and would never let anything like a pesky feeling get in the way. If only more people took a leaf out of Spock’s book and merely raised one eyebrow instead of raging out of the car and cold cocking someone in the face.

 

Dr Gregory House. I think it’s probably too far to list him as a favourite character as he really is quite unlikeable in that he’s missing that key element of sweetness that comes with being occasionally oblivious to the fact that you are quite possibly acting in a way that would not be considered within the realms of normal human behaviour. All my other characters have that obliviousness from time to time that adds to their appeal. House tends to make one catankerous even whilst being in awe of his intellect. He’s like a prickly dolphin. You like watching them think and work and play but you get too close and you’re gonna bleed if you make contact.

 

Dexter Morgan. Yes, yes he’s a serial killer but I’m okay with that because he has a moral code and he only kills others who have taken lives (and would continue to do so should he not stop them) and he’s a very neat monster. He’s kind of like a male Bree Van Der Kamp with homicidal tendencies. I like OCD neatness – I always envy it a little and wish it was like some contagious disease that I could pick up a few molecules of if I hung around them. Plus he’s fit and very flexible and has that very adorable facial expression he gets whenever he is trying to negotiate the unpredictable waters of expected human behaviour norms. He’s like a human Data.

 

Dr Sheldon Cooper – Sheldon has the added bonus of completely being aware of human emotional foibles and expected behaviours and still refusing to engage in them on the grounds that they will turn his brain to mush should he choose to do so. There is a lot of evidence out there supporting this stance so he has my support right there. Also there are moments that his massive ginormously huge brain and intellect completely fail him (Example: He’s at a complete loss when it comes to questions like how many kids were in the Brady family) and this leaves him feeling peturbed. This is rather adorable. There’s also that intriguing moment of wonder when he does respond to his peers and friends where sometimes you’re not quite sure if he’s totally aware of just how insulting he’s being. It’s that touch of mystery that keeps you watching him.

 

Dr Spencer Reid – Super duper genius behavioural analyst for the FBI. I have a thing for photographic memories and an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything in the universe. People who can speed read books and then quote them back verbatim. He’s probably the least misanthropic of the lot in that he is able to empathise but he still has that element of being slightly out of his depth in interpreting the social cues of his peers and surrounding friends. His friends have to often step him and make it exceedingly obvious to him in case he misses it. Initially I thought his lack of public displays of emotion were caused simply by his lack of feelings but as seasons have moved on it turns out he represses on a level that would make Dean Winchester a little envious. It’s that aspect of completely emotionally fucked up that keeps you coming back for more.

 

Sherlock Holmes – (BBC 2010-12 Version played by Benedict Cumberbatch – yes that is his real name and see I do realise these people are not real) – this guy is probably one cigarette short of a homicidal killing spree. I truly feel that his line that grips reality is hanging by the most tenuous thread of all my favourite characters although Lisbeth could possibly give him a run for his money.  Sherlock is an observer and I like observing, or at least thinking that I am observing and that I am an observant person. People who notice details to the point that their brain never rests (unless completely wiped out on some sort of substance) fascinate me in a way that also makes me very glad I’m not them. It’s  a little like the OCD neatness envy I have going on – I’d like some of that please but only a smidgen, enough to make me come across as possibly a person with a massive intellect and not as someone you probably need to avoid and step back carefully from holding your hands up, palms out in some vague placating gesture like you have possibly got a very grumpy grizzly bear facing you. It would be good to see through the lies that come out of peoples’ mouths sometimes. Not so good that you get so bored without a mystery to solve you start firing bullets into your walls.

 

Last but definitely not least – Soul-less Sam Winchester from season 6 Supernatural. This is a 6 foot 4 wall of muscle with a gigantic brain and all emotions removed. He was pared down to nothing but logic, reason and his primal urges. He was a hit even whilst causing much angst amongst the fans purely for the hell it put Dean through having to deal with him. Why was he a hit – well I can’t speak for everyone else but I do like a man that knows what he wants, how to get it and what the best outcome is irrespective of what offense or emotional hurt that may be caused. He was unapologetic, matter of fact and he got the job done. Perhaps his collateral damage was of an excessive level and maybe his lack of emotion worked against him somewhat when trying to elicit information from bereaved families of victims but in general his whole approach to his job was very appealing – especially his excessive need to workout shirtless doing sit ups, push ups and chin ups. Mmmmmm. Indeed. Plus his car was hot. Black Dodge 2011 STR8. That car was awesome.

This here endeth my Geek Dream Dinner Party Guest list Post. Ahhh such guilty pleasures prevail when on holidays. It’s so self indulgently good.