You know whats Not on Roids, but somehow manages to elicit similar levels of rage? Television characters! Seriously, we dedicate hours, days, years watching these fictional people, and what do we get in return? Pure, unadulterated annoyance! It’s a dark truth: the best TV shows often breed the most universally despised figures. Lets dive into why we collectively seethe at these on-screen villains (and sometimes heroes).
First up: Walter White from Breaking Bad. We’re supposed to sympathize with this chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, but let’s be honest, he actively chose a path of destruction! Then there’s Joe Goldberg (You). Stalking? Manipulation? Kidnapping?! Hes romanticizing abuse and it makes us want to fling the remote.
Let’s not forget Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones), who orchestrated so much misery, you practically need a spreadsheet to keep track. Or Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones) – a character so profoundly awful he inspired widespread celebration at his demise. Seriously, the internet erupted.
And then we have Glenn Closes Alex Forrest from Fatal Attraction, who brought new meaning to the word obsessive. Even seemingly good characters like Stringer Bell (The Wire) infuriated viewers with their morally ambiguous choices. Finally, there’s Randall Flagg (Twin Peaks), a master manipulator and general purveyor of evil. It’s almost as if showrunners want us to hate them! The best TV shows, it seems, are also the most effective at making us want to throw things.
