Biggest (male) BADASS hero/anti-hero on TV (currently)

[Batmannerism]

We live in a golden age of TV bad-assery ! But who is the biggest badass on TV at the moment (and that's not counting the ladies, because there are plenty of bad-ass ladies on TV too - yes, Sarah Connor and Kono Kalakaua I'm thinking of you).

Just a few criteria though, to qualify for this list, because I have to narrow it down a bit, otherwise the list could go on forever.

- must be either a heroic character, although anti-heroes are fine ( no guys who are outright villains, that's another poll altogether).

- must be on TV currently (fine if show is between seasons) as in it's a show that's currently being produced (so not a show that's only on in re-runs). Although I think that shows which have just been cancelled or ended are fine, so maybe we can include shows that have been on in the last five years.
(because otherwise the answer would undeniably be Walker, Texas Ranger, because nobody is a bigger badass than Chuck Norris).


- I'm thinking mostly cop and action type shows, NOT a sci-fi/fantasy character, and if a super-hero, someone who's relatively human (so Batman, Arrow, Daredevil all quallify, but Clark Kent from Smallville wouldn't - not that we think of him as a badass, but just in case.)

- Despite these criteria, really I respect everyone's opinions, so if you want to make a case for someone who should be on the list (but I left off) or deserves the title of biggest TV badass, go for it.

Cheers,

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

We live in a golden age of TV bad-assery ! But who is the biggest badass on TV at the moment (and that's not counting the ladies, because there are plenty of bad-ass ladies on TV too - yes, Sarah Connor and Kono Kalakaua I'm thinking of you).

Just a few criteria though, to qualify for this list, because I have to narrow it down a bit, otherwise the list could go on forever.

- must be either a heroic character, although anti-heroes are fine ( no guys who are outright villains, that's another poll altogether).

- must be on TV currently (fine if show is between seasons) as in it's a show that's currently being produced (so not a show that's only on in re-runs). Although I think that shows which have just been cancelled or ended are fine, so maybe we can include shows that have been on in the last five years.
(because otherwise the answer would undeniably be Walker, Texas Ranger, because nobody is a bigger badass than Chuck Norris).


- I'm thinking mostly cop and action type shows, NOT a sci-fi/fantasy character, and if a super-hero, someone who's relatively human (so Batman, Arrow, Daredevil all quallify, but Clark Kent from Smallville wouldn't - not that we think of him as a badass, but just in case.)

- Despite these criteria, really I respect everyone's opinions, so if you want to make a case for someone who should be on the list (but I left off) or deserves the title of biggest TV badass, go for it.

Cheers,

I think Jack Bauer of 24 qualifies here...

John Reese of Person of Interest also works...

 

[Batmannerism]

Personally, I'm going with John Reese - although he has been a bit less of a badass of late, it was kind of embarrassing how many thugs got the drop on John in Season 4 of POI - in season 1 and 2 nobody could touch him.

The only reason his ex-CIA assassin partner was able to abduct him in season 2 was because she t-boned the car he was in with a dump truck, and then drugged him up while he was stunned. In season 3, while recovering from a chest gunshot wound he takes out an entire building full of US Marshalls in full combat gear in order to take out Alonzo Quinn. In season 4 he's a bit less indestructible, or at least makes much worse judgment calls.

However, I feel that while John may be number 1, it's not by much, as my close second choice is Steve McGarrett, who rises to new levels of bad-assery all the time. It's great fun watching him flaunt his "immunity and means" and basically wipe his ass with police procedure and due process, because the thugs he beats up, occasionally tortures, and if they're lucky, shoots all really deserve it.

The best McGarrett take down of all has to be the tackle, over the side of a sea-wall, during the triathlon heist of season 1, partially because it ends with a drop kick as well.

Makes for great viewing !

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I voted for Matt Murdock.

 

[flickchick85]

I voted Murdock, but I feel guilty not voting for Jack. He was my go-to TV badass for a decade.

 

[Kaleb]

Currently: Matt Murdock
All Time: Jack Bauer

 

[DOBSON10]

Jack Bauer is my choice. Big fan of Michael Westen and John Reese as well, 24, Person of Interest and Burn Notice are 3 of my All-Time favorite shows. Dean Winchester, Daryl Dixon and Matt Murdock are all pretty cool too.

Nobody beats Jack Bauer though.

 

[ThePhantasm]

John Reese

 

[chamber-music]

Criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

Mister Reese.

 

[Batmannerism]

Criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist.

You know I really thought about including Red, because he is a serious bad-ass.

The only thing is, I'm not sure if he qualifies as an anti-hero (he certainly ain't a hero) as in that show while he constantly protects the main character, Lizzie, otherwise he's pretty much a villain.

In the end I decided to save Red for a similar poll, which would deal with bad-ass villains (or simply best villain or even best mastermind, because there are some fantastic villains in recent years -Wo Fat from Hawai i Five O,
and the Blacklist has such a great list of bad guys - the Stewmaker ! and of course T-Bag (the best thing about prison break).


In the same way, I wasn't 100% whether to include Jax Teller, because really he's a villain too. I suppose the only reason I did include him was that he tries to do the best by his sons, generally only kills bad people, and in the end sacrifices himself to protect his friends and family.


So, although Red is a total badass, besides him, who would you pick from the list ?


Also, I never really got into 24, can anyone tell me what makes Jack Bauer such a badass ? I'm intrigued, and might have to check it out. Cheers

 

[chamber-music]

I would class Reddington as an Anti-hero.

Reddington is trying to bring down the cabal and he helps the FBI team take down Blacklisters who they didn't even know exist.

Reddington may have ulterior motives at times but he has been shown to have a moral compass. It is highly possible the criminal syndicate he has been building for twenty years was in order take down these various criminals and conspirators.

 

[THUNDERSTRIKE]

I'm surprised that Jack Bauer isn't getting as many votes as John Reese... I think that some of the voters are thinking 'CURRENT' badass, hence Mr. Reese's amount of votes... but Jack Bauer fits into the criteria and time-frame of badass, because he had a show that's been airing within the last five years...

so how about MORE votes for the all-American ultimate badass of tv?... and not saying that Mr. Reese is a slouch by ANY means, but let's see Jack get his just due...

 

[Donnie Darko]

Other: John Luther

 

[Batmannerism]

Other: John Luther

Yeah, I thought about adding him to the list, but in the end I didn't - but probably should have. Glad you brought him up.

Idris Elba is a badass in everything he's in, good guy or not. So Luther totally should have qualified - an omission on my part.

 

[Batmannerism]

I would class Reddington as an Anti-hero.

Reddington is trying to bring down the cabal and he helps the FBI team take down Blacklisters who they didn't even know exist.

Reddington may have ulterior motives at times but he has been shown to have a moral compass. It is highly possible the criminal syndicate he has been building for twenty years was in order take down these various criminals and conspirators.

Yeah, I can see how he dances on the line between anti-hero and outright villain.

The whole plot with his relationship with Lizzie, and the fact that he brought Tom into her life in the first place, is pretty twisted. While Reddington may ultimately have a noble motivation - bringing down the cabal- he's utterly ruthless (although charming) in how he goes about his business (torture, murder, kidnapping etc). For me, he's a little too far towards villain to qualify as an anti-hero.

I'm not so sure I'd say he has a moral compass, more like he avoids unnecessary violence, death and mayhem when he can - but doesn't shy away from them when they serve his purposes.


But, totally respect your opinion. If I was doing the poll again, I might add hi to the list.