Best Science Fiction Screen Character Of All Time?

[P.J. Greystoke]

Dr Who.

Enough said.

HAL - see my avatar

Now for a few obvious ones:
Captain Kirk
Spock
Captain Picard
Data
Dr Who
Dave Lister
Kryten
Flash Gordon
Zaphod Beeblebrox
Marvin (the paranoid android)
Rick (from Rick and Morty)

That should do for now...

Pretty good list, though i would have put the Doctor higher.

Some of these already mentioned:

Arthur Dent
Ford Prefect
Marvin
Slartibartfast
Zaphod Beeblebrox
Trillian

and

Rimmer
Lister
Kryten
Cat

and

Penfold
Dangermouse
Baron Silas von Greenback

and

Totoro

and

Lady Penelope

Hitch hikers, Danger mouse and Red Dwarf, can't argue with that.

 

[Sinful Cyndi]

Sorry, sincerely! I should have read the OP more closely.

I suggest Private Hudson from Aliens, played by the wonderful Bill Paxton.

Such a rich character, and Paxton plays him to the full.

 

[Mouse]

Aeryn Sun. Hard to name a more complex character, for me.

I second (third?) Rimmer.

I have other favourites, but wouldn't say they were the best.

 

[Trollheart]

@ Sinful Cyndi: no problem. Happens to all of us.
@ everyone else: PLEASE STOP telling me your favourites! I do NOT need this right now, that comes later.
Right now I just need suggestions for the list, particularly for the TV series, which I may have missed. If you want to talk about favourite characters, of course, do that by all means but I won't be responding as the voting has yet to begin. So talk away, but I'm personally only interested, right now, in compiling the list and ensuring I don't leave anyone important out.
Thanks.
Also, again, please don't suggest characters for films. Chances are, once I've managed to compile that part of the list they'll be there. If not, then you can suggest them as additions.

 

[Trollheart]

I'm thinking about the film list, which I'll be diving into the research for shortly. I think that, with some obvious exceptions, I may shorten the character list for each film to three or four. I mean, clearly, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, Aliens etc, all those sort of franchises which have multiple movies - Jurassic Park, Starship Troopers, Planet of the Apes - will merit much more, but in a movie like say "The Day the Earth Stood Still", I'm not going to be including the army-guy-who-passed-the-shells-to-the-artillery-guy or whoever. Anyway it'll make it go a little faster, and I think in general, TV series are different as they run over seasons, usually years, and have multiple characters so there has to be a decent spread. Your average one-shot film though will likely have a main character or two, maybe a good guy and a bad guy, a few supporting Joes and Janes, and that's it. So I'll see how it goes, but for the, shall we say, less impactful movies (no that's not right: TDTESS made a huge impact on sf, let's say self-contained movies then) I'll shrink the limit of characters to be picked.

Anyone has a problem with this, talk to the head of my Complaints Department below...

 

[Mark Turnbull]

Worf
Neo
Sisko
Terminator
Sarah Connor
John Connor
Predator
Mal Reynolds
River Tam

If Star Wars is classed as sci-fi then there's a whole bunch that would probably top my list.

 

[MarcUK001]

Wow, that's a question. I like Holden, Alex, Naomi and Amos from the Expanse. I like T`Pol from Star Trek Enterprise. Every series of books i read, i like different characters for different reasons.

 

[Rodders]

Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. I used to watch them a lot in the Summer holidays as a kid.

Francis, Logan and Jessica from Logan's Run.

Freeman Lowell in Silent Running. (Do the drones Huey, Louis and Dewey count.)

 

[Trollheart]

(Ignoring the three messages above as I stated)

I'm looking now for ideas on how to proceed with this. Sure I can do everything alphabetically, which may end up engendering unfair matches (Quatermass vs Kirk, anyone? or maybe Dr Frank Poole vs Kosh?) so I was thinking maybe I could do themes too? Best Captain, for instance, or best supporting character? Best female character? Most influential? Worst failure? Best death? Best personality? The list could be a long time before it ends. Any suggestions for themes, or any other ideas about how I might approach this, very welcome.

And now, back into Wiki I plunge! Shields up, ahead, Research factor nine!

 

[Trollheart]

While I do that, we can always play a few side games, so here's one.
Just a quick word on the rules: vote for each character only once. Characters with the highest amount of votes get voted off so PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR THE ONE(S) YOU LIKE! This is to REMOVE characters from the list, so vote for the ones you want to see gone. If you don't use up your full quota then tough: your vote is counted once it's posted and can't be revisited (it's going to be hard enough keeping track of votes as it is without having to go back and double-check and correct...) and if you don't vote before the deadline you're out for that round. There can't be any extensions or exceptions.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

So we'll kick off with a sort of spin-off game if you will. Many of the characters here will still feature in the main game later, though a lot will not. Voting here will have no effect on the main game when it gets going; consider them played in alternate realities if you wish. Hey! That fish is driving a bus! Doesn't it know only walruses are allowed to drive buses? Honestly, podlings these days! How they tie their own tentacles I'll never know.

DOCTOR WHO COMPANIONS

As I mentioned a bit back, there are far too many Companions to allow them all into the main list, and this proves it. Over 50! if nothing else, this will address those age demographics some of you were talking about! Jo who? Oh you philistine! Have you no respect for Bessy or Jelly Babies? Kids these days...

For those a little less well versed in the, ahem, earlier Companions, or who may be confused or have forgotten some, I've noted the Doctor or Doctors they travelled with beside their name.


Vote off 10 by Monday June 22

Foreman, Susan (William Hartnell)

Wright, Barbara (William Hartnell)

Chesterton, Ian (William Hartnell)

Vicki (William Hartnell)

Taylor, Steven (William Hartnell)

Katerina (William Hartnell)

Kingdom, Sara (William Hartnell)

Chaplet, Dodo (William Hartnell)

Polly (William Hartnell/ Patrick Troughton)

Jackson, Ben (William Hartnell/Patrick Troughton)

McCrimmon, Jamie (Patrick Troughton)

Waterfield, Victoria (Patrick Troughton)

Heriot, Zoe (Patrick Troughton)

Lethbridge-Stewart, Brigadier (Patrick Troughton/Jon Pertwee)

Shaw, Liz (Jon Pertwee)

Grant, Jo (Jon Pertwee)

Smith, Sarah Jane (Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker/Matt Smith)

Sullivan, Harry (Tom Baker)

Leela (Tom Baker)

K-9 (Tom Baker)

Romana (Tom Baker)

Romana II (Tom Baker)

Adric (Tom Baker/Peter Davison)

Nyssa (Tom Baker/Peter Davison)

Jovanka, Tegan (Tom Baker/Peter Davison)

Turlough, Vislor (Peter Davison)

Kamelion (Peter Davison)

Brown, Peri (Peter Davison/Colin Baker)

Bush, Mel (Colin Baker/Sylvester McCoy)

Ace (Sylvester McCoy)

Holloway, Grace (Paul McGann)

Tyler, Rose (Christopher Eccelston)

Mitchell, Adam (Christopher Eccelston/David Tennant)

Harkness, Captain Jack (Christopher Eccelston/David Tennant)

Smith, Micky (David Tennant)

Noble, Donna (David Tennant)

Jones, Martha (David Tennant)

Peth, Astrid (David Tennant)

Lake, Jackson (David Tennant)

De Souza, Lady Christina (David Tennant)

Brook, Adelaide (David Tennant)

Mott, Wilfred (David Tennant)

Pond, Amy (Matt Smith)

Williams, Rory (Matt Smith)

Song, River (Matt Smith/Peter Capaldi)

Owens, Craig (Matt Smith)

Oswald, Clara (Matt Smith/Peter Capaldi)

Potts, Bill (Peter Capaldi)

Nardole (Peter Capaldi)

O'Brien, Graham (Jodie Whitaker)

Khan, Yasmin (Jodie Whitaker)

Sinclair, Ryan (Jodie Whitaker)

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Here are the ten I nominate for voting off:

1. Potts, Bill
2. Owens, Craig
3. Brook, Adelaide
4. De Souza, Lady Christina
5. Lake, Jackson
6. Peth, Astrid
7. Mitchell, Adam
8. Holloway, Grace
9. Bush, Mel
10. Kamelion

 

[Elckerlyc]

I'll vote the first 10 names off, because I remember/recognize none of them. (Nor 30 of the following names tbh, except for Sarah Jane Smith *sigh*)

Foreman, Susan
Wright, Barbara
Chesterton, Ian
Vicki
Taylor, Steven
Katerina
Kingdom, Sara
Chaplet, Dodo
Polly
Jackson, Ben

 

[Trollheart]

Thanks guys. Should have realised this would be better in its own thread, so as not to confuse things, so I'll make one now. Rest assured, your votes will carry over. Thanks.

 

[Trollheart]

Just a small note: I'm certain none of you wish to be rude, but I'd rather be talked to than about. In essence, I'd prefer you to be my companions/people I meet on my quest, other than the gods watching down from Olympus and commenting on it. I'm happy to answer questions, take criticism, suggestions or requests for my credit card number or bank account... In short, I'm friendly, so talk to me. I'm here to make friends and chat and discuss, so let's chat and discuss and, you know, make friends with each other.

Unless of course some are you are the Bajoran Prophets, in which case I have two words for you people: Linear time! It's not that hard!

Goodbye losers, whom I've always hated!
Gotta love Bender...

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

I'm sorry you feel that's been happening. I think this is a great idea--in fact, I was thinking of offering to help you compile your lists, but show-wise I'm actually pretty illiterate, so I don't think I'd be much of a help.

But if there happens to be another useful task you're interested in offloading onto someone, I'd be happy to look into it for you (no promises until I know what it is though, sorry ). I can't watch anything extra, since I don't quite have that kind of time, but trawling Wikipedia for a while in search of info is easily something I could do to help. Might actually expand my cultural knowledge, at that.

Anyway, I imagine if we can figure out how to make this a team effort and include more interested people, it would not only be far easier on you, but also might help to dispel the feeling that we're all merely watching your travails from afar (which can't be very comfortable). *cue booming godlike laughter*

...So (conversationally), what is your credit card number and bank account information? And while you're sharing, can we also know your annual income, real name, date of birth, height, weight, marital status, marital happiness, current toothbrush color, home address, and Chrons account password?

 

[Trollheart]

I'm sorry you feel that's been happening.

Ah no, it's just me: I'm used to people talking to me on forums; I know there's no slight intended. Does definitely remind me of the Prophets though. What was that you said? Adversarial? Well now come on....

I think this is a great idea--in fact, I was thinking of offering to help you compile your lists, but show-wise I'm actually pretty illiterate, so I don't think I'd be much of a help.

But if there happens to be another useful task you're interested in offloading onto someone, I'd be happy to look into it for you (no promises until I know what it is though, sorry ). I can't watch anything extra, since I don't quite have that kind of time, but trawling Wikipedia for a while in search of info is easily something I could do to help. Might actually expand my cultural knowledge, at that.

Thanks. I think I have it under control - I'm looking up 1970s SF movies now, so things are getting a little interesting. The 50s and 60s didn't have a lot to offer (no offence to any fans of films from those years; I mean in terms of classic sf movies we all remember) with a few notable exceptions, but now there are more frequent dives into cast lists and plots. If it gets too much I'll be sure to give you a shout. Thanks.

Anyway, I imagine if we can figure out how to make this a team effort and include more interested people, it would not only be far easier on you, but also might help to dispel the feeling that we're all merely watching your travails from afar (which can't be very comfortable). *cue booming godlike laughter*

Really, though it is the game, it's kind of more a conversation I want to get going. People talking about characters, films and TV shows they may have forgotten, never seen, or never tire of talking about. It will be interesting to see how the age demographic works on this.

...So (conversationally), what is your credit card number

4099XXXXXXXXXXXX

and bank account information?

Bank of Toyland, Account No. 1 Sort code Ha-Ha-Ha (I really don't trust that bank manager: I mean, teddy bears are cute, yes, but I really have never seen one smoke a cigar and use so many f-bombs before...)

And while you're sharing, can we also know your annual income,

What I finds, I keeps

real name,

Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged

date of birth,

3/01/2944 (ain't time travel great!)

height,

6 milles

weight,

17 metric tonnes

marital status,

Three podlings and two husband-wives plus a cyber dog (but don't tell the husband wives!)

marital happiness,

As per Government Instructions, I am Happy. We are All Happy. There is no such thing as Unhappiness in Our Perfect Society. All Praise Our Leader.

current toothbrush color,

I have no teeth only gills

home address,

Pod 9, Satellite 17, Orbit 4

and Chrons account password?

ERROR! NON SEQUITUR!

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

I think, since the voting hasn't actually started yet, and there are already specific places to discuss specific fandoms, that might be why people are hesitant to start taking vocal stances here about what characters they liked and didn't like. Most people probably don't even recognize a lot of the characters on the list...and where would they even start?

But if you want, I can start. I can pick a character from three different scifi shows and try to raise some questions about them. Or just opinionate on them myself. Which would you prefer?

Or, rather than discouraging all voting until you're done preparing the lists, we could encourage people to talk about who they would most definitely vote for, and who they most definitely wouldn't, and why. (Obviously reminding everyone to stay nice about it.)

 

[Trollheart]

I think you have something there. People have kind of been discussing who they would and wouldn't vote for already (though some seem confused, at least in my other threads, as to how it works and are voting OFF the ones they LIKE). Hey, any discussion would of course be welcome. Up to 1987 in movies now, a long way to go yet... and then there's that horror novel I'm writing, various short stories, taking care of my sister. Oh, and must also remember to breathe...

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

Yep, breathing is good. Breathing is a priority.

Good luck on the novel! I haven't read many books in that genre myself, more watched it if anything--things like I Am Legend, The Village, X-Files, that sort of thing. Really liked X-Files. It stands right on the genre line between scifi and horror and mystery, and I love stories that ride the edges between normal genres.

I was thinking about the X-Files awhile last year, actually, in the context of matching your main character's motivations (not necessarily profession) to your genre and story focus. Making it so that the character personality and goals are such that even as you tell an action-based story about something epic, the character involved cannot simply be exchanged for any other normal person in why they're there. I used to make a distinction in my writing between ordinary plot and psychological plot for the character, before realizing that they were both the strongest the closer they were to the same thing.

So I was trying to analyze how well other people had done it, and I examined the X-Files as one example--a show where the primary theme seemed to be about searching for secret truths and the price you end up paying in order to find it. So what character would be the best person to take us on that journey? Someone who had essentially built their entire life around looking for a very specific truth. Someone whose character, driving personal goals, and even job started out so tied into all the show's conflicts and mysteries as to end up essentially the same thing.

Fox Mulder, as a character, was the perfect fit for the kind of show they were making. And I seriously doubt it was an accident. Somebody up in the writer's room knew exactly what they were doing.

I wouldn't say I'd pick him as the best science fiction screen character of all time. But his character's relation to the plot is certainly one of the best examples of well-balanced story planning that I've seen.

 

[Trollheart]

Breathing is overrated if you ask me. I liked the X-Files (haven't watched the reboot) and I agree, Mulder was a pretty tortured personality searching for his sister as well as the truth, more hopeful of finding the latter than the former, and it gave him a dogged quality you don't often see in characters of that nature. What Carter really scored with though was the pairing of him, the ultimate, shall we say UFO nut, with the ultimate skeptic, science vs superstition, and even managed then to spark a romantic-ish relationship between the two. That's not easy. You'd also have to credit Carter with creating one of the first really strong female lead characters in Scully. In the sixties or even seventies, she'd have been getting him coffee and making moon eyes at him while Mulder explained all the stuff women don't understand. Times have changed, and Chris Carter, and indeed Gillian Anderson, played a large part in that.