Not a Great Man, but a Good Man

Can there really be a connection between a wizard/werewolf, a Jedi Knight, and a NYPD officer? 

Yes, actually there is. 

Have you noticed in stories, any kind of story, that there is always that one side character who is just completely solid, unmoving and unshakable in their beliefs and who they are? And they usually share the same characteristics. 

Usually a close friend to the protagonist

Possesses a quiet personality

Moral compass

By the book

Understanding heart

Compassionate nature

Underestimated frequently 

Fights only when threatened

Usually the peacemaker

Wise mentors/teachers

When reading that list, you would assume that its a very boring, basic, underdeveloped character type. And one might be right. When we read stories though, we read about people we wish we can be, not about people we already are. While this character may not be as exciting as the bold action hero, they are just as important. It's the loyal and steadfast friend that is needed to bring a calm and balance to the story. It's usually this character type that most people can relate too.

These steadfast side characters are just as flawed and broken as the lead. They have to strive everyday to prove to others that they are more than what society thinks of them. There is a greater reality to these characters than there are to the leads.

Remus Lupin, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Sergeant Jamie Reagan are from three very different stories, however, they are all very similar characters. They are also some of the most popular characters in their respective stories. While they may not be the loud and heroic protagonist types, their roles are just as essential. They have strengths and flaws. They show the reality and pragmatic side of life. They are the characters we can truly understand and they are also characters that many strive to be like.

Remus Lupin

Wizard/Werewolf//Professor//Auror 

Greatest strength: Understanding suffering

Greatest flaw: Self-doubt

When Professor Remus John Lupin was introduced in the third novel of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he became one of the most loved and revered characters in the franchise. In spite of his sickly and shabby appearance, Remus' gift for teaching, the respect he gives to the students, his loyalty to his friends, his suffering he courageously bares in silence and his practical, but generous personality has has made him a hero to every Harry Potter fan out there. 

Remus' greatest flaw is his self-doubt. His fear that one day he won't be able to control himself and someone may end up dead. As child he thought he would never have any friends. He was wrong. As an adult he never thought he would find a place to belong. He was wrong. As he got older he thought he would never find someone to love him as he was. He was very, very wrong. In spite of Remus' self-doubt, he persevered and continued to live his life as best he could. Overtime, the Wizarding World would come to see the true strength and dignity of a man they once shunned because he was a werewolf.

As a werewolf, Remus grew up knowing he would always be an outsider. J.K Rowling wrote Remus Lupin's lycanthropy as being similar to AIDs, that he could be a character that sick people could relate too.  Having epilepsy myself, there have been roadblocks and constant struggles in my life that I have had to deal with. While my epilepsy is under control, I still struggle with side effects that I find embarrassing. I always felt a connection with Lupin and I've always been happy that a character with a medical condition can be just as heroic.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Jedi Knight//Council member//General

Greatest strength: Loyalty

Greatest flaw: Ambition

Obi-Wan Kenobi has always been a favorite in the Star Wars fandom. However, he is the epitome of the steadfast side character. Which is why it always confused me why he was so popular. As I wrote in this post, Obi-Wan Kenobi is about as ordinary of a character as you can get. Yet, given the type of story he's in, Obi-Wan is the person you want by your side when things go South, when shots are fired, and ships are going down. His loyalty as a friend is unparalleled. Although a skilled warrior, Obi-Wan's ability to negotiate and reason has saved more lives than any lightsaber duel.  

In spite of Obi-Wan's veritable array of good qualities, he is flawed by his intense ambition. While ambition can be good, in Obi-Wan's case, his over ambitious nature lands him in constant confrontations with his former master and then his apprentice. Obi-Wan demands the best of himself and the best of himself can only happen if other people are at their best too. Obi-Wan's dream of one day being a Council member is seen throughout the first two prequel films. He never argues or says no to the Council, and never lets anyone get in the way of an already formed plan. Yet, his ambition stresses out those closest to him, which causes people to misjudge his actual intentions. 

For being a science fiction character, Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most human and relatable. Everyone could stand to apply a little bit of Obi-Wan's common sense, goodwill, and caution in their lives. Ambition isn't a sin, but even Obi-Wan Kenobi realized that ambition can stand in the way of friendship and what is most important at the moment. Obi-Wan Kenobi will always be my favorite fictional character and hero, because he is so very real.

Sergeant Jameson "Jamie" Reagan

NYPD Sergeant//Lawyer//Family man

 

Greatest strength: Compassion

Greatest flaw: Losing himself

Jamie is about as close to perfect as a character can get. However, it's really hard to hate him. Because when you watch Jamie, either in his work or day to day life, you find yourself wanting to be like him. Jamie isn't always the most popular person, but he doesn't care about being popular. He cares about the job, but even more so, what can be done beyond the job. He will not turn a blind eye to injustice whether on the streets or his own precinct. Jamie is gifted with immense compassion and understanding. He's not the hard-hitting brawler that his brother is. Jamie can negotiate and reason with people who are damaged, troubled and hurting.

While Jamie's family is important to him, they can also be a detriment. Jamie is the baby of the family and he's use to being bullied around and being told what to do. In the beginning of the series, this oftentimes led Jamie to not really knowing who he is. He has had a hard time trying to find himself. He lives in the shadows of so many well respected people, that he tends to get lost. As Jamie gets older and matures from a regular beat cop, to a sergeant, he slowly emerges from the 'youngest Reagan,' to a respected officer.

It's been great watching Jamie grow up from that insecure cop who shocked everyone when he left the law office for the police precinct. Now a married man with a rapidly growing reputation for being a formidable sergeant, Jamie Reagan's compassion and goodwill are still very much intact. His ability to seek out the lost and lonely, to go above and beyond the job has become a remarkable influence on other. It's good to know that while you may want to be the badass like Danny, being like Jamie is awesome too.