Yahoo Lifestyle 11 TV Characters Who Kept Switching From Good To Bad Leaving Audiences To Say "Enough, Already!"
Some of the best characters on television have a little bit of light and dark in them. Anti-heroes such as Avatar: The Last Airbender's Zuko gradually shift from baddie to good guy over time. For other characters, this moral duality is a far bumpier road.
Here are 11 TV characters whose inner battle between good and evil will take you on a ride:
1.Regina Mills (Once Upon A Time)
Once Upon A Time begins with a dark curse that turns a slew of storybook characters into regular old suburbanites. In this new reality, the evil queen who unleashes this curse sets up shop as town mayor, determined to wreak havoc on everyone's happiness. Though she starts as OUAT's antagonist, Regina has a redemption arch that involves incessantly switching sides.
2.Emma Swan (Once Upon A Time)
Like her arch nemesis Regina Mills, Once Upon A Time's Emma Swan waivers between good and evil. As the destined savior who can break the town curse, Emma is primarily a protagonist. However, in the show's fifth season, she becomes a full-on villain known as the Dark Swan, throwing all character development out the window. Fans weren't keen on this sudden switch-up and many felt that it was unnecessary for Emma's character.
3.Frank Gallagher (Shameless)
Throughout Shameless, Frank Gallagher is a top contender for the World's Worst Father award. There are many moments in the series where both the viewers and the Gallagher children believe Frank might be changing for the better. Alas, each time he steps up, we face the frustrating reality of Frank's neglectful selfishness. While Frank will never be mistaken for a good guy, I am adding him to this list because each time he shows remorse for his actions, he breaks our hearts all over again.
4.Sam Winchester (Supernatural)
If good-versus-evil stories tickle your fancy, look no further than all 15 seasons of Supernatural. While the show starts as a monster-hunting romp, it takes a spiritual turn when Sam begins to experience otherworldly abilities. Sam suffers through years of becoming soulless, possessed, mind-controlled, and plenty of other vile things in between his good-guy moments. (His brother Dean often succumbs to the same fate!)
5.Klaus Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries/The Originals)
My favorite character in The Vampire Diaries universe is Klaus Mikaelson, the ancient vampire who puts even Damon Salvatore to shame with his antics. Though he arrives in TVD as a villain, The Originals dives deeper into Klaus' character — and it is emotional whiplash. When he's not a power-hungry, blood-thirsty baddie who traps his siblings in coffins, he is a misguided softie who cares for his daughter. Admittedly, I love Klaus and his character arc, but it's a hot mess of morality nonetheless.
6.Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel)
It's tough being a vampire out here! Like Klaus, Buffy's Angel is a centuries-old bloodsucker with a whole lot of baggage. When he's not madly in love with Buffy and an ally to her cause, Angel is a terrifying monster with a soulless alter-ego called Angelus. Angelus is a complete menace and the duality of this character will make your head spin.
7.Elena Gilbert (The Vampire Diaries)
When it comes to supernatural shows like The Vampire Diaries, every protagonist turns bad at one time or another. So it goes for Elena, who, at one point, turns off her humanity to avoid feeling grief over her brother's death. This mystical process detaches vampires from having human emotion, causing Elena to have a total personality switch. While this plotline is short-lived, it was a total "enough already" moment.
8.Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)
Despite being a fan favorite, Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass is wildly problematic. Not only is he a total creep and predator, but he often treats those who are loyal to him (*ahem* Blair) with disrespect. Depending on the episode, Chuck is painted as either a villain or a misunderstood good guy, though it feels chaotic rather than exploring a character with dynamic depth.
9.Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones)
Unlike several others on this list, Jaime Lannister has a solid redemption arc... for a while. Our first encounter with Jaime is not great: he's sleeping with his twin sister and pushes a little kid out of a window. Over time, he goes from being a sinister and diabolical character to developing compassion and a heart. It's an epic story of redemption, until GOT's final season, which sees Jaime choosing to return to the arms of his sister, Cersei. The tragedy!
10.Sue Sylvester (Glee)
Sue Sylvester is an iconic primetime villain, with one-liners that put every other TV character out there to shame. When she's not insulting Mr. Schuester's curly locks ("I thought I smelled cookies wafting from the ovens of the little elves who live in your hair."), or sabotaging the New Directions, Sue uses her powers for good and helps the glee club survive. When it comes to this notable Glee character, you're never quite sure where she stands.
11.Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher)
One of the most morally ambiguous characters in The Witcher is Yennefer, a sorceress who often crosses paths with Geralt of Rivia. While she begins as a naive wallflower with powerful magic, Yennefer later becomes capable of some pretty terrible things. She struggles with affection for both Geralt and Ciri while also constantly considering betraying them for selfish gain.
Are there other TV characters whose moral ambiguity leaves you with emotional whiplash? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
