The Big Bad
Nov 7th 2007
Suzanne EnochOn Writing!
The above phrase comes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It refers to not just an ordinary bad guy, but the primary opponent to our daring hero/heroine.
Though not all of my stories have one, I love including a Big Bad when I can. It gives a bump to the drama. The hero can face and overcome a challenge, perhaps even the reader can believe that he’s triumphed and earned the love of the heroine, and then BAM — the Big Bad reveals him or herself.
The Big Bad serves another purpose, too. Because the bigger the Bad, the more heroic the Big Good has to be in order to win the day. Who would Luke Skywalker be without Darth Vader? Or Chief Brody without the shark? Or D’Artagnan without Cardinal Richelieu? They’d just be guys wandering around.
Sometimes the Big Bad isn’t a ferocious, lightsaber-wielding uber-obvious fella, though. Sometimes they’re able to achieve their evilness because they’re 
disguised as a regular person. And this can make for a more subtle battle, even when the outcome can be as grand as true love. Is it the heroine’s father the viscount creating an obstacle, or is it the duke to whom the viscount’s indebted and who secretly wants the heroine for himself?
The double-layered Big Bad is my favorite. Captain Jack Sparrow fighting not just Davy Jones, but the entire East India Trading Company. Luke battling Darth Vader, who turns out to be less evil than the Emperor.
Who are some of your favorite Big Bad/Big Good pairings out there? Who’s the Biggest Bad running around literature and the silver screen?
45 Comments »
45 Responses to “The Big Bad”
Karen Hawkins on 07 Nov 2007 at 7:25 am #
The Big Bad. That’s a great way to express it.
My favorite Big Bad would be Darth Vader. He was HUGE Big Bad, enough so that there was a whole cast of Big Goods to fight him off. I know that’s an old film, but it was such pure storytelling. You have an innocent and unwitting hero, a tough princess in jeopardy, a caustic scoundrel smuggler, and two perky robots. What other Big Bad had such a charming cast of opponents?
I also love the Layered Big Bad. Darth Vader just got more and more interesting as bits of his secret was revealed. That made him more real and, oddly, more appealing.
Such a great story!
Hmmm. Now I wonder what other Big Bad I can think of? I need to go through my movies and see!
Karen Rose on 07 Nov 2007 at 7:37 am #
I love the layered Big Bad, too. It’s a great way to make the villain three-dimensional, and therefore so much more real! I’m not sure I can pick a fave Big Bad as I love them all.
The one that’s sticking in my mind at the moment is Londo Mollari of Babylon 5, which IMO is perhaps the best sci-fi series of ALL FREAKING TIME. In the first season you think Londo this bumbling fool of an ambassador, but as the seasons progress, you see he has a truly dark side, and commits mind-boggling acts of evil.
Highly recommended!
jessie on 07 Nov 2007 at 7:54 am #
I love the mayor in Season 3 of Buffy. He is so deliciously evil, but he loves Faith like a daughter, and she becomes his weakness. And then there is the ultimate big bad–Spike, who does a complete 180 and joins the good side (well, there’s a lot of griping and resisting and backsliding involved, but it still happens). All of the Buffy villains, really, are pretty layered and interesting. Except maybe the one from season 1, but they were just getting into their groove then.
Sherri Erwin on 07 Nov 2007 at 8:07 am #
Glenn Close and John Malkovich were delightfully evil in Dangerous Liaisons, to Michelle Pfeiffer’s good girl. Also loved a young James Spader as the villainous rich boy of many an 80s teen movie. And, Lucius Malfoy(the father) in Harry Potter. Creepy, but something about him makes me smile.
twolilhahas on 07 Nov 2007 at 9:01 am #
My favorite big bad is Cole from Charmed. He’s half human and half demon, so essentially, he’s two different people inside and his human side is amazingly good. Too bad is evil side is, well, a demon…and really, really bad…source of all evil bad.
doglady on 07 Nov 2007 at 9:39 am #
I’m with Karen H, Darth Vader is a terrific Big Bad. I have a fondness for him for another reason. The students at one of the high schools where I taught used to call me Darth Vader.
I like genius level Big Bads too. Hannibal Lecter in Thomas Harris’s books is so suave, refined and diabolical. If you get the chance, read the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The Big Bad in that is the hero’s twin brother and it makes for a real thriller when you consider the psychological aspects of twin refined Southern gentlemen with soaring IQs pitted against each other.
I also love a Big Bad who can be redeemed. Think Sebastian St. Vincent in Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series.
RachelG on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:31 am #
I read a lot of SciFi which is always littered with big bad baddies and I watch horror movies with my son. My fav big bad is Hannibal Lecter.
rachelg
cail on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:36 am #
oh doglady, i was totally thinking of Sebastian too!
I’m partial to the various villians in the Harry Potter series, the witch in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe series, and most disney villians. Ursula, and nearly every queen come to mind.
Mia Rose on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:39 am #
I have to say that I always felt bad for Cujo (I tend to always sympathize with the animals.). He didn’t want to be evil, he didn’t know what was wrong with him, and so I pitied the poor guy. If you’ve ever read the book, you know what I mean, because Stephen King did a great job showing you poor Cujo’s thoughts throughout the story. He has to be the biggest layered bad out there, because he really was good and turned bad without his consent. It’s like being possesed! You can hardly blame him…
Gannon on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:46 am #
Voldemort would definitely be one of the all time big bads in literature. Of course, I thought Delores Umbridge was almost as nasty!
Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham, particularly when Nottingham is played so deliciously well by Alan Rickman! He does bad so well.
Gannon on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:46 am #
Oh, how about Sauron from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Major big bad!
Lisa H on 07 Nov 2007 at 11:36 am #
First, thank you for the picture of Captain Jack. I’m fanning my face and putting ice on my forehead. Let me think about this for a little while and I’ll be back.
Here’s one off the cuff, if anyone ever watched Days of Our Lives, Stephano Dimera was a big bad if there ever was one.
Suzanne Enoch on 07 Nov 2007 at 11:38 am #
I agree, Gannon, Voldemort and Sauron are definitely Big Bads. They fall into the uber-obvious section — I couldn’t call them subtle evil. *g*
And yes, KarenH and doglady, the first evil I always think of when I think of evil is Darth Vader.
Suzanne Enoch on 07 Nov 2007 at 11:46 am #
Thanks, Lisa H. I never pass up a chance to post a picture of Captain Jack.
You know, it just occurred to me that I managed to do a blog about villains and only posted a picture of one of them. The rest of the photos seem to be the much yummier good guys. Hm. *g*
Michellynn on 07 Nov 2007 at 12:01 pm #
I absolutely love a good female Big Bad in a story. This can add such a deliciously unique aspect to how the hero/heroine can ‘do battle’ with her. Definitely Glenn Close (Marquise de Merteuil) in “Dangerous Liaisons” is a superb example. There is just something about when the Big Bad is a female pulling strings, weaving webs of lies, and manipulating the lives of everyone in her vicinity that creates the ultimate buildup resulting in an unsurpassed satisfaction of seeing the hero and heroine bring her down in the end. :o)
I know there are plenty I have come across in literature, but for some reason all the wonderful female “baddies” from BBC’s “Footballer’s Wives” keep coming to mind right now. LOL
Lisa H on 07 Nov 2007 at 12:10 pm #
Suzanne, and for that I love you all the more!
A big bad in literature was in the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (one of my all time favs) The heroine is a prostitute and works for a madam in California, but the big bad (and boy is he ever) is the pimp that purchased her when she was just a child.
When he resurfaced in her life, it was pure terror.
Glen Close does play good big bads not only in Dangerous Liasons but what about Fatal Attraction?
Freshechelle on 07 Nov 2007 at 1:43 pm #
So my choices aren’t the biggest bads out there, just my favs.
The Heiress (the movie starred Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Cliff, the play is great too) has a good pychological “subtle evil” Big Bad. The Big Bad shifts from Catherine’s father, then to her fiancé and then (spoiler alert) to Catherine. Everyone’s motive for being Big Bad becomes less “black and white” as the plot moves on. Another favorite movie Big Bad is Sister Woman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - ooh, she’s just so crass with an ugly, opportunistic personality but she’s less powerful than the Big Bads Suzanne is referring to.
claudia dain on 07 Nov 2007 at 1:47 pm #
This such an interesting discussion.
One of my favorite shows is House and House is both the Big Good and the Bad Guy. The Big Bad is the disease of the week and it’s interesting to me how the character of House is structured to be both good enough and bad enough to successfully fight the Big Bad. If he was too good, he wouldn’t be quite strong enough, quite determined enough to fight the Big Bad (as is shown by his young staff, who never quite get the job done). It’s why Cuddy keeps House on staff—he’s the only guy who’s bad enough to win against the Big Bad 99.9% of the time.
claudia dain on 07 Nov 2007 at 1:50 pm #
Freshechelle, I love The Heiress!! The character arc of Olivia’s character is just riveting and we’re never completely sure how ruthless Monty’s character is. Great writing.
Freshechelle on 07 Nov 2007 at 2:05 pm #
Claudia, I taped it back in the VCR days before knowing anything about it but I didn’t have enough tape left and it ended 5 minutes before the end. Those last 5 minutes are the whole story, right? So a few years later, I take my sister (who viewed it with me that first time) to see the play on Broadway on a work night. We get to the pivotal part, I turn to her to make sure she knows this is the part we missed and she’s asleep!!!!
Freshechelle on 07 Nov 2007 at 2:08 pm #
Claudia, I also meant to write “so glad you enjoy this great story”. I’m still not sure what I’ve decided about Maurice’s (or is it Morris’) motive - money or love? But that final line is just lethal.
claudia dain on 07 Nov 2007 at 2:18 pm #
LOL, Freshechelle! Those final minutes of The Heiress are so fraught!
Suzanne Enoch on 07 Nov 2007 at 2:41 pm #
Okay, fine, you guys. Now I’m going to have to find “The Heiress”. I could be cleaning up my office, but no. Are you happy? You’ve totally disrupted my cleaning. Ahem.
Sabrina Jeffries on 07 Nov 2007 at 3:23 pm #
My favorite Big Bad would definitely have to be Guy of Gisborne in the Robin Hood series (Richard Armitage is to die for), with Cole Turner being a close second (you’re absolutely right about him, twolilhahas–he’s the best!), but I also love Zankou from that series, too (played by Oded Fehr–yum!). And Hannibal Lecter is oddly appealing. And Jason Isaacs in The Patriot–that movie sent me on a big hunt for Jason Isaacs movies.
Hmm, I think maybe I have a thing for Big Bads.
Michellynn on 07 Nov 2007 at 3:32 pm #
Sabrina, oh yes, yes, yes…..Guy of Gisborne! LOL He makes is so very tough to always pull for Robin doesn’t he? LOL C’mon….even the Big Bads need love too.
Santa on 07 Nov 2007 at 3:47 pm #
Soups are full of Big Baddies, both male and female. On Another World there was Rachel (ultimate bad) and Alice (ultimate good). Toward the end of that series Rachel is redeemed by the love of a great man, ‘natch. She, in turn, redeems her second long term husband Charles. He was a huge Baddie and a grand manipulator behind the scenes for a long time.
Man, I miss that show!
In literature, Edith Layton’s The Dukes Wager comes to mind. The loser of the wager is a major baddie and I don’t think he gets redeemed for a book or two. Come to think of it, within that same series, the mastermind spy, though on the side of good is rather a creep in real life.
I feel a re-read coming on!
colinfirthfan on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:02 pm #
TWO - thank you for reminding me about Cole. I loved him dearly!!
Yes Darth Vader is bad but the Evil behind him is - Darth Sidious! Ohh and I LOOVED Darth Maul.
Dolores Umbridge - pretending to be good and being evil is worse than outright evil!!
claudia dain on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:04 pm #
Why, yes, Suzie, I am happy. *G* Now I’ll have someone else to discuss The Heiress to death with. It’s those final few minutes when you’re not quite sure of anything anymore that drive you nuts in this film. So glad to welcome you to the asylum!
Sherri Erwin on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:05 pm #
Ooh, what about Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility? I sooo fell for him in the beginning and then he turned out to be such a rotter. But you still kind of felt for him in the end because you knew he actually must have loved Marianne but he made his choice to be stuck in a loveless marriage for money. Not out and out villainy, but he wasn’t a good guy. By contrast, Colonel Brandon was the real prize and the one you were cheering on by the last half.
colinfirthfan on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:12 pm #
Wait a minute - what about bad guy from The Mummy -Arnold Vosloo. He was so hot as Imoteph and he dearly loved Anck Su Namun.
mmmmmm…
Suzanne Enoch on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:13 pm #
Sabrina, I went on the same Jason Isaacs hunt after “The Patriot”. His character’s a great example of the Big Bad, too. The higher he raises the stakes, the further he forces Mel Gibson’s character to go to match him. And those eyes. Mmm.
FYI, Claudia, I’ve now ordered “The Heiress.” Sigh. *g*
Cookiedough on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:16 pm #
How about Hugh Grant’s character in Bridget Jones’ Diary?
He was a sneaky bad!
I’m baaaaaack!!!
so nice to be back on!
cail on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:42 pm #
Chauvelin in Scarlett Pimpernel!
Bad to the Bone Ellen on 07 Nov 2007 at 4:48 pm #
So you want to talk BAD????
The reason I have been so quiet for the past few days is that I was reading a novel that somehow became affixed to my hands. Cooking Diner? No Problemo…I only need one hand to stir the gravy and one to hold Karen Rose’s “Die For Me.”
Listen folks, I usually stay away from recommending restaurants, books, gynecologists or hair dressers. Everybody has their own opinions and I would not even be babbling about this book except you asked who our favorite Bad Guy is.
WELL, I CAN’T TELL YOU!
You see, half the fun/terror I had reading this book was trying to figure out who the sicko was that tortured and buried (en mass) over nine people. To sum up this guy, he is the type of person who beheads someone and then giggles.
I hope ALL my fellow “Gees” run to the store and pick this one up. Just do yourself a favor…lock your doors BEFORE you start reading.
Karen Rose, your skill and talent humble me. However, I owe you one for keeping me awake for two days!
Meg on 07 Nov 2007 at 5:32 pm #
What about the character that Kevin Costner plays in Mr. Brooks? I just loved him!! What a great movie!!
twolilhahas on 07 Nov 2007 at 5:35 pm #
Colinfirthfan, I loved Cole so much. The romance novel loving side of my brain almost melted when he didn’t make it work with Phoebe…and he tried so hard…and I wanted to beat her when she kept saying no. lol
Meg on 07 Nov 2007 at 5:41 pm #
I have to agree with a few people here. I LOVE Cole from Charmed. He was the first one that I thought of when I read the question. And the pic of Jack is wonderful!
I also loved Billy Zane’s character in Titanic! Good looks AND an accent makes it hard to hate the bad guy, don’t you think?
twolilhahas on 07 Nov 2007 at 5:43 pm #
Oh, Sabrina, how about writing me a story in which Phoebe and Cole actually work it out? lol I’ll buy three copies!!!
colinfirthfan on 07 Nov 2007 at 6:06 pm #
I think they ran out of ideas - thats why they made Cole evil again and then had them make the baby evil etc.. etc… Crazy! Couldn’t they just have redeemed Cole again (I guess he didn’t want to renew his contract)
I felt so bad for the indestructable Cole.
Bad enough when Pipers younger son suddenly vanished. I really liked that show. Sigh!
Suzanne Enoch on 07 Nov 2007 at 7:25 pm #
I liked Cole on “Charmed”, too, but I wish they’d decided deep down which way he was ultimately going to swing (you know what I mean). After awhile the wishy-washiness factor got to be a little tiresome. They didn’t have to tell the audience, at least not immediately, but I got the feeling that no one on the show knew, either.
And yes, Sabrina, Zankou was great — charming and evil. Great combo.
twolilhahas on 07 Nov 2007 at 7:41 pm #
I keep trying to remember Zankou and can’t. I thought I had seen nearly all the episodes…maybe not.
doglady on 07 Nov 2007 at 9:27 pm #
Ellen you are so right about Karen Rose’s DIE FOR ME!!! Insidiously, deliciously evil. Makes you wonder about Karen, doesn’t it????
Karen Rose on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:34 pm #
I heard that, doglady!!
Thank you and Ellen - you’re so sweet to call me twisted, LOL. I figure if you’re going to write an evil baddie, you might as well go all out.
I liked Cole on Charmed, too. The worst Disney villain ever has to be Cruella DeVille (Cruel and Evil). Making coats out of puppies. I wonder if Disney could even get away with that these days.
doglady on 07 Nov 2007 at 10:52 pm #
Ooops! Sorry, Karen. Somebody give me a heads up if she heads for Alabama with a chain saw! I have to agree with you on Cruella DeVille! The really funny thing. It was my late Great Dane’s favorite movie. I swear all I had to do was put it on and she would lie in bed and stare at the tv with her tail wagging through the whole thing. She taught my chihuahua to love it so if I want to keep him occupied, I put on Cruella!
Sabrina Jeffries on 07 Nov 2007 at 11:21 pm #
twolilhahas, I’d read ANYBODY’s book that got Cole and Phoebe together. Well, maybe not anybody’s, but somebody’s, for sure. I was thinking just today, as I watched the end of the mermaid episode while eating breakfast that it was just a crying shame the two of them couldn’t make it work. He was SO wonderful.
Did any of you see him in Nip and Tuck? I had no clue Julian McMahon was in that show until a week ago. It never sounded like a show I’d like, but now I wonder …