Tarnished Heroes, Charming Villains, and Modern Monsters: Science Fiction in Shades of Gray on 21st Century Television

The heroes, villains, and monsters portrayed in such popular science fiction TV series as Heroes, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Doctor Who, and Torchwood, as well as Joss Whedon's many series, illustrate a shift from traditional, clearly defined characterizations toward much murkier definitions. In these series, traditional heroes give way to "gray" heroes who must become more like the villains or monsters that they face if they are going to successfully save society. This book examines these somewhat ambiguous heroes and villains, focusing on these characters' different perspectives on morality and their roles within society. One appendix includes production details for each series, descriptions and summaries of pivotal episodes, and a list of selected texts for classroom use.