Welcome back to The Character Couch, where we put on our amateur psychology hats and spend some quality time with characters who probably could have used a real therapist at some point along the way. Today's subject arrived at the office alone, at night, and spent the first ten minutes of our session staring at … Continue reading The Character Couch – Travis Bickle
Character Couch
The Character Couch – Sheldon Cooper
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's patient — and I use that word with the full awareness that he would immediately correct my use of it, inform me that he is not crazy because his mother had him tested, and then produce a laminated copy of the Roommate Agreement just to make sure I … Continue reading The Character Couch – Sheldon Cooper
The Character Couch – Hannibal Lecter
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's patient — and I use that word with the full awareness that he would correct my pronunciation of something, offer me a glass of wine I definitely should not drink, and then evaluate my bone structure with the quiet, professional interest of a man deciding whether I'd pair … Continue reading The Character Couch – Hannibal Lecter
The Character Couch – Pam Beesly
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's patient — and I use that word with the full awareness that she would smile politely, write it down on a Post-it note, and then doodle something in the margins while pretending to listen — is Pam Beesly. Receptionist. Saleswoman. Office administrator. Artist. Wife. Mother. And, for the … Continue reading The Character Couch – Pam Beesly
The Character Couch – Bilbo Baggins
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's guest has arrived precisely on time — because he planned it that way, wrote it in his calendar, and then spent twenty minutes debating whether to come at all before someone considerably taller and more persuasive showed up at his door and essentially made the decision for him. … Continue reading The Character Couch – Bilbo Baggins
The Character Couch – Angel/Angelus
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today we're doing something a little different, because the character currently settled into our worn leather cushion isn't entirely sure who he is either. He has spent the better part of two television series—and a substantial chunk of two centuries—working that very question out. We're talking about Angel. Or … Continue reading The Character Couch – Angel/Angelus
The Character Couch – Xander Harris
This post was written prior to the unexpected passing of Nicholas Brendon. My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today we’re pulling out the worn leather cushion and inviting onto it a character who spent seven seasons being called ordinary by nearly everyone around him—including, on … Continue reading The Character Couch – Xander Harris
The Character Couch – Marshall Eriksen
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today we’re putting on our amateur psychology hats to examine one of television’s most underappreciated characters: Marshall Eriksen from How I Met Your Mother—a man who spent nine seasons being the emotional backbone of his friend group while the show rewarded the louder, flashier dysfunction happening around him. Here’s … Continue reading The Character Couch – Marshall Eriksen
The Character Couch – Bella Swan
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today we're examining what might be the most infuriating protagonist in modern cinema: Bella Swan from The Twilight Saga—a character who spent five films perfecting the art of weaponized helplessness while the narrative insisted we view her self-destructive obsession as the greatest love story ever told. "I dream about … Continue reading The Character Couch – Bella Swan
The Character Couch – Daenerys Targaryen
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today we're examining one of television's most controversial character arcs: Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones—a woman who spent eight seasons being positioned as the breaker of chains and mother of dragons, only to become the thing she swore to destroy. "I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, of … Continue reading The Character Couch – Daenerys Targaryen
The Confusing Middle 