The Fun Faces of Summer TV

As summer TV comes to a quick close with the fall TV season officially starting one week from today, I felt now was the appropriate time to salute the terrific characters that have graced our TV screens over the last few months. I know each of us can easily identify what have been our favorite shows of the summer – be they the returning favorites or the brand new additions. But, how often do any of us focus solely on the characters that really made our summer even brighter.

With that thought in mind, I compiled a list of the characters that stood out the most to me and while they appear in no particular order I hope you will agree with my selections:

John Pope

John Pope on Falling Skies

As played by actor Colin Cunningham, Pope was the leader of a band of marauders, who, in the beginning, took some of the members of the 2nd Mass hostage, offering to exchange their freedom for weapons. While the tables were soon turned on Pope and those in his “band”, he took advantage of even the worst circumstances. The fact that he is an ex-con helps the 2nd Mass tremendously and despite any transgressions, he is smart, resourceful and charismatic. And, even with the long hair and questionable motives, he was probably the best thing that could have happened to the 2nd Mass and to the show as a whole.

Stiles

Stan “Stiles” Stilinsky on Teen Wolf

Newcomer Dylan O’Brien made what could have easily been a very boring one-dimensional character – the best friend of the lead character of this dark TV adaptation of the 1985 feature film – into a very interesting, captivating and comedic three-dimensional character. Stiles is there for his best friend Scott in every way possible. He is the underdog attempting to win the heart of the high school’s ice princess and charming the pants off everyone in the process. This show would not have been as good without Stiles around to provide the comedy relief when it was needed but to also be the smartest guy in the room when you least expected it.

Emmett

Emmett on Switched at Birth

Another newcomer, Sean Berdy, made quite an impression with his role of Emmett, the deaf best friend of lead character Daphne. In what should have been a difficult role to portray because of the use of sign language in every scene for which he is featured (except for four very special words uttered in the season finale), Emmett captured the hearts of every single viewer of this brand new series. He was the best person to transcend any culture clashes between the deaf and hearing communities, bridging that gap and making all of us wish we had an Emmett in our lives to make it more fulfilled.

Harvey Specter

Harvey Specter on Suits

What can be said about Harvey Specter (as played by Gabriel Macht)? Yeah, sure he is a conceited lawyer who knows just how good he is at his job. He is a formidable opponent to anyone who lobbies against him. He is a mentor to his young associate and protégé Mike Ross, attempting to create Mike in his image. The only problem is Mike isn’t really a lawyer and all that Harvey has built for himself could be over in the blink of an eye if he doesn’t keep every single domino in line precisely. And, this show wouldn’t be the same without watching him navigate all of this and more on a weekly basis.

River Song

River Song on Doctor Who

What can be said about the only woman (as portrayed by Alex Kingston) who knows the mysteries of The Doctor better than anyone else, including The Doctor himself? She is, in a word, awesome. We’ve learned so far that River Song is actually Melody Pond, the daughter of current companions Amy and Rory; she had regenerative properties just like The Doctor and she just might have been his wife in some future time. River is a wonderful enigma and each time she turns up the viewers are riveted to their screens, waiting with baited breath for what new surprise she will reveal about herself and the time lord.

Steve Jinks

Steve Jinks on Warehouse 13

As the ‘new guy’ brought in to fill the gap – albeit a very short one – left by Myka Bering at the Warehouse, Jinksy (played by Aaron Ashmore) – as he has become known thanks to wild child agent Claudia Donovan – made a place for himself among the team and using his extra-sensory ability of knowing immediately when someone is lying to his and the team’s best benefit. But, ultimately, his sense of right and wrong got him into hot water with Mrs. Frederic and where that will lead Jinksy is anyone’s guess, but I certainly hope he ends up back at the Warehouse with the rest of the team.

What do you think? Do you agree with the above list? Was there a character that you really loved this summer that isn’t included above? Please share your list and let us know who your favorite summer TV characters have been.