Top 5 Tuesday- Mentors

    While mentors as a character archetype are usually associated with mythology and fantasy, mentorship happens to be an important part of real life experience. Back when we discussed Bible sidekicks, I talked about discipleship. Discipleship would be a bit challenging if there was only a willing disciple and no one there to lead them. Nevermind that, it would be impossible. Even outside of a spiritual growth context, mentors are indispensable. Without the influences of parents, teachers, coaches, older siblings, and others, we would never have become the people we are today. So, since mentorship is so deeply ingrained into humanity, science fiction couldn’t leave all the good mentors to fantasy.

    Here are some of sci-fi’s best guides and supporters, who have shaped its best heroes.

5. Wilf (Doctor Who) -

  

 The grandfather of the Tenth Doctor’s companion, Donna Noble, Wilfred Mott always believed that there was more to life than meets the eye. It can be safely assumed that his influence on his granddaughter caused her to give up her ordinary life and dash through space and time with an eccentric alien.  

4. Bra’tac (Stargate SG-1) -

    Bra’tac was Teal’c’s Jaffa teacher and father figure while he lived on Chulak. After Teal’c joined the SGC, the two men remained loyal to one another, and aided each other in the fight against the Goa’uld, and for Jaffa freedom.

3. Yoda (Star Wars) -

    In his 900-some years, Jedi master Yoda trained just about every Jedi in the Star Wars saga at some point. This is impressive, due to the fact that he can be a bit hard to understand. Don’t get any preconceived notions about his stature, however. Though wars do not make one great, Yoda knows how to fight one when necessary.

2. Alfred (Batman) -

After the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, Alfred became a father-figure to the boy. When Bruce grew up and became a crime fighter, Alfred contented himself to remain his butler, taking care of the mansion, and offering sage advice about life. Though this selfless mentor could have asked much more for himself from the millionare-by-day-crime-fighter-by-night, he maintained his post in order to offer quiet but vital support.

1. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)-

When most people think of mentors in science fiction, Obi Wan Kenobi is probably one of the first to spring to their minds. He encouraged, trained, and empowered Luke Skywalker to fight against the oppressive empire, and stand for the light side of the force. He was such faithful mentor that he continued offering guidance even after his own death. Though some of his flaws were revealed in the prequel trilogy, he was still an essential teacher figure throughout all of Star Wars (so far, that is. But I am sure Old Ben’s influence will still be felt in the next installments.)

So, how did I do? You may notice that I geared this article towards my Star Wars-loving side. You may also notice that no one on this list is from Star Trek! Impressed? I don’t see many established mentors for the main characters of Trek. Though, the main characters do serve as mentors for others. That was not my list, however. This was. I hope you enjoyed it. As always, I’d love to hear from you.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Top 5 Tuesday: Fictional Characters I Would Want on My Personal Security Team

Yes. You read that right. Unless the whole title was too long to show up on whatever device you’re using to read this. If that is your problem, I’ll repeat myself. I’m going to list the top five fictional characters I would want on my personal security team.

Maybe I can explain. I was doing a homework assignment for a history class about presidential assassinations and security measures taken to protect the current president. After I was mostly convinced that federal agents in suits and dark sunglasses weren’t about to show up at my door and ask about my recent internet searches, I decided to form this list. Other than that, I really have nothing to say for myself. It just sounded like a fun list to make.

So let’s get started:

5. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Doctor Who) -

For a man forced to deal with bizarre and unearthly threats to his country and his world (plus working with several incarnations of the Doctor), he manages to keep a level head. He does his job well, and doesn’t put up with any nonsense. He could probably rout an alien menace before he finished introducing himself by his full name.

4. Chewbacca (Star Wars) -

He’s more intelligent than he looks, just as strong as he looks, and incredibly loyal. If he were on my security team, attackers would quickly develop a new strategy: Let the wookie win.

3. Tuvok (Star Trek: Voyager) -

As the security officer of the U.S.S. Voyager, he kept his crew safe for seven years from threats no one in our galaxy had previously encountered. Also, being a Vulcan, he has the power of the Vulcan neck pinch on his side.

2. Teal’C (Stargate: SG-1) -

Teal’C is my favorite character from SG-1 because of his innocent demeanor and his humor and loyalty. But he is also an incredibly skilled warrior with a great sense of honor. Plus, he has a staff weapon and knows Jaffa martial arts. He is also loyal to the planet and cause he serves. Indeed.

1. Agent Coulson (Marvel Cinematic Universe) -

He is used to dealing with sticky situations, and superhumans. He is incredibly relaxed and confident when dealing with aliens, as well as being smart, strategic, skilled, committed, moral, loyal, and a little bit geeky. Oh, and invincible.



So, now that I’ve nearly got deported from the country, (alright, maybe not deported), for bringing you this idea, do you have any characters you’d want as a security team?

Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora