Rogues Gallery: The Heroes
T. C. McQueen
Space: Above and Beyond
It's the year 2063, and Lt. Col. T. C. McQueen leads a Marine Corps squadron of rookies aboard the space battleship Saratoga. McQueen's an In-Vitro, one of a race of artificially gestated super soldiers created to fight wars, and do the jobs that no natural-born humans wanted to do. Born at age eighteen, with no families to guide them, In-Vitros have trouble fitting in and finding their place in a world that treats them as second-class citizens.
McQueen was not originally a well-defined character. He was simply an ace pilot and a loner, not given to socializing with others. Yet, he showed promise, rising above the one-dimensional, hard-nosed Marine. There was subtle humor, as well as a hint of compassion and concern for his fellow pilots, including another young In-Vitro.
As the series progressed, McQueen struggled to balance his emerging humanity with his need to be the consummate soldier, military strategist, and leader of men. Emotions, however, were difficult for him, and anger was often the one he was most comfortable expressing. In spite of this, though, he seemed to understand the feelings and emotions of others, even if he did not always understand his own.
Col. Jesse Weiskopf
West Wing ("Angel Maintenance")
Col. Weiskopf is the pilot of Air Force One, currently on the last leg of an 18-hour trip from Manila. Aboard are the President of the United States, his advisors and aides, and a full complement of reporters and journalists. It's Weiskopf's unenviable duty to come down from the flight deck and inform the President that there's a problem with the plane. He quietly asks "Would you excuse us please," to others in the presidential office, leaving him alone with Josiah Bartlett. It seems that a panel light has failed to illuminate, and no one knows if the landing gear is up or down.
Everyone on the plane looks a little worse for the wear, tired, rumpled and ragged around the edges. But Weiskopf is immaculate in his dress blues, looking well-groomed, rested and alert. His demeanor is authoritative, calm, low-key, his voice is quiet, confident, an almost soothing southern drawl, making the scenario sound routine, even casual.
After several hours of increasing tension and frustration, the landing light inexplicably begins to work. Weiskopf's cheerful voice is heard over the intercom, listing the myriad of events that took place during the lengthy flight. The passengers look visibly relieved as the plane heads towards its final destination. And then, he's handed a note indicating there's another problem at Andrews Air Force Base, their anticipated landing site. But the unflappable pilot takes it in stride, and simply announces "I'm sure we'll be down in no time now" . . . as the President slams the door to his suite in disgust.
Major General Lucas West
JAG ("Ready or Not")
Marine Major General Lucas West is a seasoned, almost legendary, thirty-year veteran, having seen combat in the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf. He is a tactical expert and strategist with a reputation as something of a loose cannon. He wryly acknowledges that his mouth is responsible for a "two-star ceiling" with regard to any career advancement he might hope to make.
West faces a court martial tribunal on the charges of disobeying orders and reckless endangerment during a war game exercise. This is a man who doesn't play by the rules, who doesn't follow a script, but only because he knows the enemy doesn't either. He refuses to back down and demands his day in court. Accused of being motivated by ego and using prohibited tactics, General West is not above pulling a few strings with influential friends in the media to further his cause.
But his men are loyal, and know that this is the kind of man they need leading them in times of war. One after another, they testify to West's competence and skill, but things look grim until one risks his career to bring in evidence that shows the General's been set up by his superiors. Rather than displaying arrogance after his acquittal, West is instead quietly relieved and grateful to his defense counsel for their work on his behalf, as well as to the officer who came forward. "If you gentlemen will excuse me, I owe a good man a drink."
Captain Horster
An Enemy of the People
Captain Horster commands a seagoing ship that spends much of the time away from its home port of Riverton, Maine. He is a simple, honest hardworking man, and family friend of Dr. Thomas Stockman and his wife Katherine.
Dr. Stockman lobbies to have the newly built Clearwater Springs health resort temporarily shut down after confirming there are bacteria in the water caused by local industrial pollution. When the townspeople fear Stockman's convictions will jeopardize their newfound prosperity, Captain Horster is one of the few who continue to support him.
Although he professes to have no political leanings, and admits he does not understand the issues, Horster has a strong belief in the right of free speech. He states openly that he disagrees with the way certain countries act to prevent the expression of unpopular opinions. Seeing the same oppressive behavior directed at his friend when no one will rent him a hall, the Captain willingly lends the doctor his warehouse to hold a public meeting.
After things turn ugly, and the doctor is declared an "enemy of the people," Captain Horster offers to take Stockman and his family to California. Later fired by the owner of his ship, Horster still remains loyal, and stands with the Stockmans as the town rises up against them.