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The best character transformations on TV

Aeryn, G'Kar, and Londo also top my list, but I would have to also add Joel Fleischman (Northern Exposure) and The Doctor (Doctor Who). For Joel, he came to Alaska as an arrogant, self-righteous city man, but grew to appreciate and love the quirkiness of little Cecily. As for The Doctor, he was a pompous and selfish man but solely became the champion of the universe (and dinky little Earth).
 
Yeah Westleys transformation was a long, but gradual process within the span of 3 years I think that really brought Alexis's acting chops to another level once Wesltey started to go downthat dark path. Somebody mentioned Fred and Spike, but I think their situations were more forced upon, same with Angel
 
Sorry, but also have to say Wes. With Willow & Cordelia following.
What's great is how completely different they are from their first appearance to their last. And in their entire arcs, especially Wes's, there isn't a single point where the character "jumps" say, or does something out of charatcer; it's all seamlessly flowing evolution
 
I've just thought another good example. While watching an episode of Generation Kill, which featured Lee Terguson, I was reminded of Terguson's character in Oz, Tobias Beecher. He went from a naive, drunk lawyer to one of the guys you don't mess with, but then went on a long path of redemption (until Keller fucked him over).
 
Wesley is probably the best I agree. But DS9 has a lot, Dr. Bashir probably being the standout.

Klinger on M*A*S*H also transformed quite a bit once he replaced Radar. M*A*S*H probably has the worst transformation as well, with Frank.
 
Emh said:
Aeryn, G'Kar, and Londo also top my list, but I would have to also add Joel Fleischman (Northern Exposure) and The Doctor (Doctor Who). For Joel, he came to Alaska as an arrogant, self-righteous city man, but grew to appreciate and love the quirkiness of little Cecily.
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Can't comment on The Doctor since I've really only seen nuWho (seen a few other episodes, but not enough to make a fair judgment).

But I totally agree with you about Joel Fleischman on Northern Exposure.

Good catch - I had forgotten about him...but you are absolutely correct.
 
Baltar on NUBSG, a vain corrupt yuppie scientist who in the end became a farmer.

Laura Roslin, a minor government bureaucrat who over the course of the series gradually becomes compost.
 
Bashir on DS9. He went from an arrogant, smug, know-it-all wanker to a compassionate and thoughtful man, as well as a great doctor. The revelation of his genetic enhancements helped make his early asshole-ishness understandable.
 
There are many, but I think it's worth reiterating Baltar on NuBSG. He started out as a selfish ass that while I always enjoyed watching him because of James Callis fantastic and comical performance, I never did like him. That was one of the biggest surprises of the last season to me, Baltar actually evolved into someone I liked and in the end had sympathy for.
 
Sipowicz in NYPD Blue, for the reasons excellently articulated on the first page. Also Dr Bashir, who was deliberately written as a gauche and callow annoying know-it-all in the early days, gradually maturing into a likeable, decent compassionate and fun guy. Kudos too for the Bashir-O'Brien relationship, one of the most convincing friendships on tv.

DS9 also deserves a mention for Damar, starting off as Dukat's thug-of-the-week in the background, then turning into an inspiring revolutionary leader (and martyr).

Elias in The Wire didn't so much transform as mature convincingly and realistically from a young rookie into a decent, admirable and conscientious cop. But a brilliant piece of growth nonetheless.
 
Captaindemotion said:
Elias in The Wire didn't so much transform as mature convincingly and realistically from a young rookie into a decent, admirable and conscientious cop. But a brilliant piece of growth nonetheless.
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That was my vote. He didn't turn into a McNulty or Lester Freamon but yet became a "real police" along the lines of the lines of his mentors Kima Greggs, Commissioner Cedric Daniels and Major Bunny Colvin
 
I'm going to nominate Jonathan Archer. From angry, insecure near-racist Earther to the Founding Father of the United Federation of Planets.
 
Pretty much everyone on DS9

Rom- Went from typical conniving Ferengi who would try and kill his own brother to the model for a new kinder, gentler Ferengi.

Nog- Went from wanting women to chew his food for him to a Starfleet officer.

Quark- Cared only about business and profit. Well, still that way at the end, but he sacrificed himself for others more than a few times.

Damar- Typical Cardassian thug/lackey to the leader of a rebellion.

Odo- Mistrustful and suspicious and quite a bit crabby. Found his "humanity" so to speak.

Kira - Chip on her shoulder to everybody and everything to someone who lived up tot he tenants of her faith
 
Agree about the characters on DS9. They all grew in really interesting ways throughout the course of the series.

And yeah, I'd have to put Wesley up here, too. The change in his character was dramatic and impressive, and showed just how great Whedon was at taking characters you totally discounted and changing them drastically and yet realistically. I'd put Cordelia in there, too--albeit IMO that change was taken too far. She became sickly sweet in season three, to an unbelievable degree.

I'm enjoying the evolution of Chuck Bass from player to great boyfriend on Gossip Girl. Anyone else? *crickets* ;) :D
 
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