CliqueClack TV
TV SHOWS COLUMNS FEATURES CHATS QUESTIONS

What’s James Marsters’ best role since Spike? – Quibbling Siblings

Every week brother and sister team Bob and Debbie take on a new topic. James Marsters' Spike was an epic character, but this week we discuss some of his more recent roles.

Debbie:

Sometimes life gets crazy and I have to go to my happy place … so in my mind, I travel to Sunnydale, and reminisce about the good ol’ days of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Definitely one of my all-time favorite shows, with some of my all-time favorite characters — one of which is Spike. It got me to thinking about James Marsters, who’s been working very, very hard since the end of his stint as Spike on both Buffy and Angel.

Let’s stick to his TV roles, though (which they mostly are) and discuss our favorites — what do you think is James Marster’s best role since Spike?

Bob:

Well, it’s sort of an easy answer for me, because I’m only really familiar with one of the roles, even though he has had quite a few recurring guest gigs. Luckily, the role in question is also one that I can highly endorse: Barnabas Greeley on Caprica.

The show was short-lived, and certainly didn’t live up to its predecessor Battlestar Galactica, but I enjoyed it for the most part while it was on. Also, Barnabas happened to be involved in the more interesting side of the show. With his untimely death, though, we weren’t due to get more of the character even if the show had continued.

So what’s your favorite Marsters role?

Debbie:

The Caprica role was definitely one that came to mind, because he was so unlike Spike yet still so compelling. I was also pretty tickled to see that he did the voice for Mr. Fantastic in The Super Hero Squad Show. Yeah, I’ve got a seven-year old son but that show is hard not to adore — it’s hilarious.

Even though I only saw the pilot of Hawaii Five-0 (great TV movie!), Marsters was great as Victor Hesse. But my favorite role — which I hope counts since it wasn’t recurring — was Don Stark on Supernatural this past season. Seriously, I crossed my fingers through the rest of the season that he would be recurring and it never happened. I’m still waiting, because he played so brilliantly off Sam and Dean that I’m still wanting more.

You know Supernatural? That show that for some reason you refuse to watch but is one of the best examples of fun and characterization in the same package, and that if you think Community takes chances and sometimes hits and sometimes misses? Supernatural hits every time. I think I just digressed majorly. …

Bob:

You do realize that as good as Supernatural may be, every time you nag me about it makes me want to watch it less. I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it is.

As for Marsters, when is going to get his own gig? Yeah, he’s been working hard getting a lot of guest spots (some recurring), but I would like to see him settle down into a show of his own. The fact that we’re writing this post would indicate that he has the talent … and the fan base!

Debbie:

Well, his 50th birthday is coming up this summer with a big celebration — wouldn’t his own series be a great present?

 

Photo Credit: The CW

10 Responses to “What’s James Marsters’ best role since Spike? – Quibbling Siblings”

June 14, 2012 at 11:06 AM

Brainiac on Smallville for me. He was the best recurring villain on the show (not counting Lex and Lionel, of course), and his return as a hero from the future (Braniac 5 of the Legion) produced one of the best episodes of the series (#200).

June 14, 2012 at 11:34 AM

In my opinion, his best role during the past couple of years is narrating the “Harry Dresden” Novels from Jim Butcher.

June 14, 2012 at 12:08 PM

Oh -it has to be Captain John Hart in Torchwood, where he gets to play to all his great strengths (shown in his portrayal of Spike) with bundles of humour.

June 14, 2012 at 1:20 PM

This was a really hard choice as I enjoy all of James’ characters. But Captain John Hart was so outrageously wonderful, I had to cast my vote there.

What a shame the series “Three Inches” was not picked up by SyFy. James leading a team of young misfits with very small superpowers was a fun idea and his role was like seeing James play “Giles”.

June 14, 2012 at 6:09 PM

He did have great chemistry with Sam and Dean on SPN. Please bring him back in season 8!

June 14, 2012 at 7:43 PM

Cap’n Hart FTW!!

June 14, 2012 at 9:04 PM

Captain John Hart (note the sarcasm) is absolutely brilliant, but I wouldn’t mind more Don Stark, either. Caprica was terrific, and Barnabas was a fantastic character, but I figured he was too mean to die. If the show hadn’t been killed off, I’ll bet he would’ve appeared out of the ashes, creepier than ever.

June 20, 2012 at 3:56 PM

Captain John Hart because he was fun. I loved Brainiac for his super brain, but Smallville wasn’t as naughty as Torchwood. James does naughtiness very well.

July 3, 2012 at 10:16 AM

I loved his Captain John Hart role – wish the series creators had taken an opportunity to do a time travel episode with the Torchwood crew and the two captains in addition to the tragic story of the brothers.

Brainiac also great – but really I love watching James Marsters. He would have been great as a “Giles” mentor role.

Powered By OneLink