Unlikable TV Characters: We hate them because they really deserve it

Dick Jarrett – I Love Dick

Considering the name of the main character and the title of this show, this choice seems a little on the nose. But it tracks, I swear. Dick Jarrett is pretty awful. Of course his character is set up to be a symbol of toxic masculinity and he performs the worst of the gender-based stereotypes, but it’s hard to be so high-minded when he’s acting like such a douche.

Dick is the curator of the Marfa art museum, and offers fellowships for other artists, to study under him. He’s also a pretty hunky cowboy, and the combination of these (seemingly opposite) traits make him the object of lust for Chris when arrives there to support her artist husband. Although Chris is married, she develops a pretty hardy crush on Dick, and the way in which he reacts is so humiliating and insulting to Chris, that you can’t believe a human could act this way.

But wait… yes we can believe it. If you have ever tried dating a man in our contemporary culture, you’ll recognize the stereotype they’re trying to promote. He’s callous, misogynistic, cold and witholding. No matter how vulnerable Chris becomes in her desire, he is hard and not at all sympathetic. He eventually softens a little, but by the time he comes around to a little insight, it’s far too late to get audiences back. There are some things you just can’t come back from.