WCW: A Walk on the Wild Side with Richard Armitage’s Bad Boy Characters, May 20, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace (Post #750)

I think that there are different degrees of wild, depending upon your sensibilities. And over time, your definition of wild might relax a bit–in the sense that what you once thought wild and wanton is, not so much.

Each of us grows along a certain path, sometimes diverging from it. But like a rubber band springing back into shape, we find ourselves back along that path–if we stay true to ourselves.

But what if one person’s path is careful and calm? And the other person’s path is wild and wanton? Which path do you hope to traverse? For myself–as I surmise for many of us–it has been, and continues to be, a little bit of both.

And we can say the same about the exquisitely talented British actor Richard Armitage’s characters–some of them are strong and good and kind and compassionate. The others are, well, perhaps the bad boys of Richard Armitage’s psyche–such as he has said that in some of his roles, he gets to experience the kind of behavior that isn’t socially sanctioned.

Hmmm. Is the gentlemanly and consummate professional Richard Armitage an inner baddie? Is he a deliciously naughty man when he wants to be–“pre-coital or post”? He certainly explores the range of human behavior with his character portrayals–past, present, and future? Some roles such as the doctor in the yet to be released film “Sleepwalker” have yet to be revealed.

So below is a little collage of some of these bad boy RA characters [(images courtesy of RANet)] and an RA trivia challenge just for fun. How many RA characters can you match to their Wild Side? And which RA character’s bad boy side would you most like to live with?

1. I am a philosopher of sorts, a dreamer of a utopian society turned inside out–with the have nots rising up and rebelling. And I’m a leader of the leaderless–a role model for those with no role models. Oh, I don’t have book smarts–that’s for toffs. But give me a mallet and I could bash things all day. I know, you consider me beneath you, an outlaw. But I would deny it at every turn and thwart your attempts to entrap me.
2. I have never lacked for ambition–just the means to channel it appropriately.   And when I became an adult, I resolved to make up for the material things that I lacked in my childhood. I have done that many times over. And if you are the lady that I couldn’t have back then, I want you even more now. And I will draw you into my web of lies to capture your heart. And when you learn the truth about me, what does it say about you that you accepted my façade of success–without worrying about how I achieved it?
3. I know quality when I see it. Gems sparkle, and so does the lady directly in my sights. I will woo her, encourage her, even love her, in my way–as long as she looks up to me. But if she doesn’t need me anymore and I feel neglected, I will find my solace elsewhere without apologies. But if you like a bit of the lascivious in my nature and in yours–and you know how to give and take in a relationship– well then. *growl* I’m your man.
4. Loverboy could be my nickname. But it really doesn’t do justice to my rapacious sexual appetites. I am more comfortable out of my clothes, than in them. And I will charm your clothes off of you with my roguish and boyish handsomeness. *wink* Though my milieu is somewhat confined, the variety of women in my territory of contacts are as plentiful as they are abundantly in need of my romantic attentions.
5. I will go mad if I don’t have you this instant! We are meant to be together. I stalk and prowl and smoulder my way through life because I can’t have what I want–you! Do you know how easily I could take you to my bed and make you mine? And you would beg me to do so every day. Yet, I control myself–barely–for you. Do not be fooled by that boy who likes to play the hero and panders for adoration. He is not worthy to touch the hem of your gown–nor does he seem to court your favor much, anyway. However, my desire for wealth and position and power is all for you. And my life will be meaningless without you.

Now match the character description above with the Richard Armitage role below:
A. Percy Courtenay, Marie Lloyd, 2007
B.  Ricky Deeming, George Gently, 2009
C.  Sir Guy of Gisborne, Robin Hood series 2, 2007
D. John Mulligan, Moving On, Drowning Not Waving, 2009
E.  Lee Preston, Cold Feet, series 5, 2003

And which RA character’s bad boy side would you most like to spend time with?

Richard Armitage [(right, portrait by Mitchell Nguyen McCormack, 2014)]  portrays the bad boy seducer archetype with ease–and dare I say, with relish?–despite his personal gentlemanly demeanor. And Mr. Armitage embues each role with nuanced shades of phrasing and behavior that helps to illuminate their characters’ motivations for me. Whether it is Ricky’s cynical bravado in his focused sneering gaze, Lee’s teasingly pouting lothario’s tilted head, Sir Guy’s leathered hip striding swagger, Percy’s sly smirk when dominating women, or John Mulligan’s overeager smile masking a coldly calculating heart, Richard Armitage is all of them and none of them.

So is Richard Armitage, himself, just a little bit wild and naughty? I sure hope so!   Ha!