Unforgettable Supporting Characters discussion

We always think of supporting characters in the good guy sidekick mode, but what about the evil minions? Who are the most memorable supporting villains and why?

Hey folks, I'm sorry for not hanging out more this time around--my father died just before Easter and I've been rather crazed taking care of all the paperwork. So I haven't been able to come out to play as much.

Feel free to add some on-topic questions to move things along, and I'll bop in to chat as sanity permits. Thanks--you guys are all fantastic!

Gail wrote: "Hey folks, I'm sorry for not hanging out more this time around--my father died just before Easter and I've been rather crazed taking care of all the paperwork. So I haven't been able to come out t..."

Very sorry to hear what you're going through, Gail.

What a fun question.

Minions and henchmen are very important, in the world of storytelling. Any would-be villain harboring plans for world domination, usually has to have a trusted lieutenant. Its simple fact of organizational dynamics; you can't 'be everywhere at once' after all.

Back in the old days though, a villain might be able to get along on his own without one, if his evil schemes were localized and contained to perhaps a village or shire.

In either case, though: there's valuable service which henchmen provide for the author narrating the story. Its the "bringing-of-news-from-afar". Anytime distance or geography must be crossed, urgent news (plot development) is delayed by the time involved. That obstacle creates a gap in the story (we know what the info is, but one character has to bring it to another) and is the heart of suspense.

Like this: one hundred miles away from the secret lair (where the villain awaits news of his scheme's success) his henchman, carries out his plans--but unexpectedly encounters the hero, who manhandles him. But the henchman slips away and now its a race to see who will reach the villain first with the news that the overall plan is jeopardized. The cornerstone of a thousand plots!

Its why thrillers and mysteries FAIL in the world of modern telecommunications. Instant communication kills story-suspense.

Anyway I nominate as one of the earliest and best henchmen, 'Renfield' from Stoker's 'Dracula'.

How about the "other villain" or the former villain -- the one you may make an uneasy alliance with in the face of a greater threat? One of my favorites is Achren in Lloyd Alexander's classic children's fantasy series, the Prydain Chronicles. She's fallen from power as an evil queen and she shares the heroes determination to fight the reigning dark lord -- but for more personal reasons. They ally with her, but can they trust her? I remember being fascinated with Achren right from the first time I read the books at age 9.