Example 14: Burn Notice and the Crafty Hero

One of the most important aspects of the Odyssey is that its main character, Odysseus, is the type of hero who would rather think his way out of a problem than anything else. True, he will stab a cyclops in the eye, but only after he has executed some brilliant plan to incapacitate him and ensure his own victory. This behavior, using tactical knowlege to take down bigger and or more dangerous opponents, is exactly what is demonstrated in this clip from the tv show Burn Notice. In it our hero, Michael, is trying to get a drug dealer to move out of the house next to him. Instead of directly confronting the man, though, the main character uses his guile to ensure victory. Like Odysseus, he attacks when his opponent can not see him (in this case this is accomplished by shooting through a wall and not by blinding). After incapacitating his opponent, there still remains the problem of escape/capture. Both characters treat this situation very similarly, by subverting expectations and entering/exiting in such a way that prevents their opponent from noticing them/stopping them. Really, in terms of character skills Michael and Odysseus have quite a bit in common. 

Emailed by Johnathan on 6/3/2012