MacGyver and Writing the Arch-Nemesis
A vital storytelling lesson from the hit TV show MacGyver.
I'm a big fan of MacGyver, both the original show and the recent remake. I like characters that use their brains to solve problems before using their brawn, and MacGyver being able to improvise on the spot and come up with a solution for almost any problem with the resources he has at hand appeals to me. One of the cooler aspects of both Macgyvers is the Assassin Murdoc, a frequent thorn in MacGyver's side with an obsession with either trying to kill him or manipulating him for his own twisted goals (oftentimes both). In each iteration of the show, Murdoc has tried no less than five times to get the best of MacGyver, pushing Mac to his limit and always failing. But his inclusion in the show makes for great television, and brings up another storytelling trope you can use: the arch-nemesis.
Some believe that a good hero is defined by their villains. This adage is at its truest with the arch-nemesis. This is a character that is closely tied to the hero, who tests the hero's strengths and exposes their weaknesses. It usually takes everything your protagonist knows and is capable of to find a way to defeat the arch-nemesis, while at the same time having to deal with serious flaws, weaknesses and mistakes that the arch-nemesis dredges up. The Joker's recent “Joker War” did an excellent job of all of that, causing anarchy in Batman's beloved city using Bruce Wayne's own money to fund the chaos. He also targeted many of Batman's closest allies, infecting Lucious Fox with his Joker toxin, taking Harley Quinn out of commission, torturing Batgirl and brainwashing Nightwing. So here are a few observations about what makes for a good arch-nemesis.
-The Nemesis Keeps Coming Back
one thing about arch-nemeses is that they keep coming back to test the hero again and again. And for good reason, as a villain like that is way too good to only use once. If you're telling a one-off story this doesn't apply to you, but if your protagonist is part of a franchise or an ongoing series, this is a vital thing to keep in mind. This not like Voldemort in the Harry Potter series. He was a Big Bad that Harry was building himself up to deal with in one climactic battle (and maybe I'll do a post about that, too, someday). An Arch-nemesis makes their presence felt and is directly challenging your protagonist early and often.
-The Nemesis Often Has a Personal Connection to the Hero
With other foes, it's usually just part of the hero's job to deal with them. But arch-nemesis battles are personal. More often than not because of the history between the two combatants. But there is often a tangible connection between the characters that drives them to push each other harder than any other foe. Murdoc's problem with MacGyver is that he is the only foe that has ever outsmarted him. That eats at him and fuels his vendetta (MacGyver is also blamed for Murdoc's estrangement from his wife and child, and also for being kicked out of a swanky assassin's guild). For MacGyver, Murdoc represents everything MacGyver could have been if he had made different choices (also the fact that Murdoc has killed or severely injured people close to MacGyver doesn't help things either). So there are definite personal stakes that get raised with each encounter.
-What Separates the Nemesis From a Normal Villain?
It's this personal connection that makes an arch-nemesis different from any other foe. Conventional methods of dealing with them aren't enough. The arch-nemesis knows the hero in ways a regular foe never will, and knows what buttons to push much better. In a recent story, Professor Zoom revealed that throughout time he had been speaking subliminally to The Flash and his speedy allies, convincing them all to make bad choices that ended up making their lives...and by proxy, the Flash's life...utterly miserable. The arch-nemesis has better-planned and better-executed attacks on the hero than normal foes. They know where to hit you and how to make it hurt the most.
- Often the Nemesis is a Dark Reflection of the Hero, or a Yin to the Hero's Yang.
This isn't always the case, but it happens often enough for it to be a trope. And it's a trope because It Works. Your arch-nemesis can, and probably should, be the antithesis of everything your hero represents and stands for. Classic examples are Superman (an Alien using his powers for the betterment of society) vs. Lex Luthor (the best of humanity using his abilities for selfish gain), Wolverine (a man fighting to control the killer within) vs. Sabertooth (a man that has embraced his savagery), Captain Kirk vs. Khan, and Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader. To get this effect, you want to do a deep dive into your protagonist and get to the core of what they are fighting for, and what is truly important to them as people. Basically, find out their mission statement and try to describe what they're about in one sentence. Once you've done that, completely invert it and write the opposite, and from there you have the basis of your character's arch-nemesis.
-How the Hero Feels About the Nemesis is Key
Another aspect of what makes this dynamic important, is how the protagonist views the arch-nemesis. If the protagonist doesn't take that guy seriously, then the reader won't, either. As of this writing, there is a somewhat villainous version of Marvel's Batman analogue Nighthawk that has pitted himself against Black Panther on a few occasions. He is a brilliant tactical thinker with a vast array of fighting skills and gadgets at hand, and a secret identity (US Congressman) that allows him to cause trouble for the Wakandan king in ways that no other foe can even imagine. And T'Challa had just shattered a reality where Nighthawk was one of the world's primary heroes, so there is a personal grudge there. This guy has the makings of a great archfoe of the Black Panther...but the Black Panther still doesn't really view him as a threat. He is certainly not at Klaw or Killmonger's level. Perhaps it would take Nighthawk getting a victory or two over T'Challa for him to view the guy as a serious threat. Your protagonist has to understand that their arch-nemesis is a greater threat than a common foe for the arch-nemesis to truly resonate with your reader.
-My approach
The closest I’ve come to having an arch-nemesis is Mulder Foxworth from my Sci-fi novel Godmode. While he’s not really an exact opposite of my protagonist (Elijah), there is a very personal connection between them that drives their hatred for each other. Mulder was a mentor and friend to Elijah at the pharmaceutical company they worked at. They fell out for a number of reasons, most notable Elijah having an affair with Mulder’s best friend. Elijah’s most epic confrontation comes against Mulder, and if I can ever get around to writing the sequel, Mulder will continue to be a thorn in not only Elijah’s side, but also a thorn in the side of his daughter Elisha.
-Conclusion
having a good arch-nemesis for your protagonist can truly work for you. They can bring out the best in both your hero and your story, forcing you to craft challenges, backstory, interactions and confrontations that get to the true core of your protag's character and mission. In dealing with someone that truly stands to subvert everything your protag stands for, you can help truly define who your hero is, and further make them standout and be ingrained into the memory of the reader. If your hero doesn't have a defining archenemy, I strongly advise developing one.
Wanna see my arch-nemesis in action? Get a copy of Godmode here.