It’s fine if TV heroes have deep, dark secrets — it makes them more human, more complex. Oh yeah — and it helps the actors win Emmys and Golden Globes.
The problem is that the so-called “tragic flaw” has become a tragic cliché — physician, just stop healing thyself with illegal dope! Among early classic examples are Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) getting hooked on narcotics on “ER” and, of course, Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) and his taste for Vicodin on “House.”
Here’s a look at some of the most popular (and recent) tragic flaws on television — with some fond memories of the much-missed alcoholic womanizer Don Draper (Jon Hamm on “Mad Men”) and the pill-popping Jackie Peyton (Edie Falco on “Nurse Jackie”).
Josh Radnor in “Mercy Street” (PBS)
In this period medical drama, Radnor plays Dr. Jedediah Foster, a brilliant surgeon who’s functional despite hitting the morphine.
Clive Owen in “The Knick” (Cinemax)
In this period medical drama, Owen played Dr. John Thackery, a brilliant surgeon who was functional despite snorting coke and being hooked on opium. In the end, it did him in.
Paul Giamatti in “Billions” (Showtime)
Dispensing punishment is part of the job when you’re a US attorney. Giamatti’s Chuck Rhoades also likes to take it — this submissive gets his hardcore kicks with a pro dominatrix (who doubles as his wife).
Claire Danes in “Homeland” (Showtime)
Not every tortured lead struggles with semilegal drugs: Claire Danes’ Carrie struggles with bipolar disorder, for which she takes legal drugs.
Ellen Pompeo in “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
The titular heroine of ABC’s doctor series, Meredith Grey, may or may not be doomed to get Alzheimer’s, and it may or may not be early onset. What’s for sure is that Shonda Rhimes’ long-running hit is a treasure trove of tragic flaws — currently we also have Owen (Kevin McKidd) and his violent PTSD flare-ups and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) struggling with sobriety.
Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock” (PBS)
The detective describes himself as a “high-functioning sociopath,” so his tragic flaw isn’t precisely secret. His recreational-drug taste, on the other hand, is a bit murkier.
Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards” (Netflix)
