Comic-Con: Showtime's Antiheroes have more fun

By ERIN MAXWELL

Our heroes have more fun. That's the message Showtime delivered in its Antiheroes panel at Comic-Con.

For the cabler, you don't have to be faster than a speeding bullet to be considered a hero. In fact, youcan be a pill-popping nurse, a pot dealer, a serial killer with a bizarre interpretation of justice or a womanizing author with a libido that can left tall building at a single bound.

The net brought together the stars of its shows "Nurse Jackie," "Weeds," "Californication" and "Dexter" to discuss the term antihero and how their actions may not save puppies or put out fires, but that they mean well. Or at least try to.

David Duchovny's view on Hank is not to focus on his extracurricular  activities, but as his role as a truth-teller.

"When the show started, Hank was the most chaotic part of the show. But as the show progressed, the characters around him have gotten wilder. Now he is the voice of reason," said Duchovny.

With "Nurse Jackie," it's easy to see how she is good since she saves lives on a daily basis. It's coming to terms with her dark side and drug habit that tells audiences that she is far from a saint.

"She is not perfect. We identify with her whether we want to or not," said co-star Paul Schulze, who plays Eddie on the show.

With "Weeds," the character began as a struggling character, but in recent plot developments, the character of Nancy Botwin has taken a darker turn. "She's not a person burdened by guilt," said Mary- Louise Parker.

"She's like Scarlett O'Hara. She believes if she moves forward, things will get better, but all she is doing is procrastinating guilt," she said.

Of all the characters, Dexter Morgan is the best example of the antihero. Evil and sinister without a doubt, audiences and critics have embraced the character wholeheartedly. Michael C. Hall believes this has to do with Dexter's code.

"His code is how we get to know the character. If he didn't have the code, he would kill disconcertingly and without reason, all bets would be off with the audience being able to relate to him,"

said Hall. "I think Dexter has a formidable dark side, but he takes responsibility for it...yeah, I sympathize with him."

"Dexter's" exec producer Chip Johannessen believes the character is on a hero's journey.

"Dexter is born into this weird think," said Johannessen. "He starts as an anti-hero and is removed from society. He has to climb his way back into society."

So, is Nancy Botwin a good mother? Is Dexter a vigilante with a heart of gold? Probably not. But their trials and tribulations keep auds glued, if not because they are good, but because of their struggle to follow the right path.

"Weeds" will preem on Aug. 16, "Dexer" on Sept. 26. "Californication" is back in January, followed later in the year by "Nurse Jackie."