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This shift in representation raises questions about the political correctness of character portrayals and the declining acceptance of flawed, yet endearing, male characters. Sundstrom suggests that industry trends have moved towards depicting characters with clearer moral standing, resulting in the sidelining of individuals like Benedict, who excelled at playing these complex figures.
Benedict's portrayal of Starbuck, likened to beloved icons such as Han Solo and the Fonz, reflects a bygone era of character design, one where audiences were drawn to imperfections and relatable flaws rather than squeaky-clean heroes.