Did Benson (the character) have any faults? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

lj01 · 02-28-2017, 05:13 PM

I've mentioned before in another thread, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts - one thing I've noticed about this show is the lack of ability to give credit to any of the characters other than Benson (other than maybe, on very rare occasions, Katie).

I suppose the show was about Benson being the lone voice of reason in a cast of somewhat odd, quirky and some downright annoying characters, but I can't quite understand why no one other than Benson was ever allowed to solve a problem or why Benson never had to address his own bad judgement or decisions, and/or had any self-realization moments (simply, he was always right the first time).

Including, but not limited to, any and all situations centered around Benson. Marcy gets walked down the aisle by...BENSON. Clayton's father wants the family business to be run by...BENSON. When Denise has her baby, it's the governor and BENSON who deliver the baby (couldn't they have let Pete in for that scene??)

Of course, the show is named 'Benson' so it's understandable that he's involved in most of the happenings, but I'm curious as to whether this is something that others notice, does it deter from your enjoyment of the show?

For me, I think the first two seasons are so well-written that it's ok to overlook this trait, but by Season 5 (and before) I think it becomes nearly intolerable - and I wish it wasn't - it was such a great ensemble cast that I think the show could have been much better had the spotlight been allowed to shine on the others, at least on occasion.

I can't really think of other shows where the main character was made to have no flaws - maybe Zack in 'Saved by the Bell' but that was aimed at 12-year olds. Can anyone else think of something like that? Even the Fonz on occasion had to admit he was "wr-wr-wrong".

Again, it's not that I dislike the show (for the most part) but just curious what others thought.

robyrob · 02-28-2017, 10:52 PM

Benson did have faults - but it didn't seem like it was something that he'd ever admit to (that in itself being one of his faults).

He was definitely impatient and intolerant of others at times, and of course he always thought he was right.

It didn't really bother me when watching the show, although it would have been nice to see other characters share the spotlight sometimes.

BensonFan · 03-02-2017, 01:34 AM

Well, he was constantly sarcastic, which in real life would annoy the hell out of the people you worked with/hung around with on a regular basis. But I agree, he was portrayed as someone with unusually above average intelligence, who just always had the perfect solution to some of the toughest problems, starting with the very first episode. He came up with the plan that made the Governor look good, and let the Governor take the credit. He was always the guy people looked to for the answer. And he always had it. In fact, I am trying to think of a time when he actually screwed something up. Did he ever?

340wedge · 03-22-2017, 02:35 PM

Benson surely is written as the hero of the show, and the one who uses his sarcasm and wit to resolve problems. I agree the first two seasons are the best written. I thought Benson as budget director was a nice change and certainly helped with story lines. I did not like when the character became Lt Governor. It changed the whole dynamic relationship between the Governor and himself, and made Clayton out to be totally incompetent. In fact when Clayton first came into the series I like how his character was written, but not towards the end of the series. As far as Benson mistakes, there were a few, such as when his mother died, the Governor was the voice of reason in that episode. Flight of the dodo, it was Benson who did not think rigging the helicopter to fly again would work. It was Clayton who saved them in that episode, even if he was the cause of the initial problem. I think one difference is a lot of shows the lead character gets overshadowed by another who takes over the show, such as the Fonz in Happy Days. Benson began, and remained the lead character the entire series. Every one else was just their to play off of.

BensonFan · 04-01-2017, 12:41 PM

I would totally agree that I did not like the breaking down of the Clayton character to the extent that it happened. A little softening would be ok but it was too much. For instance, in the episode where his father marries the young woman ("The Bucks Stop Here", Season 7), Clayton is seen sucking his thumb at one point. Come on now.

Also, do you remember in the "Stress" episode from Season 2 how he and Benson refused to hug after they all reached agreement and got along at the end of the episode? Fast forward to the "Double Date" episode in Season 6 and how Clayton asks Benson at the end if he could give him a hug.

I guess I just accept these things for their pure comedic value to the episodes, but it was really strange to see how Clayton evolved. He sure hid his insecurities well in the early seasons.

Bronson · 04-11-2017, 06:46 PM

I also did not like what they did with Clayton overtime making him a joke. I liked him when he first came on. I could deal with him being less of a stuff shirt but not an idiot.

There was that episode where a pen pal from prison was visiting Kraus and was on prison work at the Governor's Mansion and when he hear Clayton raise his voice to Kraus and grabs Clayton scaring him.

We were suppose to find that scene funny. I didn't. It was nice for him to want to defend Kraus but stupid to attack Clayton, who is a state employee, which would end with his work release coming to end and him going back to jail.

RetroActive · 07-31-2017, 05:09 PM

I knew I was going to hate season 7 when the first episode was titled "Benson the Hero." Really, they could've called every episode that. Classic example of Benson as superhero--he injures a fleeing robber, robber sues him, he "has" to act as his own attorney in court, and wins in about 5 minutes. How is this entertaining, even to a Benson fan?

He was also a commitment-phobe, despite getting engaged in the end, probably because they didn't want the character to have a wife.

As a Clayton fan, the last 2 seasons were painful to watch.

02-28-2017, 05:13 PM	#1
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	Did Benson (the character) have any faults? I've mentioned before in another thread, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts - one thing I've noticed about this show is the lack of ability to give credit to any of the characters other than Benson (other than maybe, on very rare occasions, Katie). I suppose the show was about Benson being the lone voice of reason in a cast of somewhat odd, quirky and some downright annoying characters, but I can't quite understand why no one other than Benson was ever allowed to solve a problem or why Benson never had to address his own bad judgement or decisions, and/or had any self-realization moments (simply, he was always right the first time). Including, but not limited to, any and all situations centered around Benson. Marcy gets walked down the aisle by...BENSON. Clayton's father wants the family business to be run by...BENSON. When Denise has her baby, it's the governor and BENSON who deliver the baby (couldn't they have let Pete in for that scene??) Of course, the show is named 'Benson' so it's understandable that he's involved in most of the happenings, but I'm curious as to whether this is something that others notice, does it deter from your enjoyment of the show? For me, I think the first two seasons are so well-written that it's ok to overlook this trait, but by Season 5 (and before) I think it becomes nearly intolerable - and I wish it wasn't - it was such a great ensemble cast that I think the show could have been much better had the spotlight been allowed to shine on the others, at least on occasion. I can't really think of other shows where the main character was made to have no flaws - maybe Zack in 'Saved by the Bell' but that was aimed at 12-year olds. Can anyone else think of something like that? Even the Fonz on occasion had to admit he was "wr-wr-wrong". Again, it's not that I dislike the show (for the most part) but just curious what others thought.

02-28-2017, 10:52 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,217	Benson did have faults - but it didn't seem like it was something that he'd ever admit to (that in itself being one of his faults). He was definitely impatient and intolerant of others at times, and of course he always thought he was right. It didn't really bother me when watching the show, although it would have been nice to see other characters share the spotlight sometimes.
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03-02-2017, 01:34 AM	#3
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Well, he was constantly sarcastic, which in real life would annoy the hell out of the people you worked with/hung around with on a regular basis. But I agree, he was portrayed as someone with unusually above average intelligence, who just always had the perfect solution to some of the toughest problems, starting with the very first episode. He came up with the plan that made the Governor look good, and let the Governor take the credit. He was always the guy people looked to for the answer. And he always had it. In fact, I am trying to think of a time when he actually screwed something up. Did he ever?
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

04-11-2017, 06:46 PM	#6
Bronson Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 27, 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 274	I also did not like what they did with Clayton overtime making him a joke. I liked him when he first came on. I could deal with him being less of a stuff shirt but not an idiot. There was that episode where a pen pal from prison was visiting Kraus and was on prison work at the Governor's Mansion and when he hear Clayton raise his voice to Kraus and grabs Clayton scaring him. We were suppose to find that scene funny. I didn't. It was nice for him to want to defend Kraus but stupid to attack Clayton, who is a state employee, which would end with his work release coming to end and him going back to jail.
	Last edited by Bronson; 04-12-2017 at 09:23 AM.

03-22-2017, 02:35 PM	#4
340wedge Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 83	Benson surely is written as the hero of the show, and the one who uses his sarcasm and wit to resolve problems. I agree the first two seasons are the best written. I thought Benson as budget director was a nice change and certainly helped with story lines. I did not like when the character became Lt Governor. It changed the whole dynamic relationship between the Governor and himself, and made Clayton out to be totally incompetent. In fact when Clayton first came into the series I like how his character was written, but not towards the end of the series. As far as Benson mistakes, there were a few, such as when his mother died, the Governor was the voice of reason in that episode. Flight of the dodo, it was Benson who did not think rigging the helicopter to fly again would work. It was Clayton who saved them in that episode, even if he was the cause of the initial problem. I think one difference is a lot of shows the lead character gets overshadowed by another who takes over the show, such as the Fonz in Happy Days. Benson began, and remained the lead character the entire series. Every one else was just their to play off of.

04-01-2017, 12:41 PM	#5
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	I would totally agree that I did not like the breaking down of the Clayton character to the extent that it happened. A little softening would be ok but it was too much. For instance, in the episode where his father marries the young woman ("The Bucks Stop Here", Season 7), Clayton is seen sucking his thumb at one point. Come on now. Also, do you remember in the "Stress" episode from Season 2 how he and Benson refused to hug after they all reached agreement and got along at the end of the episode? Fast forward to the "Double Date" episode in Season 6 and how Clayton asks Benson at the end if he could give him a hug. I guess I just accept these things for their pure comedic value to the episodes, but it was really strange to see how Clayton evolved. He sure hid his insecurities well in the early seasons.

07-31-2017, 05:09 PM	#7
RetroActive Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 11, 2014 Location: California Posts: 25	I knew I was going to hate season 7 when the first episode was titled "Benson the Hero." Really, they could've called every episode that. Classic example of Benson as superhero--he injures a fleeing robber, robber sues him, he "has" to act as his own attorney in court, and wins in about 5 minutes. How is this entertaining, even to a Benson fan? He was also a commitment-phobe, despite getting engaged in the end, probably because they didn't want the character to have a wife. As a Clayton fan, the last 2 seasons were painful to watch.