FAVORITE TV TECHIES (all times)

What would be James Bond without Q? Just a guy with very expensive cars that can only drive from point A to B. Every spy movie or TV show has a techie character. Sometimes they are just stereotypical annoying nerds, but other times they can be the most incredible characters. Here are some of my favorites:

Auggie – Covert Affairs

Employer: CIA

Skills: Computer expert and hacker. He also has combat skills since he was in the military before losing his sight. Even without being able to see he can throw a few punches quite effectively.

QUOTE: Some people call it a sixth sense.  I like to call it a fifth, but that’s just me.

I am not the biggest Covert Affairs fan, but I have no complaints about Auggie. Not only is he the most charming character on the show, but he is also the most competent. The fact that he is vision impaired doesn't stop him from being the best at what he does. He provides reliable support and Annie would have died 10 times already if it wasn't for him [not that that would bother me much]. Plus, he is super cute and eye candy is never a bad thing to have around.

Birkhoff – Nikita

Employer: Division, then he went rogue with Michael and Nikita, then he went back to New Division

Skills: Hacker, engineer, he can also defend himself, not to the level of Michael or Nikita, but he can handle himself.

Alias: Shadow Walker (hacker name)

QUOTE: If God is in the detail, then I am a God.

One of the things I love about Nikita is that it is a show with a lot of humor. Nikita constantly delivers awesome one-liners and kicks as, usually at the same time. Besides her, the other source of constant comical relief is her techie Birkoff. He is probably the most entertaining character and one of the best techs/hackers. There is no computer system he can’t breech and he does it all while spreading sarcastic comments and endless snark. You gotta love the nerd.

Chuck – Chuck

Employer: The CIA sort of and let’s not forget about the BuyMore

Skills: Chuck had an almost degree in Engineering from Stanford, he was a computer expert and he had a supercomputer in his brain. So he basically knew it ALL.

Alias: Charles Carmichael – international spy

QUOTE: Um… look Sarah. I never really fired a gun before OK? I… I’ve actually done this on purpose to avoid any unpleasant side-effects, like shooting myself… or others.

Chuck… one of my favorite underrated shows of all times. Not enough people watched this incredibly funny parody of the spy world. The premise of a nerd becoming an international spy by accident says it all. The show was hilarious and original and it had SO many geek references and geek-friendly guest stars over the years including: Linda Hamilton, Kristin Kreuk, Brandon Routh, Summer Glau, Eric Roberts, Ray Wise and the list goes on. Chuck himself was the definition of a nerd; he even worked at the “Nerd Herd”.  So, yeah… Chuck was a great techie, not so much spy [at least at the beginning], that’s why it was so much fun to watch. Good spy parodies are very hard to find and Chuck was one of the best characters in this genre.

Felicity – Arrow

Employer: Queen Consolidated and Oliver Queen A.K.A. The Hood A.K.A. Green Arrow

Skills: Computer expert, hacker, awesome one-liner delivery

QUOTE: I may be blonde, but I am not that blonde.

Felicity is without a doubt one of my favorite characters on TV. She stole the show from the minute she was introduced as the tech expert of Queen Industries. I was thrilled when she entered Oliver’s inner circle and she started having a more prominent role each week. I love to see a female techie and I love the fact that didn’t go with the stereotypical unattractive nerd type. Felicity is beautiful, smarter than anyone and totally cool.

And my number one techie from all times is….

Marshall – Alias

Employer: SD-6 [he believed it was the CIA] then the real CIA and finally APO

Skills: Designing awesome spy gadgets, hacking, chemistry, acoustics, photographic memory, mechanics, etc. He basically knew it all.

Alias: Merlin, Black Kitty (hacker name)

QUOTE: [To Jack] I’ve got a spork

Not even a contest. One of my favorite characters on one of my favorite shows of all times. I think Marshall set the bar for all the “techie” characters to come. He was so awkward and adorable and his relationship with Sydney was great to watch. Like all the other techs, Marshall had an incredible new gadget each week, but he was better than anyone else at introducing and explaining them. Probably the most memorable techie on TV.  

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TVEmpress

The TV Empress is a Media Management graduate, screenwriter in the making (and financial engineer in the meantime). She has serious plans to take over global television. You can follow the TVEmpress on twitter @TVRepublik