Rooting for the bad guy

The other night while watching House of Cards I realized that I root for Frank Underwood even though he is a horrible person. It got me thinking about other characters who are bad people but you still can't help but root for them. Here are a few that come to mind.

Frank Underwood - House of Cards

opinion.infobae.com

Frank is a ruthless politician who gets what he wants and will manipulate, use and sometimes even kill anyone who gets in his way. Why do I root for Frank? Most of the characters on this show do horrible things for their own good. Frank just happens to be the best at it. He's smart and devious and I like the idea that you (the viewer) are "in" on what he's doing. Frank's wife Claire also gets a shout out here. She's just as involved in his political wheeling and dealing and has amazing fashion taste which is reason enough for me to root for her.

Tate - American Horror Story

the-frayed-ones.tumblr.com

Oh Tate, you did so many horrible things on the first season of American Horror Story. In the end I just felt bad for him. He clearly had psychological problems and although he got what he deserved at the end of the season I was still rooting for him and Violet to "live" happily ever after.

Dexter Morgan - Dexter

adventuresinpoortaste.com

Dexter might be the most obvious choice. He's a serial killer who kills bad people. There was one point during the series where he couldn't kill anyone and I actually felt bad for him! What is wrong with me?

Gemma Teller Morrow - Sons of Anarchy

sonsofanarchy.wikia.com

You thought I might put Jax on here? I could have but I think his mother's moral compass is a little more skewed. Gemma is one bad ass bitch. She will do anything to protect her family and the Club. She is a master manipulator and you better do what she wants or she will wreck you. I find it interesting that she often puts her husband and the Club ahead of her own son. I root for her because she's fierce but we also get to see her vulnerability. 

Walter White - Breaking Bad

salon.com

From science teacher to drug lord I stuck with Walter the whole way, and he did some pretty bad things. Walter could have been anyone. He was a normal guy who was not happy with his life and I think many people can relate to that. In the end Walter admits that everything he did was for himself. One of the better series endings I've seen in a while.

Ben Linus - Lost

latimesblogs.latimes.com

Ben was only supposed to be on Lost for a few episodes but Michael Emerson was so good they kept him on and eventually made him a main character. Ben did some awful things and he didn't think twice about it. When was he lying and when was he telling the truth? The writers and Michael Emerson would constantly make you question what side Ben was really on. I rooted for Ben because his character was so fun to watch I didn't want him to die and be off the show.

What are some "bad guys" that you root for?