I’ve been really impressed by the first two episodes of CW’s ‘Black Lightning’, which posits an older, more experienced Jefferson Pierce returning to action after years of inactivity to protect his daughters (who in DC Comics become Thunder and Lightning.) It’s a really strong portrayal of a father willing to do anything to protect his kids, and even though I appreciate that the character’s creator doesn’t like the retconned children, I enjoy seeing Black Lightning as a pop culture pops. Even if you’re not a parent, it’s easy to accept his protective crusade, leading to today’s paternal query…
The MS-QOTD (pronounced, as always, “misquoted”) always disliked it when Reed Richards became the stereotypical absent-minded professor ignoring his family, as he had some pretty awesome moments as Franklin’s dad back in the 80s, asking: Which pater familias is the number one pop culture pops?
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Jason Robard’s character in the movie _Parenthood_ always stands out to me as the best example of fatherly love in a character that I’ve seen. He’s not some uber-capable papa with a certain set of skills that machos his way to keeping his child safe, so the sacrifice that he makes to keep his son out of harm’s way feels all the more real and affecting.
As an honorable mention, between Al Bundy one _Married With Children_ and Jay Pritchett on _Modern Family_, Ed O’Neill has now been a sit-com pater familia for two separate generations.
Al Bundy, great choice!
Lucas McCain, The Rifleman.