But how realistic are these people who appear simply to provide some exposition in technical-sounding language?
Its a good question, and its the basis for this list.
So: here are my choices for film and TVs top 20 scientists.
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(Incidentally, it costs hundreds of dollars to go to conferences.
He also mentions in one episode that his last few papers have been widely discredited.
On the flip side, he also manages to get tenure at New York University.
This is rare in itself, and for that he sneaks onto the good list.
Sue Storm,The Fantastic Four
Susan Storm was another person whose inclusion I mulled over for some time.
So why is she here?
Well, in part to make a point.
Especially as its not easy to become a world-leading geneticist in the first place.
To be fair, the actual science in this film is sketchy.
Using a virus to cure cancer is not unrealistic, as this is actually the basis for gene therapy.
However, finding a single virus that can cure all cancers is hopelessly far-reaching.
The chance of a gene-therapy virus wiping out humanity is also infinitesimally small.
Robert Neville therefore is a pretty realistic scientist in a film that has incredibly dubious science in it.
Of course he is also able to use his great knowledge of science to remedy the situation.
Ultimately it is her work that stokes the interest of those with less honorable intentions for Pandora.
Shes a good scientist.
Erik Selvig,Thor/The Avengers
Dr Selvig is the epitome of a superheros scientific sidekick.
He is widely used for exposition in theThorfilms and the firstAvengers(although hes barely inAge Of Ultron).
Not a bad quality…
14.
Even world-leading scientists tend to be restricted to quite a narrow field.
Only time will tell how Miles Tellers portrayal of Mister Fantastic in the upcoming reboot will go.
Hopefully the filmmakers will take a more nuanced approach and allow him to be a more realistic scientist.
His counterpart, Jemma Simmons is, however, explicitly stated to be a scientist.
Scientifically speaking, she is a ridiculous overachiever, regularly crossing the boundaries of different scientific fields.
It could also be argued that the resources available to S.H.I.E.L.D.
would allow her to get advanced training not available at your average university.
But she also seems to have a throrough understanding of non-biochemical/non-medical fields, especially electromagnetism.
Finding that level of expertise in any scientist would be very rare.
The reason she is not higher up is due to her lack of character development.
We know she loves science and is a bad liar but not much else.
Violet Barnes,The Five Year Engagement
Heres a curveball.
Whats more, this character is the most relatable academic I think Ive ever seen on screen.
Furthermore,The Five Year Engagementalso covers issues that many academics face, mostly relating to work-life balance.
Its also very refreshing to have a female character in a rom-com who just happens to be an academic.
Shes not a geek or socially awkward or hyper-intelligent, her job just happens to be in academia.
So why is she down the list?
Well, at one stage she was a lot higher.
However, when I decided on my criteria she slips down significantly for two reasons.
One is ethics she does (spoiler) sleep with her boss.
The other is intelligence.
This actually adds to her appeal in my mind, showing that shes fallible and occasionally stupid.
Unfortunately it also makes her fall quite a few places down on this list.
Leonard is probably the closest to an everyman scientist of the core three PhD-wielding characters.
He is nerdy but not to the extent of a certain other physicist present on this show.
This may seem like a cop-out but it is actually very important.
Replication is the cornerstone of scientific achievement.
Something is not considered scientifically valid until other people have independently reached the same conclusions.
Bruce Banner,The Incredible Hulk/The Avengers
Ah, Bruce.
My sympathies are limited for people who manage to get themselves caught up in lab accidents.
Safety protocols are there for a reason.
Lab accidents also dont happen nearly as much as movies seem to think that they do.
Plus he turns green when hes angry.
Thats not too common.
Jon therefore is probably the most realistic of the lab-accident-turned-superhero branch of movie scientists.
There are roadblocks too, both biological and bureaucratic, that get in the way of the research.
Ellie Arroway,Contact
Contactis quite possibly the most realistic film portrayal of the science of the unknown.
Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan also helped with the story outline.
The film is a portrayal of the issues that face scientists in the event of major, world-changing findings.
Dr Arroway is stubborn and single-minded in her search for alien life.
Her passion drives her work but also affects her ability to form relationships.
This may be bordering on scientific cliche, but that doesnt mean she is unrealistic.
Several times, Ellies work and expertise are hijacked by a senior male colleague, David Drumlin.
Drumlin takes over the PR work for the discovery and on several occasions pushes Ellie onto the sidelines.
The film portrays science and Ellie in a muted, realistic way.
She also successfully applies her knowledge to solve mysteries, such as helping to diagnose a sick dinosaur.
However Ive also deducted realism points for lab-accident-superheroes so I will be a stickler for consistency here.
To say that he is unrealistic would also be untrue there are certainly scientists who have very Sheldon-like qualities.
Bernadette is, in my opinion, the most realistic scientist on the show.
Im getting my PhD!.
He is an example of someone who uses their knowledge to try and make life easier for people.
I think many scientists can also empathise with his struggle to make those in charge to see scientific sense.
Many can also identify with having an ideologically-opposed colleague, although maybe not quite to the same extent.
Because, bluntly, hes Spock.
He is a Starfleet Science Officer for a start.
As for my criteria, there is no doubting his intelligence and obviously his defining trait is his logic.
Rest in peace Mr Nimoy.
Live long and prosper.
