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Callan

 Callan
type
TVTItem
 Callan
label
Callan
 Callan
page
Callan
 Callan
comment
British spy series that ran four series on ITV, from 1967 to 1972. Edward Woodward is the eponymous hero, David Callan, an agent employed by "The Section", a shadowy arm of the British intelligence services during the Cold War. Callan was introduced in a one-off play aired as an entry in the long-running Armchair Theatre, "A Magnum for Schneider", which became in effect a pilot for the series; there was also a movie based on the pilot (or the novelisation of it) and a reunion episode, "Wet Job", in 1981.The Section specializes in disposing of enemies of the state by dubious methods like blackmail, extortion and murder, and Callan is its most highly regarded operative. He is helped and hindered in his work by his boss, code-named Hunter except for a brief period during season 4 when Callan is Hunter, fellow agents such as the sadistic Toby Meres and the cocky James Cross, and a malodorous little small-time crook named Lonely.The creator (and primary writer of the series) James Mitchell also wrote several Tie In Novels about Callan which were, if anything, Darker and Edgier than the series itself. In 2017 Big Finish, best known for Big Finish Doctor Who, announced they were reviving the series, with adaptations of James Mitchell's son Peter's short Callan stories for the Sunday Express.
 Callan
fetched
2023-05-11T06:44:48Z
 Callan
parsed
2023-05-11T06:44:48Z
 Callan
processingComment
Dropped link to HitmanWithAHeart: Not a Feature - ITEM
 Callan
processingComment
Dropped link to YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry: Not a Feature - IGNORE
 Callan
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Callan / int_1237828f
type
Anyone Can Die
 Callan / int_1237828f
comment
Anyone Can Die: There was an episode entitled "Let's Kill Everybody!". It pretty much lived up to its title.
 Callan / int_1237828f
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1.0
 Callan / int_1237828f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_1237828f
 Callan / int_133f1c12
type
The Spymaster
 Callan / int_133f1c12
comment
The Spymaster: The Section's Boss, Hunter, and his boss, Bishop.
 Callan / int_133f1c12
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1.0
 Callan / int_133f1c12
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_133f1c12
 Callan / int_173909
type
Brainwashed and Crazy
 Callan / int_173909
comment
Brainwashed and Crazy: Callan becomes this after KGB agents abduct him, torture him, and subject him to a plethora of drugs to manipulate him into killing the current Hunter.
 Callan / int_173909
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1.0
 Callan / int_173909
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 Callan
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Callan / int_173909
 Callan / int_18d15922
type
Title Drop
 Callan / int_18d15922
comment
Title Drop: Almost every episode contains a line of dialogue with the episode's title.
 Callan / int_18d15922
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_18d15922
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_18d15922
 Callan / int_1b70ccc6
type
The Cynic
 Callan / int_1b70ccc6
comment
The Cynic: Weirdly enough, despite being the one with the most morals in the Section, Callan is also the most cynical and certainly the most realistically cynical compared to the others who glorify what they do in some way.
 Callan / int_1b70ccc6
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1.0
 Callan / int_1b70ccc6
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_1b70ccc6
 Callan / int_1c3d047e
type
The Rival
 Callan / int_1c3d047e
comment
The Rival: Cross views both Callan and Meres as his, but they are both way out of his league. Somewhat averted with Callan and Meres; they could almost count as each others' except that they don't really strive against each other for position, except maybe for the position of most epic snarker in The Section.
 Callan / int_1c3d047e
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 Callan / int_1c3d047e
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 Callan
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Callan / int_1c3d047e
 Callan / int_1f6ec528
type
Would Not Shoot a Civilian
 Callan / int_1f6ec528
comment
Would Not Shoot a Civilian: Callan must be firmly convinced that his mark is working for the Opposition before he will accept to kill them (not only that, usually, but they have to have done something terrible). He will not shoot a civilian on purpose and will go to great lengths not to do so (though once in a battle around civilians, he does accidentally shoot and kill one, adding a terribly heavy blot of guilt on his conscience).
 Callan / int_1f6ec528
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1.0
 Callan / int_1f6ec528
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_1f6ec528
 Callan / int_21f3aa44
type
Good Is Not Nice
 Callan / int_21f3aa44
comment
Good is Not Nice: Type 6. Though being the most moral member of The Section, Callan has to hide the compassion he does have under a pretty mercenary, bitterly snarky, jerkass attitude otherwise his opposition AND his co-workers pick up on it and start trying to tear him apart.
 Callan / int_21f3aa44
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1.0
 Callan / int_21f3aa44
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_21f3aa44
 Callan / int_2985eda0
type
Prisoner Exchange
 Callan / int_2985eda0
comment
Prisoner Exchange: The opening episode of season 4.
 Callan / int_2985eda0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_2985eda0
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_2985eda0
 Callan / int_2d6f00e4
type
Psycho for Hire
 Callan / int_2d6f00e4
comment
Psycho for Hire: Subverted with Callan. Callan hates himself for the fact that he can like killing, and it's part of the reason he's so very controlled and tries to avoid assassination if there's another option available. Played straight with Cross and Meres who jump at the chance to do an assassination.
 Callan / int_2d6f00e4
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 Callan / int_2d6f00e4
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_2d6f00e4
 Callan / int_2dc0d2bf
type
Hidden Depths
 Callan / int_2dc0d2bf
comment
Hidden Depths: After the second Hunter's funeral, The Deputy Under-Secretary mentions that he used to paint for him, something of which both Callan and Meres were unaware.
 Callan / int_2dc0d2bf
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1.0
 Callan / int_2dc0d2bf
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_2dc0d2bf
 Callan / int_3255968b
type
Implied Death Threat
 Callan / int_3255968b
comment
Implied Death Threat: These get thrown all over, and are used by almost everyone in, The Section.
 Callan / int_3255968b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_3255968b
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_3255968b
 Callan / int_3266ed59
type
Incredibly Obvious Tail
 Callan / int_3266ed59
comment
Incredibly Obvious Tail: Justified when agents follow a Russian diplomat around in order to harass him.
 Callan / int_3266ed59
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_3266ed59
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_3266ed59
 Callan / int_34dcfc96
type
Kick the Dog
 Callan / int_34dcfc96
comment
Kick the Dog: Callan has to "Rebuke" Lonely on occasion. On the other hand... Pet the Dog: ... Callan also does his best to protect the little man, going so far as to tell his superiors that if they try to kill Lonely, they'll have to take him down first.
 Callan / int_34dcfc96
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1.0
 Callan / int_34dcfc96
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_34dcfc96
 Callan / int_3f0b2f50
type
Make It Look Like an Accident
 Callan / int_3f0b2f50
comment
Make It Look Like an Accident: The Section is not above arranging this.
 Callan / int_3f0b2f50
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_3f0b2f50
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_3f0b2f50
 Callan / int_40c57041
type
Manipulative Bastard
 Callan / int_40c57041
comment
Manipulative Bastard: All the Hunters to varying degrees.
 Callan / int_40c57041
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_40c57041
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_40c57041
 Callan / int_424c9a9b
type
Cold-Blooded Torture
 Callan / int_424c9a9b
comment
Cold-Blooded Torture: What would the spy genre be without it? Meres enjoys perpetrating it; Snell finds it an interesting excercise.
 Callan / int_424c9a9b
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1.0
 Callan / int_424c9a9b
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_424c9a9b
 Callan / int_43b154c9
type
Not Even Bothering with the Accent
 Callan / int_43b154c9
comment
Not Even Bothering with the Accent: T.P. McKenna uses his natural Irish accent when playing the Russian Richmond. Justified, as when "Richmond" was younger, he took over the identity of a deceased man from Dublin.
 Callan / int_43b154c9
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1.0
 Callan / int_43b154c9
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_43b154c9
 Callan / int_4781adbb
type
Jerk with a Heart of Gold
 Callan / int_4781adbb
comment
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Strangely enough, Meres is an example of this. Though he usually tries to make everyone's lives miserable and enjoys seeing others in pain, he does eventually build and display a sense of camaraderie towards Callan, even showed concern in the second season finale when it seemed that The Section had turned on Callan, and even reluctance and sadness when he was forced to shoot a Brainwashed and Crazy Callan.
 Callan / int_4781adbb
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1.0
 Callan / int_4781adbb
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_4781adbb
 Callan / int_4e3d253b
type
Downer Ending
 Callan / int_4e3d253b
comment
Downer Ending: It would just be easier to list the episodes that end happily.
 Callan / int_4e3d253b
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1.0
 Callan / int_4e3d253b
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_4e3d253b
 Callan / int_4f292929
type
Tall, Dark, and Snarky
 Callan / int_4f292929
comment
Tall, Dark, and Snarky: Meres.
 Callan / int_4f292929
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1.0
 Callan / int_4f292929
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 Callan
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Callan / int_4f292929
 Callan / int_4f4372e9
type
Early-Installment Weirdness
 Callan / int_4f4372e9
comment
Early-Installment Weirdness: In some of the first episodes, Callan narrates what he's thinking; however, this was soon dropped in deference to Woodward's ability to convey everything on his face and put layer upon layer of emotion into Callan's dialogue with the other characters which made inner monologue redundant, and they worked harder at inserting slick and interesting exposition into the dialogue where needed.
 Callan / int_4f4372e9
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1.0
 Callan / int_4f4372e9
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_4f4372e9
 Callan / int_50b1855d
type
Spy Fiction
 Callan / int_50b1855d
comment
Spy Fiction: the bitterest of Stale Beer. Even more so than The Sandbaggers in a way, since Burnside at least believes in what he does, while Callan only does it because he'd be unemployable in any other job, and the Section would probably have him killed if he tried to quit.
 Callan / int_50b1855d
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1.0
 Callan / int_50b1855d
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_50b1855d
 Callan / int_530350d5
type
Trouble Entendre
 Callan / int_530350d5
comment
Trouble Entendre: Callan definitely does not appreciate this kind of talk.
 Callan / int_530350d5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_530350d5
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_530350d5
 Callan / int_588d766f
type
BlackAndGreyMorality
 Callan / int_588d766f
comment
Black-and-Grey Morality: Callan has a conscience but it doesn't stop him doing a pretty unpleasant job. He's just too scared to quit.
 Callan / int_588d766f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_588d766f
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_588d766f
 Callan / int_5beef860
type
Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?
 Callan / int_5beef860
comment
Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Snakes freak Callan out.
 Callan / int_5beef860
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_5beef860
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_5beef860
 Callan / int_5f861d0f
type
Only Friend
 Callan / int_5f861d0f
comment
Only Friend: Lonely is this to Callan. Seriously. Lonely is the only person Callan considers a friend. Word of God confirms it in those exact words.
 Callan / int_5f861d0f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_5f861d0f
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_5f861d0f
 Callan / int_670ca248
type
Go-to Alias
 Callan / int_670ca248
comment
Go-to Alias: Callan's is David Tucker, though since "Callan" is an alias itself it could be said that "David Callan" is his go-to alias.
 Callan / int_670ca248
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_670ca248
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_670ca248
 Callan / int_677c65ea
type
Scream Discretion Shot
 Callan / int_677c65ea
comment
Scream Discretion Shot: Well, more of a groan discretion shot when Callan is captured by KGB agents and they start a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown.
 Callan / int_677c65ea
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_677c65ea
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_677c65ea
 Callan / int_67f2c837
type
The Pig-Pen
 Callan / int_67f2c837
comment
The Pig-Pen: Lonely is called "Lonely" because he has a distinct smell that keeps most people away from him. Wet Job clarifies that the smell is a nervous reaction, as he says he'd had no problems for a number of years thanks to working an honest job and staying on the right side of the law.
 Callan / int_67f2c837
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_67f2c837
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_67f2c837
 Callan / int_754df088
type
Put on a Bus
 Callan / int_754df088
comment
Put on a Bus: Meres, we're informed in the first episode of series 3, took an assignment in the U.S., but he returns as a regular in series 4.
 Callan / int_754df088
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_754df088
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_754df088
 Callan / int_763ac306
type
Mandatory Unretirement
 Callan / int_763ac306
comment
Mandatory Unretirement: How Callan gets forced back into The Section at the beginning of the series, and ever afterwards is told that resignations are not accepted unless he'd care to end up in a red file.
 Callan / int_763ac306
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_763ac306
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_763ac306
 Callan / int_7d34f23a
type
Reckless Gun Usage
 Callan / int_7d34f23a
comment
Reckless Gun Usage: Surprisingly invoked in the 1974 film. Callan is at the shooting range and is handed a new Magnum. The gun is clearly loaded, yet prior to shooting, Callan (an experienced marksman) points the gun directly at Hunter while examining it. Given the context of the film and the series, this might be deliberate, but very reckless of the character if that's the case.
 Callan / int_7d34f23a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_7d34f23a
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_7d34f23a
 Callan / int_7dbfa45b
type
Spy Speak
 Callan / int_7dbfa45b
comment
Spy Speak: The KGB are "The Opposition" for example.
 Callan / int_7dbfa45b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_7dbfa45b
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_7dbfa45b
 Callan / int_7eb73553
type
Bullying a Dragon
 Callan / int_7eb73553
comment
Bullying a Dragon: Cross has a tendency to make fun of, try to provoke, and try to bully Callan (who is the best assassin in The Section). Epically outsnarking Cross aside, moments when Callan shows Cross why Cross is not the best assassin in the section are quite satisfying.
 Callan / int_7eb73553
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_7eb73553
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_7eb73553
 Callan / int_83f3983b
type
Necessarily Evil
 Callan / int_83f3983b
comment
Necessarily Evil: Callan and some of the better Hunters. The other agents and Hunters range from Well-Intentioned Extremist to Sociopathic Hero.
 Callan / int_83f3983b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_83f3983b
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_83f3983b
 Callan / int_8543ec22
type
Reality Subtext
 Callan / int_8543ec22
comment
Reality Subtext: Edward Woodward was actually an avid wargamer, even hosting a six-part television series on ITV in 1978 called Battleground, where wargamers put their own spin on famous battles.
 Callan / int_8543ec22
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_8543ec22
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_8543ec22
 Callan / int_89ed9b94
type
Gentleman Snarker
 Callan / int_89ed9b94
comment
Gentleman Snarker: Meres' particular brand of snark. Cross tries to be this, but fails.
 Callan / int_89ed9b94
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_89ed9b94
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_89ed9b94
 Callan / int_8a4988bb
type
Mind Rape
 Callan / int_8a4988bb
comment
Mind Rape: Callan is captured by the KGB and put him on a drug that will slowly drive him insane to the point where he will be begging to give them information. Fortunately, he's traded for Richmond before this goes too far.
 Callan / int_8a4988bb
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1.0
 Callan / int_8a4988bb
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_8a4988bb
 Callan / int_944cd768
type
Schoolyard Bully All Grown Up
 Callan / int_944cd768
comment
Schoolyard Bully All Grown Up: Meres once, in his habit of making smooth understated comments and threats, mentions to a mook he is interrogating that he (Meres) was a "real stinker" at school and that he "hasn't changed."
 Callan / int_944cd768
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_944cd768
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_944cd768
 Callan / int_95b7c400
type
Faux Affably Evil
 Callan / int_95b7c400
comment
Faux Affably Evil: Meres. Always carries a demeanour of polite friendliness and charm, whether just chatting, snarking, wooing, insulting, threatening, or torturing.
 Callan / int_95b7c400
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1.0
 Callan / int_95b7c400
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 Callan
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Callan / int_95b7c400
 Callan / int_95d5fa51
type
Torture for Fun and Information
 Callan / int_95d5fa51
comment
Torture for Fun and Information: Meres, quite frankly, enjoys the more violent "interrogative" parts of his job, and it quite creative, such as tying up a KGB agent at the end of a long room and practicing hitting golf balls towards that end (implied by the bruises later, that he hit the fellow more than a couple of times).
 Callan / int_95d5fa51
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1.0
 Callan / int_95d5fa51
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_95d5fa51
 Callan / int_984ef9ef
type
"Not So Different" Remark
 Callan / int_984ef9ef
comment
"Not So Different" Remark: Callan and Richmond acknowledge this on their first meeting, and rather find they like and respect each other.
 Callan / int_984ef9ef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_984ef9ef
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_984ef9ef
 Callan / int_99fa6bc0
type
Because I'm Good At It
 Callan / int_99fa6bc0
comment
Because I'm Good At It: Part of the reason Callan does what he does is that he is good at it and he's no good at any other job.
 Callan / int_99fa6bc0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_99fa6bc0
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_99fa6bc0
 Callan / int_9d17b859
type
Made of Iron
 Callan / int_9d17b859
comment
Made of Iron: Averted.
 Callan / int_9d17b859
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 Callan / int_9d17b859
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_9d17b859
 Callan / int_9eb7e397
type
Long-Lived
 Callan / int_9eb7e397
comment
Long-Lived: A subjective example. Callan is in his forties, much older than most people live to in his profession. Needless to say, he's quite painfully aware how every hour exponentially increases the likelihood he's going to get killed on a mission or (if he's not up to standard) 'retired' by The Section or assassinated by some young buck who has his eye on Callan's position as 'Top Man' in The Section.
 Callan / int_9eb7e397
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_9eb7e397
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 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_9eb7e397
 Callan / int_9fbe06a5
type
Badass in a Nice Suit
 Callan / int_9fbe06a5
comment
Badass in a Nice Suit: Meres, the Hunters, Cross (though sometimes he tries too hard to make it a fashion statement), but somewhat averted by Callan (at least in the early seasons when compared to the level of impeccability of the others' suits and the amount of time he spends in them).
 Callan / int_9fbe06a5
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-1.0
 Callan / int_9fbe06a5
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_9fbe06a5
 Callan / int_a10775b7
type
Mean Boss
 Callan / int_a10775b7
comment
Mean Boss: Ronald Radd's Hunter, especially, who will select a job for Callan (seemingly) based on how much psychological pain it will give him.
 Callan / int_a10775b7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_a10775b7
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 Callan
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Callan / int_a10775b7
 Callan / int_a1b141f4
type
My God, What Have I Done?
 Callan / int_a1b141f4
comment
My God, What Have I Done?: Callan has a major one of these after he realizes he's been tricked and manipulated into killing one of the least bastardly Hunters.
 Callan / int_a1b141f4
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1.0
 Callan / int_a1b141f4
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 Callan
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Callan / int_a1b141f4
 Callan / int_afab5e94
type
Reunion Show
 Callan / int_afab5e94
comment
Reunion Show: Edward Woodward and Russell Hunter reprised their roles as Callan and Lonely in a 1981 TV film entitled "Wet Job". A happily retired Callan is reluctantly brought back into the fold, to take care of an ex-MP writing an exposé about Callan (who he blames for his daughter's death), and a Russian dissident seeking passage to Britain.
 Callan / int_afab5e94
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1.0
 Callan / int_afab5e94
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1.0
 Callan
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Callan / int_afab5e94
 Callan / int_b17f6a27
type
I Did What I Had to Do
 Callan / int_b17f6a27
comment
I Did What I Had to Do: On more than one occasion Hunter makes it clear that he doesn't like the orders he's giving Callan any more than Callan does, but he expects them to be carried out nonetheless.
 Callan / int_b17f6a27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_b17f6a27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_b17f6a27
 Callan / int_b39d5719
type
Sadist
 Callan / int_b39d5719
comment
Sadist: Meres. Just for some idea of context, he's the only assassin in The Section who will volunteer to go down to the interrogation department to see how an 'interrogation' is coming along, volunteers for 'interrogation,' and generally enjoys seeing even his co-workers in pain (emotional or physical) and is inclined to try to see how much he can get away with in regards to increasing it.
 Callan / int_b39d5719
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_b39d5719
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_b39d5719
 Callan / int_b9db28ab
type
Emotionless Girl
 Callan / int_b9db28ab
comment
Emotionless Girl: Liz, Hunter's secretary, is generally unemotional and the steady right hand of all the Hunters. The one time her stoicism breaks, it throws the entire Section into chaos.
 Callan / int_b9db28ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_b9db28ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_b9db28ab
 Callan / int_bbe740e2
type
Tyrant Takes the Helm
 Callan / int_bbe740e2
comment
Tyrant Takes the Helm: On finding out that the original Hunter, played by Ronald Radd, has been temporarily reappointed, Callan is so appalled that he promptly announces he's going on leave. Needless to say he isn't allowed to.
 Callan / int_bbe740e2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_bbe740e2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_bbe740e2
 Callan / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Callan / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Don't touch Callan's model soldiers.
 Callan / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_bc74ef27
 Callan / int_beb9a361
type
Anti-Hero
 Callan / int_beb9a361
comment
Anti-Hero: Callan himself, as well as Hunter, at least as played by William Squire in seasons 3 and 4.
 Callan / int_beb9a361
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_beb9a361
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_beb9a361
 Callan / int_c9e5a0db
type
Legacy Character
 Callan / int_c9e5a0db
comment
Legacy Character: Hunter is the job title for the leader of the Section. They also all share the codename Charlie. Callan ends up reluctantly serving as Hunter for part of Series 4. They are: Ronald Radd as Colonel Leslie/alias "Colonel Hunter" in "A Magnum for Schneider" and Series 1, with guest appearances in Series 2 and 4) Michael Goodliffe in Series 2 (episodes 1-5) Derek Bond as John Ramsey in Series 2 (episodes 6-13, 15) William Squire in Series 3-4 Edward Woodward as David Callan in Series 4 Eric Porter in the 1974 film Hugh Walters in the 1981 reunion film "Wet Job"
 Callan / int_c9e5a0db
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_c9e5a0db
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_c9e5a0db
 Callan / int_ca1417c5
type
SlidingScaleOfCynicismVersusIdealism
 Callan / int_ca1417c5
comment
Sliding Scale of Cynicism Versus Idealism: Pretty cynical on the face of it, although Callan's insistence on knowing what his intended victims have done and his trying to avoid casualties suggest he is more idealistic than he cares to admit.
 Callan / int_ca1417c5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_ca1417c5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_ca1417c5
 Callan / int_cda501da
type
Killed Off for Real
 Callan / int_cda501da
comment
Killed Off for Real: Two of the Hunters in Series 2, and Cross in Series 4.
 Callan / int_cda501da
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_cda501da
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_cda501da
 Callan / int_d39e327f
type
What the Hell, Hero?
 Callan / int_d39e327f
comment
What the Hell, Hero?: As cold blooded murder is in Callan's job description, instances of this hardly stand out, but systematically wrecking a couple's marriage to facilitate a defection in "The Little Bits and Pieces of Love" and making an engaged couple break up (resulting in the woman committing suicide) probably counts.
 Callan / int_d39e327f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_d39e327f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_d39e327f
 Callan / int_d5ed0c51
type
Humor Dissonance
 Callan / int_d5ed0c51
comment
Humor Dissonance: Callan can't contain his laughter after finding out one of Lonely's hobbies is fishing.
 Callan / int_d5ed0c51
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_d5ed0c51
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_d5ed0c51
 Callan / int_d7b34c31
type
Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"
 Callan / int_d7b34c31
comment
Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": The head of the Section is always called "Hunter" (or addressed by his codename "Charlie") and never known by any other name except of course for Callan himself in season 4.
 Callan / int_d7b34c31
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_d7b34c31
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_d7b34c31
 Callan / int_db38d6ca
type
Torture Technician
 Callan / int_db38d6ca
comment
Torture Technician: Dr. Snell is The Section's.
 Callan / int_db38d6ca
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_db38d6ca
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_db38d6ca
 Callan / int_dc3b74bc
type
Pointy-Haired Boss
 Callan / int_dc3b74bc
comment
Pointy-Haired Boss: Both played straight and averted; some of the Hunters are a good deal more capable than others.
 Callan / int_dc3b74bc
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Callan / int_dc3b74bc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_dc3b74bc
 Callan / int_dca97045
type
Just Following Orders
 Callan / int_dca97045
comment
Just Following Orders: Cross lampshades this trope after Callan has been promoted to Hunter mentioning that now Callan can't use this excuse for the assassination of their targets since he's the one now issuing the orders.
 Callan / int_dca97045
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_dca97045
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_dca97045
 Callan / int_de6a1563
type
Loyal to the Position
 Callan / int_de6a1563
comment
Loyal to the Position: Liz as general factotum to the Hunters, even going so far as to make it look like she is sleeping with a current Hunter to cover for him against a previous Hunter.
 Callan / int_de6a1563
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_de6a1563
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_de6a1563
 Callan / int_e5c64f3f
type
Shame If Something Happened
 Callan / int_e5c64f3f
comment
Shame If Something Happened: Meres loves using these sort of threats.
 Callan / int_e5c64f3f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_e5c64f3f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_e5c64f3f
 Callan / int_e9db9908
type
Younger Than They Look
 Callan / int_e9db9908
comment
Younger Than They Look: Ronald Radd, the original Hunter, was in his late 30s at the time the series started. Yet to look at him, you would think he was at least 50.
 Callan / int_e9db9908
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_e9db9908
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_e9db9908
 Callan / int_eb8ec7c8
type
Jerkass
 Callan / int_eb8ec7c8
comment
Jerkass: Meres, Cross, and most of the Hunters. Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Strangely enough, Meres is an example of this. Though he usually tries to make everyone's lives miserable and enjoys seeing others in pain, he does eventually build and display a sense of camaraderie towards Callan, even showed concern in the second season finale when it seemed that The Section had turned on Callan, and even reluctance and sadness when he was forced to shoot a Brainwashed and Crazy Callan.
 Callan / int_eb8ec7c8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_eb8ec7c8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_eb8ec7c8
 Callan / int_ec99a30c
type
Leader Wannabe
 Callan / int_ec99a30c
comment
Leader Wannabe: Meres has always had his eye on the position of Hunter. When Callan has the role of Hunter, this rather rubs Meres the wrong way as he believes himself to be the natural replacement and Callan Unfit for Greatness.
 Callan / int_ec99a30c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_ec99a30c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_ec99a30c
 Callan / int_ed7f9cf2
type
War Gaming
 Callan / int_ed7f9cf2
comment
War Gaming: Callan's passion along with collecting the model soldiers used in doing it. He tries to go to conventions whenever he can to play against other military history enthusiasts. Hunters have specifically chosen Callan on two separate occasions for a specific mission because the mark was a gaming enthusiast, which Callan hates because it contaminates the one pleasure in his life. Reality Subtext: Edward Woodward was actually an avid wargamer, even hosting a six-part television series on ITV in 1978 called Battleground, where wargamers put their own spin on famous battles.
 Callan / int_ed7f9cf2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_ed7f9cf2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_ed7f9cf2
 Callan / int_edc22fe8
type
Cartwright Curse
 Callan / int_edc22fe8
comment
Cartwright Curse: None of the women Callan falls in love with last for very long, usually getting killed somehow in the crossfire between The Section and the KGB.
 Callan / int_edc22fe8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_edc22fe8
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_edc22fe8
 Callan / int_f1f8ca6
type
Suppressed Rage
 Callan / int_f1f8ca6
comment
Suppressed Rage: Callan seems to live in an almost constant state of this, not surprising since he's a Rebellious Spirit forced into a job he hates.
 Callan / int_f1f8ca6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_f1f8ca6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_f1f8ca6
 Callan / int_f5a3e496
type
Suspiciously Similar Substitute
 Callan / int_f5a3e496
comment
Suspiciously Similar Substitute: In the third season Cross replaces Meres. Both are Smug Snakes who are from a higher class than Callan, are generally rotten towards him, have very little in the way of conscience, suck up to Hunter, and enjoy their jobs.
 Callan / int_f5a3e496
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_f5a3e496
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_f5a3e496
 Callan / int_fd32c5a1
type
Don't Make Me Destroy You
 Callan / int_fd32c5a1
comment
Don't Make Me Destroy You: Callan usually manages to bully Hunter into allowing him to bring in the next mark instead of straight up assassinating him, but, of course, the success of that depends on the person they're after, and Callan will tell the person this and try to convince them they are beaten and should come along peaceably.
 Callan / int_fd32c5a1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_fd32c5a1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_fd32c5a1
 Callan / int_feaf5424
type
You Called Me "X"; It Must Be Serious
 Callan / int_feaf5424
comment
You Called Me "X"; It Must Be Serious: Lonely only refers to Callan as David under stressful circumstances, otherwise it's "Mister Callan".
 Callan / int_feaf5424
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_feaf5424
featureConfidence
1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_feaf5424
 Callan / int_fed93e1b
type
Dark and Troubled Past
 Callan / int_fed93e1b
comment
Dark and Troubled Past: Callan, big surprise.
 Callan / int_fed93e1b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Callan / int_fed93e1b
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1.0
 Callan
hasFeature
Callan / int_fed93e1b
 Callan / int_ff7f34c5
type
Pet the Dog
 Callan / int_ff7f34c5
comment
Pet the Dog: ... Callan also does his best to protect the little man, going so far as to tell his superiors that if they try to kill Lonely, they'll have to take him down first.
 Callan / int_ff7f34c5
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 Callan / int_ff7f34c5
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Callan / int_ff7f34c5
 Callan / int_name
type
ItemName
 Callan / int_name
comment
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Callan / int_name
 Callan / int_name
itemName
Callan

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Callan
seeAlso
Callan
 Callan
hasFeature
Dirty Business / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Professional Killer / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Publicly Discussing the Secret / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Sadist / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Tap on the Head / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
The Danza / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
The Pig-Pen / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
The Spymaster / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Tick Tock Tune / int_22f14ef2
 Callan
hasFeature
Trouble Entendre / int_22f14ef2