First Dresden Files Show Loyalty Theme

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The theme of the first Dresden Files episode that is shown at the very beginning is loyalty. Loyalty in a main character is essential in piloting the story forward and for the viewer to have a clear idea of where the character's motivations lie. At the beginning, Harry is morally ambiguous towards everyone. Throughout the episode the viewer will notice that Harry is willing to go to the ends of the earth for a child in need. This theme is not only shown in the main character, but the antagonists and minor characters as well. The overarching message of loyalty. We see that Harry Dresden through the show is loyal to himself and his father, even minor characters like the child hold his loyalty to someone other than himself, the antagonists …show more content…

Harry is calling for help because he believes there is a monster in his closet. His father answers. The father responds, "It's just a closet Harry" (Birds of a Feather). However, the father does not leave Harry alone with whatever is in the closet. Instead, he gives him a protective charm that his mother wore. This is the first sign of loyalty viewers see in the show. The viewer can see the father remaining loyal to his wife by keeping her shield bracelet and to his son for passing this bracelet down to him. After attaining the shield bracelet, the audience is thrown back into the present day with a grown-up Harry. Harry is for lack-of-a-better-word irresponsible. In the first five minutes the viewer can get a good idea on where Harry's morals lie; to him and himself. The viewer sees that Harry tries to call in a favor to get his car unbooted, then when the favor does not work he then bargains with helping with an investigation in order to get his car free. The only thing that seems to point Harry's personality in the right direction is the child he meets named Scott. Scott is the perfect foil for Harry. Scott is innocent and more importantly, his drive to help his family is enough to acquire Harry's help for …show more content…

As stated before, Harry's loyalty is ambiguous; it seemed his only loyalty was only to himself but after meeting Scott, he starts to connect himself as a child with Scotts current age. He asks the Cheryl "[I]s there a man in the picture?"(Birds of a Feather). We instantly see similarities between Dresden as a child and Scott in the present. Both fear the unknown, both sought out comfort from the things that scared them. For example, the shield bracelet that was given to Harry by his father and the protection symbol that was given to Scott by Harry. This was symbolic of a father being loyal to his son. Even though Harry is not directly related to the boy we see him willing to risk his own life for free to save this boy in his time of need. The viewer also finds out that the boy has the gift that Harry possessed when he was younger. This is the entire reason the Ravens and the skin walker are involved in this boy's life. As Harry defends the boy from danger he also promises to watch over the boy "Okay, if things get weird or weirder or strange, or just if you're not sure what's going on, just call me, all right?" She then responds "You were like him, weren't you? When you were little?"(Birds of a Feather). Harry is taking the position, his father took so long ago. We are treated to a flashback where Harry witnessed his father failing miserably at his magic act.

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