Shadows of Justice: Vigilantes in modern television

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer series is a direct continuation of the 1992 American feature film of the same name, in which Kristy Swanson portrayed Buffy. Since its inaugural episode in 1997, Buffy (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), defied the traditional portrayal of the blonde, helpless damsel. Instead, she emerged as a formidable warrior who possessed the exceptional ability to safeguard Sunnydale and the opening of the Hellmouth.

Assisting Buffy in her battle against evil are Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), her Watcher, Alexander “Xander” Harris (Nicholas Brendon), Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), Daniel “Oz” Osbourne (Seth Green), and Angel (David Boreanaz), a vampire with a soul.

Embedded within the series and its spin-off, 'Angel', is a discernible exploration of the role of law and legal institutions in society. While the Scooby Gang strives to uphold the law, the series offers a critical perspective on the police, military, and politicians. Often depicted as morally compromised or even malevolent, the show raises questions about the true guardians of justice and the blurred lines within the realm of legality.

In the second episode, Giles and Buffy enlighten Xander and Willow about the limitations of the police in dealing with supernatural threats. They tell them that the police could not handle a vampire, even if they showed up. That explanation indicates that the jurisdiction over vampires and demons lies with The Watcher's Council, an ancient institution with laws that “have existed longer than civilization”.

Hustle (2004-2012)

“Hustle” is a captivating British television crime drama series that revolves around the exploits of a team of con artists. Adrian Lester portrays Michael “Mickey Bricks” Stone, the brilliant leader and strategist of the group. Robert Vaughn plays Albert Stroller, a veteran con man who is adept at identifying suitable targets. Robert Glenister embodies Ash Morgan, the meticulous organizer responsible for securing locations and necessary equipment. Throughout the first four seasons, Jaime Murray plays Stacie Monroe, the crew's banker. However, her versatility enables her to assume various identities based on the needs of the cons. Marc Warren adds flair to the ensemble as Danny Blue, a young and ambitious con artist.

Following Warren’s and Murray’s departure after the fourth season, Matt Di Angelo and Kelly Adams play Sean and Emma Kennedy.

With a delightful mix of humor and intrigue, this band of upstanding crooks consistently outsmarts both the wealthy elite and fellow criminals. Their intricate schemes, or “long-cons”, showcase the team's ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Leverage (2008–2012)

With a central theme of vigilantism against the rich and powerful people who abuse their authority and exploit the less fortunate, Leverage is edgier than Hustle.

Nathan Ford (Timothy Hutton) served as the group's “Mastermind”. He was a seasoned insurance investigator who resigned from his position after his employer denied coverage for his son's medical expenses, which led to the young boy’s death. The other members of the team were Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), “The Grifter”, “The Hacker” Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge), Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane), “The Hitter” and “The Thief” Parker (Beth Riesgraf).

In 2021, Noah Wyle took the lead in the series reboot “Leverage: Redemption”.

Human Target (2010—2011)

Inspired by the Human Target comic book character created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino for DC Comics, the show revolves around Christopher Chance (Mark Valley). The former assassin turned bodyguard immerses himself entirely in his clients’ lives, truly becoming a “human target”. His associates included Laverne Winston (Chi McBride), a former police inspector from the San Francisco Police Department, and Guerrero, an ex-assassin played by Jackie Earle Haley.

In season Two, Indira Varma portrays Ilsa Pucci, a benefactor to the group; and Janet Montgomery plays Ames, a thief with chameleon-like abilities.

Notably, this was the second series based on this title; the first TV series aired in 1992 on ABC. Moreover, the Human Target persona, portrayed by William “Wil” Traval, appeared in seasons five and six of the DC television show “Arrow”.

Revenge (2011-2015)

The series chronicles Amanda Clarke's (Emily VanCamp) quest for retribution against the affluent and mighty residents of the Hamptons, whom she holds responsible for her father's disgrace and demise. Operating under the alias Emily Thorne, Amanda orchestrates a meticulous plan to expose the truth and avenge her father's unjust downfall.

Amanda's life unraveled when her father, David Clarke (played by Marc Blucas and James Tupper), the hedge fund manager of Grayson Global, was falsely accused of funneling money to a terrorist organization, resulting in the catastrophic downing of a commercial plane.

Upon her return to the Hamptons, Amanda sets her sights on Conrad Grayson (Henry Czerny), the CEO of Grayson Global, and his socialite wife, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe), for their role in her father's demise. Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann), a wealthy inventor and technology entrepreneur, supports her as a way of repaying a debt to David, who had provided Nolan with the seed capital for his company.

The plot of the series is based on Alexandre Dumas' classic "The Count of Monte Cristo", but was heavily changed for the TV version.

Person of Interest (2011—2016)

"You are being watched. The government has a secret system — a machine — that spies on you every hour of every day. I know, because I built it. I designed the machine to detect acts of terror, but it sees everything. Violent crimes involving ordinary people. People like you. Crimes the government considered irrelevant. They wouldn't act, so I decided I would. But I needed a partner, someone with the skills to intervene. Hunted by the authorities, we work in secret. You'll never find us. But, victim or perpetrator, if your number's up, we'll find you."

— Harold Finch

In the aftermath of 9/11, Harold Finch (Michael Emerson), a brilliant computer genius and billionaire, created a program for the government that was supposed to prevent another terror attack. As a side effect, this “Machine” identified individuals on the brink of involvement in violent crimes—whether as victims or perpetrators.

To save lives and thwart the crime before its occurrence, Finch partners with John Reese (Jim Caviezel), a former CIA agent. Detectives Jocelyn “Joss” Carter (Taraji P. Henson) and Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) assist the dynamic duo.

As the narrative unfolded, Amy Acker as Samantha “Root” Groves, a brilliant hacker fixated on the “flawless” intelligence of the “Machine”, and Sarah Shahi as Sameen Shaw, a formidable female assassin, joined the series.

Initially conceived as a high-concept vigilante series with a clever plot device in the form of the “Machine”, the show evolved and raised concerns associated with artificial intelligence, and the implications of mass surveillance.

Banshee (2013-2016)

Formerly a master thief, John Smith (Antony Starr) served a 15-year sentence before embarking on a quest to find his ex-partner and ex-lover, Anastasia “Ana” (Ivana Milicevic), his missing loot and elude the Ukrainian underworld figure “Rabbit” (Ben Cross). 

His journey leads him to Banshee, a district nestled in a Pennsylvania county with a significant Amish population. Soon after his arrival, he witnesses the demise of the new sheriff, Lucas Hood. Smith seizes the opportunity and assumes Hood's identity.

Hood employs unconventional and often brutal methods to maintain order in Banshee. His primary opponent is local criminal Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen).

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