What fictional characters do judge most (and least) trustworthy?

[Dendarii Dame]

In the Vorkosigan Universe of Lois McMaster Bujold

Immediately trust: Miles Vorkosigan, Ekaterin, and any and all of the Quaddies.

Probably suspicious: Any Cetagandan and Mark.

Distrust: Any Jacksonian besides Mark.

Non-Bujold characters: Immediately trust: Don and Charlie Eppes
Probably suspicious: Neal Caffrey and Mozz

Distrust: Captain Jack Harkness

[Skald the Rhymer]

Originally Posted by KneadToKnow

Trust:
Spenser
Hawk, if he's working for Spenser
Jules Winnfield

Distrust:
Hawk, if he's not working for Spenser
Vincent Vega

I was going to say you could probably trust Hawk, but I'm not sure. Both he and Spenser are willing to lie to bad guys.

If you're in the Spenser-Susan ellipse (I phrase it that way because though the people in it interact more with the former, almost all of them like Susan more than Spenser and would choose her over him), you can trust Hawk to do exactly what he says he'll do. If he finds it necessary to betray you because of a conflict between you and Spenser/Susan, he's going to tell you first, not backshoot you.

[Chronos]

If he finds it necessary to betray you because of a conflict between you and Spenser/Susan, he's going to tell you first, not backshoot you.

Then again, the same is true of Mal, who I think we all agree does not get a free pass.

[montag01]

Immediate Trust:

John Connor (as no less an authority than Kyle Reese explains, "You trust him. He has a strength").

Suspicious:

Kyle Reese (I mean, dude showing up with a shot gun and telling me I need to come with him if I want to live? That's craziness! But he's pretty hot, so chances are I'm going along with him regardless)

Instant distrust:

The snotty psychiatrist from Terminator 1 and 2, Dr. Silberman.

[Northern Piper]

Originally Posted by Malthus

Immediately trust: Captain Horatio Hornblower.

Suspicious of: Richard Sharpe.

Immediately distrust: Harry Paget Flashman.

I'm with Malthus here - that was the trio I was going to post (with the caveat that I'm not sure Flashy meets Skald's heroic requirement).

My additional trio:

Immediate trust: The Hon. Galahad Threepwood. His methods may be questionable, but a Sound Egg with impeccable judgment for rotters, an ability to outwit interfering aunts, and a decided preference for helping the young folks.

Needing explanation: Jeeves. Sound judgment and first rate intellect, with the First Law of protecting Bertie, but his methods could be ruthless, even towards Bertie (one thinks of the unnecessary 18 mile bicycle ride in the dark, and the macabre Nichols-Jackson-Nixon joke). Plus, his Zeroth Law was his own self-interest, as the horrible episode of the girls' school assembly showed - one could say he was acting in Bertie's best interest, but the driving force was maintaining his own situation.

Immediate Distrust: The Hon. Frederick Threepwood. Heart in the right place and all that, but mentally negligible and lacking sound judgment.

[Sir Not Appearing In This Film]

Originally Posted by Skald the Rhymer

Turin was wrong in strategy, not in particular engagements. Apart from poor Beleg, I can't think of an act of violence he committed when he was egregiously wrong.

Go ask the residents of Nargothrond how wrong his strategy was. Oh wait, for some reason they're not home. Just some graffiti saying "Glaurung was here".

Okay, then, how about judgment from the companion that knows Turin best?

"Hail Gurthang! No lord or loyalty dost thou know, save the hand that wieldeth thee. From no blood wilt thou shrink. Wilt thou therefore take Túrin Turambar, wilt thou slay me swiftly?"
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: "Yes, I will drink thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly."

I'm just not extending the benefit of the doubt to anyone holding a bloodthirsty sentient sword forged from a meteorite; at least not until he buries it hilt deep in Morgoth's chest in the Last Battle.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Originally Posted by Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor

Trust:
Superman
Mr Spock


Mistrust:
Dracula
Hannibal Lechter

Doubtful--

Doc Savage

I respect the guy, but that secret upstate hospital of his creeps me out.

[gytalf2000]

Captain America immediately comes to mind as "most trustworthy".

[Cinnamon Imp]

Originally Posted by Silver Tyger

None of them would ever kill someone, despite what those ridiculous comics said. Actually, I can't think of a cartoon I watch where they would kill people. Maybe a few people in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, but not heroes.

What about Snarf? I'd be suspicious of him/it

Originally Posted by Little Plastic Ninja

Trust: The Doctor.
Distrust: The Doctor.

Which number?

[Postariti]

Originally Posted by Wargamer

From the HillBilly Section of the Multiverse.

Trust: Sheriff Andy Taylor
Jed Clampett
Arnold Ziffel
Lisa Douglas

Thank you for the image of Lisa Douglas, in her long frilly negligee, and Arnold holding a rifle in his snout, preparing to kill someone. I lol-ed.

[KneadToKnow]

Originally Posted by Skald the Rhymer

If he finds it necessary to betray you because of a conflict between you and Spenser/Susan, he's going to tell you first, not backshoot you.

Concur fully. Hawk may betray you if circumstances require it, but he won't surprise you.

[The Other Waldo Pepper]

Originally Posted by Silver Tyger

Actually, I can't think of a cartoon I watch where they would kill people. Maybe a few people in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, but not heroes.

I'm pretty sure Aquaman would do it, and I'm pretty sure it would be awesome.

[Silver Tyger]

Originally Posted by The Other Waldo Pepper

I'm pretty sure Aquaman would do it, and I'm pretty sure it would be awesome.

No, no, it would be OUTRAGEOUS.

[Skald the Rhymer]

Originally Posted by Silver Tyger

No, no, it would be OUTRAGEOUS.

Fool of a Thunderian!

Jem is outrageous. Aguaman is awesome.

[SCAdian]

Originally Posted by Lasciel

Immediate Trust just because: Michael Carpenter from the Dresden Files novels. I'm not a Christian, but I want to be on that man's team.

Love the username/post combination!

But I have to agree her. Tarzan (the book version) is another one for immediate trust, I think. And Cordelia Vorkosigan.

Distrust? Lazarus Long....