# Most devoted, fictional friends **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661 "2013-06-10T21:43:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/21 "2013-06-11T00:34:49Z")
Michael Weston and Sam Axe. (And Fiona.) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/22 "2013-06-11T00:41:48Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Michael Weston and Sam Axe. (And Fiona.) That’s a good one. Sam is insanely loyal. I spent a good part of last season wishing he’d kick Mike to the curb, in fact, because Mike deserved the ration of shit he was receiving but Sam didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/23 "2013-06-11T01:19:23Z")
Han and Chewie ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/24 "2013-06-11T01:45:16Z")
Lucy and Ethel. Ethel would totally take a bullet for Lucy (unfortunately, Lucy would most likely be the one to accidentally fire that gun…) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/25 "2013-06-11T01:53:49Z")
The Hardy Boys. The Scooby Doo Gang. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/26 "2013-06-11T01:54:56Z")
The Thousandth Man One man in a thousand, Solomon says, Will stick more close than a brother. And it’s worth while seeking him half your days If you find him before the other. Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth man will stand your friend With the whole round world agin you. 'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show Will settle the finding for 'ee. Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go By your looks, or your acts, or your glory. But if he finds you and you find him. The rest of the world don’t matter; For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim With you in any water. You can use his purse with no more talk Than he uses yours for his spendings, And laugh and meet in your daily walk As though there had been no lendings. Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call For silver and gold in their dealings; But the Thousandth Man h’s worth 'em all, Because you can show him your feelings. His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right, In season or out of season. Stand up and back it in all men’s sight – With that for your only reason! Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide The shame or mocking or laughter, But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side To the gallows-foot – and after! Rudyard Kipling ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/27 "2013-06-11T03:54:56Z")
> [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](#): > > Fafhrd the Barbarian and the Grey Mouser . . . Interesting case. They had nasty fallings out with each other more than once, and all too often found themselves working at cross purposes. Yet, ultimately, they are more than just friends, more even than brothers: they are two halves of a vaster, greater, primordial hero (“The Growler.”) Were Eng and Chang good friends? In one sense, not at all. In another…the best friends in the whole damn world. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/28 "2013-06-11T04:22:25Z")
Jed Bartlett and Leo McGarry. Xena and Gabrielle. Hercules and Iolaus ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/29 "2013-06-11T05:13:06Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Even ignoring the gay jokes, I’d not call Batman & Robin friends, exactly. Good point. How about Silver Age Batman and Superman? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/30 "2013-06-11T05:44:31Z")
Kemper Boyd and Ward Littel. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/31 "2013-06-11T05:45:41Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Jed Bartlett and Leo McGarry. Oh, GOOD call. Jack Aubrey and Steven Maturin? I haven’t read all the books, so y’all would know better than I. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/32 "2013-06-11T05:54:31Z")
Buffy, Willow, Xander Seeing Xander’s real friendship with Buffy grow beyond a crush was a nice surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/33 "2013-06-11T06:13:58Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Good point. How about Silver Age Batman and Superman? Oh, they were gay, but unfortunately it was an unrequited love because if they ever had sex, Superman’s sperm would kill poor Batman. 🙂 In all seriousness, they were definitely friends, but if modern viewers were to ever look at the comics from the 50s and the 60s, we’d definitely find all sorts of homoeroticism not intended by the writers. Sort of like how this scene here, Hollywood’s first onscreen same sex kiss, from an oscar winning film would have modern audiences rolling and laughing at what they saw as homoeroticism, particularly with the “heinie” comment while audiences from the 20s, if they saw modern reactions would be like, “what are those idiots laughing at”. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-P4e1jtve0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-P4e1jtve0) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/34 "2013-06-11T08:06:26Z")
Mal and Zoe. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/35 "2013-06-11T12:06:55Z")
In Greek mythology, Damon and Pythias are held up as the model for best friends. > **[Damon and Pythias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damon_and_Pythias)** > > The story of Damon (/ˈdeɪmən/; Ancient Greek: Δάμων, gen. Δάμωνος) and Pythias (/ˈpɪθiəs/; Πυθίας > or > Φιντίας; or Phintias, /ˈfɪntiəs/) is a legend in Greek historic writings illustrating the Pythagorean ideal of friendship. Pythias is accused of and charged with plotting against the tyrannical Dionysius I of Syracuse. Pythias is sentenced to death, but requests of Dionysius to first be allowed to settle his affairs. Dionysius agrees, on the condition that Pythias' friend, Damon, be held hostage... > [@](#): > > As told by Aristoxenus, and after him Cicero (De Offic. 3.45), Diodorus Siculus (10.4), and others, around the 4th century BC, Pythias and his friend Damon, both followers of the philosopher Pythagoras, traveled to Syracuse. Pythias was accused of plotting against the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius I. As punishment for this crime, Pythias was sentenced to death. > Accepting his sentence, Pythias asked to be allowed to return home one last time, to settle his affairs and bid his family farewell. Not wanting to be taken for a fool, the king refused, believing that once released, Pythias would flee and never return. > Damon asked the king to take his spot while he went. The king agreed, on the condition that, should Pythias not return when promised, Damon would be put to death in his place. Damon agreed, and Pythias was released. > Dionysius was convinced that Pythias would never return, and as the day Pythias promised to return came and went, Dionysius prepared to execute Damon. But just as the executioner was about to kill Damon, Pythias returned. > Apologizing to his friend for his delay, Pythias told of how pirates had captured his ship on the passage back to Syracuse and thrown him overboard. Dionysius listened to Pythias as he described how he swam to shore and made his way back to Syracuse as quickly as possible, arriving just in time to save his friend. > Dionysius was so pleased and astonished with their friendship that he pardoned them both. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/36 "2013-06-11T12:42:28Z")
Buzz Lightyear & Woody, at least by the end of TS3 Sulley & Mike Wazowski, Monsters, Inc. Johnny Storm & Ben Grimm ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/37 "2013-06-11T13:42:55Z")
Turk and J.D.? They definitely embarrassed themselves for each other. ---
**Author:** ![Corporal\_Nobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Corporal\_Nobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corporal_Nobbs)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/38 "2013-06-11T14:20:33Z")
Captain Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, from a shakey start and a couple of bumps along thier early friendship. They remain, loyal and devoted, both risking life for the friendship. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/39 "2013-06-11T14:44:29Z")
Mr and Mrs Micawber. Colonel Newcome and Clive Newcome. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661/40 "2013-06-11T15:04:05Z")
Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-devoted-fictional-friends/660661.md?page=3)