# Who is the smarter, stronger, or more clever character? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516 "2025-04-02T12:54:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/101 "2025-04-03T17:32:31Z")
Rhoda or Sally for laughs; Laura or Lassie Mary for romance. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/102 "2025-04-03T17:41:01Z")
Beetle Bailey vs Gomer Pyle? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/103 "2025-04-03T17:46:12Z")
Gomer, Beetle was very lazy. Gomer at least passed Marine Basic and made it to Corporal. So he had some skills and abilities. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/104 "2025-04-03T17:59:59Z")
Lucifer (Tom Ellis _Lucifer_) vs Lucifer (Mark Pelligrino _Supernatural_). No contest. Supernatural Lucifer would snap the other guy out of existence. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/105 "2025-04-03T19:12:07Z")
Laura is _married_ and unlikely to cheat on Rob. Hang out with Rob and Laura once you’re settled down with Mary, Rhoda or Sally ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/106 "2025-04-03T19:16:38Z")
One of Gomer’s problems was that he was annoyingly hard-working. When Sargeant Carter sent Pyle off on leave, Gomer got himself a short-term civilian job on base ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/107 "2025-04-03T19:22:35Z")
I could take Rob in a fair fight, but Joe’s got a plumber’s grip and street smarts——so Laura’s the safer bet for a little flagrante delicto. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/108 "2025-04-03T19:24:35Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > However Eddie would tear Pugsley to shreds. Unless Pugsley managed to blow Eddie up first. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Fred Flintstone vs Hank Hill, dunno, Fred would win in a strength contest but Hank is smarter. > [@Cervaise](#): > > Captain Picard will patiently and quite persuasively explain why he has the superior moral position. Then find out that Kirk has seduced a critical member of his crew. Kirk would obviously beat Picard in a fight, but Kirk was not so good at diplomacy. > [@dorvann](#): > > I think Detective Robert Goren of _Law & Order: Criminal Intent_ would figure out Adrian Monk’s (of _Monk_) triggers and be able to exploit them to get Monk to crack. Monk would simply say “I want a lawyer” and Gorens tricks would be useless. > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > John Steed and any of his partners would easily outsmart and outfight Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin. In a fist type fight, sure. But not in a gunfight. Holmes & crew vs Wolfe and crew- Holmes genius is certainly on a par with Wolfe, but Sherlock is more physical. However, Watson is there mostly to be amazed at Holmes tricks, while Archies is a good detective all by himself. Then of course- Holmes police force is mostly bumbling incomentets, while even Wolfe amidst that Cramer 'and his army" is better at solving 90% of cases. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/109 "2025-04-03T19:28:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Lucifer (Tom Ellis _Lucifer_) vs Lucifer (Mark Pelligrino _Supernatural_). No contest. Supernatural Lucifer would snap the other guy out of existence. Mention of _Supernatural_ makes me think of a battle between Crowley and Willoughby from _Doom Patrol_. Willoughby could probably pretty handedly beat Crowley while he was still a mere crossroads demon. And either one could beat the Interpol guy from _Leverage_. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/110 "2025-04-03T19:36:21Z")
Christine Chapel from _Star Trek Strange New Worlds_ would beat Christine Chapel from _Star Trek TOS_. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/111 "2025-04-03T19:37:50Z")
Which reminds me [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zKy8CzX4TEU/maxresdefault.jpg "Wilma Flintstone | Red Dwarf | BBC Studios") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKy8CzX4TEU) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/112 "2025-04-03T20:02:52Z")
Agreed. While slightly smaller, Gidget has a very strong core from surfing. Patty might hold her distance briefly with frugging and jerking, but will get choked out in the clinch. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/113 "2025-04-03T22:47:17Z")
Do Madge the Manicurist and Mr. Whipple fight, or do they go out to a bar, get hammered, and wind up back at her place? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/114 "2025-04-03T22:49:05Z")
“So soft, I have to squeeze it” “You’re soaking in it!” Yikes! That will replace the whale in my nightmares ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/115 "2025-04-03T22:54:58Z")
My work here is done. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/116 "2025-04-03T23:01:01Z")
Jonathan (Highway to Heaven) vs. Monica (Touched by an Angel)? Both angels. I’ve seen neither show. Wonder how they’d do in a battle to help people? Or two shows I have seen, Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development) vs. Dottie Wheeler (Bob Hearts Abishola) in terms of who could drink the other under the table? I’m guessing Lucille, but Dottie drank a lot post-stroke and it didn’t seem to bother her. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/117 "2025-04-04T01:47:23Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > Jonathan (Highway to Heaven) vs. Monica (Touched by an Angel)? Both angels. I’ve seen neither show. Wonder how they’d do in a battle to help people? It’s been a long time but I seem to remember that Jonathan had super strength and used it for self defense at times. He also had various super powers as needed by the plot. I don’t know what Monica did. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/118 "2025-04-04T13:36:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Christine Chapel from _Star Trek Strange New Worlds_ would beat Christine Chapel from _Star Trek TOS_. No doubt. In a physical fight _and_ a battle of wits. > [@GargoyleWB](#): > > While slightly smaller, Gidget has a very strong core from surfing. Did Gidget actually surf though, or did she just hang out on the beach watching the guys surf? Haven’t seen the show in a long time. And while we’re on the subject of Sally Field sitcom characters, if I may make a slight hijack, just how did the flying nun fly, anyway? Was it just due to the fact that she had that weird wing-like headcovering, and was so tiny that she could ‘surf’ on the wind like a kite? Or was it some sort of superpower? I know I could just Google it, but I’m embarrassed that the Google search would become part of my permanent record in their vast data banks. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/119 "2025-04-04T13:37:38Z")
The first - she’s very small and the headgear is winglike (arguably she must have very strong neck muscles, too) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516/120 "2025-04-04T13:47:11Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > arguably she must have very strong neck muscles, too And strong bobby pins to hold that headpiece on!! And yes, Gidget did surf. I’m guessing Moondoggie taught her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smarter-stronger-or-more-clever-character/1016516.md?page=7)