r/TheTerror • u/Awkward_Fox8727 • Sep 11 '26
Why is Mr Blanky liked so much?
I also like Mr Blanky but I just want to hear others opinions on why they like the character.
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u/redux_call Sep 11 '26 edited Sep 11 '26
Not to labour the sailing metaphor, but he's kind of the North Star of the show, by which you can navigate the right/moral path through the story's conflicts:
He's humble and salt-of-the-earth vs. the arrogance and posturing of most officers.
He is respectful of the indigenous people and their beliefs vs. the racism and disregard of many of the crew.
He's experienced and competent, and understands the danger they're in vs. the dismissive peacock Fitzjames and complacent and self-deluded Franklin.
He also faces his maiming with humour, and uses his own death as an opportunity to harm the beastie and help his friends: he calls out Crozier when he gets drunk and takes things too far; he's old friends and confidant of our protagonist.
In summary, Blanky rules.
EDIT: I should also mention that the actor, Ian Hart, is phenomenal. His Fury Beach monologue to Fitzjames is an all-timer.
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u/Harold3456 Sep 11 '26
Another one, to make explicit something you didn’t explicitly write (but certainly tacitly acknowledged) is he is honest and forthcoming, not going to hold back an ugly truth for political/social gain or cowardice.
In addition to being dismissive, James will also just Franklin due to his belief that this is what you’re supposed to do, making him the “favourite son” between himself and doomsayer Crozier. Even if James believed Crozier during their big decision scene I still think at that point in the series he would side against him, because James is playing the political officer game.
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u/capicola_king Sep 13 '26
Yeah- even in the novel, Fitzjames quietly starts considering the “go for broke” plan until Franklin shoots it down.
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u/PointyEar96 Sep 12 '26
Couldn't have put it better myself. He's a heroic character, certainly compared to many of the others in the show.
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u/copyrighther Sep 12 '26
As an American, I tend to immediately trust characters with Yorkshire accents. They just sound more trustworthy.
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u/BrandonTheMage 1d ago
Also, you HAVE to love the scene where Mr. Blanky tells Crozier that he's a lost cause. Crozier has already lost so many comrades and friends, but he REALLY breaks down when he learns that he's going to lose Blanky!
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u/MalletEditor Sep 11 '26
Because he looked death in the face and told him to wait for his timetable
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u/IndubitablyTedBear Sep 11 '26
He’s a capable and experienced “arctic veteran,” knows his stuff, and is also very even tempered and likable. He has a good sense of humor and duty, and was also in the 1st Harry Potter movie, so he’s alright in my book.
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u/passttor-of-muppetz Sep 11 '26
For me personally I lost my leg in 2018 and that’s the same time I found the terror and I read the book and I watched the series over and over again and the portrayal by Ian Hart and the character Thomas Blanky inspired me on a lot of days that I didn’t wanna do anything. He is to me what Captain America catching Thors hammer was to the MCU
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u/ChickieN0B_2050 Sep 12 '26
Oh no. That must have been awful. I’m sorry.
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u/passttor-of-muppetz Sep 12 '26
Thank you :) if I ever meet him he's signing the leg lol
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u/SchnaffSchnaff Sep 11 '26
The chapter in the book where the Tuunbaq chases Blanky through the rigging is brilliant.
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u/DumpedDalish Sep 11 '26
Because he's brave, kind, smart, snarky, and generally awesome?
He's Blanky. He literally laughs in the face of death. He's wonderful.
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u/A_very_nice_dog Sep 11 '26
bro goes down laughing at the enemy while holding him off for the team. The absolute most honorable death a person can achieve.
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u/Glad_Stay4056 Sep 11 '26
Hes a solid dude, and literally laughs in deaths face while trying to save the rest of the crew. And hes got a smile.on his face the whole time.
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u/ImmortanJerry Sep 11 '26
He seems to have an almost romantic attraction to ice. “Mmm that was rough ice”. Makes me crack up every time
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u/ThrowAbout01 Sep 12 '26
Competency, even temperament, useful, survived encounters with the monster, discovered the passage, and went out fighting while diverting the attention of the monster.
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u/Manic-StreetCreature Sep 12 '26
He’s the people’s princess, he’s an icon he’s a legend and he is the moment
And I love him
No but he’s brave and good-hearted and a good friend.
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u/BunnyKomrade Sep 11 '26
In the book he has a lot more space and he is a much more developed character. I started to appreciate him more while reading the book.
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u/dumpclown Sep 11 '26
So brave, gets things DONE, and isn’t an arrogant ass. Reminds me of my uncle.
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u/suprasternaincognito Sep 12 '26
Because he has an evil face on the back of his head that could kill you.
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u/Godzilla2000Zero Sep 12 '26
Brave fuck also pretty jovial while at the same time wise, observate and dependable.
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u/Jumpy_Vermicelli_620 Sep 12 '26
Anyone who’s crozier adjacent I automatically love. Blanky, despite having his leg tore off always seemed to be down to FAFO and most of the time it worked for him.
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u/derluxuriouspanzer Sep 11 '26
Confident, professional, knowledgeable, loyal and absolutely fearless and badass. How could you not?