Perhaps the most striking part of the show is its characters. Set up in a semi-anthological framework, the show introduces us, usually, to a new set of characters for each episode: some benevolent, some silly and irreverent, some deeply disturbed, and still others decidedly evil.
The Main Recurring Cast
The show’s main character and the one that sees the most development is Wirt. He starts the show quite unwilling to take responsibility for his own actions, mistakes, and the reprecussions thereof, as well as those of his younger stepbrother Greg. In my opinion, the show is a coming of age story for the young protagonist.
Greg is Wirt’s little brother. Generally unaware of the peril of the situation, Greg acts as comic relief, as well as the most important reason for Greg to develop a sense of responsibility and maturity throughout the show.
The beast is the show’s big bad. A mysterious malevolent force, the protagonists learn more about the nature of the beast and his goals and motivations as the show progresses through other characters telling ghastly tales about him. For those of you who haven’t seen the show, I think that is all that needs to be said.