Do we like Edward Cullen?
A character from Twilight (2008–2012)
Our score: 5 out of 10. A decent soul who has chosen not to hurt anyone, and he'll protect you with his life. He is also intense, controlling and very sure he knows best, so we'd back him with a raised eyebrow.
Edward is a member of the Cullen family, a group of vampires who pass as a foster family in the rainy town of Forks, Washington. He is a 'vegetarian' vampire. He was raised by Carlisle, the family's patriarch, to refuse to treat humans as food. He is also telepathic, super-fast, super-strong and a virtuoso on the piano. The story begins when Bella Swan moves to town and he is both fascinated and tormented by her.
Edward's good side is real. He holds back a lifetime of predatory instinct out of sheer discipline and treats people with old-fashioned courtesy. When danger comes for Bella, he doesn't hesitate. Fans love the devotion, and he is loyal to a fault.
His faults are the other half of the score. He is moody and self-punishing, and he assumes he knows what's best for the person he loves. He watches over Bella in ways that cross a line, and he treats her choices as problems to manage rather than decisions that are hers. He means well, but good intentions only get him so far, which is why he lands in the middle.
In the second story, he decides the kindest thing is to remove himself and his family from Bella's life to keep her safe, without really asking her. It goes badly for everyone, and it shows both how much he cares and how little he trusts her to decide for herself.