Sonny Crockett
Sonny Crockett: The Hero as a Warrior
Warrior’s depicted as a heroes has been a theme throughout history, and has transended into modern times. The definition of a warrior has not always be interperted the same, but the guiding principal is that it is a person who is engaged in some type of battle. A hero can be anything from a distinguished warrior to the central figure in an event. To be classified as a hero a person must have loyalty to something that keeps him grounded. Even while engaged in his “battle” the hero must stay true and loyal to his allies and/or creed (Bolton 13). One such fictional character who is classified as a Warrior Hero, is James “Sonny” Crockett. Sonny is a detective from the 1984-1989 TV show Miami Vice. Detective Crockett is engaged in a constant battle against wickedness and evil perpertrated by the crime world of Miami. Sonny, as a hero, exhibits a mastery of working undercover, while not losing touch with reality and remaining true his police creed, “To protect the citizens and uphold the laws of Miami.” Sonny demonstrates this undeniable skill as he progresses through each situation in which he is introduced.
Sonny was born and raised in Florida. He attended the University of Florida, and his early heroic deeds took on the charactertics of an Action Hero. While a member of the football team, his attributes of being a gifted athlete singled him out from his peers and granted him the modern day term of most valuable player, in otherwords a hero to his fans. After graduation he was drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam. This true battle field allowed him to demonstrate his heroic deeds, as a master marksman for the U S Army. He became the protector of his unit, which enabled him to demonstrate further his ability to separate himself from his peers. This early ability to distinguish himself from the group yet remain loyal to the cause helped him transend into a Warrior Hero.
Sonny as an Action Hero, used his natural ability to excel as a catalist to rise above the group. He was selfless in his undertakings as a protector, while at the same time demonstrating his ability to be a dependable leader.The true test of battle allowed him to prove to himself what he was made of, and able to combat against what at that time was considered evil. Sonny as an Action Hero returns as a Florida civilian. He comes back from exile still with the desire to perform his protector deeds. His first step is to join the police force, taking the side of good to conquer evil.
Sonny works with a group (The Miami Vice Squad) of people to help push his agenda. However, he relies on them minimally and his modern day hero characteristics come into fruition by taking on a challenge individually. Lieutenant Martin Castillo is Crockett’s authority figure on the force. He does have a set of rules and guidelines for Crockett to follow. However, while Crockett is part of a force he is not looking to be part of a team. He will look out for the team in anyway he can, but a team player he is not. As shown in “Missing Hours” Crockett will commonly do his duty while having total disregard for his authority just to capitilize on his goal which is almost always apprehending a suspect. Crockett does not give other characters on the force much thought. Besides Castillo, the only other Vice squad member Crockett commonly converses with is his partner Detective Ricardo Tubbs. His conversations with Castillo usually take place because of rank, however he does seems to have a respect for Tubbs that he does not show torwards the rest of the force. When in the high point of a chase or investigation, Crockett is usually alone with Tubbs either behind or uninformed due to his partners impatience. These acts may come across as selfish, but Crockett usually makes abrupt decisions based on what he thinks is good for society. He is selfless and his main concern is making Florida a better place, not himself the best police officer.
Crockett’s career in the police force started as a patrol officer. However, Crockett’s calling is not for the work of an everyday police officer. Crockett’s calling is not to arrest the average criminal. His subconscious urges him for a move to the Vice squad. There Crockett is faced with much more experienced criminals, and is frequently placed in high risk situations. Before Crockett may have only had to worry about an average drug dealer on the street. Now he is tackling the source of the drug deals, but he is also facing a challenge up to his standards.
Crockett’s toughest challenge, is not staying in the middle of the battle field. It is facing the temptation of switching sides. Crockett is in a position where he is presented a wide variety of deals ranging from money to sex. In the episode “ The Cell Within” Crockett is told by a South American drug dealer “You give me a little leeway, and I’ll give you a lot more than you’ll ever have.” Staying true to his calling and his duty Crockett is not swayed. His mind has one agenda. Crockett is determined to impeed and capture what he deems evil. Sonny Crockett’s comes off as hot tempered and ill-mannered. He attributes most of this to his job. He has been married and has a child. In every relationship he cites the fact his job creates too much stress for him to be the dad or husband he would like to be. However, he is not this way because of the criminals he faces. But more for the fact that he is never satisfied. Crockett lives on a boat and when he makes it there after a long day he seldom reflects. He finds himself thinking one step ahead, keeping him hungry for his calling as a warrior.
Works Cited

Campbell, Joseph. The Hero of a Thousand Faces. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1973

Bolton, Lesley. The Everything Classical Mythology Book. Avon, Ma: Adams Media Corporation, 2002

“Missing Hours.” Miami Vice. NBC. 19 Nov. 1987.

“The Cell Within.” Miami Vice. NBC. 10 Mar. 1989.

“Brother’s Keeper.” Miami Vice. NBC. 16 Sep. 1984

“Heart of Darkness.” Miami Vice. NBC. 28 Sep. 1984

“The Afternoon Plane.” Miami Vice. NBC. 20 Feb. 1987

“El Viejo.” Miami Vice. NBC. 7 Nov. 1986