He’s That Guy. If you’ve read my book you know I have great respect for “That Guy”. And you’ll know I believe we can all be “That Guy” in our lives and in the characters we create. It’s a wonderful hero trope.
But who specifically is McClane?
He’s loyal. When Holly relocates to Los Angeles he doesn’t dump her and move on. He’s also stubborn. When Holly relocates he doesn’t move with her. He has a job that is his identity, something he won’t leave behind.
He likes being a cop and believes in it. He’s a law and order guy. Rules.
He has a sort of world-weary pessimism. He’s an Energizer bunny who won’t quit. These are very Six, but isn’t McClane a Body Type? Action hero does action things, like tie himself to a fire hose and jump off the roof. Is he a Nine living in his weakness trait?
Wait, think. If you think you’re looking at a Six but they have a more physical approach to the world, you’re probably actually seeing a One. Bruce Willis doesn’t have a One’s lean, wiry appearance, so he’s tricked me into guessing other numbers. How wonderfully fascinating, though! A One.
It’s the Energizer bunny clue that gives it away. His One wit takes a darker turn — “Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs” — but it’s there. This was a good discovery. I’m surprised!