Best: Sidekicks, From Mr. Spock to Waylon Smithers

Samwise Gamgee
description Strengths He’s willing to follow Master Frodo into ridiculous dangers, carrying the supplies — and sometimes Frodo.
Weaknesses Sad devotion to cooking gear and Bill the pony compromise mission.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Mr. Spock
description Strengths The perfect wingman, he never Spock-blocks the randy captain. Handy nerve pinch keeps the peace.
Weaknesses Potentially fatal Vulcan mating rage flares up every seven years.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Robin
description Strengths Technicolor costume makes him an easier target than the Dark Knight. And he’s replaceable: Bruce Wayne has run through a series of Boy (and Girl) Wonders.
Weaknesses See "Strengths."
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Chewbacca
description Strengths Size, muscle, mechanical aptitude, and supreme navigational skills.
Weaknesses Lacks pants and is largely incoherent. Also, Chewie is indirectly responsible for that 1978 holiday special.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Lucasfilm
Dana Scully
description Strengths With her MD and her FBI training, Scully should have been the lead.
Weaknesses When your partner must constantly explain that you’re dealing with the paranormal, you’re the sidekick.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Waylon Smithers
description Strengths Smithers isn’t just loyal to his boss, he wants to jump him. So jobs like moistening Burns’ eyeballs are no biggie.
Weaknesses Maintaining his collection of Malibu Stacy dolls is a major time-suck.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Fox
K.I.T.T.
description Strengths The Hoff’s trusty steed has a 50-foot vertical leap and can simulate a growl to scare away tire-sniffing pooches.
Weaknesses All that chatting while driving is bound to end in an accident.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Willow Rosenberg
description Strengths Buffy’s BFF grows in value: She starts out as an ace researcher but evolves into a powerful witch.
Weaknesses Too much magic triggers her veiny alter ego, Dark Willow.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett
Beaker
description Strengths Super-regenerative powers enable him to survive all of Dr. Honeydew’s experiments, from deflation to explosion.
Weaknesses Meep-meep is the extent of his vocabulary.
Illustration: Florencio Zavala; Image: Everett