Dr. Henry Killinger
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From The Venture Bros. Wiki
| Dr. Henry Killinger | |
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| Silly billy... | |
| 1st appearance: | I Know Why the Caged Bird Kills |
| Voice Artist: | Jackson Publick |
Dr. Henry Killinger is a mysterious figure dressed in a black doctor's uniform and accompanied by a medical bag that he names his "Magic Murder Bag". Killinger's Modus Operandi is to show up out of the sky and use his uncanny organizational skills to help others. His is motivated by a satisfaction from helping others.
The doctor first appeared in I Know Why the Caged Bird Kills to help The Monarch whip the Horde into shape. He was shown to be very insightful and quickly became The Monarch's second in command. By the episode's end he had brought Dr. Girlfriend and The Monarch back together.
In Showdown at Cremation Creek he marries The Monarch and Dr. Girlfriend, wishes them the best of luck, and flees the wedding in order to escape the assault Phantom Limb had organized.
Dr. Killinger also helped Dr. Venture to turn around Venture Industries into a profitable business again, in the episode "The Doctor is Sin"
[edit] References
Killinger is an obvious likeness and reference to the famed Dr. Henry Kissinger, in 2008 aged 85, the Secretary of State and Defense during the Nixon and Ford administrations. A German-Jewish immigrant, Kissinger has been famous for many things, mostly connected to his tenure as Secretary: at one time, as a stand-out intellect and diplomat with a flair of personality; after Watergate, his reputation was greatly helped because he had no involvement and was already known as a man of great intellect and flair; he is famous as a proponent of practical considerations over ideological ones in regard to policy-making, a theory known as Realpolitik; he has been known to date celebrity actresses of the 60s including Marlo Thomas and Shirley MacLaine, quoted as saying "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac"; he is and was despised by the anti-war left for his part in prolonging the Vietnam War, especially after the secret US bombing of Cambodia came to light. Kissinger's policy was defined by facing threats and problems, finding the most expedient ways to dispel or solve them, and then following those courses of action. Kissinger has been accused of war crimes, most notably in a book by Christopher Hitchens, an English expat intellectual journalist with a similarly idiosyncratic history and flamboyant character. For all of the mystery, glamour, and controversy surrounding him, Kissinger's public image cuts a relatively good figure through the Nixon-era crowd, particularly because most people find him smart and likeable, especially people who have been politically aware since before the Watergate scandal -- even people who were at that time part of the left. He has been known to advise other presidents on foreign policy, and in regard to the war in Iraq, has said that "victory over the insurgency is the only meaningful exit strategy." For a variety of reasons, including his associations with 60s authority and his vague reputation as a kind of dark, indestructible, likeable, and mysterious genius, Kissinger is a very clever choice for Killinger's groundwork.
Other inspiration seems to be taken from Mary Poppins, including his carpet bag and umbrella as well as his ability to bring everybody together.
Dr. Henry Killinger is also looked at as the devil also from the episode "The Doctor is Sin" he interprets acts of the Bible and acts as the devil in these metaphors. His strange and awesome powers prove to be beyond any one others powers in this show. (Just an opinion from me but it seems to be quite obvious)
