The ‘Death by Lightning’ Dudes, Ranked from ‘That Guy’ to ‘My Man!’

Rank: Fuck You, Dude (aka The Bad Doctor)

Signature Attributes:

Completely unearned confidence
Casually racist
Notable lack of facial hair

First Impression

“This man is going to kill the president.”

Lasting Impressions

This man killed the president. Dr. Purvis is a disaster who stays long enough not only to dig his own grave but to climb inside it. From the moment he pushes aside the capable Dr. Charles Purvis, it’s clear he is bad news. He is arrogant, bossy, self-centered, and incompetent at his job.

The most telling sign is his sparse facial hair. In “Death by Lightning,” where hair growth is varied like a Chia Pet shop, this outdated dull character has only a few patchy whiskers under his chin, signaling he’s not the one to revive the fallen leader.

Credit to Željko Ivanek—an Emmy winner for “Damages” and a veteran actor with over 100 credits—who masters balancing the Bad Doctor’s authoritative air with his numerous blunders, nearly making him rank higher.

Author’s summary: A flawed yet compelling figure, Dr. Purvis epitomizes unchecked arrogance and failure, brought to life by Ivanek’s nuanced performance.

IndieWire — 2025-11-09