"THE SARGE"

ANGELO "ANGIE" DANTE

Sergeant Angelo Dante, engrossed in a conversation of his own, snorted, "Aw, all she is is a snotty, know-it-all teenager!"

RN- Southern Cross

I LIKE ANGIE! He is one of the refreshing characters in all the Novels. He can be a wise ass but more than a trusted brother in arms. He's willing to give his misgivings a reconsideration (this happens). 

He's tough and can kick ass, but he's a big old softy. (i.e "Letters home and Mom's fruitcake" Epigraphs)

He's duty bound, but will break the rules if it means being loyal to his fellow troops and doing the right thing. He does it for his buddies AND CO...and they do it for him.

He's real. Angelo is one of those characters that reminds you of someone you know or knew and always in a positive light. I am glad the guys gave him a good chunk of time in the Robotech Novels.

And he's front and center in EOTC!

But I am getting ahead of myself.

And let me point out a the distinction with Angelo from the animated series (TAS) from this excerpt;

"Why, Angelo, you say the sweetest things," a lively female voice said mockingly. Everyone looked around, startled, to see Dana posed glamorously in the doorway. The brevet pips were gone from her torso harness; she had been promoted from temporary XO-a kind of on-the-job training-to the CO slot, now that Sean was going to be spending some time playing rock-hockey over at the stockade. 

Bowie stood up from the piano with a smile on his face. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Sterling," he said with genuine delight, much as he disliked the military.

Nobody bothered to call attention; the 15th was a casual kind of place under Sean. But there were a few appreciative whistles and murmurs for Dana's pose, and Evans, the supply sergeant, raised a coffee mug to her from his place on a stool at the (currently dry) bar. "A toast! To the cutest second lieutenant in the ATACs!" he said, pronouncing it AY-tacks.

Other voices seconded the sentiment. Dana strolled over toward Angelo Dante with a seductive, swivel-hipped gait. "What's the matter, Angie? Don't think I'm tough enough?" She gave him a languorous smile and kept it there as she gave him a swift kick in the shin.

Angelo was utterly shocked, but he barely let out a grunt; he was a tall, muscular man, well known for his strength and ability to withstand punishment. Dana let the guffaws and catcalls go on for a few seconds as the 15th razzed Angelo for being taken off guard. Angelo rubbed his shin and snarled at her retreating back, but inside he was suddenly reevaluating his opinion of "Miss Cadet," as he had been calling her."

RN - Southern Cross

How it looks in TAS;

UH...NO!

He rubs his shin in both versions but on the show, Angie comes off as buffoonish. And it doesn't work for me.

THANK YOU JACK!

IMAGES: Robotech, TAS, False Start

- John
robotechnovels@gmail.com

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