Stephen King’s newStranger Things-like TV show has an even better Jim Hopper stand-in, with plenty of differences that make him unique. Thecast ofStranger Thingsincludes a plethora of interesting characters who all contribute to the show’s atmosphere in various ways. One of these isJim Hopper, the initially aloof Sheriff of Hawkins, Indiana.
As the series progresses, he evolves from an initially dismissive authority figure to a core member of the team.He’s also the first to investigate Hawkins Lab, believing they’re covering up Will’s disappearance. While he’ll be a core part ofStranger Thingsseason 5, a newer TV show has a character that echoes many of his season 1 sentiments.
Tim Jamieson Is The Institute’s Answer To Jim Hopper
His Character Arc Is Very Similar To The Stranger Things Hero
The Instituteis an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2019 novel of the same name. The story focuses on Luke Ellis, a teenager with telekinesis, trying to escape the titular building after he and other powerful children are kidnapped. One ofThe Institute’s major charactersisTim Jamieson, a former police officer who arrives in the town next to the facility.
Tim has a similar role to Hopper inStranger Things. Much like how Hopper begins investigating Hawkins Lab,Tim is destined to start looking into the Instituteat some point in the future. Both storylines land each character into a conflict much bigger than they’re prepared for, somethingThe Instituteis still building toward.
The pair also have tragic pasts, both haunted by death. For Hopper, this was his daughter, Sara, dying of cancer when she was young, his grief making him isolated and jaded. Meanwhile,Tim is putting his life back together after killing a young manwho was going to commit a mass shooting while drinking off duty, costing him his job.
How Tim & Hopper Are Very Different Characters
Their Initial Similarities Are Contrasted By Their Attitudes
Despite having similar motives and pasts, though,Hopper and Tim are very different from one another. As seen inThe Institute’s episodes, Tim is a very level-headed man who does whatever it takes to help others. When a convenience store owner he befriended was shot, he did everything in his power to save him while giving another officer credit.
Hopper, on the other hand, doesn’t care much for his job whenStranger Thingsbegins. He’s more brash in his approach to others and doesn’t care much for anyone else until later into the series. Because of this, his investigation is also less tactful. This could meanTim’s approach inThe Institutewill be more careful, exemplifying their differences.
New episodes ofThe Institutearrive Sundays on MGM+;Stranger Thingsseason 5 begins Wednesday, November 26 on Netflix.
