While riding on the train this morning, I counted three women of varying ages completely engrossed in reading “Twilight”, and it occurred to me that the villain of novels past has become the hero. Not so long ago (I refuse to date myself here), vampires were loathsome creatures we cowered at the sight of, pirates were swarthy brigands, and the hero was always the guy in the white hat who vanquished said vampires and pirates. When did the lines blur? Did I miss the news flash announcing that the hero could now be the bad guy? That he could be more than a little rough around the edges and not be one-hundred percent squeaky clean. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a villain who looks like Johnny Depp, Robert Pattison, or even Hugh Jackman. You might think that I am complaining, but au contraire! For years (again, I refuse to date myself) I have endured mockery for rooting for the sidekick who never got the girl even when he really deserved to, for the tragic figure of the misunderstood ruffian. Now, I can finally hold my head up and say to all who laughed at me – I told you so!