Steve Barkin
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| Mr. Steven Barkin | |
|---|---|
 Mr. Steven Barkin |
|
| First appearance | Crush |
| Information | |
| Nickname(s) | Steve Barkin |
| Occupation | Teacher, Middleton High School |
| Portrayed by | Patrick Warburton |
| Created by | Mark McCorkle, Bob Schooley |
Steve Barkin is a fictional character from Disney's animated television series Kim Possible.
Barkin debuted in the series opening episode in June 2002 [1], and was last seen in the season 3 finale[2]. He has reappeared in the 4th season. [3]
Barkin is a teacher at Middleton High School, which is attended by Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. For reasons of sickness or vacation among other staff member Barkin teaches a variety of classes, ranging from gym to home economics, leading to him being dubbed the school's "permanent substitute" by the show's staff.
Unlike most fictional teachers in "high school hero" franchises, Barkin is fully aware of Kim's missions and has, by accident or design, become personally involved in several of them.
He is voiced by Patrick Warburton.
Contents |
[edit] History
Little about Barkin's history, prior to season 1, has so far been revealed. It is known that he attended military school as a child [4] and that he served as a Lieutenant during the Vietnam war (in which role he learned how to cook). [5] It is also known that Barkin has been a teacher in Middleton since at least the time that Kim and Ron were in 9th grade. [6] It is implied that he has been there much longer.
[edit] Personality
Barkin's manner is analogous to a military drill instructor. As such, he is a gruff, no-nonsense character who is quick to anger, and who has little sense of humor. He is typically abrupt and abrasive with students and is a stickler for punctuality and proper decorum. [7][6]
In keeping with his overall character, Barkin has a particular dislike for people who challenge his authority, or who he feels are not giving something their all.
Barkin's personality has brought him into conflict with the show's protagonist on a number of occasions. Primarily, when he believes that Kim's missions or social live is encroaching on her school work, or when he feels that she has not been paying attention. He has also been shown to be particularly harsh with Ron, whose laid back personality conflicts with his own, and has been known to pick him up by the lapels and shake him in frustration. [8]
Despite this, Barkin tries to take a "firm, but fair" approach. He doesn't play favorites in his classes, and will give "Credit where credit's due" regardless of what he thinks of the student at other times. [7] Additionally, while Barkin typically likes to be in charge, he has also been shown to defer to others quickly, and without argument, when he recognizes that their experience outstrips his own. [7]
He has also been shown to have a more gentle side that includes an appreciation of baked goods, and serving as the the den-mother ("Brigadier Pixie") of the local Pixie Scouts chapter (which he ran like a division of the Rangers). [6] In season 2, it was also revealed that he slept with a stuffed teddy-bear. [6]
[edit] Relationship
As a secondary character, Barkin is often portrayed through his student-teacher relationships with the show's protagonists, Kim and Ron.
[edit] Ron Stoppable
[edit] Kim Possible
[edit] Status
Barkin's official status within the school has never been clarified on screen, and remains a point of contention among fans.
Over the course of the series he has taken on a number of roles traditionally associated with a senior faculty member, including setting school policy, leading pep rallies [9], making official announcement over the speaker system and managing disciplinary procedures against students. [8] He also represented the school's faculty during several official cheer squad events,[7][10] and was apparently put in charge of other teachers on school excursions. [11] This led some fans to speculate that Barkin was Middleton's principal. In Season 4, when Kim and Ron get jobs, Kim works at Club Banana and Ron works at Smarty Mart which ironically Barkin does too considering he is a substitute teacher.
In mid season 1 it was revealed that he could not be the school's principal because the principal was female. His status, and the identity of the principal, were not revealed at the same time. [12]
[edit] Mutants
Barkin has a deep personal dislike of mutants, and unfortunately he has been turned into one on several occasions. Firstly by the mad scientist DNAmy; who fused him with Rufus to create a Naked Molerat-man monster, [11] and secondly by Gill; who exposed him to a toxic enzyme that began to turn him into a fish monster. [7]
 A fusion of Mr. Barkin and Rufus [11] |
 Mr. Barkin growing gills [7] |
[edit] Trivia
- In Tick-Tick-Tick and Royal Pain, his hair was blond, but starting with Sink or Swim, it was colored brown for the remainder of the series.
- In the episode Rewriting History, several flashbacks and an old photo of Steve Barkin's great-grandfather, Constable Barkin, are seen. Constable Barkin appears to possess the same gruff, no-nonsense, inflexible personality as his descendant. However, these events were revealed to be a dream sequence so their canon is unknown.
[edit] References
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 1, Crush (7 June 2002)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 63-65, So the Drama (8 April 2005)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 66, Ill-Suited (10 February 2007)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 43, The Truth Hurts (23 April 2004)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 24, Two To Tutor (1 August 2003)
- ^ a b c d e Kim Possible, episode 54, Bonding(22 October 2004)
- ^ a b c d e f Kim Possible, episode 2, Sink or Swim (7 June 2002)
- ^ a b Kim Possible, episode 55, Bad Boy (14 January 2005)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 32, Exchange (7 November 2003)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 37, Return to Camp Wannaweep (16 January 2004)
- ^ a b c Kim Possible, episode 5, Downhill (21 June 2002)
- ^ Kim Possible, episode 15, All the News (1 November 2002)
| Kim Possible | |
| Team Possible: | Kim Possible | Ron Stoppable | Rufus | Wade | Monique |
| Villains: | Dr. Drakken | Shego | Monkey Fist | Duff Killigan | The Seniors | Dementor | DNAmy | Bebes | Gill | Motor Ed | Camille Leon | Adrena Lynn | Warmonga | Zorpox | Other minor villains |
| Family: | Mr. Dr. P. | Mrs. Dr. P. | Jim and Tim | Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable | Joss Possible | Slim Possible | Other family members |
| Supporting: | Bonnie Rockwaller | Steve Barkin | Bobo | Other minor allies | Other supporting characters |
| Locations: | Middleton | Bueno Nacho | Club Banana | Smarty Mart | Camp Wannaweep |
| Other: | Cuddle Buddies |
| Episodes & films: | List of episodes | A Sitch In Time | So The Drama |
| Other Media | |
| Soundtrack | Kim Possible soundtrack |
| Video games: | Revenge of Monkey Fist | Drakken's Demise | Team Possible | Kimmunicator | What's The Switch | Global Gemini |
