Modern20 does TV

[Vigilance]

Michael Westen (Brainiac 8): HD 8d8+16; HP 52; Init +2; Spd 35 ft; Defense 21, flatfooted 16 (+2 Dex, +3 Int, +6 Class); BAB +6; Atk +7 melee (1d10+1 martial arts), or +8 ranged (2d6+4 Browning Hi-Power); SQ Thinker; AL Sam, Fiona and Mom; SV Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +6, Rec +4; Rep +5; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Background: Criminal
Occupation: Spy: Perks 2 (Disguise, Precision Strike, Security Systems)
Hobby: Firearms
Skills: Academics (Intelligence Analysis) 11 (+14), Athletics 11 (+12), Crime 11 (+14), Engineering 11 (+14), Firearms 11 (+13), Influence 4 (+3), Outdoorsman 11 (+11), Perception 11 (+11), Read/Write Language (Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Russian, Spanish), Speak Language (Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Russian, Spanish), Stealth 11 (+13), Unarmed 11 (+12), Vehicles 11 (+13), Weapons 11 (+12)
Feats: Brains Over Brawn, Career Advancement, Combat Martial Arts, Improved Disarm, Improved Grab, Intelligence Analyst, Master Plan, Scientific Improvisation, Smart Defense, Sneak Attack x2: +2 damage against flat-footed targets, Teamwork (Sam and Fi), Trick
Access/Contacts/Followers: 4 points favors
Wealth: 4
Possessions: Browning Hi-Power, The Charger
Character Disadvantages: Burn Notice: no Wealth bonus from occupation Influence DCs with intelligence and law enforcement agencies increased by +10 (DSR 5), Dependent: Mom (DSR 3), Enemy: The Management (DSR 2)
Background: Just watch the show.
Quote: My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy.

 

[ValhallaGH]

First, cool build and a great character choice to show off what M20 can do.
It's a pretty nice build, with only one issue that really strikes me:

Charisma 8. For Michael Westen. .....
You must be milking the rules to get him the other necessary ability scores, that's the only logical explanation. There's no way that character, as focused as he is on deception, fast-talk, misdirection, and level-headed negotiation, has a lousy 8 charisma. Between his charm, self-confidence, and acting ability I can't see him at less than a 12 Charisma.
I'll grant that he's kind of a jerk and tends to offend anyone that gets close to him. That conflict between his professional goals and his personal interactions is often ham-handed, so I can definitely understand going with a relatively low score and making up with training (i.e. skill ranks and feats). I'd still place him at a 13 or 14.

Otherwise, you've done a great job.
His combat abilities seem spot on, especially combined with the flexibility his feats and skills grant him.
Thinker really lets him compensate for his anemic interaction skills, letting him sell those interactions that really matter. Excellent choice, that.

Overall: Nice.

 

[Vigilance]

I was really torn on the Charisma as well.

Yes, he does a lot of deception but acting is not necessarily the same as Charisma.

In his personal life, he seems completely incapable of getting or staying close to anyone.

Also, I do think he'd have disguise, and needs that perk, but remember that Disguise falls under the Crime skill, which is not even Charisma based.

As for making him a Brainiac, it actually occured to me during the design of Modern20 that many spies would be Brainiacs and I had Michael Westen and McGuyver in mind when I designed Modern20 and made sure to make the Brainiac class (along with Star for the James Bond types) natural fits for espionage agents.

So, I edited the initial post, because the character not having disguise was a big omission.

Got rid of Uncanny Dodge, took Career Advancement and added Disguise as the new perk.

 

[Vigilance]

Detective Frank Pembleton (Star 4): HD 4d8+4; HP 22; Init -1; Spd 30 ft; Defense 12, flatfooted 12 (-1 Dex, +3 Class); BAB +3; Atk +4 melee (1d4+1 pistol whip), or +2 ranged (2d4+2 S&W M10); SQ Friends in High Places; AL Protect and Serve; SV Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +5, Rec +2; Rep +13; Str 10, Dex 8, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 16.
Background: Law Enforcement
Occupation: Police Officer: Perks 5 (Called Shot, Professional Reputation x2, Professional Salary, Stealth- Urban)
Hobby: Academics (Ethics and Religious History)
Skills: Academics (Forensics) 7 (+9), Athletics 4 (+5), Computers 7 (+9), Crime 7 (+9), Firearms 4 (+2), Influence 7 (+23), Leadership 7 (+10), Legal 7 (+9), Perception 7 (+8), Streetwise 7 (+8), Vehicles 4 (+2)
Feats: Career Advancement, Dedicated (Protect and Serve), Defensive Driving, Expert In Your Field (Influence), Fascinate, Loner, Suggestion
Access/Contacts/Followers: 13 points favors (mostly skill contacts in various areas and political contacts in the police department)
Wealth: 15
Possessions: S&W M10
Character Disadvantages: Code: Seeks Justice (DSR 2), Disability: -1 Dexterity based skills after stroke (DSR 1)
Background: Homicide Seasons 1-6
Quote: What you will be privileged to witness will not be an interrogation- but an act of salesmanship. As silver-tongued and thieving as ever moved used cars, floated swampland or bibles. But what I am selling is a long prison term, to a client who has no genuine use for the product.

 

[Vigilance]

Vic Mackey (Tank 6): HD 7d12+28; HP 73; Init +1; Spd 35 ft (30 ft. in armor); Defense 15, flatfooted 14 (+1 Dex, +4 Class); BAB +4; Atk +6 melee (1d4+3 pistol whip), or +6 ranged (2d6+6 Glock 20); SQ Resilience, 6 DR/piercing; AL Family, Strike Team; SV Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +1, Rec +9; Rep +7; Str 14, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 8, Cha 10.
Background: Law Enforcement
Occupation: Police Officer: Perks 2 (Called Shot, Professional Reputation)
Hobby: Crime
Skills: Athletics 6 (+8/+3 in armor), Crime 9 (+10), Firearms 9 (+10), Influence 9 (+15), Legal 9 (+10), Streetwise 9 (+8), Vehicles 6 (+7), Weapons 4 (+6)
Feats: Attack Focus (Glock 20), Defensive Driving, Diesel, Endurance Training, Intimidating Presence, Moonlighting (Mobster), Point Blank Shot, Soldier On, Teamwork (Strike Team)
Access/Contacts/Followers: Carry Concealed Weapon, Local Police Powers, Medium Rank+, Skill Contact: Medicine 10 ranks (from medium rank- police forensics specialist), Supply Contact: LAPD 21 Wealth restricted equipment (from medium rank)
Wealth: 22
Possessions: Glock 20, 45 rounds 10x25 mm ammunition (3 clips), Tactical Vest
Character Disadvantages: Explosive Secret: Killed Terry Crowley (DSR 5)
Background: The Shield Seasons 1-7
Quote: “Good cop, bad cop- I’m a different kind of cop.”