Doctor Strange: Each Main Character’s First and Last Line In The Movie

The magical side of the MCU was introduced with Doctor Strange, the origin story explored how arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange began his journey towards becoming the Sorcerer Supreme. Benedict Cumberbatch made for another worthy hero to add to the MCU roster and there were plenty of memorable supporting characters, both allies and foes.

As with most MCU projects, the characters are what makes Doctor Strange such a fun ride. While some are short-lived appearances, others are just starting their journey in this franchise. In all cases, their first and last lines of dialogue can say a lot about them.

9 Dormammu

“You’ve come to die. Your world is now my world, like all worlds.” – “What do you want?”

When Strange come to the Dark Dimension to bargain with Dormammu, the evil lord shows he has no intention of bargaining and quickly kills Strange. After Strange traps himself and Dormammu in a time loop, Dormammu has no choice but to make a deal with Strange.

The first and last lines show how quickly Strange goes from an insignificant threat to Dormammu to someone Dormammu is defeated by. Dormammu’s powerful confidence quickly disappears and is replaced with reluctant submission.

8 Dr. West

“Organ harvesting. He’s a donor.” – “This isn’t the time for showing off, Strange.”

As Christine is attempting to save one of her critically injured patients, Dr. West has already given up on the patient and is ready to harvest his organs. During a risky surgery, Strange decides to go freehand which West calls out as him being needlessly arrogant.

Both of these lines show the difference between West and Strange as doctors. West is a more practical and grounded man, sometimes to a fault. But his objection to Strange showing off is fair, even if Strange manages to pull it off in the end.

7 Pangborn

“Who are you?” – “Why are you doing this?”

After learning that a man named Pangborn recovered from similarly severe nerve damage, Strange seeks Pangborn out who seems wary of this stranger. During the post-credit scene, Mordo visits Pangborn and takes away his magic.

Pangborn’s first line might suggest that he is half expecting someone to seek him out with questions of his miraculous recovery. This could also lead to his final line as Mordo does eventually come looking for him and fulfills Pangborn’s earlier fear.

6 Wong

“Mr. Strange.” – “We must be ready.”

As Strange continues his training at the Kamar Taj, he is introduced to one of its most dedicated sorcerers, Wong. Following the death of the Ancient One, Wong knows there will be more who will challenge their reality and warns Strange that they’ll need to be ready.

Wong establishes himself as a very serious man with his first line while also showing that Strange will have to work hard to gain his respect. In the end, Wong has seen Strange’s potential and is ready to fight alongside him in the battles to come.

5 Christine

“GWS.” – “A weirder way.”

Christine is introduced at the hospital as she attempts to save a patient who has suffered a gunshot wound. Strange eventually realizes that, despite not being a surgeon, he can still help people in this new way as a sorcerer which Christine acknowledges is a weirder way.

Christine’s first line shows her as a professional and focused doctor concerned with helping people. Her final line is a nice way of helping Strange come to terms with his new role even as she tries to wrap her head around the insanity of it all.

4 Kaecilius

“Hypocrite!” – “What is this?”

After stealing information about the Dark Dimension, Kaecilius and his followers are confronted by the Ancient One who he angrily calls a hypocrite. After making his deal with Dormammu, Strange returns to Earth, and Kaecilius realizes that he has been defeated as he becomes a mindless slave in the Dark Dimension.

Kaecilius’s first line is the first indication that the Ancient One might be a more complicated hero than she seems. His final line is simply his realization that he was wrong all along and he has lost.

3 Mordo

“You’re looking for Kamar Taj?” – “Too many sorcerers.”

Mordo is introduced as he saves Strange from a group of thieves, then helps guide him to the Kamar Taj which Strange has been searching for. After taking Pabgborn’s powers from him, Mordo reveals his new philosophy that there are too many sorcerers and he must eliminate some of them.

His first line shows that Mordo is sympathetic to Strange, perhaps seeming some of himself in Strange. By the end, all of his sympathies are gone and Mordo is on a dark mission that will likely make him Strange’s enemy in the future.

2 The Ancient One

“Master Kaecilius. That ritual will bring you only sorrow.” – “You’d think after all this time I’d be ready. But look at me… stretching one moment out into a thousand, just so I can watch the snow.”

The movie begins with the Ancient One confronting her former pupil Kaecilius and warning him of the path he is embarking on. As her body lies dying on the operating table, the Ancient One’s astral projection goes outside to watch the snowfall and slow time down as she waits to die.

With her first line, the Ancient One shows that she would rather help Kaecilius see the error in his ways rather than fight him. Her final line is a moving moment as this being who has been around for many lifetimes admits she still fears death.

1 Doctor Strange

“Challenge round, Billy.” – “We’ll be ready.”

As he is in the middle of surgery, Strange plays a game with one of his fellow doctors, guessing the names of songs. After defeating Dormammu and Kaecilius, Strange assures Wong that they will be ready for whatever threat comes next.

Strange immediately shows his arrogance as he shows off during a complicated surgery. By the end of the movie, he still has that arrogance as he shows heroic confidence in protecting the universe from whatever might come next.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2032 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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