[Philosophist]

From thewb.com:

Marcus Ride on Jack & Bobby

After guest appearances in 7th Heaven and Grounded For Life, Edwin Hodge returns to The WB in Jack & Bobby as Jack's best friend Marcus Ride, whose natural competitiveness puts his friendship with Jack to the test time and time again.
Born and raised on a military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Hodge moved to New York with his family when he was 3 years old. At age 9, Hodge attended a cattle call for what he thought was an audition for a commercial. Winning over the casting directors with his athletic ability and energy, Hodge was surprised when they announced he was cast in the Tony Award-winning revival of Showboat on Broadway.

Heading out to Los Angeles to continue his acting career, Hodge quickly landed a role in the Showtime film, My Teacher Ate My Homework, for which he received the Young Artist Award. Next up was a role as a young Marvin Gaye in The Marvin Gaye Story. Other television credits include guest appearances on Beyond Belief, Noah Knows Best, Any Day Now and King of Queens. He also had a recurring role on Boston Public for two years, playing a disturbed student who ended up getting convicted of a crime in order to protect his brother.

On the big screen, Hodge was most recently seen in the Dennis Quaid film, The Alamo. Hodge portrayed one of the battle's seven survivors who lived to tell the story. Other movie credits include Big Momma's House, Die Hard With A Vengeance, National Lampoon's Dorm Daze and Debate Club.
Currently living in Los Angeles, Hodge keeps very busy in his downtime. His favorite sports are basketball, rock climbing and bowling. He is also a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys writing in his spare time. Hodge has two siblings.

Birthday: Jan. 26

Hometown: Jacksonville

[QueenBitch]

Wasn't he Matt's friend on 7th Heaven?

[Philosophist]

You know, I think so, but I'm not sure. Because if he was he looks so different. But it does say he was on 7th Heaven, so I'm pretty sure. I'll have to check on IMDB.

I hope we see more of his character. Future Marcus seemed to play a pretty important role, and so I'm sure they'll so his character and explore that more in the present day, too.

[Bee Serious]

We didn't see much of his character in The Pilot, but I'm looking forward to more of him.

[Subject]

Originally posted by Philosophist You know, I think so, but I'm not sure. Because if he was he looks so different. But it does say he was on 7th Heaven, so I'm pretty sure. I'll have to check on IMDB.

If your talking about the character that Matt shared an apartment with then no he wasn't. Those two don't even look alike. I think he was Simon's friend another brother of the "second" church family that they always hung out with. However, I could be wrong there. He could have just been a guest star in a single episode or something.

I hope that they don't pull a Pete on this one. Meaning Pete on Smallville. Rarely do Black actors get the chance to shine. I hope that Edwin receives his chance to shine through as a major palyer and not just a the common black best friend role that we see much too often.

[Philosophist]

Originally posted by Subject I hope that they don't pull a Pete on this one. Meaning Pete on Smallville. Rarely do Black actors get the chance to shine. I hope that Edwin receives his chance to shine through as a major palyer and not just a the common black best friend role that we see much too often.

Lol I was thinking the exact same thing while making this thread. I hate how they make those characters like "side-kicks" and never really show development of them. However, because we know he was important enough to be a part of Bobby's future presidency, I'm sure we'll see some more of him

[Subject]

So far, I am not seeing anything different with Marcus. In fact Pete had more time then that. Then again it is only the third episode. I just hope that he gets more time to expand his character. I mean why even have him in the "offical" cast. As of right now it seems only for show. I gets so little time, he might as well be just a recurring character.

I did like how he knew how to get around the party. That camera idea was classic. I have more about Marcus tonight on the Episode discussion thread.

[Philosophist]

Originally posted by Subject So far, I am not seeing anything different with Marcus. In fact Pete had more time then that. Then again it is only the third episode. I just hope that he gets more time to expand his character. I mean why even have him in the "offical" cast. As of right now it seems only for show. I gets so little time, he might as well be just a recurring character. I did like how he knew how to get around the party. That camera idea was classic. I have more about Marcus tonight on the Episode discussion thread.

Yeah, I know We didn't get a lot of Marcus time but it was a heck of an improvement from the first 2 episodes. It seems like we're seeing more and more of him as the eppies go on, so I hope it'll just keep progressing.

I really liked the scene where Jack and Marcus were talking about the party, and the team. Marcus told Jack that even if he wasn't on the team, and Jack was running, then he would go watch and support him. I think they've got a really great friendship, and it seems the writers are trying to get us to notice that. So hopefully, we'll see more of the friendship, which means we'll see more of Marcus.

And besides, Marcus has had a pretty big part in the future scenes, so I think that's the way they've perfered to start him off. I think they'll eventually start showing younger Marcus more, after they've explained his relationships better by using future Marcus.

[Subject]

Well, we got more of Marcus tonight. We now have some detail about this character. He really loves his family and is willing to throw away his dreams to help them. Of course I know he felt the pressure of everything. I'm liking that we are seeing more of a friendship between him and Jack. He helps Jack and Jack helps him.

So he has a sister.....hmm I wonder if we will ever see her

[smoothaise]

Originally posted by Subject So he has a sister.....hmm I wonder if we will ever see her

I would say ... most likely,

[Philosophist]

Yes, I'm glad we got to see a little more of him. We know that he's smart and caring, and a good friend to Jack. I'm glad we've been seeing more of their friendship, but we've also gotten to see a bit more of just Marcus. Looks like they're finally starting to show some character development and exploration. Yay!

[crazyforcmm]

I'm sort of upset - Marcus had a great episode, then the next two - nothing I hope we get to see more of Marcus soon

[Subject]

I know, we need more so we can really talk about him. You can't really have discussions about someone who is hardly shown.

[Subject]

Future Marcus said something alone the lines of how Jack was better then himself/others. Right now I don't see that. I think that Marcus is equal to Jack.

We now have some deeper understanding of Marcus and it's time we got down to talking about it.

I was very glad that he decided to try and be there for Courtney. She is also his friend. Just because Missy doesn't like her and is dating Jack doesn't make his friendship with Courtney any less. I know those situations. I've been in Marcus' shoes many times. While, I wouldn't have left Courtney there alone. I would have still been very mad/disappointed in her.

With Marcus becoming more involved with the other characters it should lead to more screen time for Edwin. Next week with a teammate of Jack's being gay and this bad thing that happens. Marcus should be shown more. I wonder what his reactions will be to things. hmm.....

[crazyforcmm]

I liked that Marcus realized that Courtney needed a friend and tried to cheer her up and take her out to have a good time. I didn't like how she did her own thing at the party and left him alone when he had been nice to her the whole time.

I really hope that the writers don't build up Marcus' character, then next episode barely acknowledge he's there...