It bothers me no end when Kaladin is fit into the 'dark, brooding hero' category. The text itself does it sometimes, from Shallan's/Veil's eyes. Discussion forums also do it. A lot.
But Kaladin is the worst fit for that category, because he is never rude to others to 'protect himself', he doesn't give in to any sort of addiction to 'make himself forget' and though he's not very vocal about his emotions, he makes them clear enough about the people he loves above all, like Syl and Bridge Four. Like everyone in Bridge Four not only knows that he wants to protect them with everything, they also know how much the thought of their group breaking up hurts him. In some ways, Kal's an open book. Not to the lighteyes, maybe, but to his friends (which includes Adolin later on), he satisfies none of the critetria of the dark, brooding hero.
Of course, him being fitted into the trope bothers me so much because I particularly dislike that trope and I love Kaladin Stormblessed to the world's end.
