Beleaguered Assistant: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
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For every [[Defective Detective|bumbling investigator]], [[Idiot Hero|overly idealistic hero]], or [[Big Bad|short-sighted mastermind]], there's an assistant, that one guy who has to do all (or most) of the work, deal with the consequences of his boss' antics, and generally play clean up. As a result of having to deal with his boss' foolishness, this character is continually exasperated, and would probably rather be doing something else. On the bright side they singlehandedly [[Conservation of Competence|keep their side relevant.]]
Expect this kind of character to be a [[Deadpan Snarker]] and/or a master of the [[Face Palm]]. Related to the [[Sassy Secretary]]. Not the same as a [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]], who, despite the fact that they work their butt off for little pay and no credit, is generally pretty happy with the way things are. The '''Beleaguered Assistant''' is not, and would probably have called it quits a long time ago, but stays around either out of a sense of duty, having been assigned to his post by the military or another authority, or because they owe their boss, or someone else, a fairly big favor, or simply out of fear for the repercussions (being labeled a deserter or being jobless).
Some Beleaguered Assistants treat their boss with contempt and rudeness, yet the boss simply ignores them because they are either too stupid to notice or don't care. Alternately, they act as if they are delighted to help, and hate themselves for it.
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* In ''[[Peanuts]]'', Woodstock is occasionally one of these to Snoopy.
* Henchmen in ''[[Nodwick]]'' have this as their stock in life: They're stuck hauling implausibly large amounts of loot and being used as monster bait for various adventurers, but are contractually obliged to stick to their employers to the degree that they're not allowed to pass on to the afterlife as long as there's any chance of them being brought back to life.
** Nodwick himself skirts between this trope and [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]] because he does care for his
* Major Domo from the [[X-Men|various x-books]], beleaguered by his psycho-megalomaniac boss Mojo and his junior, Minor Domo.
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* The lead character in ''[[Blackadder]] The Third'' is a perfect example of this trope.
** Also Captain Darling to General Melchett in ''Blackadder Goes Forth''.
* The title character in ''[[Merlin (TV series)|Merlin]]'' embodies this trope. He runs around doing Arthur's chores, including extremely demeaning ones, while Arthur insults him and throws things at him. When Arthur wants to shirk his royal duties, it's Merlin's job to cover for
* Leo from ''[[Fairly Legal]]''. Not that Kate is incompetent, she just does not stick to schedules very well (she is always late, or haring off to do some other task), leaving him to juggle the various conflicts till some resolution can be reached.
* The [[Taiwanese Series]] ''[[Fated to Love You]]''. Xi Yi never says no, so ends up handling all the menial tasks in her office, plus fetching coffee and lunch, and working into the late night hours doing the work of her other coworkers.
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