Combat Pragmatist/Live-Action TV: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
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* In a pirate themed episode of ''[[Married With Children (TV)|Married With Children]]'', Captain Courage (Al) and Rubio the Cruel (Steve) are sword fighting for Scarlett's (Peg) freedom, Rubio boasts, "How can you think to beat me? I was taught swordfighting by the finest teachers of the finest schools in Europe!" Courage simply says: "Oh yeah, I learned in the streets!" and [[Groin Attack|knees Rubio in the nads]], winning the battle.
* In a pirate themed episode of ''[[Married... with Children|Married With Children]]'', Captain Courage (Al) and Rubio the Cruel (Steve) are sword fighting for Scarlett's (Peg) freedom, Rubio boasts, "How can you think to beat me? I was taught swordfighting by the finest teachers of the finest schools in Europe!" Courage simply says: "Oh yeah, I learned in the streets!" and [[Groin Attack|knees Rubio in the nads]], winning the battle.
** Bud also applies this trope on a few occasions. When he gets into his first barfight at the nudie bar, a seasoned veteran decides to give the "rookie" a free shot. Bud immediately smashes him over the head with a chair, which makes Al very proud.
** Bud also applies this trope on a few occasions. When he gets into his first barfight at the nudie bar, a seasoned veteran decides to give the "rookie" a free shot. Bud immediately smashes him over the head with a chair, which makes Al very proud.
* Michael Westen in ''[[Burn Notice (TV)|Burn Notice]]''. As he explains in the Season 3 episode, "Friends and Family", "Spies are not trained to fight fair. Spies are trained to win." He always explains via voice-over what he's doing and why he's doing it. For example, in a car chase, he explains that small-caliber weapons can't penetrate the engine block, so it's best to aim for the windshield, or try to ricochet bullets up from the ground, as it's really hard to drive when you've got bullets coming at you ''from under your car''.
* Michael Westen in ''[[Burn Notice]]''. As he explains in the Season 3 episode, "Friends and Family", "Spies are not trained to fight fair. Spies are trained to win." He always explains via voice-over what he's doing and why he's doing it. For example, in a car chase, he explains that small-caliber weapons can't penetrate the engine block, so it's best to aim for the windshield, or try to ricochet bullets up from the ground, as it's really hard to drive when you've got bullets coming at you ''from under your car''.
** He once used a copy of Cat Fancy magazine to beat up some loan shark thugs. In another episode, he teaches self-protection techniques to a kid with a bully problem, including feigning submission and headbutting
** He once used a copy of Cat Fancy magazine to beat up some loan shark thugs. In another episode, he teaches self-protection techniques to a kid with a bully problem, including feigning submission and headbutting
** The other two members of Michael's [[Power Trio]], Sam and Fiona, fit this as well. One episode has Fiona showing that she had no qualms about subduing a thug she was trying to capture with a well-placed beanbag shotgun round to the thug's groin.
** The other two members of Michael's [[Power Trio]], Sam and Fiona, fit this as well. One episode has Fiona showing that she had no qualms about subduing a thug she was trying to capture with a well-placed beanbag shotgun round to the thug's groin.
* Sam from ''[[ICarly (TV)|I Carly]]'' will cheat as much as possible in any combat related event. She ran around with an extra half-dozen blowtubes for her game of paintball assassin with Spencer.
* Sam from ''[[ICarly]]'' will cheat as much as possible in any combat related event. She ran around with an extra half-dozen blowtubes for her game of paintball assassin with Spencer.
** Apparently she's also knocked out a trucker with a jug of milk, according to Carly.
** Apparently she's also knocked out a trucker with a jug of milk, according to Carly.
* Captain Malcolm Reynolds from ''[[Firefly (TV)|Firefly]]'' goes here too. Man cheats in a fight every real chance he gets.
* Captain Malcolm Reynolds from ''[[Firefly]]'' goes here too. Man cheats in a fight every real chance he gets.
** Similarly, the Operative fights dirty too. As Mal himself exclaims, "You shot me in the back!"
** Similarly, the Operative fights dirty too. As Mal himself exclaims, "You shot me in the back!"
*** Notably in this scene from ''[[Serenity (Film)|Serenity]]'' (according to the DVD commentary, it was created as a deliberate subversion of the controversial [[The Dog Shot First|Greedo Shot First]] incident, and was the second of three "Mal shoots an unarmed man" moments just in the film proper).
*** Notably in this scene from ''[[Serenity]]'' (according to the DVD commentary, it was created as a deliberate subversion of the controversial [[The Dog Shot First|Greedo Shot First]] incident, and was the second of three "Mal shoots an unarmed man" moments just in the film proper).
{{quote| '''Operative:''' "I want to resolve this like civilized men. I'm not threatening you... I'm unarmed..."<br />
{{quote| '''Operative:''' "I want to resolve this like civilized men. I'm not threatening you... I'm unarmed..."<br />
'''Mal:''' "[[Genre Savvy|Good]]."<br />
'''Mal:''' "[[Genre Savvy|Good]]."<br />
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*** From the fight in the second episode: "Actually, I just said that so that she could get behind you."
*** From the fight in the second episode: "Actually, I just said that so that she could get behind you."
** I think the fighting philosophy of much of the Firefly crew can be summed up by Jayne's line from the movie that "I'll kill a man in a fair fight... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight."
** I think the fighting philosophy of much of the Firefly crew can be summed up by Jayne's line from the movie that "I'll kill a man in a fair fight... or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight."
* ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'' had a few of these, which is surprising considering that it's high fantasy, and the protagonist is nearly indestructible. Especially when considering how over the top its parent show could be. Probably the best example would be {{spoiler|Lindsey's hand. Lindsey dangles a scroll that Angel desperately needs to save Cordelia over an open fire while goading Angel. So Angel cuts the guy's hand off at the wrist then casually walks over and picks the scroll up}}.
* ''[[Angel]]'' had a few of these, which is surprising considering that it's high fantasy, and the protagonist is nearly indestructible. Especially when considering how over the top its parent show could be. Probably the best example would be {{spoiler|Lindsey's hand. Lindsey dangles a scroll that Angel desperately needs to save Cordelia over an open fire while goading Angel. So Angel cuts the guy's hand off at the wrist then casually walks over and picks the scroll up}}.
** And, lets not forget Russel Winters,{{spoiler|'''Lindsey:''' "So you kicked him out a ''window''."}}
** And, lets not forget Russel Winters,{{spoiler|'''Lindsey:''' "So you kicked him out a ''window''."}}
* Or from [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)|Buffy]]:
* Or from [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Buffy]]:
{{quote| '''Buffy:''' "Don't make me do the chick fight thing."<br />
{{quote| '''Buffy:''' "Don't make me do the chick fight thing."<br />
'''Kendra:''' "[[What the Hell Is That Accent?|Cheek faaaiitt?]]" ''(Buffy digs her nails into Kendra's skin.)'' }}
'''Kendra:''' "[[What the Hell Is That Accent?|Cheek faaaiitt?]]" ''(Buffy digs her nails into Kendra's skin.)'' }}
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** Finlay, in his current [[WWE]] run, is a more recent example. To Finlay, every part of the ring is a weapon, including the ''apron'' (which he utilizes as a net to trap wrestlers trying daring-leap-to-the-outside or baseball-slide maneuvers). And, just in case things start really going south and he needs a real weapon, he always has his shillelagh waiting for him in the corner. And did we mention he's a [[Face]]?
** Finlay, in his current [[WWE]] run, is a more recent example. To Finlay, every part of the ring is a weapon, including the ''apron'' (which he utilizes as a net to trap wrestlers trying daring-leap-to-the-outside or baseball-slide maneuvers). And, just in case things start really going south and he needs a real weapon, he always has his shillelagh waiting for him in the corner. And did we mention he's a [[Face]]?
** And then there's Money in the Bank, a [[Gimmick Matches|Gimmick Match]] whose winner can claim a title shot any time within the next year. It usually gets cashed in right after the current champ has gotten thoroughly beat up by someone else.
** And then there's Money in the Bank, a [[Gimmick Matches|Gimmick Match]] whose winner can claim a title shot any time within the next year. It usually gets cashed in right after the current champ has gotten thoroughly beat up by someone else.
* An episode of ''[[Seinfeld (TV)|Seinfeld]]'' has Jerry and George ask Elaine which of the two would win in a fight. Elaine says George, on the basis that he would fight dirty. George happily admits it, and Jerry happily accepts it. This is confirmed in a later episode where the three of them fight, and George does win.
* An episode of ''[[Seinfeld]]'' has Jerry and George ask Elaine which of the two would win in a fight. Elaine says George, on the basis that he would fight dirty. George happily admits it, and Jerry happily accepts it. This is confirmed in a later episode where the three of them fight, and George does win.
* Starbuck in the re-imagined ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]'', particularly during the episode Scar, wherein Viper pilots are confronted with a deadly, newly-motivated enemy sortie, who utilises all sorts of tricks and decoys.
* Starbuck in the re-imagined ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]'', particularly during the episode Scar, wherein Viper pilots are confronted with a deadly, newly-motivated enemy sortie, who utilises all sorts of tricks and decoys.
{{quote| '''Starbuck:''' 'This isn't dueling pistols at dawn, this is war. You never wanna fight fair. You wanna sneak up behind your enemy, and club 'em over the head. You see, Scar understands that. And so do I. So, that's why I'm gonna kill him.'}}
{{quote| '''Starbuck:''' 'This isn't dueling pistols at dawn, this is war. You never wanna fight fair. You wanna sneak up behind your enemy, and club 'em over the head. You see, Scar understands that. And so do I. So, that's why I'm gonna kill him.'}}
** Of course, the most pragmatic thing Starbuck ends up doing in that fight is {{spoiler|swallowing her pride and luring Scar into an ambush so that someone else can take the kill and get the glory}}.
** Of course, the most pragmatic thing Starbuck ends up doing in that fight is {{spoiler|swallowing her pride and luring Scar into an ambush so that someone else can take the kill and get the glory}}.
** Colonel Tigh took this trope to a much wider field during the occupation of New Caprica. Suicide bombers, random violence -- "I'm on the side of the demons."
** Colonel Tigh took this trope to a much wider field during the occupation of New Caprica. Suicide bombers, random violence -- "I'm on the side of the demons."
* ''[[24 (TV)|24]]'' Jack Bauer especially but also many of his opponents. He'll use sneak attacks and break bones, kick in kneecaps, and shoot to incapacitate or coerce. His fighting style is brutal with little or no flourish.
* ''[[24]]'' Jack Bauer especially but also many of his opponents. He'll use sneak attacks and break bones, kick in kneecaps, and shoot to incapacitate or coerce. His fighting style is brutal with little or no flourish.
** This gets taken to utterly pants-shitting levels at times. Early in Day 6 whilst tied to a chair and being tortured, he waits until the mook has his back turned, and removes the cuff on his EKG from his arm, causing it to flatline. He plays dead while the mook comes over to check on him and then [[I'm a Humanitarian|TAKES A CHOMP]] [[Crazy Awesome|OUT OF]] [[Crosses the Line Twice|THE DUDE'S]] [[Precision F-Strike|FUCKING]] [[Refuge in Audacity|NECK.]]
** This gets taken to utterly pants-shitting levels at times. Early in Day 6 whilst tied to a chair and being tortured, he waits until the mook has his back turned, and removes the cuff on his EKG from his arm, causing it to flatline. He plays dead while the mook comes over to check on him and then [[I'm a Humanitarian|TAKES A CHOMP]] [[Crazy Awesome|OUT OF]] [[Crosses the Line Twice|THE DUDE'S]] [[Precision F-Strike|FUCKING]] [[Refuge in Audacity|NECK.]]
* A producer's write-up on ''[[The Avengers (TV)|The Avengers]]''' John Steed, to guide writers of episodes, specifically stated that "he fights like a cad and uses every dirty trick in the book..."
* A producer's write-up on ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]''' John Steed, to guide writers of episodes, specifically stated that "he fights like a cad and uses every dirty trick in the book..."
* If you take out the wacky sound effect frames and just look at how [[Batman (TV)|Batman]] fights in the 60s TV show, you'll see that he gets fairly brutal. At one point, he rips a lead pipe off a wall and beats a [[Mook]] with it.
* If you take out the wacky sound effect frames and just look at how [[Batman (TV series)|Batman]] fights in the 60s TV show, you'll see that he gets fairly brutal. At one point, he rips a lead pipe off a wall and beats a [[Mook]] with it.
* ''[[Star Trek the Original Series (TV)|Star Trek the Original Series]]'': [[The Kirk|Captain Kirk]], despite fighting dirty whenever possible, is still seen as one of the most honorable men in the galaxy.
* ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek the Original Series]]'': [[The Kirk|Captain Kirk]], despite fighting dirty whenever possible, is still seen as one of the most honorable men in the galaxy.
* Garak from ''[[Star Trek Deep Space Nine (TV)|Star Trek Deep Space Nine]]''. It's best summed up in this exchange.
* Garak from ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Star Trek Deep Space Nine]]''. It's best summed up in this exchange.
{{quote| '''Odo:''' 'You'd shoot a man in the back?'<br />
{{quote| '''Odo:''' 'You'd shoot a man in the back?'<br />
'''Garak:''' 'Well, it's the safest way, isn't it?' }}
'''Garak:''' 'Well, it's the safest way, isn't it?' }}
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** It should be pointed out that, in several instances, one side of the fight or the other actually called foul over the fact that these tactics ''weren't'' factored into the calculations. Most spectacularly was the Ninja Vs Spartan battle; the ninja was hopelessly outmatched in "honorable", head-to-head combat, to which the representative team [[Straw Man Has a Point|quite rightly pointed out]] that the ninja was equipped for stealthy, quick, brutal and surprising attacks after which he would (hopefully) escape.
** It should be pointed out that, in several instances, one side of the fight or the other actually called foul over the fact that these tactics ''weren't'' factored into the calculations. Most spectacularly was the Ninja Vs Spartan battle; the ninja was hopelessly outmatched in "honorable", head-to-head combat, to which the representative team [[Straw Man Has a Point|quite rightly pointed out]] that the ninja was equipped for stealthy, quick, brutal and surprising attacks after which he would (hopefully) escape.
* Methos in ''[[Highlander the Series]]''. If the fight's going against him, Methos is not above feigning helplessness (such as pretending to slip) and then, when his opponent moves in for the kill, drawing a hidden dagger and stabbing him.
* Methos in ''[[Highlander the Series]]''. If the fight's going against him, Methos is not above feigning helplessness (such as pretending to slip) and then, when his opponent moves in for the kill, drawing a hidden dagger and stabbing him.
* In ''[[Malcolm in The Middle]]'' Malcolm, Dewey and Reese teach Craig how to win a fight by any means necessary.
* In ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' Malcolm, Dewey and Reese teach Craig how to win a fight by any means necessary.
{{quote| '''Reese:''' So, once you've taken out his eyes, you can take your time and ''really'' get creative. Personally, I like to leave at least one sense working, so he can tell what's happening to him.}}
{{quote| '''Reese:''' So, once you've taken out his eyes, you can take your time and ''really'' get creative. Personally, I like to leave at least one sense working, so he can tell what's happening to him.}}
* On ''[[The West Wing]],'' campaign consultants Bruno Giannelli and Lou are political equivalents of this, in contrast to most of the other protagonists, who are more principled and idealistic.
* On ''[[The West Wing]],'' campaign consultants Bruno Giannelli and Lou are political equivalents of this, in contrast to most of the other protagonists, who are more principled and idealistic.
* On ''[[Smallville (TV)|Smallville]]'' [[Superman|Clark Kent]] of all people does not believe in a fair fight. His usual strategy boils down to "clock you in the head from behind at 500 miles an hour."
* On ''[[Smallville]]'' [[Superman|Clark Kent]] of all people does not believe in a fair fight. His usual strategy boils down to "clock you in the head from behind at 500 miles an hour."
** [[Dark Action Girl|Tess Mercer]] is just as bad, if not worse.
** [[Dark Action Girl|Tess Mercer]] is just as bad, if not worse.
* Pierce in ''[[Community (TV)|Community]]'' episode [[Community (TV)/Recap/S1 E12 Comparative Religion|Comparative Religion]] claims to be using this to try and help teach Jeff fighting, but ''actually'' he just wanted an excuse to kick Jeff (and Troy) in the shin.
* Pierce in ''[[Community]]'' episode [[Community/Recap/S1 E12 Comparative Religion|Comparative Religion]] claims to be using this to try and help teach Jeff fighting, but ''actually'' he just wanted an excuse to kick Jeff (and Troy) in the shin.
* Gawain in ''[[Camelot (TV)|Camelot]]'' explains the philosophy of pragmatic combat to Arthur and his merry men. It takes them a while to accept the idea.
* Gawain in ''[[Camelot (TV series)|Camelot]]'' explains the philosophy of pragmatic combat to Arthur and his merry men. It takes them a while to accept the idea.
* In ''[[The Office (TV)|The Office]]'' (US), the duel between Michael and Dwight proves the point. While Dwight uses honorable combat and martial arts, he gets easily [[Curb Stomp Battle|defeated]] by Michael's schoolyard bully tactics.
* In ''[[The Office]]'' (US), the duel between Michael and Dwight proves the point. While Dwight uses honorable combat and martial arts, he gets easily [[Curb Stomp Battle|defeated]] by Michael's schoolyard bully tactics.
** Plus there was that ''other'' duel Dwight fought against Andy. Dwight again tried to fight honorably, but Andy opted to use his electric (and therefore silent) car to sneak up on Dwight and pin him against a fence.
** Plus there was that ''other'' duel Dwight fought against Andy. Dwight again tried to fight honorably, but Andy opted to use his electric (and therefore silent) car to sneak up on Dwight and pin him against a fence.
* In an episode of ''[[Legend of the Seeker]],'' Kahlan is kidnapped and kept in a dungeon. She finally escapes after the guards give her a plate of stale bread to eat. She takes the metal plate, folds it in half, creating a sharp corner, and stabs her guards with it. [[Stay in The Kitchen]] does not work on this woman.
* In an episode of ''[[Legend of the Seeker]],'' Kahlan is kidnapped and kept in a dungeon. She finally escapes after the guards give her a plate of stale bread to eat. She takes the metal plate, folds it in half, creating a sharp corner, and stabs her guards with it. [[Stay in the Kitchen]] does not work on this woman.
* Eliot can be like this on ''[[Leverage (TV)|Leverage]]''. Mr. Quinn and Roper are as well, with the former comboing [[Talk to The Fist]] with [[Kick Them While They Are Down]] and the latter deliberately targeting a concussed Eliot in a hall of mirrors.
* Eliot can be like this on ''[[Leverage]]''. Mr. Quinn and Roper are as well, with the former comboing [[Talk to the Fist]] with [[Kick Them While They Are Down]] and the latter deliberately targeting a concussed Eliot in a hall of mirrors.
* ''[[Law and Order Special Victims Unit]]'' In the Season 10 episode, "Crush", Stabler attempts to question an arrogant suspect in a gym in a boxing ring, only for the guy to tell Stabler to wait until he's done. Stabler gets into the ring, and the guy to takes a swing at him. Stabler dodges it and knocks him down, to which the suspect yells that it was a cheap shot, to which Stabler replies, "I though it was a street fight".
* ''[[Law and Order Special Victims Unit]]'' In the Season 10 episode, "Crush", Stabler attempts to question an arrogant suspect in a gym in a boxing ring, only for the guy to tell Stabler to wait until he's done. Stabler gets into the ring, and the guy to takes a swing at him. Stabler dodges it and knocks him down, to which the suspect yells that it was a cheap shot, to which Stabler replies, "I though it was a street fight".
* In ''[[Red Dwarf (TV)|Red Dwarf]]'' Rimmer tries to persuade Lister to be this:
* In ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' Rimmer tries to persuade Lister to be this:
{{quote| '''Rimmer:''' "What are you waiting for? Gloop him."<br />
{{quote| '''Rimmer:''' "What are you waiting for? Gloop him."<br />
'''Lister:''' "I can't. He's not armed."<br />
'''Lister:''' "I can't. He's not armed."<br />
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