Number Two for Brains: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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Number Two (''slang noun'') |
Number Two (''slang noun'') |
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# The right-hand man, [[The Lancer]]/[[The Dragon]], the second-in-command. |
# The right-hand man, [[The Lancer]]/[[The Dragon]], the second-in-command. |
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# Feces. |
# Feces. |
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'''Number Two for Brains''' combines both meanings: the first applies to the position, the second to the skull's contents. |
'''Number Two for Brains''' combines both meanings: the first applies to the position, the second to the skull's contents. |
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In other words, this is when the one who has authority over the others, gets orders from and reports ''directly'' to the boss, and has to keep everything running smoothly is a ''moron''. |
In other words, this is when the one who has authority over the others, gets orders from and reports ''directly'' to the boss, and has to keep everything running smoothly is a ''moron''. |
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Usually [[Played for Laughs]] and a true sign that the guy in charge is truly [[Surrounded by Idiots]]. Compare [[Brains and Brawn]], where the (possibly) stupid sidekick doesn't hold a position of authority. See also [[The Dragon]], [[The Lancer]], [[Number Two]], [[The Igor]], and [[Pointy-Haired Boss]]. May be [[The Starscream]], but is virtually ''never'' [[Dragon-in-Chief]]—unless his boss is even more of a dingbat. Very often falls under [[Dumb Muscle]]. Contrast [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]], which often diametrically inverts this trope by being paired up with an inept boss instead. |
Usually [[Played for Laughs]] and a true sign that the guy in charge is truly [[Surrounded by Idiots]]. Compare [[Brains and Brawn]], where the (possibly) stupid sidekick doesn't hold a position of authority. See also [[The Dragon]], [[The Lancer]], [[Number Two]], [[The Igor]], and [[Pointy-Haired Boss]]. May be [[The Starscream]], but is virtually ''never'' [[Dragon-in-Chief]]—unless his boss is even more of a dingbat. Very often falls under [[Dumb Muscle]]. Contrast [[Hypercompetent Sidekick]], which often diametrically inverts this trope by being paired up with an inept boss instead. |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
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== Film == |
== Film == |
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* Dark Helmet from ''[[Spaceballs]]'' is none too bright. He is also really short. |
* Dark Helmet from ''[[Spaceballs]]'' is none too bright. He is also really short. |
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** Dark Helmet's own Dragon, Colonel Sandurz, is arguably an inversion of this trope, as he seems to often be [[Surrounded by Idiots|the only one with half a brain in the whole Spaceball fleet]]. |
** Dark Helmet's own Dragon, Colonel Sandurz, is arguably an inversion of this trope, as he seems to often be [[Surrounded by Idiots|the only one with half a brain in the whole Spaceball fleet]]. |
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* Kronk in ''[[The Emperor's New Groove|The Emperors New Groove]]''. One of the most lovably stupid lackeys of all time. |
* Kronk in ''[[The Emperor's New Groove|The Emperors New Groove]]''. One of the most lovably stupid lackeys of all time. |
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== Literature == |
== Literature == |
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* Sergeant Colon in ''[[Discworld]]'', in [[Discworld/Guards Guards|Guards! Guards!]]. Maybe not actively stupid, but certainly not bright and on top of things. And a disaster as Captain in ''[[Discworld/The Fifth Elephant|The Fifth Elephant]]''. |
* Sergeant Colon in ''[[Discworld]]'', in [[Discworld/Guards! Guards!|Guards! Guards!]]. Maybe not actively stupid, but certainly not bright and on top of things. And a disaster as Captain in ''[[Discworld/The Fifth Elephant|The Fifth Elephant]]''. |
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== Live Action TV == |
== Live Action TV == |
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* In ''[[Weeds]]'', U-Turn spent a great deal of time chiding his friendly but incompetent underling Marvin, eventually {{spoiler|pushing him over the edge.}} |
* In ''[[Weeds]]'', U-Turn spent a great deal of time chiding his friendly but incompetent underling Marvin, eventually {{spoiler|pushing him over the edge.}} |
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== Radio == |
== Radio == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Characters As Device]] |
[[Category:Characters As Device]] |
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