Sarcastic Devotee: Difference between revisions

The good counterpart to the [[Treacherous Advisor]] and [[The Starscream]].

 

 

According to the theory of [[Dramatica]], two archetypal roles are "Sidekick" and "Skeptic". The Sidekick supports you no matter what, and conveys positive feedback (you can do this, everything's gonna be okay). Conversely, the Skeptic (who may still support you) conveys mostly negative feedback (this'll never work, you've [[Nice Job Breaking It, Hero|screwed it all up]], we're all gonna die)<ref>The Skeptic role is also used in the [[Master Characters]] system, where it's called the [[Master Support Characters|Pessimist]]</ref> and not so strictly balanced against a more positive role. Sometimes this pessimism can batter down and demoralize the hero; at other times, it keeps him grounded, helps him remember the stakes, and even strengthens his resolve for the long journey ahead.<ref>Consider Puddleglum in ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia|The Silver Chair]]</ref>''. The negative commentary may contain useful warnings against mistakes the hero would otherwise make; also, learning to put up with some booing from the home crowd can ensure that the Hero doesn't fold once the [[Big Bad]] starts his little [[Break Them by Talking|mind]] [[Not So Different|games]].

 

 

{{examples}}

* Similarly, evil Mojo's butler and right-hand man, Major Domo, often comments on his very dangerous boss' craziness and [[Fat Bastard|round physique]].

* Captain Haddock often makes sarcastic remarks about ''[[Tintin]]'s'' goody twoshoesness (and the trouble it sometimes gets them into), but will never abandon him.

 

 

{{quote|"Captain, you are an excellent starship commander, but your driving leaves much to be desired."}}

** It would seem unflinching loyalty wrapped in deadpan snark is one of the Vulcans' many hats. T'Pol and Tuvok are both like this as well.

* Spike does this in ''[[Buffy]]'' and ''[[Angel]]''.

* Geoffrey Butler, the butler in ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'', and Florence, the maid on the ''[[The Jeffersons]]''. Both stick with their employers despite hating them and having other options. (Ok, so Geoffrey leaves once, but it was just to make a point.)

* This is Avon from ''[[Blake's 7]]'' to a T - even after Blake disappears.

** Debatable. Avon shows some traits of this, but on numerous occasions he goes beyond sarcasm and into power games, trying to undermine the crew's support for Blake. He also takes the ship away to protect himself more than once, when Blake is counting on him to teleport them to safety.

* ''[[The Inspector Lynley Mysteries]]'': DS Barbara Havers to DI Thomas Lynley. She will [[Undying Loyalty|follow him to the ends of the earth]], [[Deadpan Snarker|snarking]] and poking holes in his case theories all the while.

* ''[[Dark Oracle]]'': Simone is one of these to [[Big Bad Wannabe|Vern]], whom she may or may not have a crush on. No matter how moronic Vern's plans are, Simone sticks by him, mocking him the entire time. She finally leaves when he goes completely overboard and orders her to get lost.

* ''[[Nodwick]]'''s title character, as well as the henchmen in general. Although nominally bound to his party due to his draconian labor union laws, Nodwick does actually care for them (mostly, anyway).

** Piffany, at least. If Artax and Yeagar were to let up on the abuse he probably wouldn't cry [[We Want Our Jerk Back|I want my jerks back]] anytime soon.

** Gil Wulfenbach can be like this at times (especially in regards to his father's employee relations methods compared to his own), and ''he's one of the madmen people sidekick at''.

* Reynardine from ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]''. Textbook example of a reluctant [[Noble Demon]] needling the [[Kid with the Leash]].