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Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist (view source)

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The Inspector must be sympathetic, unlike the [[Inspector Javert]]. He's doing exactly what he should be doing, and even doing it fairly well, but never quite as well as the protagonist is doing ''his'' job. As a series goes on, chances are he'll develop a great deal of [[Worthy Opponent|respect]] for his quarry, and may be quite prone to [[Enemy Mine|teaming up]] with the protagonist. He also does not chase [[Wrongly Accused]] criminals. Don't try to fake being a victim of his target; the Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist ''knows'' his quarry, and can often tell right off "That's not his style." Likewise, he can often figure out pretty quickly if an innocent target is being framed by his archnemesis.
 
This sympathy can be played for laughs, and [[Butt Monkey|humiliated left and right]] by the hero. Thus, this character runs a risk of becoming a joke among fans (or even [[Inspector Oblivious|in-series]]) if he never has any on-screen successes, especially if [[Flanderization]] sets in. A common way of preventing this is to have the character be a [[Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass]] against lesser crooks, thus racking up an impressive career record of arrests even if it is primarily cleaning up after his main quarry has defeated them. More likely to be [[Lawful Good]] than [[Inspector Javert]]. Many times, it is also revealed that he is VERY good at his job... but that his elusive quarry [[Overshadowed By Awesome|is SO good as to make him look foolish]]. Spotlight episodes might even prove him to be [[The Chessmaster|quite formidable]]. The protagonist himself may even praise him, and usually enjoys getting chased.
 
This character is also always considered an important one in the series, even if he is secondary to the protagonist: the series would just not be as interesting without a foil for the hero. Expect him to have a few episodes dedicated exclusively to him, like showing his point of view for an entire episode or showing his life outside chasing his prey. Can easily become an [[Ensemble Darkhorse]] if he's likable enough (which he usually is).
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Simple inspector identification test: if it would be unjust for the inspector to actually arrest the hero, but the inspector doesn't know or doesn't agree, he is [[Inspector Javert]]. If he does know it, he's [[Jerkass|just a jerk]]. If it would be just to arrest the hero (a [[Gentleman Thief]] is still a lawbreaker) but it never seems to happen or stick, despite him being good at his job, it's Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist. If the protagonist is a detective who usually out-sleuths him, he's [[Inspector Lestrade]].
 
{{examples|Examples:}}
 
== Advertising ==
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== Literature ==
* The original [[ArseneArsène Lupin]] had Ganimard, the original Zenigata. Lupin himself admits that even though Ganimard doesn't have his or Holmes's intellect, he made up on pure tenacity and determination. Not that Lupin ever had any qualms on making him look like a fool though. Notable for being the first one ever to arrest Lupin.
* In the Moist von Lipwig POV [[Discworld]] novels, Vimes is this, though an unusual case as those who've read the whole series will be familiar with him as a protagonist.
** Although Vimes isn't out to catch Moist in particular. He doesn't like him, but he doesn't like anyone very much.
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== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* The various Army commanders (of which there were five or six) who pursued the ''[[The A-Team (TV)|The A-Team]]'' flip-flopped between this and [[Inspector Javert]] depending on the script & characterizations.
** [[Colonel Badass|Colonel Decker]] managed to embody both tropes, being a [[Well -Intentioned Extremist]].
* Paul Ballard on ''[[Dollhouse]]'' spends most of the first season trying to uncover the titular operation.
** Many would consider him the true protagonist of the show, apart from Echo who is a victim he is trying to save.
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* Agent Li in ''[[The Zeta Project (Animation)|The Zeta Project]]'', which frequently brings her into conflict with her boss, [[Inspector Javert|Agent Bennett]]. Eventually, {{spoiler|she seeks reassignment due to her belief that Zeta is not a threat to anyone.}}
* [[Fat Bastard|Rancid]] [[Fat Idiot|Rabbit]] from [[Cat Dog]].
* [[Stupid Boss|Principal Pixiefrog]] from ''[[My Gym PartnersPartner's a Monkey (Animation)|My Gym Partners a Monkey]]''.
* Mr. Wilter and Principal Stringet from ''[[Chalk Zone]]''.
* Ranger Stu from ''[[Squirrel Boy]]''.
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