The Face: Difference between revisions
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* [[Team Dad]] |
* [[Team Dad]] |
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* [[Plucky Comic Relief]] if they're more than just a [[Butt Monkey]]. |
* [[Plucky Comic Relief]] if they're more than just a [[Butt Monkey]]. |
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* [[The Social Expert]] which is the most likely of this list exploit their social skills for [[Lawful Neutral|their own]] [[Chaotic Neutral|purpose |
* [[The Social Expert]] which is the most likely of this list exploit their social skills for [[Lawful Neutral|their own]] [[Chaotic Neutral|purpose]]. |
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This trope has two core qualities: social skills and contrast to the rest of the group. They're the only girl, the old person, the civilian, etc. |
This trope has two core qualities: social skills and contrast to the rest of the group. They're the only girl, the only old person, the only civilian, etc. |
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Not to be confused with [[Face]]. Also not [[The Face of the Band]], though the roles can overlap. The name comes from the tradition of [[Dungeons and Dragons]] where a character in a [[Player Party]] would be the face of the group: they have stats and skills sets based on talking and resolving conflicts without fighting. |
Not to be confused with [[Face]]. Also not [[The Face of the Band]], though the roles can overlap. The name comes from the tradition of [[Dungeons and Dragons]] where a character in a [[Player Party]] would be the face of the group: they have stats and skills sets based on talking and resolving conflicts without fighting. |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
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== Anime |
== [[Anime and Manga]] == |
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* ''[[Baccano]]'': Luck does most of the talking and business for the Gandor family. His friendship with Firo is also the reason the Gandors have a good relationship with the Martillo Family. His brothers are either too quiet or too aggressive for such a responsibility. |
* ''[[Baccano]]'': Luck does most of the talking and business for the Gandor family. His friendship with Firo is also the reason the Gandors have a good relationship with the Martillo Family. His brothers are either too quiet or too aggressive for such a responsibility. |
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* ''[[Crest of the Stars]]'' deconstructs this trope with how Jinto feels about being forced into this role. Because he seems to get along with everyone (perhaps because he wasn't born into Abh society like everyone else) he has to act as a go-between both inside the Basroil's crew and with other soldiers. This means shouldering everyone's emotional baggage and translating for the one receiving the message. |
* ''[[Crest of the Stars]]'' deconstructs this trope with how Jinto feels about being forced into this role. Because he seems to get along with everyone (perhaps because he wasn't born into Abh society like everyone else) he has to act as a go-between both inside the Basroil's crew and with other soldiers. This means shouldering everyone's emotional baggage and translating for the one receiving the message. |
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* ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]'': Jinpei, the only child on the team, certainly has a way with other children. The series may in fact be the [[Trope Codifier]] for the [[Five-Man Band]]. |
* ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]'': Jinpei, the only child on the team, certainly has a way with other children. The series may in fact be the [[Trope Codifier]] for the [[Five-Man Band]]. |
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== |
== [[Comics]] == |
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* ''[[Archie Comics]]'': Veronica Lodge |
* ''[[Archie Comics]]'': Veronica Lodge is [[The Chick]] and her skills are mostly social instead of practical, but she contributes by being the only one with unlimited wealth and resources. |
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== Film == |
== [[Film]] == |
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* ''[[The Black Cauldron]]'': Eliowny, as a princess, contrasts the guys of the group and talks reason into the big headed [[The Hero]]. |
* ''[[The Black Cauldron]]'': Eliowny, as a princess, contrasts the guys of the group and talks reason into the big headed [[The Hero]]. |
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* ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'': Parodied like [[Affectionate Parody|everything else in the movie.]] The fact that |
* ''[[Galaxy Quest]]'': Parodied like [[Affectionate Parody|everything else in the movie.]] The fact that Gwen has no technical specialty is lampshaded: Her 'social skills' amount to "repeating everything the computer says." |
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* ''[[Ghostbusters]]'': Janine is the receptionist for the four |
* ''[[Ghostbusters]]'': Janine is the receptionist for the four-man organization; a notably interpersonal role. One scene in the first movie has her trying to convince a customer of their professionalism. |
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* ''[[Mystery Men]]'' has three versions: |
* ''[[Mystery Men]]'' has three versions: |
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** The Bowler is [[The Chick]] as the sole female of the group and joins to be part of a team. |
** The Bowler is [[The Chick]] as the sole female of the group and joins to be part of a team. |
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== Literature == |
== Literature == |
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* ''[[Animorphs]]'': Neither fighting nor scouting etc are Cassie's specialty. She's the moral center and arguably the most traditionally feminine since Rachel is a [[Blood Knight]]. |
* ''[[Animorphs]]'': Neither fighting nor scouting etc are Cassie's specialty. She's the moral center and arguably the most traditionally feminine since Rachel is a [[Blood Knight]]. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Haruhi herself. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Discworld/Going Postal|Going Postal]]'': Moist for the Post Office staff. It's what Vetinari hired him for. Stanley's considered weird ''[[Even Nerds Have Standards|even by other pin collectors]]'', and Groat is... rather eccentric. Moist, however, [[Boxed Crook|is a con man]], so he knows how to sell an idea. |
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* Sir Dinadin from [[Camelot]]'s Round Table. He doesn't like fighting and thinks [[Courtly Love]] is a waste of time. The other things he's noted for is [[Plucky Comic Relief|good humor]] and being more sociable than his fellows: he's the only one that can recognize all of them by their face in addition to their shield crest. This ability is naturally helpful for knights who otherwise might not recognize their own king. |
* Sir Dinadin from [[Camelot]]'s Round Table. He doesn't like fighting and thinks [[Courtly Love]] is a waste of time. The other things he's noted for is [[Plucky Comic Relief|good humor]] and being more sociable than his fellows: he's the only one that can recognize all of them by their face in addition to their shield crest. This ability is naturally helpful for knights who otherwise might not recognize their own king. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Discworld/Going Postal|Going Postal]]'': Moist for the Post Office staff. It's what Vetinari hired him for. Stanley's considered weird ''[[Even Nerds Have Standards|even by other pin collectors]]'', and Groat is... rather eccentric. Moist, however, [[Boxed Crook|is a con man]], so he knows how to sell an idea. |
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* Dolores Umbridge exploited this trope in [[Harry Potter (Franchise)/Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix|Harry Potter]] She doesn't want Hogwarts students trained in offensive magic so she fills the Defense Against the Dark Arts class with lessons like 'negiotation' and 'non-retaliation' on the premise that these skills are just as important for future Auror teams as curses and counter-curses. |
* Dolores Umbridge exploited this trope in [[Harry Potter (Franchise)/Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix|Harry Potter]] She doesn't want Hogwarts students trained in offensive magic so she fills the Defense Against the Dark Arts class with lessons like 'negiotation' and 'non-retaliation' on the premise that these skills are just as important for future Auror teams as curses and counter-curses. |
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** Note that while this might not sound like a bad idea, the fact that she is imposing these restrictions while a wizarding civil war is brewing in the background (plus the fact that she is personally a [[Complete Monster]] for various reasons,) make it clear that, in this case, being [[The Face]] is less useful than knowing how to defend yourself from homicidal lunatics. |
** Note that while this might not sound like a bad idea, the fact that she is imposing these restrictions while a wizarding civil war is brewing in the background (plus the fact that she is personally a [[Complete Monster]] for various reasons,) make it clear that, in this case, being [[The Face]] is less useful than knowing how to defend yourself from homicidal lunatics. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Haruhi Suzumiya]]'': Haruhi herself. She's always out to promote the SOS Brigade and Kyon notes that she 'knows how to get answers' peacefully from the apartment keeper during the investigation of Asakura's disappearance. Though in practice the trope is inverted as she steams-rolls people with either blackmail or [[Genki Girl|her personality]]... if she's not outright ignoring them. |
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* Xuanzang of [[Journey to the West]] does all the talking with [[Muggles]] etc because he is a courteous monk and his companions are scary-looking (and in Wukong's case, very rude) demons. |
* Xuanzang of [[Journey to the West]] does all the talking with [[Muggles]] etc because he is a courteous monk and his companions are scary-looking (and in Wukong's case, very rude) demons. |
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== [[Live Action TV]] == |
== [[Live Action TV]] == |
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⚫ | * ''[[Angel]]'' has Cordelia play this role for Team Angel. She's the secertary for Angel's detective biz but she can't even use the phone properly. On the other hand, she's the only link to the [[The Powers That Be|people he really needs to be in touch with]]. She's also [[The Chick]] and [[The Heart]]. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog]]'': Deirdre is the only female of five knights, and also the only one to regularly do more than fight. When making alliances who is the local head man going to listen to: The thief, the druid apprentice, the princes from the Land of Never-Heard-Of-It, or the local princess? |
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⚫ | * ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': Xander is [[The Heart]] and lacks the supernatural powers of his teammates, but is best friends with Buffy and Willow to the end. His storylines tends to revolve around interpersonal relationships, and, as the most consistent of the Scooby Gang, he interacts with everyone. |
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* Inara from ''[[Firefly]]''. Officially, her role on the ship is to use her social contacts to "open doors that would otherwise be closed" to a group like Captain Mal and the crew. |
* Inara from ''[[Firefly]]''. Officially, her role on the ship is to use her social contacts to "open doors that would otherwise be closed" to a group like Captain Mal and the crew. |
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** Also Jayne, but in a different way. His official job title on the ship is "Public Relations" and considering the ''Serenity's'' relations with the public this usually means hurting people. |
** Also Jayne, but in a different way. His official job title on the ship is "Public Relations" and considering the ''Serenity's'' relations with the public this usually means hurting people. |
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* Dennis from ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' is this, relative to the rest of the group. He frequently proves himself to be the only member of the group who can function in certain social situations, though he is hardly a social person. |
* Dennis from ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' is this, relative to the rest of the group. He frequently proves himself to be the only member of the group who can function in certain social situations, though he is hardly a social person. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'': Xander is [[The Heart]] and lacks the supernatural powers of his teammates, but is best friends with Buffy and Willow to the end. His storylines tends to revolve around interpersonal relationships, and, as the most consistent of the Scooby Gang, he interacts with everyone. |
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* In the game world of [[Level Up (TV series)|Level Up]] Never Fail lets Wyat do all the talking with other players because he's [[The Charmer]]. In the real world, however, he's [[Adorkable]] and Lyle's the one with school-wide friends. |
* In the game world of [[Level Up (TV series)|Level Up]] Never Fail lets Wyat do all the talking with other players because he's [[The Charmer]]. In the real world, however, he's [[Adorkable]] and Lyle's the one with school-wide friends. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Angel]]'' has Cordelia play this role for Team Angel. She's the secertary for Angel's detective biz but she can't even use the phone properly. On the other hand, she's the only link to the [[The Powers That Be|people he really needs to be in touch with]]. She's also [[The Chick]] and [[The Heart]]. |
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* Sophie, the grifter from ''[[Leverage]]''. She stands out as the stable and emotionally competent one of the group (though she does have her own issues), and her job goes beyond manipulation and grifting. She's usually the one next to Nate talking to the clients, and she's the one reassuring them, not just asking for the facts. When she leaves, each member of the team separately calls her for advice, either on how to deal with the con, or on personal issues. |
* Sophie, the grifter from ''[[Leverage]]''. She stands out as the stable and emotionally competent one of the group (though she does have her own issues), and her job goes beyond manipulation and grifting. She's usually the one next to Nate talking to the clients, and she's the one reassuring them, not just asking for the facts. When she leaves, each member of the team separately calls her for advice, either on how to deal with the con, or on personal issues. |
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{{quote| "We trust Nate to run the con. We trust you to keep us safe."}} |
{{quote| "We trust Nate to run the con. We trust you to keep us safe."}} |
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⚫ | * ''[[Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog]]'': Deirdre is the only female of five knights, and also the only one to regularly do more than fight. When making alliances who is the local head man going to listen to: The thief, the druid apprentice, the princes from the Land of Never-Heard-Of-It, or the local princess? |
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* Carl is the liason of [[Special Unit 2]] to the link underworld. He's not personable or friendly to say the least but he does have useful connections and considering other links want nothing to do with [[SU 2]] he's a step up. |
* Carl is the liason of [[Special Unit 2]] to the link underworld. He's not personable or friendly to say the least but he does have useful connections and considering other links want nothing to do with [[SU 2]] he's a step up. |
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== Tabletop Games == |
== Tabletop Games == |
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* In ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' |
* In ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' (and by extension, all other [[RPG]]s), this character role is known as The Face. Also called "the party face". This is the character that handles the public relations for the party. They have skills in Diplomacy and/or Bluff, and only rarely in Sense Motive/Insight. Traditionally, bards, rogues, or paladins fit well in this role. |
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⚫ | * In the ''[[BattleTech]]'' RPG one of the pre-made character archetypes is called the Faceman, basically a mix between a public relations manager and a lawyer, who works for a mercenary company. While he is next to useless in any fight it is mentioned that merc commands that don't have one of these guys usually go under within a year, often before seeing a single battle, thanks to legal, bureaucratic and monetary issues. |
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⚫ | ** The [[Proud Warrior Race Guy|Clans']] merchant caste generally plays this role for the Clans who are willing to deal with the Inner Sphere. Merchants still see the Spheroids as destructive primitives but are able put this aside and hide their feelings during negotiations, unlike the other castes (''especially'' the [[Smug Super|warriors]]), to score a good deal. |
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* ''[[Shadowrun]]''. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Call of Cthulhu]]''. The Field Manual of the Theron Marks Society (in the supplement Terror from the Stars) recommended having one of the [[PCs]] be a Communication Specialist - a charismatic character who is a good talker. They would have a high Appearance and high percentages in the skills Bargain, Credit Rating, Fast Talk and Persuade. |
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* ''[[Earthdawn]]''. Having a high Charisma is essential for each of the following. |
* ''[[Earthdawn]]''. Having a high Charisma is essential for each of the following. |
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** The Troubador Discipline was good for this, with Talents like First Impression, Lasting Impression and Haggle. |
** The Troubador Discipline was good for this, with Talents like First Impression, Lasting Impression and Haggle. |
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** Characters with other Disciplines can fill this role by choosing General Skills such as Acting, Bribery, Conversation, Engaging Banter, Etiquette, Fence, Flirting, Seduction, Streetwise and Trading. |
** Characters with other Disciplines can fill this role by choosing General Skills such as Acting, Bribery, Conversation, Engaging Banter, Etiquette, Fence, Flirting, Seduction, Streetwise and Trading. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Call of Cthulhu]]''. The Field Manual of the Theron Marks Society (in the supplement Terror from the Stars) recommended having one of the [[PCs]] be a Communication Specialist - a charismatic character who is a good talker. They would have a high Appearance and high percentages in the skills Bargain, Credit Rating, Fast Talk and Persuade. |
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* In ''[[Legend of the Five Rings]]'' Courtiers are explicitly designed to play this role, as even though most [[PCs]] should have basic social skills to survive Rokugan's complicated system of etiquette and conversation, it helps to have someone who can recruit allies and deal with gossip and slander. In a pinch, Air Shugenjas and more politically oriented Magistrates and Bushi (particularly from the Scorpion or Crane Clans) can fill this role. |
* In ''[[Legend of the Five Rings]]'' Courtiers are explicitly designed to play this role, as even though most [[PCs]] should have basic social skills to survive Rokugan's complicated system of etiquette and conversation, it helps to have someone who can recruit allies and deal with gossip and slander. In a pinch, Air Shugenjas and more politically oriented Magistrates and Bushi (particularly from the Scorpion or Crane Clans) can fill this role. |
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* In ''[[Warhammer 40000]]'', a group of Tau will often have [[Fantastic Caste System|a member of their diplomat caste]] around that can do all the talking when they have to meet with members of another species. |
* In ''[[Warhammer 40000]]'', a group of Tau will often have [[Fantastic Caste System|a member of their diplomat caste]] around that can do all the talking when they have to meet with members of another species. |
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⚫ | * In the ''[[BattleTech]]'' RPG one of the |
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⚫ | ** The [[Proud Warrior Race Guy|Clans']] merchant caste generally plays this role for the Clans who are willing to deal with the Inner Sphere. Merchants still see the Spheroids as destructive primitives but are able put this aside and hide their feelings during negotiations, unlike the other castes (''especially'' the [[Smug Super|warriors]]), to score a good deal. |
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== Video Games == |
== Video Games == |
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* Emil from ''[[Nie R]]'', who is also [[The Heart]] and a [[Tagalong Kid]], does what he can to keep an upbeat attitude and help his friends get along. |
* Emil from ''[[Nie R]]'', who is also [[The Heart]] and a [[Tagalong Kid]], does what he can to keep an upbeat attitude and help his friends get along. |
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* Stocke, the protagonist of ''[[Radiant Historia]]'' starts off as [[The Stoic]], but also starts off with a growing circle of friends who he cares about dearly. He helps his party members through a variety of internal and external conflicts, and is always sensitive to their issues. And at one point, he helps his best friend Rosch and an NPC with [[Match Maker Quest|relationship advice.]] |
* Stocke, the protagonist of ''[[Radiant Historia]]'' starts off as [[The Stoic]], but also starts off with a growing circle of friends who he cares about dearly. He helps his party members through a variety of internal and external conflicts, and is always sensitive to their issues. And at one point, he helps his best friend Rosch and an NPC with [[Match Maker Quest|relationship advice.]] |
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== [[Web Comics]] == |
== [[Web Comics]] == |
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== [[Western Animation]] == |
== [[Western Animation]] == |
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⚫ | * ''[[Captain Planet]]'': Ma-Ti is [[Just for Pun|the heart variety]] because no matter where they go he is instantly liked and can communicate with animals, knowing how they feel and asking for their help. Kawami however is usually the one ending group conflicts while Ma-Ti found where conflict was outside of the group. |
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⚫ | * Fluttershy from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' fills this role for the mane cast but only for non-ponies. Otherwise she's a [[Shrinking Violet]]. For example, in ''Dragonshy'' Twilight's [[Plan]] for dealing with a dragon boils down to: 1.) Escort Fluttershy to the dragon's cave and 2.) have her talk with it. |
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⚫ | * [[Phineas and Ferb|Phineas]] is the one talking with whoever the group needs for their latest "Best day ever", from city officials to delivery guys to [[Scout Out|the Fireside Girls]]. The best example would be persuading Love Handel to reunite for a concert while directing the girls to make a stage. Extra points for contrasting his brother Ferb, who rarely ever talks. |
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* ''[[Transformers]]'': |
* ''[[Transformers]]'': |
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** ''[[Beast Wars|Transformers Beast Wars]]'': Optimus contrasts Dinobot and Rhinox contrasts Ratrap. Cheetor is neither strong nor smart nor a leader but something like a [[Tagalong Kid]] variety. |
** ''[[Beast Wars|Transformers Beast Wars]]'': Optimus contrasts Dinobot and Rhinox contrasts Ratrap. Cheetor is neither strong nor smart nor a leader but something like a [[Tagalong Kid]] variety. |
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** [[The Transformers (animation)|The original Transformers]] had Bumblebee who is the youngest of the Autobots and gets along with humans the best. |
** [[The Transformers (animation)|The original Transformers]] had Bumblebee who is the youngest of the Autobots and gets along with humans the best. |
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*** The same goes for Bumblebee's incarnation in [[Transformers Prime]]. |
*** The same goes for Bumblebee's incarnation in [[Transformers Prime]]. |
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⚫ | * ''[[Captain Planet]]'': Ma-Ti is [[Just for Pun|the heart variety]] because no matter where they go he is instantly liked and can communicate |
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⚫ | * [[Phineas and Ferb|Phineas]] is the one talking with |
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⚫ | * Fluttershy from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'' fills this role for the mane cast but only for non-ponies. Otherwise she's a [[Shrinking Violet]]. For example, in ''Dragonshy'' Twilight's [[Plan]] for dealing with a dragon boils down to: 1.) Escort Fluttershy to the dragon's cave and 2.) have her talk with it. |
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== [[Real Life]] == |
== [[Real Life]] == |
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⚫ | * Some would say that Anastas Mikoyan was the most likeable(and stable!) of Stalin's inner circle, a man who went for much more practical (and much less brutal) measures to revive Russia after the Civil War than Stalin. He was also seen as a fairly genteel "traveling salesman" by the West, in comparison to the bombast of those he answered to. |
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* Stu Stutcliffe of [[The Beatles]]. Didn't know how to play, wasn't all that interested in being in a band. He was just a guy that John Lennon knew from art school and liked to hang out with. |
* Stu Stutcliffe of [[The Beatles]]. Didn't know how to play, wasn't all that interested in being in a band. He was just a guy that John Lennon knew from art school and liked to hang out with. |
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⚫ | * Some would say that Anastas Mikoyan was the most likeable(and stable!) of Stalin's inner circle, a man who went for much more practical (and much less brutal) measures to revive Russia after the Civil War than Stalin. He was also seen as a fairly genteel "traveling salesman" by the West, in comparison to the bombast of those he answered to. |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |