The underling who is much smarter, more efficient and more industrious than their (usually totally incompetent) boss, and is the one actually responsible for anything that gets done in the workplace. Despite the fact that they work their butt off for little pay and no credit, this person is generally pretty happy the way things are. If you're looking for a character that would rather not be in this position, that's the Beleaguered Assistant (though there's probably some overlap). If they or the incompetent boss aren't the lead character, they'll often use their skills and position in order to help the lead character out. If their incompetent boss is the Big Bad, they're his right hand and act in the opposite manner to The Starscream even though they may have plenty of motivation to be one.
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| - The underling who is much smarter, more efficient and more industrious than their (usually totally incompetent) boss, and is the one actually responsible for anything that gets done in the workplace. Despite the fact that they work their butt off for little pay and no credit, this person is generally pretty happy the way things are. If you're looking for a character that would rather not be in this position, that's the Beleaguered Assistant (though there's probably some overlap). If they or the incompetent boss aren't the lead character, they'll often use their skills and position in order to help the lead character out. If their incompetent boss is the Big Bad, they're his right hand and act in the opposite manner to The Starscream even though they may have plenty of motivation to be one.
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| - The underling who is much smarter, more efficient and more industrious than their (usually totally incompetent) boss, and is the one actually responsible for anything that gets done in the workplace. Despite the fact that they work their butt off for little pay and no credit, this person is generally pretty happy the way things are. If you're looking for a character that would rather not be in this position, that's the Beleaguered Assistant (though there's probably some overlap). If they or the incompetent boss aren't the lead character, they'll often use their skills and position in order to help the lead character out. If their incompetent boss is the Big Bad, they're his right hand and act in the opposite manner to The Starscream even though they may have plenty of motivation to be one. They are often known for appearing right before they are called, always with whatever they were going to be asked to bring. The greatest danger to the Hypercompetent Sidekick is having a boss who is too stupid. Witness the relationship between Blackadder and Prince George in the third series of that show. The Prince is easily manipulated, but his sheer idiocy is forever landing himself and his butler into incredibly dangerous or difficult situations. When the Hypercompetent Sidekick wields more actual power than his or her boss, it's an Almighty Janitor. If The Dragon is a Hypercompetent Sidekick who is more of a threat than the actual Big Bad and has little to no respect for the boss, then he's the Dragon-in-Chief. When the boss is competent in his own right and/or when the sidekick actually enjoys being the underling, it's a Puss in Boots. Frequently the Only Sane Man. See also The Reliable One and The Jeeves. Contrast Bumbling Sidekick. Examples of Hypercompetent Sidekick include:
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