For every bumbling investigator, overly idealistic hero, or short-sighted mastermind, there's an assistant, that one guy who has to do all (or most) of the work, deal with the consequences of his boss' antics, and generally play clean up. As a result of having to deal with his boss' foolishness, this character is continually exasperated, and would probably rather be doing something else. On the bright side they singlehandedly keep their side relevant. Examples of Beleaguered Assistant include: