History Main / ConsummateProfessional

The '''Consummate Professional''' is most often a [[TheStoic very serious character]], and often involved in a profession that warrants violence or is on the shadier side of the law like a [[HiredGuns soldier of fortune]], [[SpyFiction professional spy]], [[{{Courier}} courier]], or [[{{professional killer}} professional assassin]]. Regardless of precisely who employs them or what their actual job is, being a ConsummateProfessional is standard for {{MIB}} types as well. Alternatively, he can also belong to a more conventional profession, but be ruthlessly dedicated to it, such as a profession in the legal system or a corporate position. He has a very strict code of conduct to which he adheres meticulously, and instantly dislikes anyone who implies he should lighten up. He also instantly dislikes anyone who's a little too friendly (after all, [[BeingPersonalIsntProfessional being personal isn't professional]]). This attitude is most of the time justified: his line of work makes any personal connection or moral compunction a liability. This doesn't mean he's a complete cold fish, it just means he prefers ethics to morals. Morals are broad and prone to emotional interpretation, ethics are specific and more efficient. While he might be willing to have a softer disposition towards friends or family, any client is treated impersonally and no better than the job demands.

* Agent Kay in ''Film/MenInBlack'', being a traditional {{MIB}} in contrast with impulsive, wisecracking new recruit Agent Jay.

* Many characters in ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' are like this, but especially Walton Simons and the {{MIB}}s. You can play JC Denton this way, too. The in-game written material in the FEMA HQ seems like a directed effort to get agents to think of themselves in these terms and thus avoid misgivings.

-->-- ''{{NCIS}}'', a discussion about Ziva's fitness as bodyguard.

* ''Everybody'' in ''CriminalMinds''. Unprofessional cops who let their emotions cloud their judgement are usually the biggest obstacle the heroes face. In some ways it's part of the popularity of the show - when a character carries the IdiotBall, the others notice.

->''"Feelings? Look mate, you know who has a lot of feelings? [[AxCrazy Blokes what bludgeon their wives to death with a golf trophy]]! Professionals have'' [[EvenEvilHasStandards standards]]. ''Be'' [[AffablyEvil polite]]. ''Be'' [[OneHitKill efficient]]. '''[[CrazyPrepared Have a plan to kill everyone you meet]].'''"

-->Gibbs: ''Her Father left her to die in a desert''
-->Vance: ''So it's a problem then?''
-->Gibbs: ''Would be for me, won't be for Ziva''
-->Discussion of Ziva's fitness as bodyguard, {{NCIS}}

* Shelly [=DeKiller=] from the ''[[AceAttorney Phoenix Wright]]'' games. [[spoiler: This ends up used against the culprit in 2-4. When it turns out that his employer has been [[{{Blackmail}} less than professional]] on his end of the assassin-client relationship, Shelly announces his intent to kill ''him''.]]

* ''Film/WildTarget'': Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy), to a T. At least, until the ManicPixieDreamGirl gets to him. Still, by the end he regained Consummate Professional status).

The '''Consummate Professional''' is most often a [[TheStoic very serious character]], and often involved in a profession that warrants violence or is on the shadier side of the law like a [[HiredGuns soldier of fortune]], [[SpyFiction professional spy]], [[{{Courier}} courier]], or {{professional killer}}. Regardless of precisely who employs them or what their actual job is, being a ConsummateProfessional is standard for {{MIB}} types as well. Alternatively, he can also belong to a more conventional profession, but be ruthlessly dedicated to it, such as a profession in the legal system or a corporate position. He has a very strict code of conduct to which he adheres meticulously, and instantly dislikes anyone who implies he should lighten up. He also instantly dislikes anyone who's a little too friendly (after all, [[BeingPersonalIsntProfessional being personal isn't professional]]). This attitude is most of the time justified: his line of work makes any personal connection or moral compunction a liability. This doesn't mean he's a complete cold fish, it just means he prefers ethics to morals. Morals are broad and prone to emotional interpretation, ethics are specific and more efficient. While he might be willing to have a softer disposition towards friends or family, any client is treated impersonally and no better than the job demands.

* ''WildTarget'': Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy), to a T. At least, until the ManicPixieDreamGirl gets to him. Still, by the end he regained Consummate Professional status).

-->-- '''The Sniper''', ''TeamFortress2''

* ''TeamFortress2'': Although played for laughs, The Sniper invokes this trope, providing the page quote.

The '''Consummate Professional''' is most often a [[TheStoic very serious character]], and often involved in a profession that warrants violence or is on the shadier side of the law like a [[HiredGuns soldier of fortune]], [[SpyFiction professional spy]], [[{{Courier}} courier]], or [[CareerKillers professional killer]]. Regardless of precisely who employs them or what their actual job is, being a ConsummateProfessional is standard for {{MIB}} types as well. Alternatively, he can also belong to a more conventional profession, but be ruthlessly dedicated to it, such as a profession in the legal system or a corporate position. He has a very strict code of conduct to which he adheres meticulously, and instantly dislikes anyone who implies he should lighten up. He also instantly dislikes anyone who's a little too friendly (after all, [[BeingPersonalIsntProfessional being personal isn't professional]]). This attitude is most of the time justified: his line of work makes any personal connection or moral compunction a liability. This doesn't mean he's a complete cold fish, it just means he prefers ethics to morals. Morals are broad and prone to emotional interpretation, ethics are specific and more efficient. While he might be willing to have a softer disposition towards friends or family, any client is treated impersonally and no better than the job demands.

->''"Feelings? You know who has a lot of feelings? [[AxCrazy Blokes what bludgeon their wives to death with a golf trophy]]! Professionals have'' [[EvenEvilHasStandards standards]]. ''Be'' [[AffablyEvil polite]]. ''Be'' [[OneHitKill efficient]]. '''[[CrazyPrepared Have a plan to kill everyone you meet]].'''"

[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Golgo_13_8065.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:250: [-[[{{Golgo 13}} Pay him, and he'll smoke anybody. Betray him, and he'll smoke you.]]-] ]]

* Wayne Jarvis from ''ArrestedDevelopment''.

* The Continental Op created by DashiellHammett. One of the toughest and most professional private detectives in literature. Pretty much to the extent that Hammett never gave him a name and he was known simply by his job.

* The Continental Op created by DashiellHammett. One of the toughest and most professional private detectives Pretty much to the extent that Hammett never gave him a name and he was known simply by his job.

* ''TeamFortress'': Although played for laughs, The Sniper invokes this trope, providing the page quote.

* Mike, from ''BreakingBad''.

* Agent Kay in ''MenInBlack'', being a traditional {{MIB}} in contrast with impulsive, wisecracking new recruit Agent Jay.

* Played striaght ''and'' subverted in the case of Kuroudou Akabane (a.k.a. Dr. Jackal) from ''GetBackers''. He will take on any {{Courier}} job with no questions asked and carry it through to the end regardless of obstacles, is almost frighteningly competent at what he does and often describes himself as a consummate professional. But give him an opponent who he considers "worthy of his skills", and he'll decide to take certain...''liberties'' with his assignment.

* Played striaght ''and'' subverted in the case of Kuroudou Akabane (a.k.a. Dr. Jackal) from ''GetBackers''. He will take on any {{Courier}} job with no questions asked and carry it through to the end regardless of obstacles, is almost frighteningly competent at what he does and often describes himself as a consummate proffessional. But give him an opponent who he considers "worthy of his skills", and he'll decide to take certain...''liberties'' with his assignment.

* Played striaght ''and'' subverted in the case of Kuroudou Akabane (a.k.a. Dr. Jackal) from ''GetBackers''. He will take any {{Courier}} job with no questions asked and carry it through to the end regardless of obstacles, is almost frighteningly competent at what he does and often describes himself as a "consummate proffessional". But give him an opponent who he considers "worthy of his skills" -- and he'll decide to take certain...''liberties'' with his assignment.