History Main / SecretlyEarmarkedForGreatness

** In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Yoda reveals that he had been keeping an eye on Luke for some time before he came to Dagobah to begin training as a Jedi.
--->'''Yoda:''' This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was.

* ''ComicBook/XMen'': In ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen'' #300 (first story), Xavier remembers a date he had with Moira where they talked about the founding of his school. Xavier showed Moira pictures of [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey Jean Grey]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsCyclops Scott Summers]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsBeast Hank [=McCoy=]]], [[Characters/MarvelComicsAngel Warren Worthington III]], and [[Characters/XMenTheOriginalTeam Bobby Drake]] (who will become his first generation of students). Moira then commented on another set of images showing an African woman ([[Characters/MarvelComicsStorm Storm]]), a blue-furred acrobat ([[Characters/MarvelComicsNightcrawler Nightcrawler]]), and a towering, burly man ([[Characters/XMen70sMembers Colossus]]), to which Xavier replied that he considered the latter three potential recruits for "[[Recap/{{XMenChrisClaremontGiantSizeXMenVol11}} the next generation of X-Men]]".

* In ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen'' #300 (first story), Xavier remembers a date he had with Moira where they talked about the founding of his school. Xavier showed Moira pictures of Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Hank [=McCoy=], Warren Worthington III, and Bobby Drake (who will become his [[Characters/{{XMenTheOriginalTeam}} first generation of students]]). Moira then commented on another set of images showing an African woman (Storm), a blue-furred acrobat (Nightcrawler), and a towering, burly man (Colossus), to which Xavier replied that he considered the latter three potential recruits for "[[Recap/{{XMenChrisClaremontGiantSizeXMenVol11}} the next generation of X-Men]]".

* In ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', there is evidence that [[UndergroundRailroad the Railroad]] (a covert organization for helping [[ArtificialHuman synths]]) has been watching the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] from the moment they walked out of Vault 111 (a painted railsign for "ally" can be found nearby). You can also see Railroad member Deacon [[MasterOfDisguise undercover]] as a "drifter" in a few settlements keeping tabs on you. After following the steps to meet the group, he'll come forward and vouch for you to the leader, noting your accomplishments in the Commonwealth so far (General of the [[WeHelpTheHelpless Minutemen]], joining the [[KnightTemplar Brotherhood of Steel]], killing [[DiscOneFinalBoss Kellogg]], killing a [[OneManArmy Courser]], etc.). If you choose to join, you'll be the key player in leading the Railroad to victory over the other more advanced and powerful factions.

* In ''Literature/TheMagicians,'' the administration of [[WizardSchool Brakebills School of Magical Pedagogy]] selects its students well in advance from only the most intelligent and obsessive teenagers across America -- not just via the records of other elite schools, but through stranger methods. Protagonist Quentin Coldwater was earmarked by Brakebills three years before his enrolment, back when he was [[IJustWantToBeSpecial learning how to perform sleight-of-hand]]; the man who sold Quentin the props was actually one of the faculty's talent-spotters. And up until he's finally whisked away to Brakebills, Quentin and many of the other potential students aren't even aware that real magic exists.

** The [[TheCorrupter Followers of Set]] take a similarly considered approach to selecting childer: once they find a promising mortal, they begin a process of observation and corruption designed to break the potential recruit of their mortal obsessions. Setite sires are prepared to spend months or even years on this before inducting their charges into the cult -- either while remaining completely hidden or hiding in plain sight. In the case of the "[[PsychoPsychologist Psychiatrist]]" character template, his sire spent six months testing him before tempting him into accepting sex with one of his patients in exchange for rubber-stamping her through treatment, then -- once the former patient had gone to prison for statutory rape -- presenting the psychiatrist with [[{{Blackmail}} photos of his misconduct]] in order to prod him into joining the cult and beginning his journey towards the Embrace.

** Ever since beginning his exile on Tattooine Obi-Wan had been watching Luke Skywalker from a distance in order to protect him but also to prepare him to follow in Anakin's footsteps as a Jedi. The prequel series ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' shows Obi-Wan arguing with Luke's uncle Owen about this. Obi-Wan eventually comes to accept that Luke just needs to grow up as a normal child, and the future will attend to itself, at which point Owen allows Obi-Wan to meet Luke.

* In Creator/OctaviaButler's short story "Literature/{{Childfinder}}", a psionic woman with the special talent of being able to sense psionic potential of young people before it manifests leaves and then hides from the organization that employed her to because of their racism and continued the work on her own.

* In Creator/OctaviaButler's short story ''Childfinder'', a psionic woman with the special talent of being able to sense psionic potential of young people before it manifests leaves and then hides from the organization that employed her to because of their racism and continued the work on her own.

* In the first issue of ''ComicBook/AllStarBatmanAndRobinTheBoyWonder'', Batman's been keeping an eye on Dick Grayson for some time prior to their first meeting, to the point of knowing his entire educational history off by heart, suggesting that he would have been willing to recruit Dick even if his parents ''hadn't'' been murdered. Of course, given Batman's [[AdaptationalVillainy objectively demented behavior]] throughout the series, this led to speculation that ''he'' arranged for the murders just to get a sidekick -- though this was ultimately disproven when the Joker was revealed as the assassin's paymaster.

** Ever since beginning his exile on Tattooine Obi-Wan had been watching Luke Skywalker from a distance in order to protect him but also to prepare him to follow in Anakin's footsteps as a Jedi. The prequel series ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' shows Obi-Wan arguing with Luke's uncle Owen about this. Obi-Wan eventually comes to accept that Luke just needs to grow up as a normal child, and the future will attend to itself, at which point Owen allows Obi-Wan to [[Catchphrase meet]] Luke.

** Ever since beginning his exile on Tattooine Obi-Wan had been watching Luke Skywalker from a distance in order to protect him but also to prepare him to follow in Anakin's footsteps as a Jedi. The prequel series ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' shows Obi-Wan arguing with Luke's uncle Owen about this. Obi-Wan eventually comes to accept that Luke just needs to grow up as a normal child, and the future will attend to itself, at which point Owen allows Obi-Wan to come and say "[[Catchphrase Hello, there]]" to Luke.

** Ever since beginning his exile on Tattooine Obi-Wan had been watching Luke Skywalker from a distance in order to protect him but also to prepare him to follow in Anakin's footsteps as a Jedi. The prequel series ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' shows Obi-Wan arguing with Luke's uncle Owen about this.

[[/folder]]

* In ''ComicBook/UncannyXMen'' #300 (first story), Xavier remembers a date he had with Moira where they talked about the founding of his school. Xavier showed Moira pictures of Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Hank [=McCoy=], Warren Worthington III and Bobby Drake (who will become his [[Characters/{{XMenTheOriginalTeam}} first generation of students]]). Moira then commented on another set of images showing a African woman (Storm), a blue-furred acrobat (Nightcrawler) and a towering, burly man (Colossus), to which Xavier replied that he considered the latter three potential recruits for "[[Recap/{{XMenChrisClaremontGiantSizeXMenVol11}} the next generation of X-Men]]".

** In the [[Film/MenInBlack original film]], Agent K witnesses NYPD detective James Edwards run down an alien on foot, by himself. After neutralizing James, he gives him a card to apply to the Men in Black. With no idea what the organization does, James goes to the trials, surrounded by Navy SEALS and Green Berets and, while a bit cocky and mouthy, shows the out-of-the-box thinking MIB needs, with K talking him up to Agent Z behind the scenes. Thus, James is offered the position at MIB, becoming Agent J.
** ''Film/MenInBlack3'' takes this even further when it's revealed (in a CerebusRetcon) that [[spoiler: K actually met James as a child in 1969, after his father was murdered protecting K from Boris the Animal. K reassured James his father was a hero, and kept an eye on him since then.]]

[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/{{Safehold}}'': For centuries prior to the novels, the inner core of the Brethren of Saint Zherneau have held proof about their planet's (and humanity's) history. They closely observe anyone nominated to be told the truth, and thus recruited to join them, to make sure that candidate can cope with finding out the "Archangels" were mortal men and women using proscribed technology to counterfeit divine powers. Once Merlin and Cayleb find out about the Brethren, Cayleb institutes the "Inner Circle", expanding knowledge of Safehold's true history outside the religious community and providing limited technological boosts to members. It's strongly implied that the Brethren have killed potential recruits who couldn't accept the truth, and the Inner Circle is willing to do so as well. However, the only failed recruitment we see on-page comes after Merlin has reactivated the cryosleep units in his cave; the failed candidate is reported dead but put into cryo until it's safe to release him.

* In ''Series/{{Community}}'', after displaying natural gifts in machine repair in the first two seasons, season three features Troy being targeted for recruitment by Greendale's shadowy "Air Conditioner Repair School" which brings in so much money that its vice-dean, Robert Laybourne, is even more powerful than the dean. After initially resisting them because it would mean leaving his friends, he accepts their offer to join in order for their help in rescuing his friends during the season's penultimate episode. In the season finale, he turns out to be their version of TheChosenOne after Laybourne is murdered and earns his way back out of the program by defeating the vice-dean's murderer/usurper in an air conditioner repair duel. ItMakesSenseInContext for the most part...

** ''Film/MenInBlack3'' takes this even further when it's revealed (in a CerebusRetcon) that [[spoiler: K actually met James years earlier, after his father was murdered protecting K from Boris the Animal. K reassured James his father was a hero, and kept an eye on him since then.]]

** ''Film/MenInBlack3'' takes this even further when it's revealed (in a CerberusRetcon) that [[spoiler: K actually met James years earlier, after his father was murdered protecting K from Boris the Animal. K reassured James his father was a hero, and kept an eye on him since then.]]

** Ever since beginning his exile on Tattooine Obi-Wan had been watching Luke Skywalker from a distance in order to protect him but also to prepare him to follow in Anakin's footsteps as a Jedi.

!!Examples

[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' confirms that the Ancient One had been watching Stephen Strange for a very long time prior to his arrival in Kamar-Taj, and despite trolling Strange with the prospect of refusing to accept him for training back in ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', it was an empty threat: she had been intent on training him in the mystical arts from the moment she was able to assess his role in the future via the Time Stone.

* Darker version in ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'': [[spoiler:Winston Smith has been earmarked by the [[SecretPolice Thought Police]] for seven years prior to the start of the story. Intending to erase his rebellious tendencies and make him into a model citizen prior to his inevitable execution, they've planted all kinds of lures for him, to the point of creating a fake shop in which Winston can buy a diary and rent a room. However, even after he begins using said room for romantic encounters with Julia, it's still some time before O'Brien approaches him with a disguised offer to join the Brotherhood and provides him with a copy of Goldstein's book -- the final stop on Winston's journey before he's finally arrested.]]

--> '''Vice-Dean Laybourne''': ''"That's what we do Troy! Incredible, invisible, in-believable things where an unseen, unknown, un-vincible fraternity of craftsmen, graduates of this school, are guaranteed lucrative employment for their entire lives and I'm inviting you to join us."''

* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}'', there is evidence that [[UndergroundRailroad the Railroad]] (a covert organization for helping [[ArtificialHuman synths]]) has been watching the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] from the moment they walked out of Vault 111 (a painted railsign for "ally" can be found nearby). You can also see Railroad member Deacon [[MasterOfDisguise undercover]] as a "drifter" in a few settlements keeping tabs on you. After following the steps to meet the group, he'll come forward and vouch for you to the leader, noting your accomplishments in the Commonwealth so far (General of the [[WeHelpTheHelpless Minutemen]], joining the [[KnightTemplar Brotherhood of Steel]], killing [[DiscOneFinalBoss Kellogg]], killing a [[OneManArmy Courser]], etc.). If you choose to join, you'll be the key player in leading the Railroad to victory over the other more advanced and powerful factions.

[[folder:Web Video]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

For some characters, applying for a position isn't as simple as sending in a resume and hoping that the company likes what it sees. For these fortunate (or unfortunate) few, the company already knows everything about them, and has been keeping tabs on them and other potential hires - sometimes for years on end just in case they prove worthy... even if said character wasn't actually planning to apply at all.

For good measure, if the prospective employee fails at the last hurdle, there's a distinct possibility that the organization will simply vanish back into obscurity without a trace - by eliminating the failed applicant, by erasing their memory, or simply by becoming impossible to find.

[[folder: Comic Books]]
* In the first issue of ''ComicBook/AllStarBatmanAndRobinTheBoyWonder'', Batman's been keeping an eye on Dick Grayson for some time prior to their first meeting, to the point of knowing his entire educational history off by heart, suggesting that he would have been willing to recruit Dick even if his parents ''hadn't'' been murdered. Of course, given Batman's [[AdaptationalVillainy objectively demented behavior]] throughout the series, this led to speculation that ''he'' arranged for the murders just to get a sidekick - though this was ultimately disproven when the Joker was revealed as the assassin's paymaster.

[[folder: Film - Live Action]]

* Shortly after the introductory trial of ''Film/TheDevilsAdvocate'', Kevin Lomax is approached by a representative of the New York law firm of Milton, Chadwick & Waters, who claims that they've been observing his career for some time and are considering him for an important position. Before long, he's moved from Gainesville to New York and is working directly for senior partner John Milton, representing some of the wealthiest and most powerful clients in the city. [[spoiler: It's eventually revealed that Milton's had his eye on Kevin for even longer than initially indicated: he's actually Kevin's father, and he's been subtly grooming the young lawyer for an even more important position - the father of the {{Antichrist}}.]]
* Early in ''Film/KingsmanTheSecretService'', Harry Hart gives a ''very'' young Eggsy a medallion with the Kingsmen contact details on it, and apparently spends the next decade and a half keeping an eye on him. When the now-adult [[WorkingClassHero Eggsy]] uses the medallion as a get-out-of-jail-free card, Harry makes it clear that he knows Eggsy's entire educational history - including his training with the Royal Marines - and looks to be considering the young man for greater things in life... but still doesn't make any offers until he witnesses Eggsy getting menaced by his gangster stepfather for refusing to reveal Harry's identity in the wake of the pub fight; this display of loyalty is enough to make up Harry's mind, and he officially invites Eggsy to enter the Kingsmen's TrainingFromHell.

[[folder: Literature]]

* In ''Literature/TheMagicians,'' the administration of [[WizardSchool Brakebills School of Magical Pedagogy]] selects its students well in advance from only the most intelligent and obsessive teenagers across America - not just via the records of other elite schools, but through stranger methods. Protagonist Quentin Coldwater was earmarked by Brakebills three years before his enrolment, back when he was [[IJustWantToBeSpecial learning how to perform sleight-of-hand]]; the man who sold Quentin the props was actually one of the faculty's talent-spotters. And up until he's finally whisked away to Brakebills, Quentin and many of the other potential students aren't even aware that real magic exists.
* Darker version in ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'': [[spoiler: Winston Smith has been earmarked by the [[SecretPolice Thought Police]] for seven years prior to the start of the story. Intending to erase his rebellious tendencies and make him into a model citizen prior to his inevitable execution, they've planted all kinds of lures for him, to the point of creating a fake shop in which Winston can buy a diary and rent a room. However, even after he begins using said room for romantic encounters with Julia, it's still some time before O'Brien approaches him with a disguised offer to join the Brotherhood and provides him with a copy of Goldstein's book - the final stop on Winston's journey before he's finally arrested.]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games]]

** The [[TheCorrupter Followers of Set]] take a similarly considered approach to selecting childer: once they find a promising mortal, they begin a process of observation and corruption designed to break the potential recruit of their mortal obsessions. Setite sires are prepared to spend months or even years on this before inducting their charges into the cult - either while remaining completely hidden or hiding in plain sight. In the case of the "[[PsychoPsychologist Psychiatrist]]" character template, his sire spent six months testing him before tempting him into accepting sex with one of his patients in exchange for rubber-stamping her through treatment, then - once the former patient had gone to prison for statutory rape - presenting the psychiatrist with [[{{Blackmail}} photos of his misconduct]] in order to prod him into joining the cult and beginning his journey towards the Embrace.

[[folder: Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII:'' In one of the game's later memory sequences, after defeating [[BigBad Rodrigo Borgia]] in Venice and claiming a [[LostTechnology Piece of Eden]], Ezio Auditore da Firenze learns that almost all of the various allies he's encountered over the course of the game - including his uncle Mario - are secretly members of [[TheOrder the Brotherhood of Assassins]] and they've all been guiding Ezio over the last decade until they've decided he's finally ready to be initiated into their order.
* One of the big reveals of ''VideoGame/{{Control}}'' is that [[PlayerCharacter Jesse Faden]] was being considered for the position of Director for the Federal Bureau of Control ''long'' before she set foot in the [[EldritchLocation Oldest House]]. [[spoiler: In fact, the Bureau were having her watched ever since the Altered World Event in [[DoomedHometown her hometown of Ordinary]], though only as an emergency backup for her little brother Dylan, who the Bureau outright abducted so they could groom him into the next Director. Of course, Jesse doesn't realize this until the [[MysticalPlague Hiss]]-[[HumanoidAbomination corrupted Dylan]] points her to a sector of the Oldest House where more than a decade's worth of surveillance records on her have been kept - including the tapes of her therapy sessions in which doctors attempted to gaslight her into believing that the Bureau wasn't real.]]

* In ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', the mysterious [[MurderInc Genoharadan]] select only the best killers in the galaxy, and because of its nature as a vast criminal conspiracy aiding the Republic from behind the scenes, it makes sure that its potential recruits don't know they're being assessed for membership until an offer of membership is made. Bounty hunter [[PsychoForHire Calo Nord]] was considered a worthy prospect, but even after all his near-legendary exploits - from killing rancors for sport to [[HorrifyingTheHorror frightening the Bounty Hunters' Guild into cancelling contracts on his life]] - he still wasn't ready to be given an invitation to join yet. You're the exception to the rule, as you only get their attention after [[spoiler: killing Calo in battle]], prompting them to send you an invite to a meeting on Manaan.

[[folder: Web Video]]

** Despite the stereotype of the mass-Embraced shovelhead, most members of the [[CastingAShadow Lasombra clan]] are carefully selected over a long period of evaluation, especially since sires who produce incompetent childer may end up sharing [[YouHaveFailedMe the inevitable punishment]]. Once a prospective sire finds a mortal with the necessary drive and ambition, they will spend a long period of time doing their best to ruin the kine's life just so they can be certain that the mortal can withstand adversity... and because of the {{Masquerade}}, none of the would-be-childer ever realize what's going on. In the case of Andrew Emory from the revised clanbook, his sire spent ten years sabotaging him at every turn until she was certain that he had the will and the anger to make it as a member of the clan.

** In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Yoda reveals that he had been keeping an eye on Luke Skywalker for some time before he came to Dagobah to begin training as a Jedi.
-->'''Yoda:''' This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was.