History Main / SourSupporter

** ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows Deathly Hallows]]'' Aberforth Dumbledore is almost the complete opposite of his brother. At one point, he basically says that Voldemort's already won and anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. It doesn't stop him from coming to the trio's aid when they need it, offering his pub as a meeting place for the Order, and courageously fighting in [[spoiler: and surviving]] the Battle of Hogwarts.

* While Tim started out as a rather idealistic [[ComicBook/RobinSeries Robin]] after almost everyone he loves died, Bruce pulled a couple of rather heartless manipulation attempts on him, and three out of four of his adoptive siblings either try to kill him or frame him for murder he becomes incredibly cynical, stating that when he was forced to hear the anit-life equation in the moments while he still retained his sense of self he ''found he agreed with it'' but tried to fight its control because he'd made oaths when he took on the Robin mantle. His cynicism was starting to lighten up after [[ComicBook/{{Superboy}} Kon]], [[ComicBook/Batgirl2009 Stephanie]], and [[ComicBook/{{Impulse}} Bart]] came back and gave him some actual support but then ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}} happened and erased that version of Tim.

But if so, he will regard it as SenselessSacrifice. GrumpyBear that he is, he makes no bones about considering TheHero's {{plan}} futile, and may join only because [[ThePowerOfFriendship his friends are]], and anything else is also futile. Possibly even only because it's his only way to avoid DyingAlone. Often the oldest member of the group, and prone to SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids. (Though not often so gloomy as to be TheEeyore.) When it dawns on him that victory is possible, an attack of HopeIsScary is not uncommon.

* [[Franchise/SailorMoon Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune.]] [[WrongGenreSavvy Unfortunately (fortunately?) for them]], the SM-verse is a real SugarBowl at times, and everything really can be set right with ThePowerOfLove, so really, their sourness just makes them look [[{{Wangst}} Wangsty]] sometimes.

* Many of Rand Al Thor's supporters in ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' behave like this. The man is the ChosenOne (of several prophecies and groups) but none of his disparate groups of supporters trust the other ones, and many regard him as nothing more than a loaded cannon they need to further their own ends while regarding him as an idiot who messes everything up that they need to step carefully around. To be fair Rand is pretty insane by this point, and can act idiotically, but he is a lot more competent than they give him credit for and were it not for the prevalence of this trope he would have managed to do a lot more by now. Interestingly enough, Rand is actually GenreSavvy enough to try and play the groups against each other in order to get rid of some people that are hindering him. [[XanatosGambit Its a safe bet that at least one of them will bite the dust]] but [[GeneralFailure Namely High Lord Wieramon]]. [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption It never works]].

* ''Literature/TheUnknownSoldier'': Corporal Lahtinen is a Communist conscripted to fight against the Soviet Union on the side of a quasi-fascist Finland in alliance with the Nazi Germany. He's not happy about it, as he never lets the other characters forget. However, he's also one of the most reliable and loyal fighters in the company, and even [[spoilers: pulls of YouCannotPass DyingMomentOfAwesome to hold back the charging Soviets to buy time for the retreating Finns.]]

* Wrestling/JimCornette in Global Force Wrestling, the original run and even more so the Anthem own version. Jim said Wrestling/JeffJarrett was crazy for trying to start another wrestling promotion but came to shows in the corner of Wrestling/BulletClub helping [[MerchandiseDriven to sell merchandise]] because Jeff's a friend, Cornette feels he owes a debt to the Jarrett family and he likes Wrestling/KarlAnderson, Wrestling/DocGallows and Amber O'Neal. He came onto the Anthem show when asked, openly calling them suits no more knowledgeable about pro wrestling than [[Wrestling/{{WCW}} Turner]], [[Wrestling/{{TNA}} Panda]] or [[Wrestling/RingOfHonor Sinclair]]'s, because he truly believes there should be alternative products in USA pro wrestling again. Besides this, he makes several appearances on independent circuit, often for friends (Danny Davis in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Wrestling/RobConway in various Wrestling/{{N|ationalWrestlingAlliance}}WA members).[[/folder]]

* Many of Rand Al Thor's supporters in the ''Literature/WheelOfTime'' behave like this. The man is the ChosenOne (of several prophecies and groups) but none of his disparate groups of supporters trust the other ones, and many regard him as nothing more than a loaded cannon they need to further their own ends while regarding him as an idiot who messes everything up that they need to step carefully around. To be fair Rand is pretty insane by this point, and can act idiotically, but he is a lot more competent than they give him credit for and were it not for the prevalence of this trope he would have managed to do a lot more by now. Interestingly enough, Rand is actually GenreSavvy enough to try and play the groups against each other in order to get rid of some people that are hindering him. [[XanatosGambit Its a safe bet that at least one of them will bite the dust]] but [[GeneralFailure Namely High Lord Wieramon]]. [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption It never works]].

->''Drink with me''

->''Is your life just one more lie?''

* Lugo and Adams are both this to [[PlayerCharacter Walker]] in ''VideoGame/SpecOpsTheLine'', to varying degrees as the game goes on and [[FromBadToWorse the worse things get]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Han Solo

-->-- '''Grantaire''', ''[[Theatre/LesMiserables]]''

But if so, he will regard it as SenselessSacrifice. GrumpyBear that he is, he makes no bones about considering TheHero's {{plan}} futile, and may join only because [[PowerOfFriendship his friends are]], and anything else is also futile. Possibly even only because it's his only way to avoid DyingAlone. Often the oldest member of the group, and prone to SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids. (Though not often so gloomy as to be TheEeyore.) When it dawns on him that victory is possible, an attack of HopeIsScary is not uncommon.

* Sawamura in ''WaGaNaWaUmishi'' is a textbook example. It's a mystery why he still works for Nanba Salvage, given his proven world-class skills and obvious disdain for Rintarou.

* ''Fanfic/PeaceForgedInFire'': {{Discussed}}. Morgan is a more traditionalist Romulan than D'trel, a Unificationist, and tells Praetor Velal of the Romulan Star Empire that she thinks that Proconsul D'Tan of the Romulan Republic is a [[WideEyedIdealist "naive idealist"]] and says she doesn't agree with his politics. But she follows him because whatever his faults, he's sincerely trying to help, while the Empire was useless after [[Film/StarTrek Hobus]] and the [[StateSec Tal'Shiar]] ''caused'' it.

* In the film ''SeventeenSeventySix'' (and musical, both of which are TruthInTelevision to some extent), John Dickinson refuses to sign the Declaration of Independence, instead choosing to join the militia and fight for independence even though he believes the effort will fail.

* In SandyMitchell's Literature/CiaphasCain novel ''Death Or Glory'', when discussing difficulties getting through a mountain range, the guide Sandy Kolfax says it hardly matters since they will all die before they get there, and later Cain catches him drinking and he professes that it does not matter, as they will all die. But he does lead them. [[spoiler:To the mountains, even. Where he dies.]]

--> "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who"\\

* In John Barnes's ''Literature/OneForTheMorningGlory'', they hear a ballad that ends with a young woman prisoner to the goblins, and [[AllMythsAreTrue since it's true]], [[GenreSavvy and they know it]], [[DamselInDistress they discuss rescuing her]]. Gorlias is as enthusiatic as any, and characters object: he's the oldest, he ''should'' be gravely warning them against it and talking of its dangers. Gorlias proceeds to discuss its dangers in a portentous tone, as if he had warned them off, but on the trip itself, he's perfectly cheerful.

* In GKChesterton's ''Literature/TheManWhoWasThursday'', [[spoiler:the Professor]] gravely explains the difference between himself and Syme: Syme thinks that what he proposes to do it possible, he knows it's impossible, and will nevertheless try to do it.

-->'''Spike:''' (after a less than encouraging pep talk) Well, not exactly the [[HenryV St. Crispins's Day Speech]], was it?

* StatlerAndWaldorf complain about every single act on ''Series/TheMuppetShow''. [[FridgeLogic And yet they have box seats for every single show.]] Reasons for why range from [[CausticCritic "They're theater critics!"]] to "We don't even know how to get out of this stupid theater box!" to simply [[VoodooShark "I guess we'll never know!"]]

* Ron Swanson in ''ParksAndRecreation''. He considers his government job to be a useless joke, but admires Leslie's spirit and enthusiasm, and goes all out for her - and all his acquaintances there.

* Victor Niguel in ''TraumaCenter'' - a rather unpleasant chap, but works hard to find a vaccine for GUILT.

* Sonya Shulen near the end of the first ''{{Suikoden}}'', after a very hard boss fight against her. If you allow her to join, she repeatedly states that she does so in order to get the pleasure of seeing you die.

** Also Flik. He's at first REALLY pissed that you got his lover Odessa killed. But he joins you anyway, and his mindset is like "Let's see if you're worthy of replacing Odessa." It wasn't until [[spoiler:Gremio's tragic death]] that he starts letting off with you and eventually [[CharacterDevelopment develops further]] until he's the series' EnsembleDarkHorse.

** He does undergo CharacterDevelopment to become a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Plus he has awesome [[CrowningMusicofAwesome theme music.]]

* Xan, the clinically depressed enchanter in ''BaldursGate''. He is very vocal about how your quest is futile, but he helps you anyway, presumably because he sees ''everything else in the world'' as equally pointless.

* Any companion with enough rivalry in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Some will consistently begrudge the player's support of mages or templars, and Isabella won't believe she returned [[MacGuffin The Artifact]] she originally stole.
* Clive Handforth from ''LittleBigPlanet 2.''

* ''PlanescapeTorment'' features a Baatzu (a race of LawfulEvil demons) who was bound into a lifetime of good deeds by the angel Trias, to last until the angel's death. As such, he has to do everything he can to accommodate the Nameless One when he shows up on his doorstep, but he's more than happy to let him know that sure as hell isn't going to ''enjoy'' it.

* Rocky the rogue from ''OurLittleAdventure'' didn't really want to join the group, but he frequently does give them his best.

* Kirby from ''TheBraveLittleToaster'' certainly didn't keep his objections to himself when the group set out to find the master.

* Lance of ''SymBionicTitan'' often falls victim to a two to one vote.

* Pato, from ''Webcomic/M9Girls'' is not always fond of the other girls' decisions, from being treated with cosmic radiation to Karla's choice of [[MiniDressOfPower costumes]].

->''"I promise you life," I replied; "but with the understanding that you serve me faithfully and none other, undertaking no business of your own, until mine has been carried to a successful conclusion."\\
"That means that I shall have to serve you for life," he replied, "for the thing you have undertaken you can never accomplish; but that is better than lying here on a cold ersite slab waiting for old Ras Thavas to come along and carve out my gizzard. I am yours! Let me up, that I may feel a good pair of legs under me again."''
-->-- '''Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs''', ''[[Literature/JohnCarterOfMars The Master Mind of Mars]]''

* Kai Shiden from ''MobileSuitGundam'', specially before his CharacterDevelopment.

* StatlerAndWaldorf complain about every single act on ''Series/TheMuppetShow''. [[FridgeLogic And yet they have box seats for every single show.]] Arguments for why range from "They're theater critics" to "[[BileFascination They have too much fun mocking the acts]]" to the Muppet 3-D answer, "They're glued to the seats".

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' Otto von Zinzer epitomizes this trope. He frequently and vocally professes a dislike of all things Sparky and constantly says he will leave at the first opportunity...and yet he never does and has helped save the day more than once with his non-sparky [[TheEngineer mechanical skills]]

-->--'''Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs''', ''[[Literature/JohnCarterOfMars The Master Mind of Mars]]''

* Serpico as a part of Guts' new entourage in ''{{Berserk}}''. He's the most cynical person in the group next to Guts himself, but he's wrapped in a [[SarcasticDevotee sarcastic layer of goodness]] that prevents him from deserting the group, primarily for [[spoiler: his half-sister]] Farnese's sake, but it goes without saying that he does care for his other companions.

* Archer from ''FateStayNight''; you get the feeling he only helps Shirou because his contract with Rin forces him to. [[spoiler:As "Unlimited Blade Works" reveals, this is both utterly true but also an extreme simplification of Archer's true motives.]]