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  • Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal
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  • The Big Bad has a loyal minion who has been feeling... somewhat less than loyal recently. Maybe he met the heroes and liked them. Maybe he discovered more than a few reasons to believe that his master wasn't as nice as he seemed. Maybe he's not sure he approves of the current plot. Maybe he just learned what the plan really was. Whatever the reason, he is pondering a difficult dilemma. Remain loyal, or betray the boss? Such evil overlords should be far more careful with their Villain Balls... Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, will you? SPOILERS for many Heel Face Turns follow.
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dbkwik:all-the-tropes/property/wikiPageUsesTemplate
dbkwik:allthetropes/property/wikiPageUsesTemplate
abstract
  • The Big Bad has a loyal minion who has been feeling... somewhat less than loyal recently. Maybe he met the heroes and liked them. Maybe he discovered more than a few reasons to believe that his master wasn't as nice as he seemed. Maybe he's not sure he approves of the current plot. Maybe he just learned what the plan really was. Whatever the reason, he is pondering a difficult dilemma. Remain loyal, or betray the boss? Fortunately, the Big Bad is willing to help him come to a decision. He immediately starts doing everything in his power to make the minion feel hurt and miserable, possibly going as far as saying We Have Reserves, thus perfectly solidifying and justifying the inevitable Heel Face Turn or Mook Face Turn. Such evil overlords should be far more careful with their Villain Balls... Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, will you? Villains who think It's All About Me are particularly prone to this -- and particularly prone to being shocked when the minion leaves. Evil Cannot Comprehend Good is often, though not always, an element in their motivations. A particularly Magnetic Hero can usually tip the balance in his favor with a few kind words, or just by showing how he treats his friends. Indeed, when the villain goes for Flaw Exploitation, endangering his minions to force the hero to save them, or just leaving them in danger because he knows the hero will save them, the contrast is generally as vivid as it gets. Not to be confused with Even Mooks Have Loved Ones, where the minion considers betraying the boss for being cruel to their friends or relatives. Contrast Kill Me Now or Forever Stay Your Hand. Watch out for Heel Face Door Slam. Cross your fingers for Redemption Earns Life. Compare Rebellious Rebel, where the original discovery of the villain's treachery motivates his defection. Also see Capulet Counterpart. When the villain's words and acts draw the character, see Bring Them Around. See also Who's Laughing Now? for when a Butt Monkey minion commits a Face Heel Turn due to mistreatment from the Good Is Not Nice hero. If the minion in question ends up betraying and finishing off his/her former boss without actually defecting to the other side, it is The Dog Bites Back. SPOILERS for many Heel Face Turns follow. Examples of Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal include: