General Ripper/Playing With

Basic Trope: A Military Leader who insanely pursues a vendetta against the "enemy."

• Straight: Gen. Bludbath calls for war against the aliens, accusing them of aggression. This despite no evidence of aggression even existing.
• Exaggerated: Gen. Bludbath calls for war against the whole galaxy despite no evidence of any aggression to the planet.
• Justified: Gen. Bludbath knows something his fellow officers don't.
• Inverted: Gen. Bludbath pleas for peace with the Exclusively Evil aliens, accusing them of being misunderstood.
• Subverted: Gen. Bludbath's insane methods actually work ...
• Double Subverted: ...that is, until the aliens declare war directly because of Gen. Bludbath's aggression.
• Parodied: Gen. Bludbath calls for war against the aliens, accusing them of military aggression and canceling Firefly.
• Deconstructed: Gen. Bludbath is an insane individual who trusts no one, thus compromising his ability to lead.
• Reconstructed: But at least he's on our side, doesn't hesitate to take it to the enemy, and is never going to be accused of cowardice. We can figure out if he belongs in the mental ward once the war is over.
• Zig Zagged: Gen. Bludbath goes lenient one day, loony the next.
• Averted: Gen. Bludbath calls for war against the aliens, who proudly admit they were going to do the same.
• Enforced: "Your stable minded generals are too likable for this is an anti-war story! Bring in Gen. Bludbath!"
• Lampshaded: "I'm a madman, and proud of it!"
• Invoked: The young man who will grow up to be Gen. Bludbath joins the army for the sole purpose of eventually getting the power to destroy his enemy.
• Defied: "You're far too insane to be leading this army, Bludbath. I'll be taking your rank, please."
• Discussed: "That Gen. Bludbath's a real loon!"
• Conversed: How do guys like Gen. Bludbath always end up in charge? You'd think someone clearly that unhinged would have been sent to the loony bin, not end up as a general.

---

Back to General Ripper