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* Patty Perkins from ''Literature/ConstanceVerityDestroysTheUniverse'' works as a "supervillain consultant", an independent contractor helping "wealthy idiot" masterminds put their operations together, whether it's designing logos and uniforms for their henchmen, to designing death traps and {{Death Ray}}s.
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For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurSleut or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
to:
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurSleut AmateurSleuth or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
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Fixed Amateur Detective to actual Amateur Sleuth trope
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For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurDetective or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
to:
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurDetective AmateurSleut or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
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The uses of consultants in stories are as wide and varied as the professions they advise on. They might simply be a one-shot character, a recurring character if their position brings them back frequently, or if viewed from the other end, it could be used to send a character to a variety of different places for various reasons. it might also be used to explain something about the character; why someone always seems to have money without ever actually doing anything, well, they consult, getting paid big bucks to give their opinion.
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
to:
The uses of consultants in stories are as wide and varied as the professions they advise on. They might simply be a one-shot character, a recurring character if their position brings them back frequently, or if viewed from the other end, it could be used to send a character to a variety of different places for various reasons. it It might also be used to explain something about the character; why someone always seems to have money without ever actually doing anything, going to work five days a week; well, they consult, getting are a consultant to big firms, so they get paid big bucks to give their opinion.
opinion on technical issues.
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurDetective or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
For times when police or detectives want to consult someone on an unsolved criminal case, they might be consulting an AmateurDetective or even, to get a sense of the criminal mind, ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
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[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''Film/TheAvengers2012'': Mentioned in passing to explain why [[Film/{{Thor}} Jane Foster]] isn't present; S.H.I.E.L.D. set her up as a consultant for a distant, remote observatory to keep her out of harm's way.
* ''Film/TheAvengers2012'': Mentioned in passing to explain why [[Film/{{Thor}} Jane Foster]] isn't present; S.H.I.E.L.D. set her up as a consultant for a distant, remote observatory to keep her out of harm's way.
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*
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* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators try to hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers, ending up with the Albanian ex-wife of a bystander - who only agrees to do it if they fix her (huge bag of) parking tickets. [[spoiler: She's the ideal expert for the job, having grown up listening to that exact voice... on propaganda radio - it was a prerecorded speech of former Albanian president Enver Hoxha]].
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers. [[spoiler: It doesn't work, as intended]].
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner, "Electrician/Adventurer." He's simply called to the protagonist's new (haunted) house to repair some wiring in a wall, but shows he's apparently an expert in supernatural activity (his response to finding a doorway to an ancient Aztex temple is a mild "Looks like you got some kinda alternate universe in there or something.") He helps the heroes duel the Aztecs and leaves everyone baffled by his expertise.
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers. [[spoiler: It doesn't work, as intended]].
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner, "Electrician/Adventurer." He's simply called to the protagonist's new (haunted) house to repair some wiring in a wall, but shows he's apparently an expert in supernatural activity (his response to finding a doorway to an ancient Aztex temple is a mild "Looks like you got some kinda alternate universe in there or something.") He helps the heroes duel the Aztecs and leaves everyone baffled by his expertise.
to:
* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators try to hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers, ending up with the Albanian ex-wife of a bystander - -- who only agrees to do it if they fix her (huge bag of) parking tickets. [[spoiler: She's [[spoiler:She's the ideal expert for the job, having grown up listening to that exact voice... on propaganda radio - -- it was a prerecorded speech of former Albanian president Enver Hoxha]].
Hoxha.]]
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers.[[spoiler: It [[spoiler:It doesn't work, as intended]].
intended.]]
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner,"Electrician/Adventurer." "Electrician/Adventurer". He's simply called to the protagonist's new (haunted) house to repair some wiring in a wall, but shows he's apparently an expert in supernatural activity (his response to finding a doorway to an ancient Aztex temple is a mild "Looks like you got some kinda alternate universe in there or something.") He helps the heroes duel the Aztecs and leaves everyone baffled by his expertise.
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers.
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner,
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* ''WesternAnimation/SecretMillionairesClub'': An EdutainmentShow example, the premise is a club of kids, mentored by billionaire Warren Buffet, who go to different businesses that are having troubles, along the way learning about various aspects of the business world.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/SecretMillionairesClub'': An EdutainmentShow example, the premise is a club of kids, mentored by billionaire Warren Buffet, who go to different businesses that are having troubles, along the way learning about various aspects of the business world.world.
----
----
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For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
to:
For times when you police or detectives want to consult someone on matters of murder, you an unsolved criminal case, they might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
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* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'':
** As a crafter or gatherer, many quests involve people coming to [[PlayerCharacter the Warrior of Light]] for their expertise in a chosen field to help. For example, Alchemist players end up called on to help with forensics to solve a LockedRoomMystery.
** In the ''Shadowbringers'' expansion, the Role Quests feature bounty hunters going after especially dangerous [[AngelicAbomination sin eaters]]. Each bounty hunter needs an expert adventurer's help to go after their quarry.
*** Giott is hiring a skilled healer to help understand the riddle of how Sophrosyn is healing sin eaters and even raising them from the dead when healing magic shouldn't work on sin eaters at all.
*** Cerigg is hiring a magic expert to understand the [[UnrealisticBlackHole "hollows"]] Phronesis is opening with its magic everywhere it travels.
*** Lue-Reeq is looking for a fellow offensive fighter to watch his back while hunting Andreia.
*** Granson wants someone extra durable who can survive an assault from Dikaiosyne.
** As a crafter or gatherer, many quests involve people coming to [[PlayerCharacter the Warrior of Light]] for their expertise in a chosen field to help. For example, Alchemist players end up called on to help with forensics to solve a LockedRoomMystery.
** In the ''Shadowbringers'' expansion, the Role Quests feature bounty hunters going after especially dangerous [[AngelicAbomination sin eaters]]. Each bounty hunter needs an expert adventurer's help to go after their quarry.
*** Giott is hiring a skilled healer to help understand the riddle of how Sophrosyn is healing sin eaters and even raising them from the dead when healing magic shouldn't work on sin eaters at all.
*** Cerigg is hiring a magic expert to understand the [[UnrealisticBlackHole "hollows"]] Phronesis is opening with its magic everywhere it travels.
*** Lue-Reeq is looking for a fellow offensive fighter to watch his back while hunting Andreia.
*** Granson wants someone extra durable who can survive an assault from Dikaiosyne.
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* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': When you find Garrus during the Reaper invasion of turian space, you find he's become the turian government's go-to consultant on the matter, since he's really the only one who has any experience fighting Reapers. Garrus himself is a little incredulous to find himself in this position.
to:
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'':
** When you find Garrus during the Reaper invasion of turian space, you find he's become the turian government's go-to consultant on the matter, since he's really the only one who has any experience fighting Reapers. Garrus himself is a little incredulous to find himself in this position.
** Mordin Solus is found on at the Salarian Tasks Group facility on Sur'kesh despite having retired from the STG. He says he's there as a consultant on the genophage, working for an actual cure since no one else has the expertise, experience and motivation for it. Has to be him, someone else might get it wrong.
** Jacob Taylor refuses reinstatement in the Alliance Marines, feeling his time with Cerberus disqualifies him. Instead he becomes their consultant on Cerberus tactics.
** When you find Garrus during the Reaper invasion of turian space, you find he's become the turian government's go-to consultant on the matter, since he's really the only one who has any experience fighting Reapers. Garrus himself is a little incredulous to find himself in this position.
** Mordin Solus is found on at the Salarian Tasks Group facility on Sur'kesh despite having retired from the STG. He says he's there as a consultant on the genophage, working for an actual cure since no one else has the expertise, experience and motivation for it. Has to be him, someone else might get it wrong.
** Jacob Taylor refuses reinstatement in the Alliance Marines, feeling his time with Cerberus disqualifies him. Instead he becomes their consultant on Cerberus tactics.
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[[AC:VideoGame]]
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': When you find Garrus during the Reaper invasion of turian space, you find he's become the turian government's go-to consultant on the matter, since he's really the only one who has any experience fighting Reapers. Garrus himself is a little incredulous to find himself in this position.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': When you find Garrus during the Reaper invasion of turian space, you find he's become the turian government's go-to consultant on the matter, since he's really the only one who has any experience fighting Reapers. Garrus himself is a little incredulous to find himself in this position.
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* ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'' follows Professor William James Moriarty, mathematics professor and criminal consultant. His morals might be in question, but his expertise is not.
** Sherlock Holmes is also present as the world's leading detective consultant.
** Sherlock Holmes is also present as the world's leading detective consultant.
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-->--'''Mitch Henderson''', ''Film/TheMartian'', "Ares III: Refocused"
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For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultant in a usually in a rather fringe field of expertise who is often brought in almost by force. Particularly unlucky consultants may find themselves playing the role of IgnoredExpert, or worse, TheWorldsExpertOnGettingKilled.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultant in a usually in a rather fringe field of expertise who is often brought in almost by force. Particularly unlucky consultants may find themselves playing the role of IgnoredExpert, or worse, TheWorldsExpertOnGettingKilled.
to:
For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes Other times (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMisterPuppet.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultantin a usually in a rather fringe field of expertise who is often brought in almost by force. Particularly unlucky consultants may find themselves playing the role of IgnoredExpert, or worse, TheWorldsExpertOnGettingKilled.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultant
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* ''Film/TheAvengers2012'': Mentioned in passing to explain why [[Film/{{Thor}} Jane Foster]] isn't present; S.H.I.E.L.D. set her up as a consultant for a distant, remote observatory to keep her out of harm's way.
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[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
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[[AC:Web Original]]
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f22884d7_7184_4f1c_83a4_c3e73cdd10a9.gif]]
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f22884d7_7184_4f1c_83a4_c3e73cdd10a9.gif]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Dogbert explains the principle.]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Dogbert explains the principle.]]
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* ''Film/TheHuntForRedOctober'': Skip Tyler, a former submariner until he lost his leg to a drunk driver, now teaches at the naval academy and occasionally consults with the Navy on technical matters. Ryan comes to him for help figuring out what the mysterious doors in ''Red October's'' hull are.
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->''"As a member of multiple advisory boards, it's not a full-time commitment. I get to travel a lot, I sit in rooms with other people, I give my opinion and then I leave. Perfect for someone like me."''
to:
->''"As a member of multiple advisory boards, it's not a full-time commitment. I get to travel a lot, I and sit in rooms with other people, I give a room and tell people my opinion opinions and then I leave. Perfect for someone like me."''
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* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his presentation 10 seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
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* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his ten minute presentation 10 ten seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
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* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, enemies from the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his presentation 10 seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
to:
* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, enemies from the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his presentation 10 seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
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[[AC:Comic Books]]
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[[AC:Comic Books]]
* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, enemies from the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his presentation 10 seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
-->''"'''I''' know from invulnerable... ...and this refugee from a canned '''sweet-corn label''' isn't '''it'''."''
* While it's not usually his main line of business, ComicBook/LexLuthor has occasionally taken consultancy gigs when the price was adequate. For example, during the arc where ComicBook/SwampThing was holding Gotham City hostage until his lover Abby was freed, enemies from the Sunderland Corporation brought Luthor in to map out how to destroy the plant elemental. Luthor finished his presentation 10 seconds early, just so the Sunderland people had enough time to write out his check for a million dollars.
-->''"'''I''' know from invulnerable... ...and this refugee from a canned '''sweet-corn label''' isn't '''it'''."''
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->"As a member of multiple advisory boards, it's not a full-time commitment. I get to travel a lot, I sit in rooms with other people, I give my opinion and then I leave. Perfect for someone like me."
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[[AC:NewspaperComics]]
* ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'': Occasionally, Dilbert's company brings in consultants to give advice. Usually, [[TheBarnum Dogbert]] plays the role, and he usually either gives worthless advice for his own amusement, or drags things out to extract as much money as he can from the job.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'': Occasionally, Dilbert's company brings in consultants to give advice. Usually, [[TheBarnum Dogbert]] plays the role, and he usually either gives worthless advice for his own amusement, or drags things out to extract as much money as he can from the job.
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* ''Series/{{Elementary}}'': Aside from being a private detective who consults for the NYPD, Sherlock himself will occasionally employ the services of his "irregulars" -- experts in various fields that he himself is not exceptionally versed in, such as advanced mathematics or paleontology -- whenever a case comes up that requires a bit of extra help.
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* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers. [[spoiler:They discover it was a prerecorded speech of Enver Hoxha]].
to:
* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators try to hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers. [[spoiler:They discover robbers, ending up with the Albanian ex-wife of a bystander - who only agrees to do it if they fix her (huge bag of) parking tickets. [[spoiler: She's the ideal expert for the job, having grown up listening to that exact voice... on propaganda radio - it was a prerecorded speech of former Albanian president Enver Hoxha]].
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* ''Website/TheDailyWTF'' has a lot of articles pertaining to the work of "Highly Paid Consultants". Most often they provide some software without the proper means to maintain it, which means the company then needs to either hire them again or [[https://thedailywtf.com/articles/The_Call_of_Codethulhu resort to extreme measures.]]]
to:
* ''Website/TheDailyWTF'' has a lot of articles pertaining to the work of "Highly Paid Consultants". Most often they provide some software without the proper means to maintain it, which means the company then needs to either hire them again or [[https://thedailywtf.com/articles/The_Call_of_Codethulhu resort to extreme measures.]]]
]]
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[[AC:Web Original]]
* ''Website/TheDailyWTF'' has a lot of articles pertaining to the work of "Highly Paid Consultants". Most often they provide some software without the proper means to maintain it, which means the company then needs to either hire them again or [[https://thedailywtf.com/articles/The_Call_of_Codethulhu resort to extreme measures.]]]
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For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMrPuppet.
to:
For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMrPuppet.
ConsultingMisterPuppet.
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OccupationTropes, CharacterizationTropes, CharactersAsDevice
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Created from YKTTW
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OccupationTropes, CharacterizationTropes, CharactersAsDevice
->"As a member of multiple advisory boards, it's not a full-time commitment. I get to travel a lot, I sit in rooms with other people, I give my opinion and then I leave. Perfect for someone like me."
-->--'''Mitch Henderson''', ''Film/TheMartian'', "Ares III: Refocused"
So, you have a project you need some professional advice on, or perhaps your company is facing difficult times or some other thing that you feel needs someone outside your current organization to come in, look at the situation, and offer their opinion, perhaps even lend their skills if need be. You need to bring in a consultant.
These are professionals who have only loose ties to the company or people they're assisting. They come in only for specific purposes, and once they've done what they came to do they collect their pay and hit the road. Some companies might keep consultants on retainer, calling them back in for various issues that crop up, but they are still free agents. While there are internal consultants, who bounce around to various departments in the company they work for, these are rarely seen in fiction. Most consultants are brought in for that external viewpoint.
The uses of consultants in stories are as wide and varied as the professions they advise on. They might simply be a one-shot character, a recurring character if their position brings them back frequently, or if viewed from the other end, it could be used to send a character to a variety of different places for various reasons. it might also be used to explain something about the character; why someone always seems to have money without ever actually doing anything, well, they consult, getting paid big bucks to give their opinion.
For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMrPuppet.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultant in a usually in a rather fringe field of expertise who is often brought in almost by force. Particularly unlucky consultants may find themselves playing the role of IgnoredExpert, or worse, TheWorldsExpertOnGettingKilled.
Not to be confused with BringingInTheExpert, which is when you have DirtyBusiness that you need done right.
----
!Examples
[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
* In ''Manga/KemonoJihen'', Inugami's kemono office is officially a group of "specialists" called in by transmetropolitan police in order to keep up TheMasquerade. The office's credentials are apparently so thorough that Inugami can easily let Kabane, a thirteen-year-old boy, into an ongoing crisis situation with his approval.
[[AC:FanWorks]]
* ''Fanfic/UsAndThem'': After defeating [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Jenova]], the Seraph (another of Jenova's people) Medea and her husband, Reidmar (a Cetra), work with Shinra as they reorganize in the aftermath. They don't actually work for the company, but Medea comes in now and then and donates samples of her cells so they can continue enhancing [=SOLDIERs=], and Reidmar helps them monitor the Planet's health as they dismantle the mako reactors.
[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers. [[spoiler:They discover it was a prerecorded speech of Enver Hoxha]].
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers. [[spoiler: It doesn't work, as intended]].
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner, "Electrician/Adventurer." He's simply called to the protagonist's new (haunted) house to repair some wiring in a wall, but shows he's apparently an expert in supernatural activity (his response to finding a doorway to an ancient Aztex temple is a mild "Looks like you got some kinda alternate universe in there or something.") He helps the heroes duel the Aztecs and leaves everyone baffled by his expertise.
* ''Film/TheMartian'': In the "Ares III: Refocused" extra, it reveals that after Mitch resigned from NASA he took up as a professional consultant which he thinks is the perfect job for him, he gets to tell people what he thinks and then leave.
* ''Film/TheRock'': After terrorists armed with VX poison gas take over Alcatraz Island, the government enlists FBI agent Stanley Goodspeed (a chemical weapons specialist) and former British Intelligence agent John Mason (the only prisoner who ever escaped Alcatraz) to breach the prison and neutralize the rockets. When their Navy SEAL escorts are wiped out they have to work together to stop the terrorists.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* ''Literature/InDeath'': Whenever Eve Dallas's husband Roarke decides to help out on one of her cases she always refers to him as a "civilian consultant". This is partially because as a billionaire businessman he does have useful expert knowledge, and partially because it is the most convenient thing to put on her reports.
* ''Literature/SherlockHolmes'' is the world's first and only consulting detective, taking on cases as police needs him to rather than seeking out those cases himself.
* In the short story ''Literature/AStudyInEmerald'', the detective of the story is also a consulting detective, apparently the world's first and only. [[spoiler:Except, the detective is not Holmes, but Moriarty.]]
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''Series/{{Bones}}'': The point of the whole series. Dr. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist at an institution called the Jeffersonian who consults for the FBI, helping them identify the skeletal remains of murder victims and solve their murders.
* ''Series/TheNoddyShop'': Whenever there is a problem involving some sort of animal, April May [=McJune=], an animal handler, is brought in to deal with it.
* ''Series/{{NUMB3RS}}'': The point of the entire series. Charlie Eppes is a math genius who consults for the FBI when they come across a difficult crime to solve.
* ''Series/WhiteCollar'': Neal Caffrey is a white collar criminal on a leash, a tracking anklet that lets the FBI monitor his location while he serves out his sentence, which involves coming in to consult on cases for various white collar crimes.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SecretMillionairesClub'': An EdutainmentShow example, the premise is a club of kids, mentored by billionaire Warren Buffet, who go to different businesses that are having troubles, along the way learning about various aspects of the business world.
->"As a member of multiple advisory boards, it's not a full-time commitment. I get to travel a lot, I sit in rooms with other people, I give my opinion and then I leave. Perfect for someone like me."
-->--'''Mitch Henderson''', ''Film/TheMartian'', "Ares III: Refocused"
So, you have a project you need some professional advice on, or perhaps your company is facing difficult times or some other thing that you feel needs someone outside your current organization to come in, look at the situation, and offer their opinion, perhaps even lend their skills if need be. You need to bring in a consultant.
These are professionals who have only loose ties to the company or people they're assisting. They come in only for specific purposes, and once they've done what they came to do they collect their pay and hit the road. Some companies might keep consultants on retainer, calling them back in for various issues that crop up, but they are still free agents. While there are internal consultants, who bounce around to various departments in the company they work for, these are rarely seen in fiction. Most consultants are brought in for that external viewpoint.
The uses of consultants in stories are as wide and varied as the professions they advise on. They might simply be a one-shot character, a recurring character if their position brings them back frequently, or if viewed from the other end, it could be used to send a character to a variety of different places for various reasons. it might also be used to explain something about the character; why someone always seems to have money without ever actually doing anything, well, they consult, getting paid big bucks to give their opinion.
For times when you want to consult someone on matters of murder, you might be ConsultingAConvictedKiller. Othertimes (if you're ''really'' off your rocker) you might be consulting an inanimate object, in which case you're ConsultingMrPuppet.
Compare with TheWormGuy, a consultant in a usually in a rather fringe field of expertise who is often brought in almost by force. Particularly unlucky consultants may find themselves playing the role of IgnoredExpert, or worse, TheWorldsExpertOnGettingKilled.
Not to be confused with BringingInTheExpert, which is when you have DirtyBusiness that you need done right.
----
!Examples
[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
* In ''Manga/KemonoJihen'', Inugami's kemono office is officially a group of "specialists" called in by transmetropolitan police in order to keep up TheMasquerade. The office's credentials are apparently so thorough that Inugami can easily let Kabane, a thirteen-year-old boy, into an ongoing crisis situation with his approval.
[[AC:FanWorks]]
* ''Fanfic/UsAndThem'': After defeating [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Jenova]], the Seraph (another of Jenova's people) Medea and her husband, Reidmar (a Cetra), work with Shinra as they reorganize in the aftermath. They don't actually work for the company, but Medea comes in now and then and donates samples of her cells so they can continue enhancing [=SOLDIERs=], and Reidmar helps them monitor the Planet's health as they dismantle the mako reactors.
[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* In ''Film/InsideMan'', police negotiators hire an Albanian translator to translate a speech from the bank robbers. [[spoiler:They discover it was a prerecorded speech of Enver Hoxha]].
* ''Film/IronMan2'': At the end of the film, Natasha Romanov recommends Tony Stark ''not'' be admitted to the Avengers Initiative, but kept on as a consultant. This leads directly into the short ''Film/TheConsultant'', where Tony is tapped to "convince" General Ross to let Emil Blonsky (The Abomination) join the Avengers. [[spoiler: It doesn't work, as intended]].
* Parodied in ''Film/HouseIITheSecondStory'' with Bill Towner, "Electrician/Adventurer." He's simply called to the protagonist's new (haunted) house to repair some wiring in a wall, but shows he's apparently an expert in supernatural activity (his response to finding a doorway to an ancient Aztex temple is a mild "Looks like you got some kinda alternate universe in there or something.") He helps the heroes duel the Aztecs and leaves everyone baffled by his expertise.
* ''Film/TheMartian'': In the "Ares III: Refocused" extra, it reveals that after Mitch resigned from NASA he took up as a professional consultant which he thinks is the perfect job for him, he gets to tell people what he thinks and then leave.
* ''Film/TheRock'': After terrorists armed with VX poison gas take over Alcatraz Island, the government enlists FBI agent Stanley Goodspeed (a chemical weapons specialist) and former British Intelligence agent John Mason (the only prisoner who ever escaped Alcatraz) to breach the prison and neutralize the rockets. When their Navy SEAL escorts are wiped out they have to work together to stop the terrorists.
[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* ''Literature/InDeath'': Whenever Eve Dallas's husband Roarke decides to help out on one of her cases she always refers to him as a "civilian consultant". This is partially because as a billionaire businessman he does have useful expert knowledge, and partially because it is the most convenient thing to put on her reports.
* ''Literature/SherlockHolmes'' is the world's first and only consulting detective, taking on cases as police needs him to rather than seeking out those cases himself.
* In the short story ''Literature/AStudyInEmerald'', the detective of the story is also a consulting detective, apparently the world's first and only. [[spoiler:Except, the detective is not Holmes, but Moriarty.]]
[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''Series/{{Bones}}'': The point of the whole series. Dr. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist at an institution called the Jeffersonian who consults for the FBI, helping them identify the skeletal remains of murder victims and solve their murders.
* ''Series/TheNoddyShop'': Whenever there is a problem involving some sort of animal, April May [=McJune=], an animal handler, is brought in to deal with it.
* ''Series/{{NUMB3RS}}'': The point of the entire series. Charlie Eppes is a math genius who consults for the FBI when they come across a difficult crime to solve.
* ''Series/WhiteCollar'': Neal Caffrey is a white collar criminal on a leash, a tracking anklet that lets the FBI monitor his location while he serves out his sentence, which involves coming in to consult on cases for various white collar crimes.
[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SecretMillionairesClub'': An EdutainmentShow example, the premise is a club of kids, mentored by billionaire Warren Buffet, who go to different businesses that are having troubles, along the way learning about various aspects of the business world.
