Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / PermissionToSpeakFreely

Go To

1%%
2%%
3%%
4%%
5%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks!
6%%
7%%
8%%
9%%
10%%
11[[quoteright:658:[[ComicBook/StarWarsTheCloneWars https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ganch_speaks_freely.jpg]]]]
12
13->'''Arnolf Karstark:''' May I speak my mind, Your Grace?\
14'''Robb Stark:''' Have you ''not'' been speaking your mind, Lord Karstark?
15-->--''Series/GameOfThrones''
16
17A StockPhrase.
18
19In the military, due to the chain of command, there is rarely a time where a rank and file soldier can speak his mind without disrespecting his superior. Cue this phrase. If the commander grants the request, it is understood that the soldier will not be disciplined for anything he says. This is often adapted to "Permission to do X," if used for comedic effect. A similar phrase, "OffTheRecord," can be used for similar purposes (usually in non-military situations).
20
21Another related RealLife phrase is, [[WithDueRespect "With all due respect, sir…"]] After which an NCO tends to say something nasty about the addressee officer.
22
23Compare TheConsigliere, who is employed to always speak with BrutalHonesty.
24
25Note of caution: using it in RealLife is [[SchmuckBait not a good idea]]. [[TemptingFate Neither is granting it]], really. If subordinates are not speaking freely anyway, it is a pretty serious failure of leadership. Subordinates on the other hand need to know how to get the point across respectfully and unambiguously.
26
27!!Examples:
28
29[[foldercontrol]]
30
31[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
32* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' anime episode #210. During the captain's meeting, Head Captain Yamamoto orders Captain Unohana to remain in the Seireitei and be ready to take care of any wounded. She asks for permission to speak, then asks if it would be better for her to go with the other investigating captains to the scene of the disappearances where there are more likely to be injuries to be healed. Head Captain Yamamoto declines her request: they can't risk her because of the uncertainty of the situation.
33[[/folder]]
34
35[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
36* Inverted in ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', after Agent Peggy Carter returns from dropping off Cap behind the front line, the Colonel chews her out about the risky move and possibly getting herself and Rogers killed.
37-->'''Colonel:''' If you have anything to say, now is a really good time to keep it to yourself.
38* ''Film/CatWomenOfTheMoon''. When Kip voices his suspicions of Miss Salanger's navigational skills. (As it turns out, she's being mind-controlled by the evil cat-women.)
39-->'''Kip:''' I wonder if the commander would permit an observation?
40-->'''Captain Laird:''' Ah, come on, Kip, we don't have to get that formal.
41-->'''Kip:''' Well, I only wanted to point out that, from the angle the ship entered the crater, it would have been impossible for Miss Salanger to see that cave.
42* Used in ''Film/DownPeriscope'', shortly after Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge pulled a rather risky and clever stunt to boost the self-confidence of his Diving Officer, Emily Lake. She corners him in his cabin, asks "Permission to speak freely, sir?" and after he grants it, kisses him rather passionately. After she salutes and leaves, Dodge muses "I should grant permission to speak freely more often."
43* In ''Film/DrStrangelove'', General Turgidson asks the President for permission to speak freely, then proceeds to actively question the Russians' grasp of technical know-how, visibly angering the present Russian ambassador by calling them 'ignorant peons'.
44* ''Film/AFewGoodMen'': Lt. Kaffee comes back to Cpl. Dawson, his client, with a deal; if he pleads guilty to a lesser charge (Dawson had accidentally killed Private Santiago when he and Private Downey were trying to give him a Code Red), Dawson and Downey will both get nine months. Dawson just looks at him impassively, even after Kaffee sarcastically points out it's a good deal. Then:
45-->'''Kaffee:''' Take it, Harold. It's nine months. It's a hockey season.\
46'''Dawson:''' Permission to-\
47'''Kaffee:''' [[SuddenlyShouting SPEAK!]] Jesus!
48* In the film version of ''Film/TheGunsOfNavarone'' Corporal Miller says "Permission to speak?" to Major Franklin, then tells him that he thinks the boat is unsafe and that he can't swim.
49* Used in ''Film/TheHungerGamesMockingjayPart1'', with a slight twist on the response.
50* In ''Film/TheOne'', the junior [[TimePolice MVA Agent]], Evan Funsch, repeatedly asks his partner for permission long after having started to speak.
51* In the 1996 movie adaptation of ''Film/SgtBilko'', newcomer Wally asks [[MildlyMilitary Bilko]] this stock question, to which Bilko responds "'Permission?!' What are we, in Russia? Say anything you want." Even so, Wally continues to ask permission throughout the film.
52* ''Film/StarTrek2009'': Leonard 'Bones' [=McCoy=] to Spock after [[spoiler:Kirk gets ousted from the ship]].
53-->'''Spock:''' I welcome it.\
54'''[=McCoy=]:''' Really? Ok, then: Are you out of your Vulcan ''mind?!''
55* ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture''. Commander Decker to Admiral Kirk after Kirk almost blows up the ''Enterprise''.
56* ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''. Saavik to James T. Kirk after the [[UnwinnableTrainingSimulation Kobayashi Maru test]].
57** Notably, both of the above are examples of how to do this correctly. Both Decker and Saavik keep their tones respectful and their comments on point. In the first one, [=McCoy=] goes on to berate Kirk for his stubbornness, and Kirk finally gets the point. In the second, Kirk listens to Saavik, then explains to her why the whole ''point'' of the Kobayashi Maru test was to be unwinnable.
58* When [[HollywoodHistory the American]] [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory submariners]] have captured and are running ''Film/{{U571}}'', Creator/HarveyKeitel's Chief Gunner's Mate Kleough speaks the exact words to Creator/MatthewMcConaughey's Lt. Tyler, in order to point out that [[YouAreInCommandNow he's the ranking officer and therefore]] TheCaptain, and Tyler needs to start acting like it, even if he doesn't feel it.
59[[/folder]]
60
61[[folder:Literature]]
62* Angua to Vimes in ''Literature/TheFifthElephant'':
63-->'''Angua:''' Permission to speak freely, sir?\
64'''Vimes:''' Don't you always?
65* In ''Literature/AGameOfThrones'', Eddard "Ned" Stark asks King Robert Baratheon for permission to speak his mind. Robert wonders when Ned has not done so.
66* In one of the ''Literature/StarTrekKlingonEmpire'' novels, Captain Klag extends this permission to one of his officers, although since both were [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Klingons]] it was actually ''worded'' along the lines of "I will neither kill nor dismember you for what you say". It's mentioned that some captains will extend this permission and then kill the speaker anyway; fortunately for all concerned, Klag is not one of those captains.
67* Franchise/StarWarsLegends:
68** Happens several times in the [[Literature/XWingSeries Wraith Squadron]] books. Sometimes it's played straight, sometimes for laughs--the Wraiths are only MildlyMilitary.
69** ''Literature/DarkLordTheRiseOfDarthVader'': Moff Tarkin to Emperor Palpatine, on the subject of the fleet commanders' opinion of Darth Vader (it's negative). The Emperor tells him to make it a habit.
70* Creator/PeterDavid loves this one. Two examples, of many, from ''Literature/StarTrekNewFrontier'':
71** ''House of Cards'': Shelby's reaction to learning that Calhoun will be commanding the ''Excalibur'':
72--->'''Shelby:''' I feel I must inquire as to... that is, I'm curious as to the thinking behind... Permission to--\
73'''Jellico:''' Yes, yes, speak freely.\
74'''Shelby:''' ''Damn it, Admiral, what the hell is going on in Starfleet?''\
75'''Jellico:''' I didn't quite mean ''that'' freely...
76** ''Gods Above'': Kebron rather abruptly tells Calhoun, "when we first met, I didn't like you." Calhoun, slightly taken aback, points out that usually, one asks for permission to speak freely first; he invariably grants it ([[MilitaryMaverick under the circumstances, he'd have to, or he'd look like a howling hypocrite]]), but "it's the thought that counts."
77* In ''Literature/WolfHall'', Cromwell asks Henry's permission to speak (with the "freely" implied) after reinforcing his earlier criticisms of Henry's military campaigns. Henry replies that he wishes ''someone'' would; he's not always in the mood for an HonestAdvisor, but at the moment, he's impressed by Cromwell's boldness rather than further aggravated.
78[[/folder]]
79
80[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
81* The very MildlyMilitary aliens on ''Series/ThirdRockFromTheSun'' occasionally used variations of this. In one episode, Sally was exasperated with Dick's command decisions and came up with the particularly memorable, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1wDAjM7hh0&t=4m15s "Dick, permission to bitch?!"]] (He grants it.)
82* ''Series/{{Andor}}''. PlayedForLaughs in a scene where an Imperial Security Bureau officer is chewing out Hyne, Karn and Mosk for their stuff-up on Ferrix. Mosk raises his hand to try ask a question like if they're at kindergarten; the ISB commander just snarks, [[YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe "Seriously?"]] and Mosk slowly lowers his it.
83* Several characters from ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' say this, especially Starbuck.
84** Notable in that unlike most examples of this phrase, her request is often denied outright.
85* ''Series/{{Blackadder}} Goes Forth'':
86** ''The Blackadder Goes Forth'' also has Baldrick given permission to ask a question, "as long as it isn't the one about where babies come from" which leads to Baldrick asking how the war started.
87** And also Baldrick's first cunning plan from episode 1 where the permission is "Granted, with a due sense of exhaustion and dread."
88** In one episode, Blackadder is attempting to win General Melchett's favor and orders Baldrick and George not to talk unless given explicit permission. They take this {{literal|Minded}}ly and end up needing permission to answer basic questions like "How are you doing?"
89** In the same episode, Blackadder abuses his earlier order to steal credit for a painting George made in order to get out of the trenches, with George asking for permission to speak up in an increasingly frustrated fashion.
90** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_FdDtCB8xw "Permission to shout 'bravo' at an annoyingly loud volume?"]]
91* Also occurs on ''Series/{{Caprica}}'', when an STO officer grants Lacy Rand this during a questioning.
92* Near the end of the ''Series/{{Community}}'' episode "Remedial Chaos Theory", a follow-up scene from the darkest alternate timeline has Abed proposing they embrace their evil selves and destroy their good alternate identities. Jeff, who lost an arm in a fire here, asks if being evil lets them speak their mind, and when it does, he angrily tears into Abed for his relentless obsession with timelines in the face of all the tragedy that's befallen the group. Evil Abed is unfazed.
93* Parodied in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' ChristmasSpecial "[[Recap/DoctorWho2012CSTheSnowmen The Snowmen]]" wherein a character asks for permission to make a statement in such detail that it renders actually making the statement completely redundant.
94* ''Series/{{JAG}}'': A frequent phrase on this show. Two examples:
95** In the Season 3 episode [[Recap/JAGS03E15YesterdaysHeroes "Yesterday's Heroes"]]:
96--->'''Lt. Bud Roberts, Jr.:''' ''[seeing Mac in her swimsuit]'' Permission to speak freely, Ma'am?
97--->'''Maj. Sarah 'Mac' [=MacKenzie=]:''' Of course.
98--->'''Lt. Bud Roberts, Jr.:''' WOW!
99** In the Season 7 episode [[Recap/JAGS07E04Guilt "Guilt"]], Lt. Singer gets overly aggressive questioning Lt. Sims. In private, Commander Rabb tells Singer that she should've run that line of questioning by him. By bullying the sympathetic Sims, Singer has damaged their case. Singer asks for permission to speak freely. Rabb doesn't really care to hear whatever it is she has to say, so he denies the permission and dismisses her.
100* From season 5 of ''Series/TheNanny'':
101-->'''Maxwell:''' Niles, I don't know what the woman wants anymore. What am I supposed to do?
102-->'''Niles:''' May I speak freely, sir?
103-->'''Maxwell:''' Yes, of course, old boy.
104-->'''Niles:''' I am so bloody sick of hearing this year after year. "Niles, what am I to do?," "I told her I love her," "I took it back," "I'm afraid of commitment," "I'm worried about the children." [[GetAholdOfYourselfMan For God's sake, make a move!]] ''Do something!'' You passed on ''Theatre/{{Cats}}'', [[OnceDoneNeverForgotten do you want to regret this for the rest of your life too?!]]
105* From ''Series/{{NCIS}}'':
106-->'''Abby''': Permission to speak freely, SIR!
107-->'''Gibbs''': You always do, Abby.
108-->'''Abby''': I know. I just [[IAlwaysWantedToSayThat always wanted to say that]].
109* In "[[Recap/TheOrvilleS3E01ElectricSheep Electric Sheep]]," from ''Series/TheOrville'', a number of crew aboard the ''Orville'' are upset about the android Isaac being reinstated as a crewmember aboard the ship after his people declared war on the entirety of sentient organic life and he initially helped. Ensign Burke asks Captain Mercer for permission to speak freely before laying out her own personal issues with Isaac still being onboard.
110* Two examples from ''Series/TheProfessionals'':
111** From "Old Dog with New Tricks".
112--->'''Bodie:''' Permission to be admiringly insolent, sir. You're a brave old bastard.
113--->'''Cowley:''' Permission denied. Anyway, it's inaccurate. [[HeroicSelfDeprecation I'm not brave.]]
114** And at the end of "Need to Know".
115--->'''Doyle:''' Permission to make an observation, sir. You're a ruthless old bastard.
116--->'''Cowley:''' [[ITakeOffenseToThatLastOne Not so much of the old]], sonny.
117* Used for comedy in ''Series/RedDwarf'', particularly when Rimmer is attempting to be polite to Captain Hollister, even asking his permission to look smug.
118** Also in the series 6 episode "Psirens" when Kryten asks Rimmer for permission to voice his opinion, Rimmer smugly responds "Denied" and Kryten proceeds to speak anyway without missing a beat.
119* ''Series/StargateSG1'' uses this occasionally when the team is discussing some awkward situation with whoever's in charge of the base that season. Or when they're about to say something [[HilarityEnsues really inappropriate]]. A personal favorite from O'Neil: "General Hammond, permission to beat the crap out of this man?" (Sadly, it isn't granted).
120* A variation in the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "Obsession" in which it is shown that the First Officer and Medical Officer have the right to formally approach the Captain when they observe him acting in ways that they feel are harmful to the ship and her crew. Starfleet regulations even set out the words that must be used when making this approach.
121* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': Riker has a tendency to invoke this with various Special Guest Captains on the ''Enterprise'' when Picard got temporarily replaced for various reasons. This is usually because said temp captains almost always ''are'' [[TyrantTakesTheHelm complete dicks]], who either don't know anything about the ''Enterprise's'' usual group dynamics, or don't care. In fact, this comes up all the time in the ''Franchise/StarTrek'' franchise. Speaking your mind to a superior officer without asking this first is insubordination and can be punished appropriately and the senior officer can also revoke it at any time. A variant, "permission to speak frankly," also exists. The superior officer may also choose to deny the request, or may reply "Always," indicating an apparent blank check that they prefer for their subordinates to always speak their mind and they will not be punished for insubordination if they do so. It's also worth noting that many officers within the series have simply made this request then gone ahead and started speaking their minds without waiting for the requested permission.
122** Riker even once said it to himself, after it is discovered that the transporter created a duplicate of him eight years previously when he was still a Lieutenant, and Lt. Riker didn't like Commander Riker's command style.
123** One memorable example also occurs on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', where Kira, wanting to discuss the possible replacement of Odo as security chief with a Starfleet officer, asks Sisko for permission to speak freely, and once, granted, ''erupts'' in frustrated rage at Starfleet's cluelessness.
124** Worf does this when going to have a private discussion with Kurn over why he's being constantly patronised by the Klingon commander. However, it's only when Worf loses his temper and challenges his superior that they ''really'' start speaking freely, as Kurn was just doing a SecretTestOfCharacter to find out if Worf shared his Klingon values.
125* Something of a StockPhrase for Chakotay towards Captain Janeway on ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. It may be that as a Maquis leader he has a hard time gauging the Starfleet-appropriate level of formality.
126** Chakotay is former Starfleet, so it's more likely a reflection on the notorious stubbornness of his captain.
127* ''Series/TheWestWing'' episode "Dead Irish Writers", has First Lady Abbey Bartlet having a private talk with some of the women staffers about the impending possible suspension of her medical license, and C.J. asks permission to talk to Abbey, and not the First Lady. Abbey gives permission, but doesn't like what C.J. tells her, and switches back to being the First Lady. A bit later Donna pipes in with:
128-->'''Donna''': Oh, Mrs. Bartlet, for crying out loud, you were also a doctor when your husband said, "Give me the drugs and don't tell anybody," and you said, "Okay."
129-->''(An uncomfortable silence fills the room. Everyone looks at Donna.)''
130-->'''Donna''': Oh my God. You switched back to First Lady.
131* The captain of ''Yakamoz.S-245'' makes civilian engineer Arman a replacement for the deceased Chief Engineer of the eponymous submarine. When an agitated Arman complains to the captain about the attitude of the crew (who blame him for his predecessor's death), the captain insists on being addressed with the proper respect as Arman is now an officer on his ship, so Arman asks for permission to speak.
132[[/folder]]
133
134[[folder:Video Games]]
135* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedRevelations'', Amhet, the future sultan asks the commander of the Janissaries why his troops are reluctant to serve him. The commander asks for permission to speak freely, then delivers a ReasonYouSuckSpeech about why he thinks Amhet will be a poor sultan. For his part, however, when asked this Ahmet answered with "You'd better", meaning that he was expecting BrutalHonesty.
136* Parodied in ''VideoGame/DestroyAllHumans''. Set a soldier on fire, and he'll ask for permission to drop and roll. [[DownerEnding He never gets it.]]
137* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'', Sergeant Stark will say this if you become Captain of the guard and tell you that he doesn't think you deserve the position. Interestingly he'll say so even if you don't give him permission.
138* Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams says this to Commander Shepard in ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' when she wants to talk about aliens aboard the ''Normandy.''
139** Kaidan utters this phrase the first time you ask him about his personal life.
140** Jacob from the sequel does that too.
141* In ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'', Razputin asks Coach Oleander for permission to speak freely when Oleander's badmouthing Sasha Nein, permission Oleander promptly denies.
142* In ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'', Officer Teng asks this when Pendrew reveals Wei is actually an undercover cop. Pendrew says "Denied" so fast he almost cuts the question off.
143* In the ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' tutorial, a Marine says this to the player around the time he's being moved near hostile terrain, before suggesting that the player may not know what he or she is doing and proceeding to give a lesson on attack modes.
144[[/folder]]
145
146[[folder:Webcomics]]
147* In ''Webcomic/{{Angels 2200}}'', when Sasha "Hammer" Carelli is called before the captain for a dressing down, she uses this phrase, to which the captain says yes, then proceeds to criticize the squad being given great expectations and little help, a criticism the captain rejects.
148* Used for comedic effect in [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/02/11/ this]] somewhat infamous ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' strip.
149* ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'': This shows up occasionally since the main characters are in a mercenary company with military-style ranks. At one point, one of their ship A.I.'s ask for permission, then gets a little worried with several {{beat}} panels of no response--
150--> '''Cindy:''' Captain?
151--> '''Tagon:''' *sigh* The answer is always yes, but I still hate the question.
152* Used in a very direct manner [[https://starslip.chainsawsuit.com/starslip/starslip-number-764/ in this]] ''Webcomic/{{Starslip}}'' page :
153--> '''Subordinate''' : Admiral sir. Permission to speak insultingly?
154--> '''Admiral''' : Permission granted.
155--> '''Subordinate''' : What the [[SymbolSwearing @&#$]] were you thinking?
156* Luci of ''Webcomic/WapsiSquare'' [[http://wapsisquare.com/comic/speakfreely/ uses the phrase]] in a non-military setting. This is done to highlight her over-disciplined nature that is compensation for her criminal past.
157[[/folder]]
158
159[[folder:Web Original]]
160* A little kid asks Santa for permission to speak in the ''Music/DoctorSteel [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVfSJPKA0VM Christmas Special.]]''
161* In ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'', this is almost Grif's catchphrase.
162-->"Permission to speak freely, sir? That's really fucking gross."
163-->"Permission to sigh and walk away, Sir?"
164-->"Permission to speak insultingly, Sir?"
165-->"Permission to speak freely, sir? Fuck that."
166** Usually denied, not that that stops Grif from following through anyway. [[spoiler:The last one has Sarge approve since they were going to fight Charon Industries.]]
167[[/folder]]
168
169[[folder:Western Animation]]
170* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "New Kids on the Blecch", Lt. Smash says "Permission to say that's crazy, sir!"
171* Sometimes asked of the titular character on ''Literature/{{Babar}}'' by his subjects.
172* In the ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'' episode "Temporal Edict", Mariner makes this request of Ransom. Ransom, not without cause, replies "You ''always'' speak freely. Nobody can ''stop'' you from speaking freely!"
173[[/folder]]

Top