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12[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/FlakyPastry https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shame_1.png]]]]
13
14->''"Tom says it's okay!"'' [{{beat}}] ''"That probably means it's not okay."''
15-->-- '''Andy Dwyer,''' ''Series/ParksAndRecreation''
16
17%%
18%% One quote is sufficient. Please place additional entries on the quotes tab.
19
20So our once-spotless character has just performed a bit of DirtyBusiness, or worse, in a moment of weakness, they've done something unambiguously wrong, perhaps even lowering themselves to the level of the villain. Either way, their [[FatalFlaw character flaws]] have just been [[WhatYouAreInTheDark laid bare]].
21
22[[BaddieFlattery "Nice one"]], the evil villain says, "and I thought ''I'' was the bad guy, here." At this point, the hero realizes that they must have [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone done something horrible]] to warrant a compliment from their most hated adversary. They may brush it off with a [[ShutUpHannibal quick retort]] or [[KirkSummation explanation]] but the villain's words will linger regardless.
23
24This generally comes in one of two flavors: in one, the villain is [[ArsonMurderAndAdmiration genuinely impressed]] by the unheroic deed and pays the hero an honest (if unwanted) compliment. This shows up more frequently in comedic works. In other, usually more dramatic cases, the villain's motive is to [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastically mock]] the hero's [[NotSoDifferentRemark claim to the moral high ground]], [[ManipulativeBastard mess with the hero's head]], [[FlawExploitation goad him]] into taking more actions he'll regret, or to make him realize that [[FaceHeelTurn evil may just be his style]].
25
26Essentially an {{inver|tedTrope}}sion of WhatTheHellHero. Sometimes part of a BreakingLecture or a NotSoDifferentRemark. Can occasionally occur solely among heroes, with an especially dark AntiHero or SociopathicHero standing in for a villain; if the approval is expressed by a superior or a commanding officer, it's likely to be a MedalOfDishonor. Often the person receiving the unwanted approval will feel that they have been DamnedByAFoolsPraise. When villains compliment one another, it's ArsonMurderAndAdmiration. There's also its total opposite: the InsultBackfire, where the villain appreciates the qualities the hero accuses them of. Can occur with SoProudOfYou. Compare ComplimentBackfire (where the problem is not what is being said (or who is saying it), but ''how''); YouCouldHaveUsedYourPowersForEvil, where a villain notes the hero could have made a good villain; AntiAdvice, where the nature of the advisor causes the advisee to do exactly the opposite; AtLeastIAdmitIt, where a villain notes that, unlike the "hero", he's honest about doing wrong; and DismissingACompliment.
27----
28!!Examples:
29
30[[foldercontrol]]
31
32[[folder:Advertising]]
33* Invoked in a controversial advertisement from PETA depicting white supremacists attending a dog breeding competition. When the event coordinators question their presence, the white supremacists say that the breeders' obsession with racial purity falls right in line with their own beliefs, causing the dog breeders obvious discomfort.
34[[/folder]]
35
36[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
37* In the ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' anime, Uryu Ishida utters a similar phrase when he gets praised by [[PunchClockVillain Nel and her Fraccion]], a group of Arrancar who technically are his enemies.
38* In ''Literature/{{Campione}}'', Godou gets upset when people congratulate him on his BloodKnight and ChickMagnet status, as he tries to suppress these tendencies.
39* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', near the end of the series, in the crossroad to the afterlife [[spoiler:Kyogo violently pushes Sanemi away, barring him from staying with his mom Shizu and accompany her to hell, Kyogo praises Sanemi for being strong just like him so he should cling to life. That certainly isn't the comparison and praise Sanemi wanted to hear, as he and all his siblings disliked their abusive father, but Sanemi is somewhat quite of a violent jerk himself, just not at the same abhorrent level his father was]].
40* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Mustang and his fellow soldiers committed many horrifying atrocities during the Ishval Civil War, but were commended and treated as war heroes since they were on the winning side. Mustang, in particular, is absolutely ''disgusted'' that he's viewed as a hero for participating in what was essentially a genocide, and would much rather be rotting in prison for what he did.
41* In ''Literature/FullMetalPanic'', Sōsuke gets this way (in a more [[BerserkButton violent, angry way]]) whenever Gauron starts describing how beautiful, wonderful, or [[GaussianGirl saint-like]] Sōsuke is when he nonchalantly kills people. Especially when Gauron refers to him by "Kashim" -- his past alias and what Gauron clarifies as being his "Assassin-Saint" persona. Sōsuke's reactions to this tend to range from angrily yelling that ThatManIsDead (despite the fact that he still works as and has the personality of a [[TheStoic stoic]] assassin mercenary) to violently trying to kill Gauron. This YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame reaction tends to only be provoked by Gauron since Gauron is pretty much the person that disgusts Sōsuke the most in the entire series.
42* In ''Manga/HajimeNoIppo'', Ippo scores a one-punch KO in one of his title defenses. Despite the tremendous applause and adoration of his fans, Ippo is disheartened, as he didn't feel it was real boxing.
43* In ''Manga/HekikaiNoAion'', Seine has no other option but to rip [[MindControlDevice the Mushis]] out of a crowd of {{brainwashed and crazy}} students without exciting the Mushis first. Shizuki applause this act. Seine was not amused since she knows what doing that [[FateWorseThanDeath means]]. [[spoiler:All those kids will not remember anything they did under mushi influence, but [[MindRape anytime they got any potential weapon, they will feel the urge of kill someone, a.k.a. Seine, or will feel the urge to kill her if they saw her face]].]]
44* ''Literature/{{Inukami}}'': Keita is disgusted by the genuine respect minor antagonists like underwear thief and Peeping Doctor have for him and can't stand the title they refer to him with: King of Nudity. Although he IS just as perverted as they are, and did such an act in the episode, the title is actually Yohko's fault.
45* ''Manga/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'': When Tsubame reveals her plan to [[spoiler:tell an altered version of the truth about Ishigami to Otomo]], Kaguya is shocked but approves, saying that she never could have come up with something like that. Tsubame is clearly uncomfortable upon hearing this, though she hides it rather well.
46* ''Manga/KenichiTheMightiestDisciple'' sometimes gets a little manipulative, lies, or distrusts someone. Then [[TokenEvilTeammate Nijima]] compliments him. Despair follows.
47* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
48** PlayedForLaughs during Luffy's fight with Captain Kuro, he's furious that Kuro doesn't care that his ultimate technique indiscriminately cuts down both friend and foe, and becomes even more determined to win. As he's about to finish Kuro off, Kuro's men become excited and cheer Luffy on, only for Luffy to demand that they not cheer him on, reminding them that they're still his enemies.
49** Sanji frowns when Vito merrily talks about how much he admires Sanji since Sanji is [[spoiler:a Vinsmoke, and thus supposedly part of the evil Germa 66. He also doesn't like it when his family (outside of Reiju) praises him. They do so when he beats up Luffy and again when he learns that Niji gave Luffy Sanji's own raid suit as a parting gift, as a sign that they have acknowledged him.]] However, since Sanji doesn't want to be associated with Germa, he visibly gets angry about it to the point where he's not even that happy anymore that his bounty is now higher than Zoro's, because he assumes it's because of [[spoiler:his family's infamy]].
50* From ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', [[spoiler:Homura]] learns that all her efforts to [[spoiler:save her best frind Madoka from dying or becoming a witch]], including [[spoiler:repeating the same month countless times in a GroundhogDayLoop]] ended up playing right into the morally ambiguous [[spoiler:Kyubey's]] plans, and doesn't take it well.
51-->[[spoiler:'''Kyubey:''' You've done great, Homura. You've raised Madoka to become the most powerful witch ever.]]
52* In ''Manga/TouhouIbarakasenWildAndHornedHermit'', Kasen finds Reimu preparing another GetRichQuickScheme. When Reimu starts describing the plan and Kasen finishes her sentence, she replies "Exactly! I knew you'd get it!"; Kasen clutches her head as if Reimu's approval is physically harming her.
53[[/folder]]
54
55[[folder:Comedy]]
56* Creator/JimGaffigan has a bit about this. He claims that his skin is so white and pale that strangers will come up to him and tell him racist jokes. "Gee, thanks for reminding me I look like Hitler's wet dream."
57* Creator/DaraOBriain used to tell a joke about Elton John's homosexuality as part of his act. He defended the joke when a gay rights group called "Outrage" targeted him with a letter-writing campaign, but a letter of support from a homophobic organization that congratulated him on "Standing up to the forces of sodomy" persuaded him to remove the joke from the act. He mentioned this incident in a later show and accompanied it with a fear of the image of him playing golf with Jim Davidson (a British comedian widely despised among his peers for being a lowbrow racist).
58* Discussed by Stewart Lee in a routine about PoliticalOvercorrectness and his reluctance to make jokes about UsefulNotes/{{Islam}}; he doesn't much care if Muslims are offended by anything he says, but he doesn't want the sort of people who find Islamophobic humor funny to be a part of his target audience.
59[[/folder]]
60
61[[folder:Comic Books]]
62* This is a recurring punchline in ''ComicBook/ArchieComics''.
63** In one comic Principal Weatherbee hires Jughead to write jokes for his assembly speech when a particular kind of joke is really popular. Then Weatherbee hears two girls complaining about the jokes. When he asks Jughead what happened, Jughead tells him that the jokes are completely lame now. When did they become uncool? "Oh, yeah. When word got around that [Weatherbee] was telling them."
64** In another comic, Archie worries that his band's latest song may not be well-received...because Mr. Lodge loves it.
65** In one memorable story, a reporter decides to write a story on Archie's popularity. After the article comes out, all of Archie's friends ostracize him. And when the reporter writes about Archie's fall from grace, the gang become incensed at the reporter for saying such things about Archie. Mr. Weatherbee sums this up thusly, "You see, Archie was popular until I said he was popular. Then, when you wrote about him being unpopular, he became popular again!"
66** In another story, Veronica shows off her skills as a trendsetter by making Jughead's hat the next big thing. After the entire school is wearing hats like Jug's, Veronica (fed up with seeing that hat everywhere) puts an end to the fad by having the teachers wear the hats.
67** Another one has someone steal a bunch of home-made apple fritters from Jughead's locker. After Veronica had spent the entire issue insulting them for being "fat-soaked junkfood", it turns out ''she'' was the one who stole them after swiping one because she missed breakfast and realizing she ''loved'' them. Rather than being upset or bothering to have her punished, Jughead's just happy that [[TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou if nothing else Veronica at least has good taste]]... which Veronica takes far worse than any punishment she could have received.
68--->'''Veronica:''' OH NO HE'S APPROVING OF ME! THIS IS THE ''WORST'' POSSIBLE PUNISHMENT!!!
69* ''ComicBook/AvengersTheInitiative:'' Hank Pym has this reaction when Baron Werner von Blitzschlag, an unrepentant former Nazi, praises him for, among other things creating a crazed clone of Thor that killed Goliath, or in his words, "the Teutonic god who destroyed the black man." [[spoiler:It turns out later on that Hank is a Skrull, and has been since just after ''Avengers: Disassembled'', and honestly doesn't care.]]
70* ''ComicBook/TheJoker'' of ''all characters'' felt this in ''ComicBook/BatmanAndCaptainAmerica'' when the Red Skull told The Joker that the latter would've been a great Nazi. [[EvenEvilHasStandards He may be a criminal lunatic, but he's an]] ''[[EvenEvilHasStandards American]]'' [[EvenEvilHasStandards criminal lunatic!]]
71* In ''Comicbook/CaptainBritainAndMI13'', Norman Osborn says he respects Pete Wisdom as a "fellow player". Wisdom is less than pleased.
72-->'''Pete Wisdom:''' Brilliant... The %#@&%#$ Green Goblin thinks I'm a bit like him.
73* ''ComicBook/CivilWar2006'': The Chinese Radioactive Man (now a reformed villain, working with the Thunderbolts, and so the pro-reg side) was glad to see that the United States was following the steps of Communist China. Reed and Stark tried to excuse themselves, to no avail. He gave them an ArmorPiercingResponse: if they skip the TechnoBabble and said things in plain terms, they were trying to capture Captain America and put him in prison. He asked them to repeat that aloud, and insist that he was wrong.
74* In the ''WebVideo/DrHorriblesSingAlongBlog'' ELE comic, Johnny Snow saves the city's water from being poisoned by freezing it entirely. Which ''impresses'' the ELE and causes the media to call him a villain, leaving him to mope miserably that "I'm a '''good''' guy!"
75* In [[Franchise/TheDCU DC]]'s {{Elseworld}}s' ''ComicBook/TheGoldenAge'', Al Pratt, The Atom, is among those stunned to learn that the would-be icon Dyna-Man, the former Dan The Dyna-Mite, is not at all who he seems. Pratt, who has never questioned the ever more sinister tone of the movement he's been in, is complimented by Dyna-Man, saying he would have made a perfect Nazi. Note that Pratt was a member of the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica and had been actively fighting the Nazis in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.
76* In ''ComicBook/{{Empowered}}'', Ocelotina is very open to Emp about the fact that Emp is her biggest inspiration and the reason she became a superheroine. The reason this is the case is that Emp is infamous in the hero community [[FauxActionGirl for losing fights, then getting tied up and put into compromising positions]], which has led to sexy pictures of her being widely circulated. Ocelotina recognized this as an easy track to publicity and has assumed an Emp-like persona of "hapless superhero who gets tied up a lot" for the purposes of what is essentially softcore bondage porn. Emp is, er... not happy at the point of comparison.
77* In ''ComicBook/{{Jonesy}}'', the title character meets a boy named Landon who likewise has Love Powers, only he uses them to make people do his bidding and wants Jonsey to help him get a castle built for him. When she refuses, he starts stalking her, culminating with him using his powers on one of her best friends, Susan. In anger, Jonesy uses her powers to have her other best friend, Farid, punch Landon for her. After recovering from the hit, Landon compliments Jonesy for the punch since it's something ''he'' would do. Jonsey's naturally not happy with both her actions and the compliment.
78* In ''[[ComicBook/LokiAgentOfAsgard Loki: Agent of Asgard]]'', Loki meets somebody who put the pieces together about what Loki did at the end of ''ComicBook/JourneyIntoMysteryGillen'' and comments on it with a simple "Nice, old chum". Loki already feels [[MyGreatestFailure ashamed of what he did then]], but it certainly doesn't help that person who just approved of it is [[{{Satan}} Mephisto]].
79* In ''ComicBook/{{Preacher}}'', when Jesse is about to defeat and kill Jody, Jody tells Jesse that he's proud of him. (Keep in mind that Jody killed Jesse's father in front of a young Jesse and then made Jesse's childhood a living Hell, as per the wishes of Jesse's incredibly [[EvilOldFolks evil grandmother]].) Jesse seems less ashamed and more royally pissed.
80* In ''ComicBook/RedRobin'' Tim is very uncomfortable with ComicBook/RasAlGhul's approval of some of the things he's done since leaving Gotham, and even more so when he realizes his only options are to either allow himself to team up with Ra's or give up on his quest and return to Gotham, which he already knows he will never do.
81* During the ''[[ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman The Reign of the Supermen]]'', Guy Gardner backs the Last Son of Krypton visored Superman, who has the following reaction:
82-->'''Last Son of Krypton:''' Until this moment, my actions felt absolutely right. But... I ''did'' let my anger at Gardner get the better of me. I took it out on those less capable of defending themselves. And now Gardner cheers me on. That alone is reason to reflect, to question what I have done.
83* ''ComicBook/{{Shazam}}'' has a rare villain version of this when Dr. Sivana was granted the Nobel Prize for Physics for his benevolent inventions that he considered useless and kept hidden until Captain Marvel found and revealed them to the world. Considering his insane megalomania and hatred of humanity, Sivana considered the Prize an insult and declared only when he was made Ruler of the Universe would he considered himself properly honored.
84* In the "Big Time" story arc of ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'', Norah wears a disguise going undercover as a biker, which Black Cat (who is known for wearing skintight outfits with a lot of cleavage) compliments. Norah doesn't take this too well.
85-->"The Black Cat thinks ''this'' is tasteful. Oh god, I must look like a total skank."
86* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan2099'': Tyler Stone tells [[spoiler:Conchata O'Hara]] that she's the only woman he ever considered his equal. Considering Stone is the BigBad of entire comimc, a CorruptCorporateExecutive to end all corrupt corporate executives, murdered the wife he cheated with [[spoiler:Conchata]] on, [[AshesToCrashes flushed his dead son's ashes down the toilet]], conducts illegal experiments on people, and who knows what else, she makes it perfectly clear to him that she does ''not'' consider this a compliment.
87* In ''ComicBook/StarWarsLegacy'', the Sith order Moff Yage to slaughter the defenseless inhabitants of Da Soocha with overwhelming force. Once the "battle" is over, one of the Sith congratulates him for a job well done, saying that "[[RedBaron the Hero of Ossus]] is now the Conqueror of Da Soocha!" Yage reacts to this praise with a ThousandYardStare, clearly unhappy with what he just did.
88* Prowl is ''not'' flattered by the fact that the Constructicons, a bunch of laid back yet ever so slightly psychotic/sadistic working joes, like him in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise''. This is not helped by the fact that they're the ''only'' people who like him--not even the other Autobots like Prowl. Most of his biggest detractors are on his own side! Complicating matters further [[spoiler:this is because they shared minds when he combined with them, and they apparently liked what they found]].
89* In ''ComicBook/{{Transmetropolitan}}'', while covering an election, Spider visits one candidate's rally. An elderly man is mean to him so Spider, being the AntiHero he is, headbutts him. Other participants start praising him for keeping the weak down. Spider is clearly baffled and disgusted by this and becomes utterly terrified when he finds out the man all those people came here for is ANaziByAnyOtherName.
90* ''ComicBook/UltimateMarvel'':
91** ''ComicBook/UltimateFF'': When attacked by the Atlanteans, Iron Man proposes altering some chemicals to make a dangerous gas. Doom said "You'll kill them all! Doom approves."
92** ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'': Jean saves Wraith from Wolverine, but before he says anything, tells him he should not even think for a moment to say "thank you", or she'll fill his brain with nightmares.
93* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
94** In the anti-hunger comic ''Heroes for Hope'', ComicBook/{{Magneto}} is among those experiencing horrific visions, in his case, of a world where his dream of mutant supremacy has come true, at the cost of killing every other human, whose corpses then rise up to devour him. As this unfolds, he is complimented on his genocide by Hitler, who praises what a good student he was. Magneto, a Jew whose family died in UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler's camps, has no trouble seeing the connection. The glazed yet horrified look on Magneto's face when Hitler congratulates him is priceless.
95** There was once a similar exchange between him and The ComicBook/RedSkull. This trope is pretty common with Magneto, to the point that any direct compliment made to him has a decent chance of being this.
96** As mentioned, this trope can occasionally occur among heroes. In a story of the ''Uncanny X-Men'' in the late eighties, Havok is disturbed at the growing ease he's feeling in killing bad guys to save innocents. After their recent battle, ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} congratulates him for not hesitating to kill, offering to shake his hand. Havok is not flattered that he is being congratulated by the patron saint of anti-heroes.
97** When Wolverine goes to Hell (don't ask), he finally meets his biological father, Thomas Logan. The two had very briefly met before Logan's powers manifested, but Logan accidentally killed him in anger. Thomas says that he wanted revenge ''at first''... but after he heard stories about what Logan had become, he grew proud of his bastard son. Logan doesn't know how to react at first, but later on clearly feels this way, disowning his biological father Thomas, and making it perfectly clear that he considers John Howlett his real father.
98* Subverted in ''ComicBook/ZiggyPigSillySealComics''; when ''[[BigRedDevil Mephisto]]'' calls Ziggy Pig "the worst person," Ziggy casually agrees and ignores him.
99[[/folder]]
100
101[[folder:Comic Strips]]
102* In ''History of ComicStrip/TheFarSide'', writer Gary Larson remarks that he has one friend with a particularly offbeat sense of humor-- when that friend calls to say how much he liked the strip that just appeared in the paper, it tells Larson [[DudeNotFunny he just pissed off most of his actual target audience]].
103* In one ''Zogonia'' strip in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'', Domato's Delvers are hired to beat up a paladin. Afterwards Dindil is outraged, saying this was a terrible job and Domato shouldn't have accepted it. Domato briefly wonders if he actually made a mistake, but decides he didn't. Then [[TokenEvilTeammate Kev]] congratulates him and says how much he enjoyed it, and Domato is horrified.
104[[/folder]]
105
106[[folder:Fan Works]]
107[[AC:{{Crossover}}s]]
108* ''Fanfic/AllForLuz'':
109** In chapter 13, Luz initially is unable to feel remorse for [[spoiler:killing the 20 kids that slaughtered her new friends and tried to murder her first for money in summer camp in her RoaringRampageOfRevenge]], until [[EvilMentor All For One]] hums in approval at the carnage her actions caused.
110** In chapter 28, [[spoiler:Amity]] accidently kills her opponent in the Underdark Tournament. While she suffers no legal consequences and her enemy was an AssholeVictim who WouldHurtAChild, the crowds cheers on her victory just invoke this feeling in her and quietly leaves the arena feeling nauseous as she broke her ThouShallNotKill rule. She wasn't afraid of bloodshed, but that doesn't mean that she liked it.
111* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12672455/ Dedicated Hearts made Fullmetal]]'' has [[Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist The Elric Brothers]] wind up in the world of ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'', and seeking to help out the Humans on Paradis Island in battling against the Titans they teach them about Alchemy. After finding out that Humanity wasn't just confined to The Walls and that there was an entire world beyond the island that wanted the Eldians within the Walls dead, it forces Alphonse to agree to develop an entirely new fifth branch of the Paradis Military dedicated to [[MilitaryMage Alchemists]] which rubs Edward the wrong way since he didn't want Alchemy to be solely defined for its' military applications like it was back in Amestris. Rubbing salt into the wound further is that the Alchemist Branchs' insignia is ''The Flamel'': the very same symbol that the Elrics and their mentor Izumi Curtis bore.
112* ''Fanfic/DuelingTriggerFinger'' [[PlayedForLaughs plays this for laughs]]; Marik and Byakuya are both deeply unnerved by Nagito praising them. Marik even sputters that he's ''nothing'' like Nagito.
113* The CrackFic ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/5132762 In Which Social Media Is A Conduit Between Worlds]]'' has [[Literature/TheColSecTrilogy Samella Connel]] express vaguely anti-authoritarian sentiments in a brief rant...only to say this in so many words when the rant garners the approval of BombThrowingAnarchists.
114* ''Fanfic/InterdimensionalCartoonDiscussionAndSupportGroup'': PlayedForLaughs as Hop Pop says this word-for-word when Stan and Eda praise him for his scamming skills.
115* PlayedForLaughs in ''Fanfic/NeitherABirdNorAPlaneItsDeku''. Izuku cringes when Mineta wholeheartedly approves of the modifications Izuku's mom made to Momo's costume, which ended up making it ''more'' {{Stripperific}} than in canon by turning it into a SexyBacklessOutfit.
116-->'''Mineta:''' Wait, you're the one who made it like that, Midoriya? Man, just when I thought you couldn't be any cooler! ''(Izuku cringes at Mineta's obvious delight)''\
117'''Momo:''' Please don't do that.\
118'''Mineta:''' I-I didn't mean anything by it! I was just, [[ChangeTheUncomfortableSubject you know-hey, Midoriya, cool costume]]!\
119'''Izuku:''' You already said that, but thanks.
120* PlayedForLaughs in ''Fanfic/TheSilverRaven''. When Nero confesses to Eda that he stole his mom's sword to turn it into Red Queen, Eda expresses pride in his actions, much to his displeasure.
121-->'''Eda:''' I am so proud of you.\
122'''Nero:''' Please don't be.
123* The ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia''[=/=]''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' fanart ''[[https://www.deviantart.com/edcom02/art/MHA-Transformers-Traitor-s-Guilt-953772932 Traitor's Guilt]]'', Starscream mockingly praises [[spoiler:Aoyama]] for his unwilling part in luring his classmates into a Decepticon trap. His statement makes the already guilty spy even more devastated for his actions.
124* At the end of the first day of the trial in ''WebAnimation/TurnaboutStorm'', [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Trixie]], the prosecutor, is more than happy to agree with [[Franchise/AceAttorney Phoenix's]] claims, and even offers him a ticket to her next performance. His response is [[VisibleSilence a silent stare]], the motive being that [[spoiler:[[ShootTheDog he just placed suspicion of the murder over Fluttershy]]]] as a desperate ploy to save Dash and get more time to investigate.
125
126[[AC:''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'']]
127* {{Invoked|Trope}} by Princess Bubblegum in ''Fanfic/YouBlewItFinn''. While [[WhatTheHellHero calling Finn out]] for how he manipulated Flame Princess and Ice King into fighting for his own personal entertainment, she declares that the [[SatanicArchetype Lord of the Nightosphere]] would likely approve of his actions.
128
129[[AC:''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'']]
130* According to Rufftoon on Website/DeviantArt, [[http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/101/4/c/seal_of_approval_by_rufftoon-d4vvis4.jpg Zhao]] [[https://rufftoon.deviantart.com/art/Seal-of-Approval-Part-Deux-295700123 approves]] of [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra Korra]].
131* In ''Fanfic/TheStalkingZukoSeries'', Arnook, chief of the Northern Water Tribe, does this to Aang by praising him for destroying many Fire Nation ships during the Siege of the North while fused with the Ocean Spirit, as well as for sparing Ozai and destabilizing the Fire Nation in the post-war. Aang, whose fervent commitment to [[ThouShaltNotKill not killing anyone]] is why he went so far to keep Ozai alive, doesn't take it well.
132
133[[AC:''Franchise/DanganRonpa'']]
134* ''Fanfic/BlackenedSkies'': Monokuma praises Mondo for the number he does on the Hammer Happy Havoc table, noting how he managed to get around their rigging and really wreck the game. He follows this up with an ImpliedDeathThreat.
135* Following the first trial of ''Fanfic/DanganronpaClassSwap 2 - Jabberwock Island'', most of the survivors are upset with [[spoiler:Kuwata Leon]] for using a perk to avoid having to be involved with the trial themselves. Togami, by contrast, compliments them for the maneuver, making them feel even worse about their decision.
136* ''Fanfic/IdTradeMyLifeForYours'': Kaede feels this way whenever Kokichi praises her lying and deceptive skills.
137
138[[AC:''Franchise/DragonBall'']]
139* ''Fanfic/DragonBallZDynasty'': During Future Trunks fight with Perfect Cell, Cell praises Trunk on his ruthless efforts to stop him, particularly [[spoiler:his willingness to kill both Cell and his infant self so he couldn't force Vegeta to hand over the future versions of Android 17 and 18]]. Trunks is understandably horrified at this statement, and begs the present versions of Bulma and Vegeta to punish him somehow.
140* ''Fanfic/WhatIfKrillinBecameASaiyan'':
141** After learning how Krillin wished to be more like Goku, Piccolo sarcastically compliments him, stating that his deviousness would make him a fine demon.
142** Frieza similarly 'compliments' Krillin for striking him InTheBack while he was busy taunting Vegeta:
143--->'''Frieza:''' ''(pained)'' If it weren't for the fact that ''(wheezes)'' you're my enemy... I'd be proud of that.
144
145[[AC:''Franchise/FateSeries'']]
146* ''Fanfic/FromFakeDreams'': Shirou gets uncomfortable when Zouken compliments him, finding it disturbing on principle alone.
147
148[[AC:''Franchise/FireEmblem'']]
149* In ''Fanfic/ABrighterDark'', Hans suggests that the party should invade the Hoshidan fort over the Bottomless Canyon by [[LeeroyJenkins charging straight in]]. Corrin tells him to shut up... because she'd been considering doing just that, and feels ashamed that they had the same idea.
150
151[[AC:''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'']]
152* Unintentionally used by the heroes in ''Fanfic/BuildYourWingsOnTheWayDown'', when Edward tries to feel pride at becoming a State Alchemist, considering how proud everyone else is. All he could feel is shame and dread.
153
154[[AC:''Franchise/HarryPotter'']]
155* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11990559/5/An-Abnormal-Godfather An Abnormal Godfather]]'':
156-->Neville's whiskered and garrulous Great Uncle Algie visited at one point during Harry's stay. He seemed to approve heartily of Harry, which Harry considered was one of the most insulting compliments he'd ever received, right up there with last year's praise from anonymous writers for ridding Hogwarts of Mudblood trash. For the feeling most assuredly was not reciprocated. When he started in on comparing Neville's magical prowess very unfavourably to Harry's, Harry for the first time felt like he was a bit like Dudley. And somewhat to his surprise, he didn't like it one bit.
157* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6094080/4/Breaking-Forwards Breaking Forwards]]'' Draco refers to Blaise as his friend despite having previously claimed he didn't have any.
158-->'''Blaise:''' What made you change your mind?\
159'''Draco:''' My father did, actually.\
160'''Blaise:''' How did he do that?\
161'''Draco:''' He said that he approved of my behavior.
162* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4360923/6/Finding-a-Family Finding a Family]]'':
163-->'''Ron:''' I can't believe I've screwed up this bad.\
164'''Snape:''' Bad''ly'', Weasely, and in fact your plan had some elements that were quite inspired.\
165'''Ron:''' Great. Now I know my life is over. A Slytherin Death Eater just complimented me on my cunning. I should go and jump off the Astronomy Tower right now.
166* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13053480/24/Follow-the-Light Follow the Light]]'':
167-->Actually having Sirius be proud of [Harry] was truly a little irritating, as he was fairly sure that his new moral compass was almost opposite of his godfather's inclinations.
168* In ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/5409173/chapters/15138676 Harry Potter and the Gaining of Faith]]'', Faith makes a call to the Watcher's Council which results in Umbridge being abducted, interrogated, and murdered. Lucius Malfoy comments on the lack of concrete evidence and states that if she weren't a Muggle she would've made an excellent Malfoy.
169-->Faith was left staring after him. To her, that seemed insulting as hell, but she also understood the man that was saying it. And to him, she could have been paid no higher compliment.
170* ''Fanfic/TheRigelBlackChronicles'': While she doesn't regret her actions in maintaining the identity ruse, Harry isn't happy to have [[spoiler:the Dominion Jewel]] complimenting her on them.
171-->'''[[spoiler:Dominion:]]''' Oh, and to think I assumed you were a goodie-goodie. You have ''ambition'', girl, and I love it. Subtleties aren't usually my style, but this kind of elaborate scheme is so—so—what's the word? Satisfying? It's electrifying. I'm not even you and yet I feel so ''alive''. I would not have guessed you had it in you, but you have been a very bad girl, Miss Potter.\
172'''Harry''': Don't call me that.
173* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11996609/7/Wear-Me-Like-A-Locket-Around-Your-Throat Wear Me Like a Locket Around Your Throat]]'', Harry responds to a series of pranks from Atticus and Rupert by hexing them to repeat everything spoken directly to them. Tom accuses him of being a bully before stating that he doesn't disagree with it in general, much to Harry's dismay.
174-->'''Harry:''' When ''Tom Riddle'' agrees with something, you know you've gone too far.
175
176[[AC:''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'']]
177* ''Fanfic/AThingOfVikings'':
178** Einar congratulates Hiccup on getting rid of Snotlout, thinking he tricked his cousin into leaving. This makes Hiccup feel "unclean in a way that soap and rosewater wouldn't touch".
179** Harald [[BrokenPedestal breaks months of Snotlout's undying respect for him]] in a single minute by expressing [[HeteronormativeCrusader his belief that homosexuals should be castrated, have their manhood impaled on sharp reeds, and then be whipped naked through the streets to the pyre]]. Snotlout - who grew up in a small tribe that had several same-sex couples and is himself bisexual with a crush on Harald - ends the conversation realizing that while he might've finally earned Harald's respect, he no longer wants it.
180
181[[AC:Franchise/MarvelUniverse]]
182* In ''Fanfic/TheAmazingSpiderManTruePurpose'', Peter Parker is at the very least extremely embarrassed when Tony Stark expresses approval of the discovery that Peter's been engaged in a threesome with Mary Jane and Felicia Hardy/Black Cat for basically an entire weekend.
183
184[[AC:''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'']]
185* ''Fanfic/{{I See What You Do Behind Closed Doors|MiraculousLadybug}}'' [[PlayingWith plays with this]]. Once [[ManipulativeBitch Lila]] is [[LiarRevealed finally exposed]] as a ConsummateLiar, she gives a speech as though she's accepting an academy award wherein she personally thanks Adrien for his [[AccompliceByInaction assistance]], revealing how he'd known all along that she was deceiving the whole class and kept Marinette from exposing her. Adrien tries denying it, but is clearly upset by her praise... as she's exposing ''him'' as a FalseFriend to the rest of the class.
186-->'''Lila:''' For someone who knew all about me, he was the best accomplice I'd ever had.
187* ''Fanfic/LadyBugOut'': When Alya can't argue effectively against Nathaniel's observation that she's refusing to answer their questions about the picture she posted because she knows the truth will damn her, she lashes out with a cheap personal attack. Resident AlphaBitch Chloé responds by chuckling that it "looks like I have competition," spurring Alya to insist that [[NotSoDifferentRemark they're nothing alike]].
188* {{Averted|Trope}} in ''Fanfic/{{Recklessness|MiraculousLadybug}}''. Hawkmoth compliments Alya on betraying Marinette's confidence, stealing the Ring and Earrings, and effectively 'doing his job for him'. Alya brushes him off, declaring that she'd never work with a villain like him, completely ignoring how he just pointed out that she accomplished the very thing he's been gunning for all this time.
189* ''WebComic/ScarletLady'':
190** In the comic's rendition of "Gamer", Scarlet praises Max for his performance as the titular akuma, thanking him for how he exclusively targeted Marinette for his revenge while [[DoubleStandard completely ignoring Adrien]], despite how ''both'' of them had [[IWasBeatenByAGirl beaten him in the tournament]]. Mari attempts to defend him by insisting that akumatized people can't be held responsible for their actions, but Max is clearly impacted, with the author's notes beneath the comic stating 'Time to rethink your entire life because somewhere under all the insults, ''[[JerkassHasAPoint Scarlet Lady had a point]]''.'
191** PlayedForLaughs during "Volpina"; when Marinette reveals that she doesn't like Scarlet Lady, Volpina gives her a starry-eyed, admiring look. Marinette then clarifies that she doesn't like ''Hawkmoth'' or his akuma, either.
192* ''Fanfic/WeightOffYourShoulder'': When Chloé tells [[MisplacedKindergartenTeacher Ms. Bustier]] that she's [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness practically useless to her]] since she's "just a teacher" and doesn't have the kind of money, power and connections she ''needs'' to deal with her legal woes, she attempts to soften the blow by reassuring Bustier that she really ''is'' grateful for all the times she took her side when the rest of the class was being "ridiculous idiots" and defying her will. This causes Ms. Bustier to have a HeelRealization about how much she enabled the SpoiledBrat's bullying.
193
194[[AC:''Franchise/MyHeroAcademia'']]
195* ''Fanfic/MyFalseLoveAcademia'': When Diagoro agrees with the third that Izuku using his {{Yakuza}} status to protect others ranks low on the Heroics scale, the Third reconsiders his stance.
196
197[[AC:''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'']]
198* In ''Fanfic/BitterTearsAnAnonAMissFic'', Adagio tells the CMC that they would have made excellent sirens, and "congratulates" them and the Humane 5 for doing a better job of breaking Sunset than they ever did.
199* The story ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/143497/1/groomed-to-perfection/chapter-1-like-teacher-like-student Groomed To Perfection]]'' by Rainbow Bob has Discord implying that [[WifeHusbandry Celestia raised Twilight to be her mate in addition to her equal.]] Celestia states that she couldn't be any prouder of Twilight, or love her any more than she already does, which gets [[IronicEcho thrown back in her face shortly thereafter]], with the implication that Discord himself had raised '''Celestia''' to be his own mate, an idea which fills her with shame.
200--->'''Discord:''' I couldn't be prouder of you, or love you any more than I already do.
201* In ''[[https://www.fimfiction.net/story/105303/pandelirium Pandelirium]]'' by Kwakerjak, the fifth installment of the ''Petriculture Cycle'', Discord approves of and expands on one of Pinkie Pie's party ideas. This causes her to rethink the particular party activity.
202* In the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'' Origins Arc, this happens several times with Discord being the one giving the praise. The hero in this fic [[spoiler:Princess Celestia]] knows he's a sadistic psychopath with no regard for life in any form and has already caused untold suffering for his own amusement, having ''him'' praise a hero normally results in a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment on their part.
203* ''Fanfic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse'': Corona is shocked beyond belief when [[spoiler:Tirek]] praises her, declaring that she reminds him of ''himself''.
204
205[[AC:''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'']]
206* ''Fanfic/EscapeFromTheHokagesHat'': Two members of the Yamanaka clan, Kenshin and Jinzo, attacked and brutalized Naruto. Not only does this drive a wedge between Ino and her father, Inochi is disgusted to hear how some of the villagers approve of what they did, praising the pair for assaulting a child.
207* In ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'', during a meeting to solve the Hyuga affair, Jiraiya feels disgusted when Danzo praises him.
208
209[[AC:''Franchise/OnePiece'']]
210* ''Fanfic/ThisBites'': When Cross finds out that [[spoiler:[[HateSink Saint Charloss]], of all people, is a fan of the SBS]]. And his feelings on the matter [[FromBadToWorse only get worse from there]].
211
212[[AC:''Franchise/ResidentEvil'']]
213* ''WebVideo/ResidentEvilAbridged'': Barry has no choice but to betray his partner, Jill. Otherwise, their captain, Wesker, will show Barry's wife [[spoiler:all the [[{{Hentai}} tentacle porn]] he has hidden in his browser history]]. So once he finally succeeds in luring Jill into a trap, Wesker commends him.
214-->'''Wesker:''' ''(in admiration)'' Excellent backstabbing, Barry. You make me proud.\
215'''Barry:''' ''(irately)'' I'm not doing it [[TheFriendNobodyLikes for YOU]], [[MoleInCharge Wesker]]!
216
217[[AC:''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'']]
218* ''Fanfic/CravingTheSky'': [[AbusiveParents Jacques Schnee]] raised Weiss to despise herself for [[InternalizedCategorism being a Faunus]], raising her to [[WellDoneSonGuy desperately seek his approval]]. As she gradually starts to grow beyond the toxic mindset he taught her, she feels increasingly ashamed whenever he expresses any approval of anything he ''believes'' her to have done.
219
220[[AC:''Franchise/ASongOfIceAndFire'']]
221* ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'': The Wolf has a tendency to congratulate people in obnoxiously overbearing ways or on things they take no pride in. To all appearances, he's unaware of the effect he has on people.
222** The Wolf strongly recommends that Daenerys show no mercy to King's Landing, even telling her to ignore the bells if she hears them so the ground troops can fight. His relentlessly jovial attitude when discussing mass slaughter leads Daenerys to resolve to do the opposite. [[spoiler:And she would have, if the Wolf hadn't arranged for her repressed desire for revenge to surface.]]
223** After Jon kills a Norscan berserker, the Wolf brings him the man's armor, axe, and head as these are his by right, and says it's not a bad start for a collection.
224** When Jon and Grey Worm are about to come to blows over what to do with the Lannister prisoners, the Wolf solves the problem by slowly killing the prisoners one by one in so gratuitously bloody a fashion that Grey Worm calls off the execution just to avoid associating with him.
225
226[[AC:''Franchise/StarWars'']]
227* In ''Fanfic/ANewJediInAnOldRepublic'', a time-travelling Kyle Katarn feels the need of a lava bath when he realizes his pragmatic attitude is approved by none else than ''Wilhuff Tarkin'' (admittedly a Tarkin who hasn't committed any of his atrocities yet).
228
229[[AC:''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'']]
230* In ''Fanfic/FadedBlue'', when Steven explores his mother's ship for the first time, he is given the chance to receive a message left to him from his mother, similar to the videotape left to his canon counterpart in "[[Recap/StevenUniverseS1E35Lion3StraightToVideo Lion 3: Straight to Video]]". [[spoiler:Unlike in canon, Steven does ''not'' take the message his mother left for him nearly as well. Blue Diamond brings up how she hopes that Steven grows to become a [[GalacticConqueror Diamond]] even greater than she, with his own court and his own colonies and his own legion of followers. With all of the character development he has been through and [[BrokenPedestal learning about who his mother really was]], he is left in a near sobbing mess by the time the message ends. Even though Blue's words came from a place of unconditional love, "InnocentlyInsensitive" does not even begin to cut it.]]
231
232[[AC:''Literature/SwordArtOnline'']]
233* In ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged''[='s=] fourth episode, Silica's able to convince Kirito to stop going "cold turkey" on emotions, but she also learns he's the sort of guy who'd use her as bait to provoke a bandit attack.
234-->'''Kirito:''' You're a good friend, Silica. We should go on more adventures.\
235'''Silica:''' Um... I don't think so. Don't take this the wrong way, Mr. Kirito, I'm grateful for your help, but... [[BrutalHonesty you are, like, the worst person I've ever met]].\
236'''Kirito:''' ...So that's your plan, here? Make me feel feelings so you can cut me down a peg? That cuts deep, kid... [[VillainRespect and I respect that]].\
237'''Silica:''' Yeah, that's kind of the problem.
238
239[[AC:''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'']]
240* During the climax of ''Fanfic/FloweyIsNotAGoodLifeCoach'', Flowey praises Papyrus for [[spoiler:finally managing to kill someone. Namely ''him'']]. This leaves Papyrus completely devastated.
241
242[[AC:''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'']]
243* In ''Fanfic/AllGuardsmenParty'', the Guardsmen are not happy when [[spoiler:the Tau]] praise them for stopping their corrupt politican. It is left ambiguous whether said politician was acting on behalf of the government and was sold old once the plot was discovered or if he was a genuine traitor.
244* In ''Fanfic/TheShapeOfTheNightmareToCome'', a troupe of Harlequins come to Biel-Tan, the last Eldar Craftworld. However, they are revealed to be Dark Eldar Wyches who try to assassinate the leaders of Biel-Tan. The Eldar eventually overcome the Wyches, and the leader of Biel-Tan, Autarch [[LadyOfWar Asitar]], has the survivors stuffed full of carnivorous insects then has all their orifices sewn shut before sending them back to Commoragh. The next year, a cask of finest and non-poisoned Commoragahan wine arrives, along with a personal note from [[EvilOverlord Asdrubael Vect]] himself reading, essentially, "Attagirl".
245
246[[AC:''Literature/{{Worm}}'']]
247* ''Fanfic/{{Intrepid}}'': Emma's aghast when Taylor comes out of the locker completely catatonic. Then one of their schoolmates laughs, cementing Emma's HeelRealization as she fully realizes what she's just done.
248[[/folder]]
249
250[[folder:Films — Animation]]
251* In ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'', [[SnarkyNonhumanSidekick Iago]] defects from [[EvilSorcerer Jafar]] to the good guys for his own gain, and eventually starts to [[BecomingTheMask actually like them]]. Once Jafar comes back, however, he bullies Iago into becoming TheMole and uses him to capture them all, though Iago's clearly not happy about doing it.
252-->'''Jafar:''' Ah, Iago...You betrayed me and allied yourself with my enemies! Then you turned on them as soon as it was in your best interests. That's what I love about you! You're so perfectly-- ''predictable.'' A villain through and through.\
253'''Iago:''' Yeah... no problem...
254* In ''WesternAnimation/MonstersUniversity'', it's never directly stated, but implied that JerkJock fraternity Roar Omega Roar re-offering Sulley membership is what makes him [[spoiler:confess to cheating during the last segment of the scare games]].
255* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'', Sunset Shimmer is enraged and humiliated when The Great and Powerful Trixie praises her for tackling Rainbow Dash in an alleged fit of jealous rage.
256-->'''Sunset Shimmer:''' [[IResembleThatRemark IT WASN'T A FIT OF JEALOUS RAGE!]]
257* In ''WesternAnimation/OverTheHedge'', Vincent the bear compliments RJ when he let his friends get captured by Animal Control.
258-->'''Vincent:''' So I was on my way down here to kill you, but I stopped to watch the show, and I gotta say... that, right there, is a thing of beauty. That is the most vicious, deceitful, self-serving thing I've ever seen. ''(chuckles maliciously)'' Classic, RJ. You take the food...and ''they'' take the ''fall''. You keep this up, you're gonna end up just like me-- havin' everything you ever wanted.\
259'''RJ''': ...[[HeelRealization But I already had that.]]
260* In ''WesternAnimation/SmurfsTheLostVillage'', [[spoiler:Gargamel thanks Smurfette for [[NiceJobBreakingItHero unintentionally leading him to the lost village]], noting that she's finally fulfilled the purpose he created her for]].
261* Although not stated outright, in ''WesternAnimation/SouthParkBiggerLongerAndUncut'' Satan tells Sheila she's responsible for the end of the world. She does not take the compliment well...
262[[/folder]]
263
264[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
265* Colonel Quaritch in ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' praises Jake for the intel his log provided, pointing out that it both gives them a reason to attack the Pandorans and identifies strategic targets. Having come to sympathize with the Pandorans, Jake is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone appalled to realize what he'd revealed]].
266* ''Film/TheBatman2022'': Batman finds out the Riddler never considered him an opponent, but legitimately thought that they were ''allies'' working together to take down Gotham's corruption. He had been inspired to take up the Riddler persona in the first place by Batman's own brutal crusade of vengeance. Batman is disgusted to learn this and begins to realize that he needs to do more than just beating up criminals if he wants to change Gotham for the better.
267* ''Film/TheDarkKnight'' plays both versions of the trope at once, in that the Joker, gives Batman a likely-honest compliment ''while'' attempting to play mind games with him:
268-->'''Batman:''' You wanted me. Here I am.\
269'''The Joker:''' I wanted to see what you'd do. And you didn't disappoint! You let five people die!
270* At the end of ''Film/TheDevilWearsPrada'', Miranda Priestly gives Andy a NotSoDifferentRemark, prompting her to quit the fashion industry.
271* The protagonist of ''Film/FallingDown'' is very seriously pissed off when a neo-Nazi lauds him for going on a violent rampage through Los Angeles. Mostly what upsets the protagonist is that the Neo Nazi assumes that he was committing hate crimes, when in fact it was mostly coincidence that his victims were minorities.
272* Near the end of the Creator/VinceVaughn-Creator/ReeseWitherspoon vehicle, ''Film/FourChristmases'', Vaughn's character Brad tells his misanthropic father (who often belittles him and questions his masculinity) that he just broke up with his girlfriend Kate because she wanted to settle down and have children. The father says, "Good for you! I didn't know you had it in you!" and invites him in for a beer. Brad stops and realizes that he's made a terrible mistake, and later returns to ask for Kate's forgiveness.
273* Mays Gilliam exploits this in ''Film/HeadOfState''. While his rival for the presidential seat resorts to standard (if absurd) [[AttackOfThePoliticalAd attack ads]], he instead has ads made with his rival getting praised by the likes of KKK members and Osama bin Laden.
274* ''Film/HeadOffice'': Steadman's own corruption and hot-headed nature ensure that Hoover doesn't feel validated to learn that Steadman is the only executive who has never called him an asshole.
275* ''Film/InterviewWithTheVampire'' (the movie, at least) has this with Lestat applauding Louis and singing his praises upon finding the latter bent over the neck of a child. Louis's shame and disgust with himself is counter to Lestat's rather enthusiastic approval.
276-->'''Lestat:''' My philosopher! My martyr! "Never take a human life." This calls for a celebration!\
277'''Louis:''' ''(runs off, weeping)''\
278'''Lestat:''' Come back! You are what you are! ''(to himself)'' Merciful Death, how you love your precious guilt.
279* In ''Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'', Film/JamesBond is very displeased by [[BigBad Scaramanga]]'s compliments as one ProfessionalKiller to another.
280-->'''Scaramanga:''' ''(raising his glass)'' To us, Mr. Bond. We are the best.\
281'''Bond:''' [[ShutUpHannibal There's a useful four-letter word, and you're full of it]]. When I kill, it is on the specific orders of my government. And those I kill are themselves killers.
282* In ''Film/OneEightSeven'', Dave Childress expresses admiration for Trevor Garfield and the vigilante targeting student gangbangers, unaware that they are one and the same and also unaware that Garfield thinks he's scum. When the penny drops - at which point Childress realizes he's actually not that impressed - Garfield tells him "you probably think we're alike; we're not." Whether Garfield is still a good man is for the viewer to decide, but Childress never was; this is a guy who unashamedly volunteers the fact that he had sex with an emotionally vulnerable female student whose sexual advances Garfield explicitly rejected earlier.
283* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides'': When Blackbeard compliments Philip's capture of Syrena with a hearty "Well done, sailor", this trope is written all over Philip's face, as well as MyGodWhatHaveIDone.
284* An example of the first variety occurs in the ''Film/PrinceCaspian'' film: when Caspian is about to kill Miraz, the latter compliments him on being a "true Telmarine king."
285* At the climax of ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', the Emperor grabs the VillainBall as tightly as he can by congratulating and encouraging Luke each time he lets his anger take control of him, and each time Luke realizes that he is falling into the dark side and stops himself. It can only be justified if it were somehow important that Luke not just give in to anger, but also be aware of doing so.
286* In ''Film/ReturnToOz'' the Nome King shows Dorothy that he's wearing the ruby slippers she lost when she went back home. "They just fell out of the sky one day. You were so anxious to get home. They're very powerful. They made it possible for me to conquer The Emerald City. Thank you." Dorothy gives her best WhatHaveIDone look.
287* Played with in ''Film/RevolutionaryRoad''. The protagonist couple, after they tell their plans of the husband quitting his job and moving to Paris so that they can have a dream bohemian life with only the wife working to support them, the only person who approves it is the mentally challenged son of his neighbors. Later, they both wonder if it means something that the only one who agrees with them is mentally unstable.
288* In the Creator/SamuelLJackson remake of ''Film/Shaft2000'', the title character tells off a White officer for using a racial slur on one member of the group of perps they'd brought in. Another perp, still in cuffs, nods appreciatively and says he likes the way Shaft handled that. Shaft gives him a disgusted look and tells him to shut [[ClusterFBomb the fuck]] up.
289* In ''Film/SodomAndGomorrah'', when Lot kills Astaroth in a rage over the latter's seduction of his daughters, Shuah and Maleb, Astaroth's sister, Queen Bera, congratulates Lot on discovering what a rush it is to kill someone with his own hands. As if the realisation that he is a murderer isn't bad enough, Bera says he is now "a true Sodomite", sending Lot into a HeroicBSOD.
290* A somewhat less hostile version occurs in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' when Kirk wants to open a torpedo to see what's so secret about them. Dr. [=McCoy=] is less than thrilled. Neither is Spock, but when he sides with the Doctor:
291-->'''[=McCoy=]:''' Don't agree with me, Spock, it makes me very uncomfortable.
292* ''Film/TalesFromTheHood'': Crazy K is a murderous drug dealer, but he's visibly disgusted when a white supremacist compliments him because Crazy K's victims happened to be black.
293* In ''Film/{{Upgrade}}'', after Grey and his computer chip implant STEM work together to kill his wife's murderer, STEM thanks Grey, saying that they would have died if they did not cooperate. Grey, in a deconstruction of the revenge plot, tells it that he is not proud of what he's done.
294[[/folder]]
295
296[[folder:Literature]]
297* ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'': both our MainCharacters and their arch-villain are in dire straits. Sunny then proposes to set the building they are kept in on fire, despite the hundreds of people still being in it. Their past guardian Olaf then rejoices at Sunny's creativity: "it seems I've been a good educator after all!" Since he's spent the rest of the series killing their relatives, mistreating them, and framing them for his own crimes in order to steal their fortune, putting them in that desperate situation in the first place, and even allegedly killing their own parents by setting their house on fire... It has to be the most horrifying line of the whole series.
298* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'':
299** Early on in the series, Marco saves an old man from a bunch of gangsters by morphing gorilla and beating the snot out of the gangsters. Later, when everyone else starts giving Marco crap about it, Marco firmly sticks to his belief that he did the right thing. Then [[BloodKnight Rachel]] agrees with him, and says (with conviction) that she also thinks Marco did the right thing. Marco quips, "Okay, now I ''know'' I did the wrong thing if Rachel agrees with me." Rachel is not amused.
300** Rachel herself often gets compliments from [[CosmicHorror Crayak]] and his minion [[WildCard The Drode]] regarding how [[BloodKnight ruthless and bloodthirsty]] she is. She doesn't appreciate it.
301* Fidelias/[[spoiler: Valiar Marcus]] gets this ''both ways'' in ''Literature/CodexAlera''. Acting as TheMole to the [[RagtagBunchOfMisfits First Aleran Legion]] (but secretly BecomingTheMask), he is praised by [[BigBad Invidia Aquitaine]] for suggesting a plan that crossed the MoralEventHorizon (which Fidelias didn't think would go that far and is extremely guilty about), and his cover identity is praised for his loyalty, since nobody knows that he's actually working for Invidia and has helped her undermine Tavi, at that point TheCaptain of the First Aleran and a UniversallyBelovedLeader.
302* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
303** The "Bowling for Vampires" incident in ''Literature/WhiteNight''. Harry does something particularly clever in his duel with Madrigal Raith and follows it up with one of his patented wisecracks. The White Court vampire audience cheers. Harry is discomfited.
304** In ''Literature/GhostStory'', Harry and his Godmother have a conversation about what happened at the end of ''Literature/{{Changes}}''.
305--->'''Harry:''' I saw the opportunity. If I'd stopped to think about the trouble it would create, I don't know if I'd have done it any differently. [[spoiler:They had my girl.]]\
306'''Leanansidhe:''' Spoken as someone worthy to wield power.\
307'''Harry:''' Coming from you, that's... a bit unsettling, actually.\
308'''Leanansidhe:''' [[InsultBackfire How sweet of you to say so.]]
309** And then in ''Literature/ColdDays'', Harry is quite disturbed when Mab compliments him for manipulating Molly into being his loyal minion. Harry doesn't agree and thinks [[EvilCannotComprehendGood she just doesn't understand]] ThePowerOfFriendship, but even so, it hits a bit too close to home...
310* Close to the end of ''Literature/TheMagicians'', Quentin meets Emily Greenstreet, another magician who chose to leave magic behind. She congratulates him on doing so, blames everything that went wrong in their lives on magic -- including the death of Emily's boyfriend and [[spoiler:Alice's HeroicSacrifice]] -- and accuses the same magicians that allow her a OneHourWorkWeek of being menaces to society. Once they've parted ways, Quentin realizes that he can't blame magic or anyone else for his troubles like he has been for the past couple of chapters, setting up the ending when [[spoiler:he abandons his life in the real world and returns to Fillory.]]
311* ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'':
312** Hermione starts questioning her own idea to have Harry teach Defence Against the Dark Arts after Sirius supports it. Sirius is a good guy, but he's known to be dangerously impulsive at times.
313** Percy Weasley walked out on his family in favor of supporting the corrupt Ministry of Magic. After Ron is made prefect (which he did not want in the first place), Percy sends him a letter of congratulations, saying that "I must admit that I have always been afraid that you would take what we might call the 'Fred and George' route, rather than following in my footsteps, so you can imagine my feelings on hearing you have stopped flouting authority and have decided to shoulder some real responsibility." He then advises Ron to "sever ties with Potter" as "nothing could put you in danger of losing your badge more than continued fraternization with that boy." Ron immediately tears it up, saying "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis he is -- the world's -- biggest -- git]]".
314** The book also has [[TheBully Draco Malfoy]] writing the song "Weasley Is Our King", which is about how Ron makes Slytherin win the Quidditch match by being a bad goal-keeper for Gryffindor.
315* Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse:
316** In ''Literature/TerokNor: Day of the Vipers'', Cleric Hadlo has a little of this. He proves willing to make a deal that involves sacrificing breakaway sects of his faith as scapegoats, to secure the safety of the mainstream religion. The fact that he's getting rid of troublesome elements to his church in the process, thus strengthening his position further, is praised by another character. She decides that maybe he ''is'' a modern Cardassian after all, despite his clinging to the GoodOldWays.
317** The turning point in ''Literature/StarTrekHollowMen'' is Sisko being assured he did the right thing in "In The Pale Moonlight" (see Live-Action TV below) by the ex-admiral whom Sisko himself prevented from staging a military coup of the Federation in the episode "Paradise Lost".
318* ''Literature/TheGunslinger'': When the two finally meet, Walter, the man in black, congratulates Roland [[spoiler:on letting Jake fall to his death in order to reach his goal]]. Roland's responds by attempting once again to shoot Walter.
319* In L. Jagi Lamplighter's ''[[Literature/ProsperosDaughter Prospero Regained]]'', [[spoiler:Eramus]] is unsettled when [[spoiler:Antonio]] congratulates him on everything he's most ashamed of.
320* ''Literature/AmericaTheBook'' showcases a graph that displays how fundraising proceeds are invested - with the cost of a stamp always set aside to return the donation N.A.M.B.L.A sends the candidate.
321* In ''Literature/LordOfTheClans'', Thrall's feelings of triumph [[spoiler:when he finally slays Blackmoore are ruined by Blackmoore's final words: "You are...what I made of you...I am so proud..."]]
322* In ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'', when Tris loses control and beats Molly bloody during their fight during testing, Eric congratulates her. She decides that she doesn't want to be congratulated for something like that by someone like him.
323* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
324** In ''A Dance with Dragons'', Roose Bolton tells Theon Greyjoy that the Boltons could never have taken Winterfell without Theon's efforts. Theon takes this to mean that it's all his fault that his home is gone and his former TrueCompanions are dead (because it kinda, sorta, quite a lot ''is''). Throughout the book, other members of the Boltons' entourage make similar statements. [[spoiler:This ultimately contributes to Theon's decision to help rescue Jeyne Poole.]]
325** Ser Barristan Selmy experiences a strange inverse of this trope: his own prior disapproval of [[TheKingslayer Jaime's decisive "cure" of Aery's madness]]? Now fills him with regret and shame. [[JerkassHasAPoint Jaime back then had a point]] it took Barristan ''years'' to finally get: the Kingsguard had failed the king for about a decade by defending him from the social pushback against ''his delusions''. The very traditional Barristan instead vociferously denied Jaime the approval the younger, more flexible knight maybe actually deserved at an important point in both their lives... *wince*
326* In the ''Franchise/BattleTechExpandedUniverse'', Anastasius Focht is a career warrior who despises politics and politicians, not without reason. "''Blood Legacy''" shows him having a nightmare involving a long discussion with [[spoiler:his former coup co-conspirator Aldo Lestrade, twenty years long dead]]. The latter was always an ambitious person and praises Focht for coming into power as the Precentor Martial of Comstar, suggesting that he use his newfound military might to make a play for power as they'd always planned, calling himself the 'embodiment of your ambition.' Focht harshly criticizes his erstwhile compatriot for suggesting foolhardy ambition in the face of the new threat of Clans, pointing out the futility of a coup when the invading forces could so easily undo such shallow self-interest. Having once sought the former politician's approval in their past schemes, Focht had this to say to his spectral nightmare, who has since been reduced to a rotten skeleton in his nightmare:
327-->"If you are the container for whatever trace of ambition still claims me, I am pleased to see the state it is in."
328* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Whenever [[TheTrickster Tasio]] says what great potential Eric has as a trickster, Eric's response is disgust [[spoiler:until ''Transcending Limitations'', where he embraces this part of himself.]]
329* ''Literature/MickeyHaller'' has this attitude towards certain clients. It's especially prevalent in the book [[spoiler:Literature/TheLincolnLawyer when he finds out his client, Roulet, is an extremely sadistic serial killer. Roulet congratulates Mickey on the great job he's doing in court, but Mickey is just filled with disgust with each comment]].
330* ''Literature/RedCountry'': The thoroughly debauched soldier of fortune Nicomo Cosca admires his reluctant protege Temple for being even more cowardly and amoral than himself. This is what convinces the conflicted Temple to break permanently from Cosca.
331* ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'': Napoleon comes to respect Will Laurence as a WorthyOpponent when Will risks his life and commits treason to release the cure for the [[ThePlague Dragon Plague]]. Will, who considers himself a loyal Briton even when he defies MyCountryRightOrWrong, is cut to the bone by Napoleon's high regard for him.
332* In ''Literature/RobRoy'', Sir Hildebrand becomes convinced that Frank robbed money from the English government, much to his nephew's annoyance. When Rashleigh tries to calm his cousin down by pointing out that Sir Hildebrand is holding him in a higher regard, Frank replies he does not wish to be well-regarded by committing highway robbery.
333-->'''Rashleigh:''' My father's foolish opinion, if one may give that epithet to any opinion of a father's, does not affect your real innocence; and as to the disgrace of the fact, depend on it, that, considered in all its bearings, political as well as moral, Sir Hildebrand regards it as a meritorious action—a weakening of the enemy—a spoiling of the Amalekites; and you will stand the higher in his regard for your supposed accession to it.\
334'''Frank:''' I desire no man's regard, Mr. Rashleigh, on such terms as must sink me in my own.
335* In ''[[Literature/VorkosiganSaga A Civil Campaign]]'', Aral Vorksosigan reflects on his own personal experience of this - [[spoiler: being hailed as a hero of the retreat, after ensuring that [[TheCaligula Price Serg]] died, among thousands of others, in a doomed-invasion-attempt-slash-assassination-plot]] - to console his son Miles, who currently stands accused - in the court of public opinion - of murdering his way to his LoveInterest, a crime he is innocent of but, due to security concerns, unable to prove himself so.
336--> '''Aral:''' It could be worse. There is no more hollow feeling than to stand with your honor shattered at your feet while soaring public reputation wraps you in rewards. ''That's'' soul-destroying. The other way around is merely very, very irritating.
337* A version in Creator/BertoltBrecht's poem "The Burning of the Books"; when the Reigme organizes {{Book Burning}}s, an exiled intellectual is horrified to discover that his books have not been burned.
338-->Burn me! he wrote with his blazing pen —\
339Haven't I always reported the truth?\
340Now here you are, treating me like a liar!\
341Burn me!
342* In the ''Literature/DeptfordMice'' book ''The Final Reckoning'', [[TheHero Piccadilly]] has a DuelToTheDeath with his archenemy [[TheDragon Morgan]]. Rage blinds him to everything else, until Morgan expresses admiration for his bloodlust, saying he would have made a fine rat. This horrifies Piccadilly, and he realises he can't kill Morgan.
343[[/folder]]
344
345[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
346* In the 7th season of ''Series/TwentyFour'', the captured BigBad tries the NotSoDifferentRemark on Jack Bauer. But, beyond trying to save his own butt, he goes on to say that he feels that Jack "is a hero", and that the earlier Senate inquiries into his deeds were wrong. Jack shuts him down real quick and tells him that they are nothing alike and that if he doesn't cooperate, Jack is personally going to nail him.
347* ''Series/AllSaints'': In Season 3, Terri Sullivan is charged with killing an [[StalkerWithACrush obsessed patient]] who was trying to rape her, being acquitted on a successful self-defense plea. Shortly after the trial, Terri is approached by a woman from a victims support group, whose daughter was murdered by a tutor who had been stalking her. The woman praises Terri for fighting back, which Terri doesn't take well because of her lingering guilt. Of course, this isn't "Your approval" so much as "Any approval" filling her with shame.
348* ''Series/AllyMcBeal'': Ally is horrified that Nelle joins [=Cage&Fish=] because of Ally's description of the law firm. Later, Ally is seen as wonderful by Ling, something that upsets her.
349* ''Series/{{Angel}}'':
350** The good guys are enthusiastically praised by villainess Lilah for defeating the fourth season's BigBad Jasmine because they have "averted world peace." (Jasmine was [[CompellingVoice brainwashing everyone]] in a case of UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans.) In fact, she rewards them with [[spoiler:the entire operation of Wolfram & Hart's L.A. branch]].
351** Season five has a non-morality-related example. [[spoiler:Angel likes Spike's poems. In fact, he's the only person - other than Spike's own mother - to voice approval of Spike's poetry while sober. Spike isn't flattered, because Angel also likes Music/BarryManilow.]]
352* ''Series/BabylonFive'':
353** In the episode "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS02E12ActsOfSacrifice Acts of Sacrifice]]", Ivanova is trying to persuade a race of {{Social Darwinist}}s to [[http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/guide/034.html ally themselves]] with Earth. When they stumble onto the station's "down below" slum, they assume it was deliberately planned in an effort to separate the "genetically inferior" humans from their superiors. [[FromBadToWorse Then they start talking about implementing a similar system themselves.]] The look on the Jewish Ivanova's face is priceless.
354** In the episode "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E02Convictions Convictions]]", Lennier saves Londo's life by pulling him out of a room containing a bomb, and nearly dies from the blast himself when he can't get clear. He spends most of the episode in a coma, and when he awakens he's told that the Centauri government will probably want to officially commend him. Lennier ruefully notes that while he saved Londo because he believes all life is sacred, and would do so again, in [[PacifismBackfire saving someone who does not believe the same he may have saved the present by sacrificing the future]].
355* In ''Series/BetterCallSaul'', Mike ends up being intimidated by the mob to give blatantly false testimony that'll free the homicidal gangster Tuco. He is clearly shaken and distraught by it, as it's not befitting a guy like him. Jimmy attempts to console Mike by recounting a time that he met Tuco and barely survived by acquiescing to him, but this doesn't exactly improve Mike's view, as he sees Jimmy as a cowardly loser.
356* Mitchell and Hal in ''Series/{{Being Human|UK}}'' are vampires who've both committed horrific deeds in the past, but would now [[TheAtoner like to put that behind them and live ordinary lives amongst humans.]] Both have been praised by other vampires for their roles in past atrocities, and neither are happy about this.
357%% * In the ''Series/BeingHumanUS'' episode "Too Far, Fast Forward!", the thing that finally convinces Aidan that he's gone too far is Bishop's praise.
358%% This is a Administrivia/PartialContextExample. How is Bishop a villain? How does he fit the trope?
359* One episode of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' has Howard building a remote-control Stephen Hawking toy. Everyone he shows it to tells him that it is offensive. He refuses to listen to them until resident {{Jerkass}} Barry Kripke tells him that it is hilarious and asks if he can drive it into the girls' restroom. [[spoiler:Ironically, Stephen Hawking himself actually loves the idea.]]
360* In ''Series/{{Bones}}'', Angela is horrified when Brennan praises the way she conducts her love life and compares it to her own.
361* ''Series/BostonLegal'': When Alan fears that he is sexist, Denny's deeply chauvinistic attempt at reassurance does not help one bit.
362* On ''Series/BrooklynNineNine'', the no-nonsense [[DaChief Captain Holt]] reveals that as a younger man he was a brash and cocky detective just like Det. Peralta.
363-->'''Peralta:''' Wow, I think I really would have gotten along with young Ray Holt. \
364'''Holt:''' Yes, that's why I decided to change everything about my life.
365* ''Series/{{Chuck}}'': In "[[Recap/ChuckS4E05ChuckVSTheCouchLock Chuck Versus the Couch Lock]]", Chuck made a plan to draw out out Casey's old military team by [[FakingTheDead faking his death]]. General Beckman then congratulates Chuck for endangering Casey's life over a mission, to which Chuck is horrified.
366* In the fourth episode of ''Series/CommanderInChief'', President Allen is disgusted with herself after her political enemy, Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton, congratulates her on her ability to "understand the burden of the necessary evil" after she accidentally orders a terrorism suspect tortured for information, thinking that she was finally showing the backbone to get the job done. (She told the Attorney General, "I don't want to hear about any torture", and the Attorney General interprets this to mean "go ahead and torture him, but don't tell me about it" when she meant "torture is out of the question").
367* ''Series/{{Community}}'':
368** In the pilot, Pierce says to Jeff [[YouRemindMeOfX "You remind me of a younger me,"]] to which Jeff replies "I guess I deserved that."
369** In the season 4 premiere Annie notes the marked change in Jeff's demeanor, to which Jeff replies: "Don't ruin it by approving".
370* In the June 5th, 2002 episode of ''Series/CoronationStreet'' Roy apologizes to Fred, noting that he has done so in large part because their tiff earns him the approval of Les Battersby.
371* {{Inverted}} in ''Series/TheDickVanDykeShow'' episode "The Man from Emperor". Rob's old colleague, a [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Hugh-Hefner-like magazine star]], denounces him as "sick" for sticking to being HappilyMarried to Laura rather than falling to the temptation of the lifestyle he leads. Laura thinks that this is wonderful.
372* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
373** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E6Dalek Dalek]]", the title character tells the Doctor, "'''YOU WOULD MAKE A GOOD DALEK'''."
374** It happens again in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E13ThePartingOfTheWays The Parting of the Ways]]", when the Doctor runs into some more surviving Daleks and the only way he can find to stop their fleet involves [[spoiler:killing everyone on Earth as well as them.]] The Emperor almost seems to want him to use it, just so he can see the Doctor become like them.
375--->'''Dalek Emperor: HAIL THE DOCTOR, THE GREAT EXTERMINATOR!'''
376** Played with in "[[Recap/DoctorWho2007CSVoyageOfTheDamned Voyage of the Damned]]" with [[{{Jerkass}} Rickston]] [[{{Greed}} Slade]]. During the whole disaster, he's constantly complaining, making fun of the good-natured lower-class couple who won their tickets [[spoiler:(and who both end up dying)]], and always trying to save himself at the expense of the group. [[KarmaHoudini Not only does he end up surviving]], [[spoiler:he declares at the end that prior to the disaster, he sold all his stock of the ship's company, and bought the stock of rival companies, gloating that he's now extremely rich due to the disaster]]. The Doctor can't do anything but look disgusted as more a "Saving Your Life Has Filled Me With Shame".
377** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS33E1AsylumOfTheDaleks Asylum of the Daleks]]", the Doctor is disgusted when the Daleks tell him that they find the hatred of insane Daleks to be "beautiful". The Dalek Prime Minister then goes on to add that this might be the reason that they've never finished the Doctor off.
378** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E2IntoTheDalek Into the Dalek]]", the Doctor deals with a Dalek that rejects the Dalek way of life. When the Doctor connects with his mind, the Dalek sees beauty and... pure hatred of the Daleks. After he destroys an invading group, he tells the Doctor "'''I AM NOT A GOOD DALEK, ''YOU'' ARE A GOOD DALEK'''"
379* In an episode of ''Series/TheDrewCareyShow'', he and Kate planned to [[ShamWedding stage a fake wedding]] to get an inheritance Drew's uncle left him, [[OnOneCondition on the condition he was married soon after his funeral]]. When Kate and Drew decide to get married for real, their friends and family members storm out when they find out about the scam. [[ObnoxiousInLaws Mimi]], [[SitcomArchNemesis Drew's nemesis]] thanks him for the good time and leaves happily. Losing the money, he rants about how his friends and family hate him, and the fact that Mimi likes him.
380* ''Series/{{Farscape}}''
381** An interesting example where the approving party wasn't a villain or even evil.
382--->'''[[ActionGirl Aeryn:]]''' ''[after [[ActualPacifist Zhaan]] had killed an extremely evil man in order to rescue her friends]'' Zhaan, I feel I must apologize to you for mocking your courage. I see now that you're more of a warrior than I ever thought.\
383''[Zhaan looks like she is about to burst into tears and walks away]''\
384'''Aeryn:''' What is the matter with her?\
385'''D'Argo:''' You called her a warrior. You could not have cut her more deeply.
386** The later episode "Liars, Guns, and Money" features Bekhesh, who had previously found religion and quit being a mercenary, only to be dragged back in by Crichton, leaving with the words, "Farewell, my friends! Thank you for teaching me to kill again!" The look on Zhaan's face is [[ComedicSociopathy priceless]].
387* One episode of ''Series/FatherTed'' has the titular priest getting caught doing a "Chinaman" impression by a group of Chinese passers-by looking through his window. He runs after them to apologize, only to be stopped by a couple of locals congratulating him for "standing up" to them and ask him for tips on how to be racist. Ted is, of course, horrified.
388* ''Series/{{Frasier}}'': Every time Bulldog [[SoProudOfYou expresses pride]] in any one of Frasier's embarrassing public sex scandals.
389** In "The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl", Frasier has just had sex live on the air, making the papers ("I Won't Fink Says Kinky Shrink").
390--->'''Bulldog:''' Doc? I got one thing to say to you.\
391'''Frasier:''' Go ahead, take your best shot.\
392'''Bulldog:''' ''[admiration]'' I am so proud of you man.\
393''[Bulldog hugs Frasier warmly]''\
394'''Frasier:''' ''[dripping with sarcasm]'' Well, doesn't that just put the cherry on the parfait.
395** In "The Harrassed":
396--->'''Roz:''' Hey, Frasier! [[SarcasmMode Thanks for ruining my weekend.]]\
397'''Frasier:''' Oh, Roz... come on, you know it was just a mistake. What do you think I am, some kind of disgusting Lothario?\
398'''Bulldog:''' Hey, there's my man!\
399''(Frasier has a priceless look of despair on his face.)''
400** When Niles covered for Frasier:
401--->'''Bulldog:''' Hey, Dr. Doolittle. I heard your show. It didn't suck!\
402'''Niles:''' Ah. "[[SarcasmMode Dear diary...]]"
403** When Niles is forced to leave the Montana in ''How to Bury a Millionaire'', Frasier sets him up in a tacky apartment complex called the 'Shangri-La'. Frasier tries to convince himself that Niles will be alright, and Niles immerses himself in his new lifestyle in an attempt to avoid feeling depressed. Sadly, when Marty tells both of them that the Shangri-La is 'his kind of place', both brothers start weeping in horror and despair.
404* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
405** {{Implied|Trope}}: Jorah Mormont explains to the exiled former prince Viserys that the death sentence he fled was for selling poachers to a slaver, something that's left Jorah with a lasting sense of shame. Viserys replies that under his reign Jorah wouldn't be punished for "such nonsense." Jorah visibly restrains a look of embarrassment at his wrongdoings being trivialized.
406** In season six, Walder Frey tries to get chummy with Jaime Lannister since they are both men who will advance the interests of their houses even if it means breaking oaths and sacrifice their honor, referring to himself and Jaime as "two Kingslayers". Jaime broke a sacred oath to save the lives of thousands of innocent people while Walder betrayed SacredHospitality due to greed and petty revenge. Jaime is visibly disgusted and shuts Walder down really quick by pointing out Frey incompetence and walks away furious.
407* On ''Series/GilmoreGirls,'' just the mere hint that her mother agrees with her is enough to give Lorelai a CharacterCheck, as she strives to be the OpenMindedParent in contrast to her own upbringing. This trope becomes a minor plot point in season 2, when Lorelai disapproves of Rory's friendship with loner, troublemaker Jess, and Emily agrees that if Lorelai feels he isn't good for Rory, then he isn't and she should stop them from seeing each other. Lorelai promptly apologizes and decides to trust in Rory's instincts, instead.
408* A running joke on ''Series/TheGoodGuys'' involves rookie, by the book detective Jack Baily coming up with plans in desperate situations and his washed-up, has-been CowboyCop partner Dan Stark commenting on their brilliance, saying "That sounds like something I'd come up with!" Jack will usually reply with a worried "That's what scares me."
409* In the ''Series/{{Haven}}'' episode "As You Were", the Chief heartily congratulates Nathan for coldly executing the shapeshifter who had stolen Audrey's form, praising Nathan for becoming more like him. Nathan, already traumatized by the experience, is horrified.
410* Happens on ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'' when Sinner!Alfie is praising Jerome for breaking Joy's heart. An odd case, in which Jerome and Alfie are best friends, and Alfie is usually the nice one- Jerome didn't know he was evil then. Alfie explained how much Jerome hurt Joy, Jerome was ashamed and in shock.
411-->'''Alfie:''' You ripped her heart up into tiny pieces, then ripped those up too. Respect man, respect.
412* In ''Series/JakeAndTheFatman'', after [=McCabe=] wins gangster's trial, said gangster's lawyer congratulates him and calls him his inspiration.
413-->'''Lawyer:''' There's very few people I told such compliment.\
414'''[=McCabe=]:''' That's not a compliment. That's an ''insult''!
415* ''Series/{{Leverage}}''
416** Nate rigs a table to give out an electric shock to help convince a PhonyPsychic that Tara has real PsychicPowers. Parker approves of this, but Eliot points out that Parker approving is not a good thing, especially since Parker demanded that [[MurderIsTheBestSolution they kill the mark and chop him into pieces]] only a few minutes earlier.
417** Another example is the praise that Nate receives from his father. It's not stated that it fills him with shame, but give their relationship and what's said, it seems likely.
418--->"You're more ruthless than me, crueler than me. Maybe you are better than me. [[WellDoneSonGuy I'm proud of you, son]]."
419* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Galadriel, increasingly suspicious that [[spoiler:Halbrand is Sauron]], can't keep the pain off her face when he thanks her for renewing his motivation when he was at his low point.
420* In ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', Murray is staying up late one night to watch one of his favorite movies being broadcast by the TV station he works at, only to see that his favorite song from that movie has been EditedForSyndication. Murray's so mad he right then and there calls up the station, insults the station manager, [[IdiotBall and even gives his name.]] The next morning, he confides to the rest of the newsroom, worried [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone about the sheer stupidity of his actions.]] He gets a call in front of the others from the station manager and says, [[BlatantLies no he didn't call up the station last night and insult the manager, it must have been some other Murray Slaughter.]] The manager believes him and hangs up. The others try to reassure Murray that he did the right thing. [[SmallNameBigEgo Ted]] adds, "I would have done the same thing." Murray replies, "I wish you hadn't said that, Ted," calls back the station manager and admits he did insult him. [[GeorgeJetsonJobSecurity He's fired for the rest of the episode.]]
421* A variant in ''Series/{{MASH}}'': BJ leaves the 4077 to retrieve a severely injured soldier from an aid station, leaving them at half strength just as a wave of wounded arrive. Hawkeye, who is in temporary command in the absence of Colonel Potter and has become increasingly authoritarian during his tenure, points out that BJ is technically AWOL and Hawkeye could have him court-martialed. Margaret's response is "If only [[TheNeidermeyer Frank Burns]] could see you now", which cuts Hawkeye pretty close to the bone.
422* Invoked in ''Series/ParkerLewisCantLose'' when Parker is running for StudentCouncilPresident. He realizes that his opponent would be a better president, so he tries to throw the election, only to find that [[SpringtimeForHitler everything he does only makes him more popular.]] Finally, he cuts together a video making it look like [[DeanBitterman Ms. Musso]] endorses him, which immediately destroys his campaign.
423* ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'' has the local porn star Brandi Maxxxx frequently singing the praises of Leslie Knope, who is always not very happy about this AbhorrentAdmirer supporting her (specially when it's Leslie's social work being compared to Brandi's porn endeavors!).
424* On the PETA episode of ''Series/PennAndTellerBullshit'', Rodney Coronado, a guy who fire-bombed several animal testing labs, [[AffablyEvil was polite and friendly in his response to Penn Jillette's call]]. This prompted Penn Jillette to remark, "cool guy, likes us, and likes our show. Too bad he's a fuckin' arsonist."
425* Played for laughs on ''Series/TheRedGreenShow''. On the rare occasions when Red does something that his nephew Harold is proud of him for, he's typically even more ashamed than he was in the first place. The same is usually also true whenever it's the other way around. For example, Red and the rest of the lodge members wanted to butcher and eat a cow that one of the members inherited. However, none of them could bring themselves to actually kill the cow, leading to this exchange:
426-->'''Red:''' This is a dark day for the image of Possum Lodge.\
427'''Harold:''' Well I, for one, am proud of you, Uncle Red!\
428''[{{beat}}]''\
429'''Red:''' Don't make it worse, Harold!
430* ''Series/{{Rome}}'':
431** Julius Caesar sends Lucius Vorenus to bribe a former army colleague. Honest to a fault but loyal to his superior, Vorenus does so and reports back. Caesar comments that he didn't think the man would sell out so cheaply. "I must send you to handle all of my corruptions." ManipulativeBastard that he is, Caesar quickly sees how uncomfortable this makes Vorunus and [[JustJokingJustification says that he was only joking]].
432** Realising that war is coming between Marc Antony and Octavian, Posca flees back to Rome but makes sure to bring Antony's last will and testament with him. Realizing the contents of the will contain everything he needs as a PretextForWar, Octavian thanks Posca for his "loyalty". Posca has the grace to look embarrassed.
433* In one episode of ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', Jerry dates a girl that he really likes, but everyone else thinks she's a huge loser. Her own friends thank him profusely for going out with her as if it was some saintly act of charity, while George and Kramer are so worried that he is depressed and fallen on hard times that they stage an intervention. Desperate for ''someone'' to approve of his relationship with this girl, Jerry flies in his parents to meet her. They absolutely ''love'' her... which causes Jerry to immediately lose all interest in her, since [[DamnedByAFoolsPraise who in their right mind would be caught dead dating somebody their]] ''[[DamnedByAFoolsPraise parents]]'' [[DamnedByAFoolsPraise liked]]?
434-->'''Helen:''' Well, she's 10 times better than that awful Amber girl you were with.\
435'''Jerry:''' Yeah, Amber... I wonder if she's back from Vegas...
436* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'':
437** Brainiac is impressed that Chloe, a member of a [[PunyEarthlings "weak-willed" race]], would be brave enough to use kryptonite on Kara.
438** Tess [[OutGambitted ousts]] Earth-2 Lionel from [=LuthorCorp=], which he had previously stolen from her. After she explains how she proved that he's not Earth-1 Lionel, she adds that she had spiked his drink with nano-trackers so that if he tries to hurt her or the rest of the Justice League, she'd know where to find him. As Lionel leaves he takes one parting shot by telling her that no matter how hard she tries to [[HeelFaceTurn change]] for Clark, she'll ''always'' be a Luthor (which is one of the few times he acknowledges that she's more his daughter than just by DNA). Given the nervous and almost-ill look on Tess's face as he walks away, she was clearly thinking this trope.
439* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'':
440** "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS06E19InThePaleMoonlight In the Pale Moonlight]]" does this three times: once with Garak, who congratulates Sisko on being willing to [[spoiler:tricking the Romulans to turn against the Dominion]] and later, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-YyL7X4CWw Sisko congratulating himself]]. When Sisko bribes Quark to keep him from pressing charges against the man Sisko needs to [[spoiler:fabricate damning evidence of a Dominion plan to betray the Romulans]], Quark thanks him for reaffirming his faith in the 98th Rule of Acquisition: EveryManHasHisPrice. Sisko subsequently looks like he feels the need to shower.
441** Major Kira had to work with [[Characters/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineGulDukat Dukat]] in the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS04E14ReturnToGrace Return to Grace]]" to help destroy a Klingon ship that had attacked a Cardassian outpost. She is very definitely unhappy to receive his praise for her ingenuity in coming up with a way to use a planetary defense disruptor cannon to arm Dukat's small, otherwise helpless cargo vessel.
442** Quark has this attitude towards the Federation's approval of his bar & grill business. The fact he earns most of his money from a completely legitimate, even by Federation standards, business has made him a joke on his homeworld.
443* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E06TheImpossibleBox The Impossible Box]]", Raffi grabs a bottle of an alcoholic beverage and flees the bridge when Picard starts clapping after she arranges his diplomatic credentials, having just alienated someone else in her life to do so.
444* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', Alastair tells Dean that he was brilliant -- at torturing souls in Hell. Dean is disgusted and ashamed by what he did down there, and Alastair makes it even worse.
445* A few minor cases on ''Series/TheWestWing'', such as the early episode where the president's personal aide's decision to pass on the option of screening an intentionally [[ObligatorySwearing gratuitously]] [[InterplayOfSexAndViolence sexual and violent]] new film at the White House is praised by the right-wing Christian MoralGuardians who are normally their worst political enemies. Before he even knows the reason for the praise, Sam says, "I don't like who we're being congratulated by."
446* ''Series/{{Wings}}'': The episode "Ex, Lies, and Videotape" involves Brian going on a talk show and being depicted as a sexist, chauvinist pig. When he returns to the airport following the broadcast, Fay gives him a bunch of phone messages he received: "You got three death threats, ten calls from women who think they can change you, and an "Atta Boy" from Andrew Dice Clay."
447%% * Alex often does this to Justin in ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace''.
448%% This is a Administrivia/ZeroContextExample. What does Alex do, and how is he a villain? How does he fit the trope? How does Justin respond?
449* The final episode of ''Series/WolfHall'' ends with Anne Boleyn's execution. When the deed is done, Francis Bryan--her own cousin--makes a crude joke at her expense and grins at Cromwell as he goes to tell the Seymours that she's dead. Even though he was the one who engineered it, [[EveryoneHasStandards Cromwell watches him go with a look of complete disgust]]. Then, when Henry takes the news by ''joyfully embracing him'', Cromwell stares dead-eyed over his shoulder in the realization that he's just sold his soul to the service of a dissolute monster.
450[[/folder]]
451
452[[folder:Podcasts]]
453* In ''Podcast/TheClockworkCabaret'', [[SociopathicHero Lady Attercop]] is always esthetically gleeful when it is [[VoiceOfReason Emmet]] who came with an evil scheme. She practically thinks it is her birthday each time.
454[[/folder]]
455
456[[folder:Sports]]
457* [[UsefulNotes/FormulaOne In the 2010 German GP]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_German_Grand_Prix#Team_orders Felipe Massa was not-so-subtly told to give the victory to his team-mate Fernando Alonso]], who was better placed in the drivers' championship. Such blatant "team orders" are banned at the time because they're dickish. Under a barrage of criticism, Ferrari found a defender -- none other than their legendary former driver, Michael Schumacher... except he's legendary for two things: winning lots and lots of races -- and playing very dirty to do so. In fact, this instance drew parallels to the 2002 Austrian GP, when Rubens Barrichello was ordered to let Schumacher past for the win.[[note]]This is the incident that led to the team order ban in the first place.[[/note]] Congratulations, you have the blessing of the anthropomorphic personalization of "the ends justify the means".\
458However, [[FromBadToWorse karma was not finished with Ferrari]], for they then received the backing of one of two people in the known universe who could make this worse -- Nelsin Piquet Jr. He had been ''blacklisted from F-1'' because he [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Formula_One_crash_controversy intentionally crashed his car during the 2008 Singapore GP]], to benefit (wait for it...) Fernando Alonso, his teammate at the time. ''It's OK guys, you can [[UnwantedAssistance stop helping now...]]''\
459What makes that second one even worse was that the Singapore crash had taken the race's leader at the time all the way down to a 13th place finish, who ended up losing the overall world championships that year by ''one point''. Said screwed leader? Wait for it... ''Felipe Massa''. So, the guy who screwed Massa for Alonso the first time congratulated Massa's own team for feeling the need to do it too.
460[[/folder]]
461
462[[folder:Theatre]]
463* In ''Theatre/{{Pippin}}'', when Pippin revokes all the noble-minded reforms he implemented after becoming king, [[EvilMatriarch Fastrada]] approaches him, saying:
464-->"Darling, you're a born ruler. You're doing a wonderful job. Nothing has changed since your father died. Now about my royal allowance..."
465[[/folder]]
466
467[[folder:Video Games]]
468* The Enhanced Edition of ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'' features this in companion banter between LawfulGood Sun Soul monk Rasaad yn Bashir and NeutralEvil blackguard Dorn Il-Khan. Dorn mentions that his demonic patron Ur-Gothoz admires Rasaad's dark path and has seen fit to make him an offer, to Rasaad's utter chagrin.
469* Implied in ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight''. After Ra's Al Ghul's attempts to get Batman to discard his ThouShaltNotKill rule so that he can be a proper successor to his League of Assassins, Batman encounters him [[spoiler:near-death, [[CameBackWrong his numerous resurrections having taken their toll physically and psychologically]], and with only one known sample of Lazarus left on Earth. After some arguments with Alfred about the morality of letting Ra's die, the player has the option of injecting him with the final Lazarus sample to rejuvenate him one more time, or destroying it and dooming him to death. If the player does the latter, Ra's last words to Batman before he's carted off to intensive care is that he's proud of him]].
470* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', JerkAss Byakuya Togami does ''not'' take kindly the praises coming from... [[BigBad Monokuma]].
471-->'''Monokuma:''' I feel like you and I are of the same mind...!\
472'''Togami:''' ...Stop it. I am nothing like a childish criminal like you.
473* ''VideoGame/DeusEx'':
474** Appears if you take a more trigger-happy approach to the early missions. Wiping out the terrorists in Castle Clinton or executing a surrendering terrorist leader will earn you the approval of Anna Navarre, your psychotic trigger-happy partner and the foot soldiers of UNATCO.
475** Later, in Paris, if you break into a stranger's apartment to steal weapons, Icarus says "Observe your motivations for breaking the arbitrary laws of the current government. Do not miss your chance to be one of us and create the new world order."
476* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
477** If you ever see the text "[[TokenEvilTeammate Morrigan/Zevran]] approves" in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' without having given them something shiny or flattered them in conversation, odds are good you just did something evil or immoral. There are some exceptions, but at a whole approval for these characters = evil. [[HeroicComedicSociopath Shale]] and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Sten]] hold this true to a lesser degree.
478** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', once Blackwall's secret ([[spoiler:that he's not actually the real Blackwall, but someone who took the man's identy to atone for past crimes]]) is revealed, other characters will have differing reactions, either thinking more highly of him [[spoiler:for being a good man trying to do the right thing despite his past]] or less [[spoiler:for having lied about who he was and usurping a Grey Warden's identity]], and Blackwall takes all their reactions in stride. The only exception is Vivienne, who views his secret as the latter, but is actually ''impressed'' [[spoiler:because it means that Blackwall managed to succesfully fool ''her'', someone used to playing the Game [[DeadlyDecadentCourt of Orlaisian politics]]]]. Blackwall is actually ashamed that ''this'' is what she approves of.
479* In ''VideoGame/FableII'' the evil option for the "return the warrants" quest in the prologue involves giving the warrants to career criminal Arfur instead of the guard. If you take this option, when you go back to Bowerstone Old Town as an adult you'll be greeted by Arfur, who will congratulate you for helping to make the place a crime-ridden dump. Likewise, if you choose to take the million gold at the end of the game (instead of reviving your family or all the people who died making the Spire), [[TokenEvilTeammate Reaver]] will voice his approval.
480* In ''VideoGame/FairyFencerF'', Fang says this directly to a boy at the Plaza in Zelwinds City who tells him that he doesn't work to get a job at Dorfa like his parents want him to when he gets older. He wants to be like Fang; to do nothing and be lazy like him.
481-->'''Boy:''' You're my role model!\
482'''Fang:''' ...Your approval fills me with shame for some reason.
483* In the "Mind of Steel" [[NonstandardGameOver Bad End]] to ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', [[spoiler:[[NotQuiteTheRightThing Shirou ends up choosing the needs of the many over the needs of the few]] by having his LoveInterest Sakura Matou, a completely [[BreakTheCutie shattered]] [[BrokenBird young girl]] who is a ManchurianAgent for the BigBad ''and'' has a SuperpoweredEvilSide who is eating people (although they don't know about the latter for certain) [[MercyKill put down so she can't hurt anyone else as well as herself]].]] Although this act ends up saving hundreds of people and ensures the BigBad's defeat, [[TheUnfettered this single-minded devotion to becoming an "Ally of Justice"]] [[LonelyAtTheTop costs Shirou everything he holds dear]] and [[GenerationXerox sets him down the same path as]] [[BrokenBird his adoptive father Kiritsugu]] (and, for that matter, [[spoiler:Archer]]). What compounds the whole thing is how [[ForTheEvulz Kotomine]], of all people, finds the whole thing amusing (although not as much as the alternative) and states he's "looking forward to the end of it" ([[spoiler:because Shirou will now have to kill all the other competitors, his former allies and friends included, to prevent misuse of the Grail]]) -- by this point, of course, Shirou isn't going to change his mind over that, [[PlayerPunch but the player just might]].
484** ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' throws another punch into this ending, as it is apparently ''this exact instance of Shirou'' that [[spoiler:succumbs to Kiara Sesshouin's temptations and becomes "The Lost Man" Emiya Alter]]. When one of the [[GreaterScopeVillain Evils Of Humanity]] approves, something is ''wrong''.
485* In the later half of Part 3 in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'', Micaiah ambushes the Apostle's escort as it travels through a deep canyon. After crushing most of her forces, she orders her men to pour oil down the ravine (which was quite damaging itself, incapacitating many of the Apostle's pegasi), with the intent to light it on fire, ''burning Sanaki and company alive.'' When Tibarn and Ike's men interrupt, [[SociopathicHero Soren]] tells Micaiah how impressed he is with her strategy.
486* In ''VideoGame/HyruleTotalWar'', [[NobleDemon Demise]] gives a speech to [[AGodAmI Hylia]] praising her for all the destruction she had brought to Hyrule. Hylia is so shocked she goes into hiding for millennia to [[UnPerson cancel all her recordings from history]].
487* In the video game for ''VideoGame/IHaveNoMouthAndIMustScream'', [[BigBad A]][[AIIsACrapshoot M]] makes it clear that he considers Nimdok (who was a Nazi in the Holocaust) to be an inspiration. Nimdok is far from happy with this.
488* Compliments from HK-47 in the ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' games are generally a sign that the player character is falling to TheDarkSide, although whether the PC is startled back to a lighter path or genuinely takes the compliments as they are meant is up to the player.
489* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', a Paragon Shepard will repeatedly try to instill this upon Grunt, bemoaning the fact that he's clearly InLoveWithYourCarnage and that he's still not learnt that, while they often blow the living hell out of things, Shepard honestly ''doesn't'' want to do it and ''[[ReluctantWarrior hates]]'' being forced to most of the time. Heck, one of the ''Renegade'' dialogue options is threatening to kick Grunt's ass if he goes after Garrus (in response to Grunt being delighted to discover that he hates turians).
490* ''VideoGame/{{Messiah}}'' has Satan comment on Bob the angel's (the protagonist's) [[AntiHero questionable ethics]] a couple of times, with obvious pleasure.
491* In ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'', Sub-Zero inverts this trope in his pre-battle dialogue against Shinnok, who would rather see the former enslaved as an undead.
492-->'''Shinnok:''' Humanity does not suit you.\
493'''Sub-Zero:''' I am glad you disapprove.
494* In ''VideoGame/NoOneLivesForever'', Inge Wagner resents the fact that her singing attracts beatniks to her club. Magnus Armstrong tells it's because they think she's being avant-garde when in fact she just can't sing in key.
495* Just in case [[spoiler:being forced to "euthanize" your Companion Cube]] in ''VideoGame/{{Portal|1}}'' wasn't already enough of a PlayerPunch, [=GLaDOS=] commemorates the awfulness by telling you that you did the deed "faster than any test subject on record." Ouch.
496* ''VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless'': Vanessa compliments Mia for [[spoiler:sending Aeyr to kill Gauron in Purgatory, which would kill Aeyr because doing so would remove his Revenant powers, along with his immunity to the Deep Fog. This doesn't make Mia feel better about her decision at all.]]
497* In ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone 2: Brave New World'', at the end of chapter 24 where the party has access to pure gold and silver fashioned in [[VideoGame/ResonanceOfFate Leanne's statue]] (long story), [[OriginalGeneration Chizuru Urashima]] urges some of the girls to lead a prayer, thanking Leanne. Leanne isn't pleased at the entire thing.
498* In ''VideoGame/RulersOfNations'', if a figure you are having a meeting with has a poor opinion of you as your country's leader, they will reply "cut the crap... you and your hypocrisy" if you try to verbally congratulate them for their work and if you try to bestow medals and honours on them they will reply "[[TakeThat for me this medal symbolises everything wrong with this country]]".
499* ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'': After Wei ruthlessly shoots up a rival Triad's drug lab on Winston's orders, Conroy, who had ([[ProperlyParanoid correctly]]) suspected Wei of being an undercover cop and antagonized him for [[IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten not being a cold-blooded killer]], immediately apologizes to Wei, renounces his suspicions and congratulates him on the job. Downplayed in that, while Wei couldn't care less about killing a few {{Mooks}} to further his infiltration into the Triad, he does ruminate over Conroy's words several times later in the story, as he ponders whether he's [[BecomingTheMask becoming more criminal than cop]].
500-->'''Conroy:''' You showed your true colors tonight, brother.
501* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', you often receive in-game emails from [=NPCs=] involved in the quests you finish, and many of the nastier ones move into this territory. Possibly the crowning achievement: on Yavin 4, during [[EnemyMine a joint operation]], a Republic player can overrule Jedi Grand Master Shan and allow Darth Marr to torture a prisoner. If you do, Marr himself takes the time to write you and ''sends you credits'' for your choice.
502-->'''Marr:''' [Shan] will not reward you for your decision. [[BetterLivingThroughEvil But the Empire will.]]
503* In the final episode of ''VideoGame/{{Tales from the Borderlands}}'' [[spoiler: when Rhys is talking to Jack one final time, Jack says that he's proud of him because he didn't stop at anything to get rid of him, and that he's much better at killing people than Jack ever was, since he destroyed the space station Helios and [[ColdEquation reluctantly killed the many, many people who were on it]] to stop Jack from wreaking havoc on the universe all over again. Rhys can stay silent, say that he'll "have to live with that," or telling Jack that [[IDidWhatIHadToDo did what he had to do]] to keep him from slaughtering countless people in order to insert metal endoskeletons infused with his consciousness into their bodies, in essence making millions and billions of Jacks, who would in turn spread as much terror and bloodshed and they wanted -- which, knowing Jack, is a lot.]]
504* In ''VideoGame/UltimaVII'', the [[BigBad Guardian]] will congratulate you heartily if you kill [[BigGood Lord British]]. If you do it with the [[InfinityPlusOneSword blackrock sword]], the demon in the sword will react enthusiastically and taunt Lord British as you strike the killing blow.
505* [[spoiler:Killing Flowey at the end of the Neutral route]] in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' seems to be designed to elicit this kind of reaction. [[spoiler:His last act after you deal the finishing blow is to flash you an evil grin and proclaim "I KNEW YOU HAD IT IN YOU." before dying.]]
506** ...And, as potential outcome of walking the darkest path in the game...
507--->[[spoiler:'''Chara:''' Right. You are a great partner.]]
508* In ''[[VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} Warcraft III: Frozen Throne]]'', Varimathras compliments Sylvanas on her plan to form an EnemyMine alliance with a human warlord, then [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness stab him in the back once she controls the city of Lordaeron,]] telling her she has cunning that would rival a dreadlord. Sylvanas is not impressed.
509* Though it's impossible to speak of the reactions of a HeroicMime PlayerCharacter, something like this is clearly aimed at in the Death Knight starting quests in ''VideoGame/{{World of Warcraft}}'', trying to give the PC something approaching CharacterDevelopment justifying their later HeelFaceTurn. Once a hero, the Death Knight character now must ([[ButThouMust really must]]) bow to the will of the [[BigBad Lich King]] and slaughter innocents. However, they are presumably shocked into remembering who they once were when they are asked to [[KickTheWrongDog execute a prisoner who turns out to be someone they knew back in life]]. After this, their superior compliments them for their blood lust. It can be safely said this compliment is not meant to be taken as positively as it is given.
510[[/folder]]
511
512[[folder:Web Animation]]
513* ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'''s House of Asmodeus features this, as part of the song is {{Asmodeus}} outing Stolas cheating on his wife with Blitzo, and while Stolas is not proud of this being publicly revealed, Asmodeus is outright commending him for giving up his family just for sexual pleasure. Of course, it runs deeper than that as Stolas wants [[WillTheyOrWontThey more]] than just a sexual relationship with Blitzo, but Asmodeus still has a point in that Stolas did still cheat on his wife regardless of Stolas' feelings on the matter.
514* ''WebAnimation/HowItShouldHaveEnded'':
515** In the episode for ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'', Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse Franchise/{{Batman}} gets this when Creator/RyanReynolds and/or Film/{{Deadpool|2016}} compliments him on [[DarkerAndEdgier killing a bunch of people]].
516** In the episode for ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'', Shere Khan inflicts this on Bagheera when he thanks him for offing Mowgli for him by having [[DeconstructiveParody the wolves eat him instead of raising him as one of their own]].
517* In ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' season 12, when Tucker [[spoiler:gets two men killed]] on a mission because he disobeyed orders and went to steal information, Felix congratulates him and says it's worth it because [[spoiler:what's two soldiers in a war?]] Tucker is not happy with Felix's sentiment.
518[[/folder]]
519
520[[folder:Web Comics]]
521* In the YetAnotherChristmasCarol [[http://www.brawlinthefamily.com/?p=953 arc]] of ''Webcomic/BrawlInTheFamily'', [[{{Jerkass}} Wario]], playing Jacob Marley's role, compliments Mario's shift in personality (making him the story's Ebenezer Scrooge) over the years:
522-->'''Wario:''' Alright, so here's the scoop: after I kicked the bucket and you gained full control of the coin bank... You've become GREEDY, BITTER, and SELFISH! Well done!
523* In an early InfoDump of ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'', it's mentioned that the planet was designed to have two moons. It already had one with a diameter of about 1500 km, and Earth's moon has a diameter of 3476 km, so someone decided that, to even it out, [[ArtisticLicensePhysics they'd add a moon with a diameter of about 2000 km]].[[note]]That damn SquareCubeLaw means that they'd want a second moon about 3300 km in diameter, assuming of course that they had the same average density and that two moons would "even out" that way at all.[[/note]] [[RobotBuddy Helix]] asks if that was a good decision. [[IdiotHero Sam]] says that it's what he would have done. Helix immediately says that there should be safeguards against that kind of thing.
524** When Florence wakes up after visiting Ecosystems Unlimited, she can't remember what happened there. Sam exclaims "I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!", causing her to think [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff1700/fc01698.htm "Oh, this can't be good."]]
525* ''WebComic/ElGoonishShive'': Downplayed variant with Tedd. While he's a very nice guy, he is ''also'' a pervert, and Elliot at one point says that whether or not Tedd takes an interest in something is a good indication of whether it's a bad idea, or at the very least needs to be censored.
526* In an ''WebComic/ExterminatusNow'' panel, Eastwood discusses the pros and cons of hitting on younger women with an off-panel individual. He eventually agrees with his new compatriot's assessment about younger women being the superior target, until he realizes he's been talking with Pedobear.
527* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' has a few, from [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070718 straightforward]] to [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080825 villainously inverted]], to [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120912 indirect]], to [[https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20130930#.YG8a9z_TWUl reversed]] (as in "My approval should fill ''you'' with shame").
528* In ''WebComic/{{Harbourmaster}}'', Tal has [[http://www.waywardmartian.com/harbourmaster6/036-036.html this reaction]] to praise from his grandfather for displaying some spine/ruthlessness in [[spoiler:demanding his sister receive a clean break from the family in return for information that would utterly destroy one of the most powerful men in their country, and possibly for obtaining that information in the first place and knowing who'd put to effective use]]. On the next page, he runs to his best friend saying he's made a terrible mistake.
529* In ''WebComic/{{Homestuck}}'', human characters are depicted with a blank white skin color (they are canonically aracial). This changes when they [[spoiler:enter Trickster Mode]] and are recolored in pastels. As a [[PaintingTheMedium partially-meta]] joke, trickster!Jane exclaims to the non-trickster!Jake that she feels "so Caucasian!" prompting a BigNo from Jake. Hussie eventually changed this line from "Caucasian" to "Peachy" -- not because of criticism of the joke but because he was put off by the wrong kind of people defending it and using it to harass non-white cosplayers.
530* ''WebComic/KillSixBillionDemons'': During "Seeker of Thrones", Allison's insistance on recovering Zaid by doing a near-suicidal heist of the Demiurge Mammon (and becoming DrunkOnTheDarkSide thanks to a DealWithTheDevil with Incubus) ends up slowly alienating her from her other companions, especially Cio. During said heist, one of Cio's outbursts against Allison causes Oscar to comment approvingly that Allison would make a pretty good devil.
531* ''Webcomic/{{Narbonic}}'': When Artie tells Helen that Helen's mother had said she was proud of her, Helen freaks out and wonders what horrible thing she could have done. Keep in mind that Helen is a CardCarryingVillain and MadScientist--her mother is ''just that evil''.
532* ''Webcomic/NeverSatisfied'': When January meets with [[spoiler:Magister Lapointe, Lapointe openly praises her for bullying Sylas into quitting the competition]]. January grows more and more visibly uncomfortable as [[spoiler:Lapointe pontificates on how Sylas is weak and deserves to be mistreated]].
533* In the {{Korean Webtoon|s}}, ''WebComic/{{Noblesse}}'', the previous Lord praises the Noble, Karias, for the way he doesn't think like a Noble, and how he reminds him of himself when he was younger. Normally this would be a cause for pride, but the previous Lord was infamous for what essentially came down to trolling and taking great amusement in doing so. This makes Karias comment that his praise brings him no happiness, and to wonder if there's something wrong with his personality.
534* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' is the TropeNamer, where we find several characters shamed to receive [[TokenEvilTeammate Belkar's]] approval over the course of the story.
535** In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0171.html "The Prisoner Dilemma"]], we find the comedic variant -- Roy is less than thrilled at Belkar's support for his plan to punish two minor villains, a father and his sorceress daughter, [[CoolAndUnusualPunishment simply by forcing them to spend family time together]].
536** It appears again in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0405.html "The Secrets"]], with Belkar earnestly complimenting [[TheChessmaster Lord]] [[ObfuscatingStupidity Shojo]] on the latter's [[spoiler:use of degrading tasks to manipulate the paladins under his command]].
537** In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0596.html "Convenience Story"]], Elan deliberately [[InvokedTrope invokes]] the trope in the same manner, using an illusion of Belkar to sarcastically [[WhatTheHellHero call out]] Vaarsuvius.
538** In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0645.html "It's Where the Cool Kids Swim"]], he welcomes Vaarsuvius "to the deep end of the alignment pool". V also looks somewhat nonplussed when [[spoiler:the evil souls currently spliced to V]] express their approval of Belkar.
539** Also, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0190.html an inversion]] happens when [[TheDragon Redcloak]] is about to go scout a dangerous path and [[MinionWithAnFInEvil the Monster in the Darkness]] compliments him on risking his own life instead of those of [[FantasticRacism the hobgoblin minions Redcloak hates]]. All this does is remind Redcloak that he hates those minions and that they have plenty of them. Cue WeHaveReserves from Redcloak.
540** This comic also features a sort of delayed effect of playing it straight. After Redcloak declares WeHaveReserves, BigBad Xykon approves of his decision. Much later in the comic, Redcloak realizes just how much he's been acting like Xykon, and is so horrified by that epiphany that he immediately begins changing his behavior and worldview.
541** [[spoiler:After Tarquin stabs Nale with no remorse and considers it nothing more than the removal of a plot element,]] Elan no longer wants his father to be proud of him.
542* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', Petey is trying to convince the Toughs that they've had their memories altered, and he can restore them. The only one to trust Petey is Schlock, due to having his original memories because of his unique biology;
543-->'''Petey:''' I know I've hit a rough patch when a violent, amorphous sociopath is my best character reference.\
544'''Tagon:''' He's the only reference I'll trust. What's that say about me?
545* A rather sad inversion of this happens in ''WebComic/SleeplessDomain'' when [[spoiler:Tessa transfers schools after losing her powers. Her new classmates clearly admire her when she was Alchemical Aether and gush about how heroic she was. However, because three of her friends died and she gave up her powers to heal Undine (in an incident that she felt responsible for in the first place because she decided to [[AchillesInHisTent sit out one night]]), Tessa feels too much SurvivorGuilt and feels shamed over her classmates' praise. That she's not coping well with going back to civilian life isn't helping much either]].
546* Marten tries to invoke this on Steve in ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent''. It doesn't work.
547-->'''Marten:''' Pintsize said the same thing. I hope you're proud of yourself.\
548'''Steve:''' Pintsize is a chill bro.
549[[/folder]]
550
551[[folder:Web Original]]
552* ''WebVideo/{{Jreg}}'': When [[spoiler:Nazi, on the brink of death, says to Commie he's an 'honorary Aryan,' Commie sardonically remarks that he's making it easier to not be sad about his death.]]
553* [[DownplayedTrope A mild version]] occurs in ''Literature/TheLayOfPaulTwister'', when the ChaoticNeutral protagonist is having a conversation with a LawfulGood paladin who is forced to travel with him, despite not liking him much:
554-->"[I allowed him to defeat me] so that he would capture me and interrogate me. Knowing the questions that a person wants answered can teach you quite a bit about that person."\
555I grinned at her. "Reverse interrogation! That's... almost ''devious'' of you, Aylwyn."\
556"I do not find your approval a mark of honor," she replied dryly.
557* The entire concept behind ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedobear Pedobear]]''. While often simply inserted into images of running or frightened children as a simple joke, adding Pedobear to advertizings and similar indicates that it includes over-sexualization of minors or implied pedophilia. Taken one step further with the '''"Pedobear Seal of Approval"'''.
558* ''Shamus Plays VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' is told from the perspective of a ChaoticEvil demon who got suckered into becoming the familiar of a warlock who tries to be LawfulGood. After he admits that he fulfilled the requirement of becoming a warlock ("kill a virgin") by bringing a virgin sheep to a butcher to be slaughtered, the demon compliments him for being "a devious cheat". [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/shamusplays/8304-Shamus-Plays-Into-the-Bandits-Den.4 This trope is invoked]].
559* Chuck Sonnenberg of ''Website/SFDebris'' discusses this trope in his review of ''Series/WonderWoman2011Pilot'', pointing out that the reporter's praise of Wonder Woman's brutal takedown of a suspect and contempt of US laws and the Constitution should be something that makes Wonder Woman question her actions and methodology.
560[[/folder]]
561
562[[folder:Western Animation]]
563* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'', it's revealed that Stan had never actually killed someone, all of his CIA-mandated kills had been complete coincidences from a shady mugger [[ContrivedCoincidence always shooting his targets dead to loot them]]. Steve is horrified to learn this and Hayley, well...
564-->'''Hayley:''' Oh Daddy, I just knew you couldn't be a cold-blooded killer! I'm so proud of you!\
565'''Stan:''' ''(horrified)'' '''NO!'''
566* In the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode "[[Recap/AvatarTheLastAirbenderThePuppetmaster The Puppetmaster]]", Katara instinctively uses the manipulative power of [[spoiler:bloodbending]] to protect Aang and Sokka, much to the delight of her opponent. The episode ends with Katara wearing the trope's expression on her face.
567* ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'': In "Pro Tiki/Con Tiki", Bob gets his old friend Warren to invest in Bob's burger restaurant. He reluctantly allows Warren to remodel the restaurant with a tiki theme, in the hopes of attracting customers. Then Bob's SitcomArchNemesis Jimmy Pesto comes in and compliments Bob on "doing something right for a change" by changing the decor. This is what convinces Bob to complain to Warren about the restaurant's new look.
568* In the ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'' episode "For Your Ed Only", where the Eds take Sarah's diary, Edd suggests they plant the diary back in Sarah's room while she's not looking and play innocent to avoid her wrath. Eddy compliments him on how underhanded that sounds.
569* {{Inverted|Trope}} on ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}:''
570-->'''[[TheStraightMan Leela]]:''' [[ICantBelieveImSayingThis As unclean as it makes me feel]], I agree with [[TokenEvilTeammate Bender]].
571* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'' episode "Hunter's Moon," when Goliath wants revenge on the Hunters for hurting Angela, Demona tells him, "At last, you're thinking like a true gargoyle". Considering that they ''were'' lovers before the start of the series.
572* In the ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' episode "The Stanchurian Candidate" [[spoiler:Gideon]] praises Dipper and Mabel's use of MindControl.
573-->[[spoiler:'''Gideon:''']] I have to hand it to you both of y'all. You've become much eviler since I last saw you.
574* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': When Hank is hauled before a workers' comp fraud board on suspicion of defrauding the state of Texas, he has to call a local yoga teacher to testify that Hank took his classes (thus explaining why Hank was seen jumping around and lifting his wife in joy while supposedly too injured to work). The yoga instructor verifies Hank's story, but he's such an obnoxious douchebag (including hitting on the female members of the board) that the chair of the board tells Hank that the teacher isn't helping. Hank's response? "Lemme ask you, what healthy person would voluntarily spend five minutes with this joker? If I wasn't in horrible pain, wouldn't I have kicked this guy's ass?" The board immediately rules for Hank.
575* In the ''WesternAnimation/MarvelsSpiderMan'' version of ''Comicbook/SuperiorSpiderMan'', J. Jonah Jameson is actually impressed by Spidey's new, efficient attitude. When Peter gets his life back, he's so horrified by this that he actually has "Make JJ hate Spidey again" on his to-do list.
576* [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in ''WesternAnimation/MoralOrel'': During their father and son hunting trip, Orel loses all respect for his father after he [[spoiler:shoots him in the leg]]. As his father lies asleep in a drunken stupor, a bear enters their camp, and Orel, hesitant to shoot anything all day, kills the bear to save his father. Once Clay wakes up, he sees the dead bear and asks if Orel shot the bear, saying "Make me proud son, tell me you shot that bear". Orel thinks on it for a few seconds and, not wanting to make Clay proud, claims that Clay shot the bear while he was drunk.
577* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Bart is being pressured by Nelson into shooting a bird with a BB gun. Bart doesn't want to hurt the bird and decides to deliberately miss, but [[AccidentalAimingSkills kills it anyway because the sights were crooked.]] Nelson is impressed, and compliments Bart for being a 'cold-blooded killer', making Bart feel worse about the incident.
578* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
579** Jimbo and Ned have doubts about their reluctance to change the town's official flag when the KKK show their support. Rather than change their minds, though, they try to convince the Klan [[ReversePsychology to show support for Chef's bid to change the flag.]]
580** When Stan and the boys barricade themselves inside a room with a load of veal calves they're trying to save from slaughter, Cartman is appalled to learn that their efforts have attracted the support of a group of hippies.
581* After Spidey gets rid of a bomb that was going to blow up Tombstone's party in ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Tombstone claps for him. Spidey responds: "You know, applause from you... makes me want a shower."
582* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
583** In "Alone at Sea", Jasper seems downright ''impressed'' at how cruel and ruthless Lapis Lazuli can be, especially after [[spoiler:tricking her into fusing into Malachite and keeping her trapped beneath the sea for months]], something Lapis is ''not'' proud of.
584--->'''Jasper:''' I thought ''I'' was a brute, but you... you're a ''monster''!
585** Zig-zagged near the end of "Bismuth": Steven is forced to defend himself from the titular Gem, stabbing and poofing her in self-defense. Before she poofs, Steven reassures Bismuth that he'll tell the other Gems what really happened to her [[spoiler: (Rose Quartz poofed Bismuth and hid her away so she couldn't use a weapon designed specifically to [[DeaderThanDead shatter]] Gems)]]; Bismuth sadly responds "Then you really are better than her" (referring to Steven being more honest and open.) Steven does not feel nor worse about this. Beforehand, Bismuth believed he was different, though in the hopes that he would be more ruthless.
586** In "Why So Blue?" (''[[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseFuture Future]]''), Lapis accompanies Steven to an alien world to stop two Lapis Lazuli gems who are still "terraforming", not on the Diamonds' orders, but [[ItAmusedMe because they think it's fun]]. Lapis tries to reason with the rogue Gems, but eventually loses her temper and beats them into submission with her superior water powers. She only stops herself from finishing them off because Steven is there, but then the other Lazulis start praising Lapis for her strength. Lapis snaps that real strength is about restraint and self-improvement, not anger and wanton destruction, and leaves in a huff.
587** In "Fragments" (''[[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseFuture Future]]''), [[spoiler:Steven uses so much brute force when dueling Jasper that he ends up shattering (a.k.a. killing) her. Luckily, Steven is able to fuse the shattered shards and heal her. But when Jasper's reaction to basically being resurrected after she was shattered by Steven is to bow before Steven and proclaim "I bow to your strength, my Diamond"; Steven reacts with quiet horror.]]
588* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'', Robin is forced by Slade into becoming his apprentice. Though Robin repeatedly threatens or attacks Slade, the latter continues to compliment Robin for this and cites it as evidence that they're {{Not So Different|Remark}} making Robin even angrier. Possibly an InvokedTrope on the part of Slade, who knows how badly Robin is chafing from all this and is praising Robin deliberately in order to get under his skin.
589* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'':
590** In "[[Recap/TotalDramaAftermathIIIOwenOrLose Aftermath III: O-wen or Lose]]", Geoff denies having become cruel and asks for back-up from others. Owen confirms he's not as nice as he used to be, while Heather remarks how proud she is of Geoff. Neither are things he wanted to hear.
591** After Gwen accidentally triggers a booby trap that covers Courtney in garbage in "[[Recap/TotalDramaEvilDread Evil Dread]]", Chris tells her she's definitely on the right team. She is horrified.
592** Duncan compliments Cameron on his villainous genius in "[[Recap/TotalDramaYouRegattaBeKiddingMe You Regatta Be Kidding Me]]", which upsets the latter.
593* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
594** Happens in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'' when Prowl takes out what he thinks is Starscream while chopping off his weapons to use himself. If Starscream compliments you, you know you're doing something wrong. (Of course, it turns out that that was his sycophantic clone, but when it's your ruthlessness that he's approving of, still...).
595** And it's similar to a scene in ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' where Megatron compliments Cheetor on his sneak attack while Megs was attempting to negotiate. (Of course, not expecting Megatron to keep his word and striking first can hardly be held against him.)
596* The Monarch pulls this one intentionally in ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' to keep Dean from reporting his breaking in and [[MakesAsMuchSenseInContext raping their guard robot]]. He hastily acted as if the act of tattling would put Dean down the path to evil, just as he wanted.
597[[/folder]]

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