Speaking Up for Another

"He plays the fool for Haggard, trying to divert him from wondering what you are. You do wrong to mock him."

— Molly, The Last Unicorn

An insult or slight has been issued. Perhaps by The Bully, or a Commander Contrarian. They could be going after the Butt-Monkey, a pariah, the Token Evil Teammate, or The Friend Nobody Likes. They might also be trying to Break the Cutie.

The subject of the offending remark is either not responding themselves, or the slight was spoken out of their presence, and they are unaware of it. However, someone else heard, and they're less than pleased by it. As such, they speak up for the maligned person, either pointing out the flaw in the first person's arguments against them or by pointing out the other person's good qualities which have been overlooked.

This can take the form of solid arguments against whatever accusations have been leveled, such as a charge of cowardice, or flat-out turning the insults back on those who cast them with a sharp retort or a witty comeback.

Their reason for coming to another's defense will vary. They could be Fire-Forged Friends or Love Interests, they might have been the subject of such bullying or harassment in the past and are giving the support they wish they'd had, or maybe paying forward a kindness they themselves received in the past. Whatever the reason, expect them to be the final word on the subject.

To qualify as this trope, it must be the result of something negative or disparaging said about the person who is now being defended or the direct result of witnessing physical bullying. Merely speaking about someone's good qualities or speaking ill of another person's enemies does not count.

Closely related to Helping Another Save Face, though in this case, it is not about embarrassment as it is about someone's worth and dignity deserving respect.

If the defense is successful, it can lead to a Heel Realization or Jerkass Realization. If several people were involved in the tormenting, it can also lead to Shaming the Mob.

It may overlap with "The Reason You Suck" Speech, but a more kindly defender could focus on building up the maligned person rather than tearing down the detractors.

If the person who was insulted believes those insults, then the defense could double as You Are Better Than You Think You Are.

If the person delivering the response is feeling particularly unforgiving, they may delve into Break Them by Talking. It may involve a Somber Backstory Revelation.

See also Kirk Summation, Hannibal Lecture, Shut Up, Hannibal!, and Shut Up, Kirk!. May overlap with All of the Other Reindeer.

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Examples:

Anime & Manga

• The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You: In Chapter 135, Rentarou confronts Shizuka's mother after she confiscated her daughter's phone. She believed that Rentarou was enabling her daughter by transcribing her books into a text-to-speech app, with Rentarou rebutting that forcefully trying to get Shizuka to talk like a normal person wouldn't get the desired results.
• Interviews with Monster Girls: Hikari overhears some of the girls at the school gossiping about Yuki behind her back, and sees Yuki running off in tears. Hikari drags Yuki to the stairwell where the girls are hanging out, tells her to stay quiet and out of sight, and then she gives the two a scathing "The Reason You Suck" Speech, where she informs them that she's putting everyone in the school on notice that she will not tolerate smack talk and rumor-mongering, and will be there to shut it down the moment it happens.
• My-HiME: When Haruka declares that relationships between women are disgusting and that Shizuru and Natsuki are "filthy" for it, Shizuru, who herself is suffering from the belief that Haruka's views aren't necessarily wrong, slaps Haruka, then proceeds to set the record straight.
  Shizuru: What happened was something that I did to her. I will not allow you to insult Natsuki.
• Princess Tutu: In "Swan Lake", Kraehe blames Ahiru for all of the pain and conflict now occurring due to her returning the shards of Mytho's heart to him, setting the story of The Prince and the Raven back into motion. Fakir, who would have once agreed with Kraehe, defends Tutu — Mytho himself wants the shards of his heart back, and Fakir stands behind him and Tutu. And when Kraehe pressures Tutu to confess her love to Mytho in order to free him, which would make her vanish, Fakir steps in and tells her to Take a Third Option.
  Fakir: If you just vanish, then who is going to restore Mytho's heart to him? Haven't you wanted to see Mytho smile when he had gained back all of the pieces of his heart? You alone, and nobody else, could accept Princess Tutu's fate so smilingly. That's why you mustn't vanish. (draws sword) I will change this fate.
• School Rumble: Due to a misunderstanding, Tenma is furious with Harima. She goes on a rant to Eri about his many negative qualities, most of which Eri agrees with. However, when Tenma calls Harima a pervert, Eri voices her disagreement with that. She has cause to know, having spent the night with him while on the run from an Arranged Marriage. She says that Harima has many bad qualities, but being a pervert is not one of them.
• To Love Ru: This is the prime reason that Rito Yuuki loves Haruna Sairenji. When they were younger, he found the class garden torn up and destroyed. He was inspecting the damage when other classmates found him there and believed he was the one responsible. Everyone believed it was Rito, and was disparaging him. Except for Haruna, who said she believes him when he says he didn't do it, because she feels like he isn't the sort of person who would do something like that.

Fan Works

• Blade of Demon Salvation: Although Tanjiro, Ukogi, and Shoichi aren't fond of Zenitsu's cowardly and over-dramatic antics, they don't approve of the way Kaigaku treats him and aren't afraid to call him out on it and speak in Zenitsu's defense. When Kaigaku dismisses the unconscious and bleeding Zenitsu as trash, a furious Shoichi rightfully calls him out on it.
  Shoichi: Tra-?! Zenitsu-san was the one that defeated that demon that was giving you trouble, if he is trash then what does that make you?!
• Inter Nos: Swordsman Masashi Takeda has become intrigued by Shizuru's new bodyguard, Natsuki, and mistakes her for a slave, at which point he offers to buy Natsuki from her. Shizuru, who is herself in love with Natsuki, and also knows that she is the last Princess of an ancient dynastic line, is affronted on Natsuki's behalf, pointing out to Tadeda that there is nothing slavish in Natsuki's demeanor or standing, and that he has gravely insulted the woman's dignitas.
  Shizuru: How dare you insult her—and me—by bartering for her as though she were a mere slave and I some slipshod slave trader? Does either of us look so mean in your estimation to be treated thusly? How dare you?

Films — Animation

• The Last Unicorn: When the Unicorn, as Lady Amalthea, makes disparaging remarks about Schmendrick being "the King's poor clown", Molly takes umbrage on Schmendrick's behalf.
  Molly: He plays the fool for Haggard, trying to divert him from wondering what you are. You do wrong to mock him.

Films — Live-Action

• Forrest Gump: After Forrest runs into Lt. Dan in D.C., the two spend New Year's Eve with a couple of female friends of Taylor's. They pair off back at the Lt.'s apartment and when Forrest's "date" gets frisky with him, he pushes her away. She starts insulting him and asks, "Are you stupid or somethin'?" Then the other girl joins in, too. Taylor explodes, yelling, "Don't you EVER call him stupid!" and throws both girls out. Forrest realizes that Lt. Dan defended him because, having been called a cripple himself, he knows what it's like to be put down for something he has no control over.
• The Hunt for Red October: This exchange regards Jack Ryan after he proposes his theory on Ramius's intention to defect.
  Admiral Josh Painter: You think he's crazy?
  Captain Davenport: Certifiable. And no matter what his credentials, I don't care for him wearing the uniform.
  Admiral Josh Painter: You see that ring on his finger? The Academy, Class of '72. A Marine.
  Captain Davenport: You're kidding! How did you...
  Admiral Josh Painter: Greer told me. Summer of his third year, he and his squad went down in a chopper accident in the Med. Bad — pilot, crew killed. That kid spent ten months in traction, another year learning to walk again. Did his fourth year from the hospital. Now it's up to you, Charlie, but you might consider cuttin' the kid a little slack.
• Red (2010): Downplayed. Sarah is unused to the cloak-and-dagger world she's found herself in, and she has concerns about Marvin's sanity after Frank introduces her to the reclusive man.
  Sarah Ross: [talking quietly about Marvin] Wow. This guy's insane.
  Frank Moses: Well, he thought he was the subject of a secret government mind control project.
  Marvin Boggs: [in another room, checking files] This'll take a minute.
  Sarah Ross: Sure.
  Frank Moses: As it turns out... he really was being given daily doses of LSD for 11 years.
  Sarah Ross: Well, in that case, he looks great.
  Frank Moses: Fantastic.
• The Sandlot: After the other Sandlot boys laugh at Scotty Smalls for his terrible baseball skills, Benny points out that Yeah-Yeah is one to talk, since he "runs like a duck", but is still part of the team. "So, how come [Scotty] don't get to be?" Adult Scotty's narration indicates he wouldn't have made a single friend in his new neighborhood if Benny hadn't given him a chance to learn how to play that summer.
  Benny: (fed up) Man, base up, you blockheads!

Live-Action TV

• CSI: During his interrogation at the end of "Snuff," the bully-turned-killer of a young man with Down Syndrome mockingly calls him "a retard," implying that he wasn't a valuable human being. Before leaving the room, Grissom pointedly responds, "By the way, the definition of the word 'retard' is to hinder or to hold someone back. I think your life is about to become retarded."
• Don't Hug Me I'm Scared: The song the main trio sings together at the end of "Friendship" is interrupted when Yellow Guy trips and breaks the computer Colin gifted them for Computer Day at the beginning of the episode, to which Duck responds by calling Yellow Guy an idiot. Red Guy immediately comes to Yellow Guy's defense by telling Duck that he shouldn't talk to him in the insulting way he did (especially since he had promised to stop doing so beforehand). However, he quickly turns against Yellow Guy when the latter hits Duck with a bottle, triggering a fight between the three that carries only in sound and dialogue over the episode's ending credits.
  Duck: You idiot!
  Yellow Guy: What? Don't say that to me, I didn't mean to!
  Duck: Oh, shut up!
  Red Guy: Don't talk to him like that! You said you weren't gonna talk to him like that anymore!
  Duck: What, turn on me?! He ruined it! I'm never gonna see that skeleton!
  Red Guy: What? Oh boo-hoo, here we go, now we're gonna start—
  Yellow Guy: I hate you! (hits Duck with a bottle, sending Duck falling with a scream) Ah!
  Red Guy: I'M DEALING WITH IT! (throws another bottle at Yellow Guy, with the camera getting knocked over alongside Yellow Guy)
• Good Luck Charlie: In "Charlie Did It!", Teddy finds it unfair that Hugo demeans Alice Wartheimer despite all the hard work and friendly service she provides for him. However, because Alice ends up wheezing whenever she tries to stand up to him, Teddy does it for her.
  Hugo: Did you just tell me to get my butt in here?
  (Alice starts wheezing)
  Teddy: Yes, she did. She's got something to say to you.
  (Alice continues wheezing)
  Teddy: Which is she is not your doormat, okay? She deserves to be treated with respect!
  Hugo: How dare you talk to me that way!
  Teddy: She's gonna talk to you any way I want to talk to you for her about!
• Leverage: "The Juror Number Six Job": Everyone is cross with Parker for going rogue on missions, and to teach her a lesson, Nate forces her to go on Jury Duty when one of her aliases is called up. She discovers something untoward is happening during the trial, and tries to tell Nate, who is brusque and dismissive of her. Hardison points out that his Nana, a Jehovah's Witness, would put him and a suit and tie and tell him, "Alec, you need to talk to people." He reminds Nate that Parker never had that, never learned to socialize, and that as such, she's terrified of everyday interactions with people. He asks Nate to cut Parker some slack, and Nate has Eliot tag along with Parker, where he's forced to admit she was right, and the jury is being rigged.
• M*A*S*H:
  • "Rally Round the Flagg, Boys" Winchester, though no fan of Hawkeye, defends him from accusations of being a spy.
    Winchester: Colonel, the very notion of Pierce being a spy, let alone a sympathizer, is absurd. Pierce has a big mouth. He's always butting into other people's business, but that makes him obnoxious, not a spy.
  • "Run for the Money". Maj. Winchester hears several soldiers mocking and taunting a young man, Pvt. Palmer, for his stutter, calling him "dummy" and "idiot" and such. Winchester, with absolute venom in his voice, informs the others that if they say another unkind word to Palmer, he will put them all on report. Winchester has a private conversation with Palmer later, telling him that he's reviewed his record and found that he's quite intelligent, and cites several famous people who stuttered. And he even lends one of his treasured books to Palmer. Winchester then returns to his tent to listen to a recorded letter from his beloved sister Honoria, whom we learn as we listen to the tapes also has a stutter.
• Scrubs: Played for laughs twice over in one scene. Dr. Kelso tells the others that what's best for the hospital and the patients is often one and the same thing, but Dr. Cox will disagree with it just because Kelso said it. J.D. speaks up, defending Cox, saying he doesn't believe it's the case. However, Kelso proves his point very quickly by making several claims, such as the coffee is great today, which Cox immediately refutes. The clincher is when Kelso rightfully calls Doug Murphy "an incompetent suck-up." Cox immediately comes to Doug's defense, "No, Bob. In fact, he's one of the finest young doctors I've ever had the good fortune of working with."
  Dr. Kelso: (to J.D.) Your witness.
• Yellowjackets: In the episode "Old Wounds", Lisa (a member of Lottie's "intentional community") is driving with Natalie and stops to visit her mom Sybill and her pet fish, Gilly. The visit starts out OK, but Sybill is not happy to hear that Lisa is off her medication. Eventually, Sybill tells Lisa that she is going to kill Gilly after she opens her veins and it starves to death. Natalie directs a "The Reason You Suck" Speech at Sybill.
  Natalie: What the fuck is wrong with you that you can't let your daughter be happy? You say you're her mom, but you only care about you. You don't even see what you're saying and doing, how it's affecting her...

Music

• Jesus Christ Superstar: Judas is criticizing Mary Magdalene, saying that while she amuses, and he doesn't object to her profession, she doesn't fit in with Christ's teachings. ^note Many scholars believe that Mary Magdalene's reputation as a prostitute are actually her being confused with another woman, oft referred to as "The Penitent Woman", though there is some debate as to whether the confusion was deliberate and malicious or not, but the common belief is what is presented in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. Jesus Himself is having none of it.
  Jesus: Who are you to criticize her? Who are you to despise her? Leave her, leave her, let her be now. Leave her, leave her, she's with me now. If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones. If your slate is not, then leave her alone!

Mythology & Religion

• The Bible (King James Version). John 8:1-11, reads "At dawn, Jesus appeared in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman is an adulteress. The Law of Moses commands us to stone such women." They were using this question as a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone at her." Then Jesus continued to write on the ground. At this, those who heard began leave, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus stood and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?" "No one, sir," she replied. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared, "Go and sin no more."

Theater

• Evita: In "She is a Diamond", Juan Peron defends his wife Eva against the criticisms of the military officers, who say she is a distracting bauble who doesn't deserve all the attention she's been getting (especially since she's a woman in late 40s-early 50s Argentina). He points out she's been out connecting to the common folk and has managed to do quite a bit with what unofficial power she holds, and that they shouldn't take pleasure in her growing illness. Subverted when the officers point out that she's been instrumental to HIS success, not theirs.

Web Video

• Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story: Matilda gets pissed at Brom after he sabotaged Ichabod's trial out of jealousy, pointing out how he's just being a bully again. This leads to Brom's Heel Realization (done in the form of a Back to the Future Shout-Out, where he realizes he's been more of a Biff than a Marty).
• Pop Cross Studios:
  • In Mara and the Multiverse Melee, when Benny Sharp is showing off the abilities of his new friend Mara by getting her to fight a Kaiju version of Swampert. While boasting about her Super-Strength, Benny confidently states that Mara's "so crazy tough, she makes Heath look like Tayrun!" To his credit, Benny does realize that he sounds Innocently Insensitive, and apologizes to Tayrun after saying this, and Tayrun thinks it's Actually Pretty Funny, but Kayla says, "Watch it, Benny! Tayrun's gotten some upgrades since the last time you saw him fight!"
  • In Benny & Ana VS the Not So Adorable Deluge, Benny and his new friend Ana Fenze (a Kid Hero fish girl with Intangibility) find their base being attacked by a bunch of cute but dangerous creatures, following a plan by their friend Gooby the Gopher (Benny's former Animal Nemesis) to kidnap their enemy Harold the Herald. Benny, being an Accuser of the Brethren, is quick to blame Gooby for the destruction caused, but Ana defends the gopher:
  Ana: Why are you so mean to Gooby, Mr. Sharp? Didn't he just help capture a dangerous villain?
  Harold: Little lady got a point there, Sharp! Seems like the little critter was just tryin' to do y'all a favour by gettin' me here!
  Benny: Da little rat has tried to kill me an' my friends like, 10 times! An' almost succeeded, mind you!
  Ana: Yeah, well, Alexis told me that you tried to drown him first! (...) Why did you try to drown Gooby in the first place?
  Harold: You tried to drown a gopher, Sharp? That's kinda cruel, even by mah standards! An' ah once put a bus full of children in a cage with a rabid gorilla!

Visual Novels

• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: As a young boy, Phoenix was accused of stealing lunch money from his classmate Edgeworth. When the entire class ganged up on him demanding he confess to the deed, Edgeworth intervened to defend Phoenix, as did fellow classmate Larry Butz. Their actions, coupled with Edgeworth's later mysterious career choice as a criminal prosecutor, prompted Phoenix to pursue a career as a defense attorney in the hope of crossing paths with Edgeworth and figuring out what had led him down the path he took.

Western Animation

• Family Guy: Peter insultingly refers to Kenneth, the mail clerk at Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory, as a "Badass" after Kenneth is short with him. He's informed by a co-worker that "That 'Badass' donates half his paycheck to orphans. Orphans with diseases!". Peter decides that Kenneth is a Badass with a heart of gold.

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