The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at You Know, That Thing Where.
REV6Pilot
Since: Jan, 2011
12th Apr, 2011 05:25:37 PM
Did you try Executive Meddling and Obstructive Bureaucrat?
Mainly film and television, but may be present in other media.
I'm looking for a trope that describes the common situation within certain genres of films dealing with various kinds of disaster, wherein the main protagonist, whom the viewers have been led to believe is 'the only one who can help' - the one whose special knowledge or experience uniquely qualifies him to resolve the situation - is constantly thwarted by those in positions of authority, often for no good in-universe reason (the real world reason, of course, being to build additional dramatic tension).
I'm sure Jack Bauer has been in this situation on several occasions, and I know I've seen it in at least two Sy Fy movies, but the classic example I saw the other night was from the film 'Outbreak', where Dustin Hoffman's character has constantly to fight against his superiors to involve himself in the outbreak of a deadly plague about which he is a leading expert, and then to implement the solution he and the viewers know is the only way to save thousands of innocent lives.
I have searched, but can't find anything that quite fits this particular bill.