History Main / TheSvengali

* [[spoiler:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for [[BestServedCold revenge]] or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[TrueCompanions that they seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

* [[spoiler:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for [[BestServedCold revenge]] or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[LikeFamily that they seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

Named for the villain from George Du Maurier's ''Trilby'', a hypnotist who makes a famous singer of the eponymous heroine, except that she is tone-deaf without him, TheSvengali is a mind-controlling mentor who benefits at the student's expense While emphatically not a ''good'' mentor, The Svengali is usually not so much trying to pass on his legacy of evil (unlike the EvilMentor) as control (and exploit) the Trilby by any means possible, from just plain being a ManipulativeBastard through overt MindControl to MoreThanMindControl, often with a side of StockholmSyndrome and MindGameShip. This often also involves being TheChessmaster, or at least TheStrategist, in terms of PR campaigning.

Named for the villain from George Du Maurier's ''Trilby'', a hypnotist who makes a famous singer of the eponymous heroine, except that she is tone-deaf without him. The Svengali, while emphatically not a ''good'' mentor, is usually not so much trying to pass on his legacy of evil (unlike the EvilMentor) as control (and exploit) the Trilby by any means possible, from just plain being a ManipulativeBastard through overt MindControl to MoreThanMindControl, often with a side of StockholmSyndrome and MindGameShip. This often also involves being TheChessmaster, or at least TheStrategist, in terms of PR campaigning.

Named for the villain from George Du Maurier's ''Trilby'', a hypnotist who makes a famous singer of the titular heroine, except that she is tone-deaf without him. The Svengali, while emphatically not a ''good'' mentor, is usually not so much trying to pass on his legacy of evil (unlike the EvilMentor) as control (and exploit) the Trilby by any means possible, from just plain being a ManipulativeBastard through overt MindControl to MoreThanMindControl, often with a side of StockholmSyndrome and MindGameShip. This often also involves being TheChessmaster, or at least TheStrategist, in terms of PR campaigning.

* Erik, the titular Phantom from {{The Phantom Of The Opera}} is this to Christine. Since he actually is a good music teacher he may also qualify as a {{Broken Pedestal}}. Due to the similarity of the stories some regard the Phantom as being Svengali with the {{Serial Numbers Filed Off}}.

* TheMaster in DoctorWho has svengali traits, being a master of hypnosis. Someone asks the Third Doctor if the Master is "a bit of a Svengali" and the Doctor replies "more of a Rasputin".

Named for the villain from George Du Maurier's ''Trilby'', a hypnotist who makes a famous singer of the titular heroine, except that she is tone-deaf without him. The Svengali, while emphatically not a ''good'' mentor, is usually not so much trying to pass on his legacy of evil (unlike the EvilMentor) as control (and exploit) the Trilby by any means possible, from just plain being a Manipulative Bastard through overt MindControl to MoreThanMindControl, often with a side of StockholmSyndrome and MindGameShip. This often also involves being TheChessmaster, or at least TheStrategist, in terms of PR campaigning.

* [[spoiler:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for Revenge or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[LikeFamily that they seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

* [[spoiler:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for Revenge or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[Nakama that they seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

* [[spoiler:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for Revenge or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[Nakama that both seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

* [[spoilers:Kriea]] from KnightsOfTheOldRepublic II [[spoiler:to the main character.]] FridgeHorror sets in once you've replayed the game and seen just how much of the relationship between these two characters falls under MoreThanMindControl. Depending on the theories you subscribe too, it may have been done all for Revenge or [[WellIntentionedExtremist for the greater good]], but only two things are really certain: firstly, [[Nakama that both seem to actually care for each other in a twisted fashion]], [[spoiler:AndItWorked.]]

On the other hand, The Svengali is relatively unlikely to suffer from MentorOccupationalHazard, unless it's DeathByIrony, and may be a KarmaHoudini. Occasionally they will have a WhatHaveIDone moment, and may be DrivenToSuicide by the Trilby's abandonment, but such crises are almost equally likely to turn into [[IgnoredEpiphany IgnoredEpiphanies]].

Named for the villain from George Du Maurier's ''Trilby'', a hypnotist who makes a famous singer of the titular heroine, except that she is tone-deaf without him. The Svengali, while emphatically not a ''good'' mentor, is not so much trying to pass on his legacy of evil (unlike the EvilMentor) as control (and exploit) the Trilby by any means possible, from just plain being a Manipulative Bastard through overt MindControl to MoreThanMindControl, often with a side of StockholmSyndrome and MindGameShip. This often also involves being TheChessmaster, or at least TheStrategist, in terms of PR campaigning.

This may cut both ways, though, since the Trilby often also serves as TheMuse (however unlikely) to the Svengali, who is often HoistByHisOwnPetard as a result, and unable to repeat his success without the Trilby. The Svengali is generally liable to get into a dysfunctional version of the PygmalionPlot, and may end up more dependent on the Trilby than vice versa, or just plain dumped by the Trilby. (Basically, LimaSyndrome is an occupational hazard here, often along with some form of MuseAbuse, though TheSvengali may not himself be an artist of any kind.) Expect additional layers of dysfunction if The Svengali is also a StageMom (or Dad, since The Svengali is nearly AlwaysMale), in which case shades of KnightTemplarParent are also likely. The Svengali also tends to be so ruthless in the cause of the Trilby's success that bystanders are regularly maimed. TheSvengali is often also likely to be TheManBehindTheMan.