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Boss

 Boss
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TVTItem
 Boss
label
Boss
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Boss
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Boss is an American drama series starring Kelsey Grammer that aired on Starz from 2011 to 2012.The series begins when Chicago Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) is diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, a degenerative neurological disease that will eventually kill him. Unwilling to step down from his throne, Kane decides to hide his condition from everyone around him, including his own family. It won't take too long for others to notice that something is wrong: however his closest assistants, Kitty O'Neil (Kathleen Robertson) and Ezra Stone, are too afraid of him to ask, and his wife Meredith simply doesn't care. As if this wasn't enough, Kane also has trouble trying to reconcile with ex-addict daughter Emma, and to keep Chicago Sentinel reporter Sam Miller from digging too deep into the dirt...Eventually the allegiances shift and the political game turns into a fight to the death when everyone else tries to remove Kane from control - and prevent him taking the city down with him.On November 20, 2012, Starz announced the cancellation of the show. It ran for total of 2 Seasons (18 episodes). Against some very fierce competition, Kelsey Grammer took home the 2011 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
 Boss
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2023-10-12T02:08:26Z
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2023-10-12T02:08:26Z
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DBTropes
 Boss / int_11b01fc7
type
Happy Marriage Charade
 Boss / int_11b01fc7
comment
Happy Marriage Charade: The rule rather than the exception. The wives of the politicians tend to be a cross of Lady Macbeth with a Stepford Smiler and are putting up a façade. Implied with the Walshes, the Fredricks are a notable aversion.
 Boss / int_11b01fc7
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-1.0
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1.0
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Boss / int_11b01fc7
 Boss / int_1282bf4f
type
No Celebrities Were Harmed
 Boss / int_1282bf4f
comment
No Celebrities Were Harmed: Tom is pretty obviously based on Richard Daley Sr. However Daley (probably) wasn't a sociopathic murderer. Kane's one noble trait is that he does genuinely seem to care about Chicago. While his quest for power is his main goal he's never shown deliberately doing anything to hurt the city and actively uses his vast influence to benefit it many times. For all of the criticisms of Daley, history shows that he did save the city from the same fate as other Rust Belt cities.
 Boss / int_1282bf4f
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1.0
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1.0
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Boss / int_1282bf4f
 Boss / int_191a3673
type
Graceful Loser
 Boss / int_191a3673
comment
Graceful Loser: Mac Cullen, when he loses the primary to Zajac. It's subverted in season 2 when the winner turns to the loser for advice and gets a simple answer: "Eat shit."
 Boss / int_191a3673
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-0.3
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Boss / int_191a3673
 Boss / int_1c564505
type
Hiding the Handicap
 Boss / int_1c564505
comment
Hiding the Handicap: Kane, even if it means taking medication with worse, but not outwardly visible, side effects.
 Boss / int_1c564505
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1.0
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Boss / int_1c564505
 Boss / int_20a14df0
type
Wrong Genre Savvy
 Boss / int_20a14df0
comment
Wrong Genre Savvy: Sam believes that the crusading journalist he is will prove and expose the corruption of Kane and the truth will out. He ends the series disgraced, fired and humiliated while Kane remains as powerful as ever.
 Boss / int_20a14df0
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 Boss
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Boss / int_20a14df0
 Boss / int_2260cfe3
type
Like Father, Like Son
 Boss / int_2260cfe3
comment
Like Father, Like Son: Ian Todd's slimy behavior makes perfect sense when it's revealed that he's Kane's son. They even share a small motto: "Does it matter?"
 Boss / int_2260cfe3
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1.0
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Boss / int_2260cfe3
 Boss / int_259fdfd0
type
Permanent Elected Official
 Boss / int_259fdfd0
comment
Permanent Elected Official: Kane has been the mayor of Chicago for more than two decades and is not leaving power anytime soon because he dominates the political machine. The governor of Illinois is in his fourth term but is a weaker example as he rules under the shadow of Kane.
 Boss / int_259fdfd0
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Boss / int_259fdfd0
 Boss / int_27a42ebc
type
Spiritual Successor
 Boss / int_27a42ebc
comment
Spiritual Successor: "Citizen Bob, the series". Grammer resumes his job as an unhindered, criminal mayor, hell-bent on building highways.
 Boss / int_27a42ebc
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1.0
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Boss / int_27a42ebc
 Boss / int_2a8a7ea6
type
Bury Your Gays
 Boss / int_2a8a7ea6
comment
Bury Your Gays: Invoked by Kane, who sets up a classic "dead girl, live boy" bed scandal against Senator Walsh when one of his goons slips a mickey into Tina's drink.
 Boss / int_2a8a7ea6
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Boss / int_2a8a7ea6
 Boss / int_2ae29c0d
type
The Dreaded
 Boss / int_2ae29c0d
comment
The Dreaded: Kane instills fear in the hearts of his underlings and adversaries, and has a well-earned reputation for destroying—politically or literally—antagonists who act against his designs.
 Boss / int_2ae29c0d
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1.0
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Boss / int_2ae29c0d
 Boss / int_2e8441c9
type
The Bad Guy Wins
 Boss / int_2e8441c9
comment
The Bad Guy Wins: Tom comes out on top both seasons.
 Boss / int_2e8441c9
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1.0
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Boss / int_2e8441c9
 Boss / int_30ed4f7d
type
Sleazy Politician
 Boss / int_30ed4f7d
comment
Sleazy Politician/Corrupt Politician: The series is built on these. Officials who try to be honest don't tend to go far. Kane is a spectacularly sordid lynchpin, but Alderman Ross, Kane's main foil and leader of the opposition, falls quickly from his apparent high-horse.
 Boss / int_30ed4f7d
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Boss / int_30ed4f7d
 Boss / int_35b241c0
type
Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping
 Boss / int_35b241c0
comment
Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping: Hannah Ware's British accent leaks through Emma often.
 Boss / int_35b241c0
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1.0
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Boss / int_35b241c0
 Boss / int_372bc105
type
Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism
 Boss / int_372bc105
comment
Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: Off the scale on cynicism's side. Chicago is a Wretched Hive ruled with an iron glove by a petty, untouchable, murderous tyrant and it only gets worse as the series progresses. The alternatives aren't much better.
 Boss / int_372bc105
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Boss / int_372bc105
 Boss / int_392372f9
type
Actor Allusion
 Boss / int_392372f9
comment
Actor Allusion: The series premiere is titled "Listen", and in the fourth episode Kane says, "I'm listening."
 Boss / int_392372f9
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1.0
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Boss / int_392372f9
 Boss / int_3a967286
type
Handsome Lech
 Boss / int_3a967286
comment
Handsome Lech: Ben Zajac. He tries (and usually succeeds) to have sex with every female he sees. This comes back to bite him more than once.
 Boss / int_3a967286
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1.0
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Boss / int_3a967286
 Boss / int_3cb1d38d
type
Bad Boss
 Boss / int_3cb1d38d
comment
Bad Boss: Tom Kane. As well as everyone else in a leadership position in the show, more or less.
 Boss / int_3cb1d38d
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1.0
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Boss / int_3cb1d38d
 Boss / int_40c57041
type
Manipulative Bastard
 Boss / int_40c57041
comment
Manipulative Bastard: Tom Kane is a brilliant chessmaster who knows every trick in the book, and then some more of his own invention.
 Boss / int_40c57041
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1.0
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Boss / int_40c57041
 Boss / int_454b2f2b
type
Secretly Dying
 Boss / int_454b2f2b
comment
Secretly Dying: Kane hides his illness from everyone except his doctor.
 Boss / int_454b2f2b
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1.0
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Boss / int_454b2f2b
 Boss / int_4604fd4d
type
Worthy Opponent
 Boss / int_4604fd4d
comment
Worthy Opponent: Defied. Tom obliterates anyone stupid enough to challenge him.
 Boss / int_4604fd4d
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1.0
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Boss / int_4604fd4d
 Boss / int_48da376b
type
Game Changer
 Boss / int_48da376b
comment
Game Changer: The Mid-Season Twist in Episode 7 mentioned below shifts the focus from the gubernatorial election to Kane's struggle to stay in power.
 Boss / int_48da376b
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Boss / int_48da376b
 Boss / int_4b316d47
type
Break the Cutie
 Boss / int_4b316d47
comment
Break the Cutie: In episode 7 Kane utterly destroys Kitty in his attempts to reveal the people conspiring against him. By season 2, she has learnt many lessons from Kane's book of dirty tricks. After Kane exploits Mona Fredricks, she is forced to leave Chicago with her family.
 Boss / int_4b316d47
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Boss / int_4b316d47
 Boss / int_4ef92d0b
type
The Atoner
 Boss / int_4ef92d0b
comment
The Atoner: Subverted with Kane in Season 2. He briefly appears to have some regrets about previous misgivings and being set to correct them, but it's all bullshit, as the ones who know him well evaluate.
 Boss / int_4ef92d0b
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Boss / int_4ef92d0b
 Boss / int_5037b961
type
Et Tu, Brute?
 Boss / int_5037b961
comment
Et Tu, Brute?/The Starscream: Kane prefers to rule through fear rather than through respect, but he's surprised when his underlings or peers become disloyal and betray him. Prominent examples include Meredith, Ezra and Kitty.
 Boss / int_5037b961
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Boss / int_5037b961
 Boss / int_53c47260
type
You Monster!
 Boss / int_53c47260
comment
You Monster!: Tom Kane is called a monster or Satan◊ several times.
 Boss / int_53c47260
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1.0
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Boss / int_53c47260
 Boss / int_54f731b9
type
Only a Model
 Boss / int_54f731b9
comment
Only a Model: Literal example with the planned remodelation of Lennox Gardens. It never comes to pass and it's just for show. Meaningfully, two workers are briefly seen taking it away from the mayor's office and it's later replaced by a very feasible casino.
 Boss / int_54f731b9
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Boss / int_54f731b9
 Boss / int_585db628
type
Vote Early, Vote Often
 Boss / int_585db628
comment
Vote Early, Vote Often: Richard Daley would be proud of his successor. Kane does it with style by closing several electoral offices which may attract certain inconvenient voters.
 Boss / int_585db628
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1.0
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Boss / int_585db628
 Boss / int_590eb583
type
Domestic Abuse
 Boss / int_590eb583
comment
Domestic Abuse: Tom Kane gets violent with his wife Meredith whenever he feels she has stepped over a line or wronged him. His final scene in the series also has him keep oxygen from Meredith (her having recently lost half a lung in the assassination attempt) in order to bring her to heel.
 Boss / int_590eb583
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Boss / int_590eb583
 Boss / int_5a100b90
type
Puppet King
 Boss / int_5a100b90
comment
Puppet King: Zajac specifically swears not to become this. Ironic since he's already just a decoy, and his wife is the one who actually does the decisions.
 Boss / int_5a100b90
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1.0
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Boss / int_5a100b90
 Boss / int_5abc8612
type
Unholy Matrimony
 Boss / int_5abc8612
comment
Unholy Matrimony: The Kanes form a great, if nefarious, political team.
 Boss / int_5abc8612
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1.0
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Boss / int_5abc8612
 Boss / int_5d6db368
type
Four Eyes, Zero Soul
 Boss / int_5d6db368
comment
Four Eyes, Zero Soul: the Grey-Haired Man, a mysterious acquintance and a personal hitman of Kane. Eventually subverted with Kitty.
 Boss / int_5d6db368
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 Boss / int_5d6db368
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Boss / int_5d6db368
 Boss / int_5e3c35bd
type
Badass Bureaucrat
 Boss / int_5e3c35bd
comment
Badass Bureaucrat: Kane is a political beast and always delivers on his promises about destroying anyone who dares to cross him.
 Boss / int_5e3c35bd
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 Boss / int_5e3c35bd
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Boss / int_5e3c35bd
 Boss / int_5f52cfcf
type
Intrepid Reporter
 Boss / int_5f52cfcf
comment
Intrepid Reporter: Sam Miller, who is determined to uncover the shady facets of the mayor. By the end of the series, he's not only lost his job, his credibility is also ruined, effectively ending his career as a journalist.
 Boss / int_5f52cfcf
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Boss / int_5f52cfcf
 Boss / int_60b21fa3
type
The Lancer
 Boss / int_60b21fa3
comment
The Lancer: Stone to Kane, in that the mayor is the protagonist, in practice he's The Consigliere.
 Boss / int_60b21fa3
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1.0
 Boss / int_60b21fa3
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Boss / int_60b21fa3
 Boss / int_61313315
type
Off the Wagon
 Boss / int_61313315
comment
Off the Wagon: Emma after Kane gets her arrested for drug dealing.
 Boss / int_61313315
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1.0
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Boss / int_61313315
 Boss / int_6b2b3b59
type
The Reveal
 Boss / int_6b2b3b59
comment
The Reveal: Ian Todd is Kane's illegitimate son, and the assassination attempt was staged by Kane himself for political gain.
 Boss / int_6b2b3b59
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 Boss / int_6b2b3b59
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Boss / int_6b2b3b59
 Boss / int_7043a964
type
Grammar Nazi
 Boss / int_7043a964
comment
Grammar Nazi: Kane expresses his hate towards the Oxford comma and bans it from his speeches. Ian Todd has no idea what it is, but plays along perfectly.
 Boss / int_7043a964
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Boss / int_7043a964
 Boss / int_72b0dfd2
type
Being Good Sucks
 Boss / int_72b0dfd2
comment
Being Good Sucks: Things don't turn out well for people with good intentions and goals or with a commitment to the truth in the universe of Boss.
 Boss / int_72b0dfd2
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Boss / int_72b0dfd2
 Boss / int_76d167c0
type
Hazy-Feel Turn
 Boss / int_76d167c0
comment
Hazy-Feel Turn: Mona Fredricks abandons Ross and joins Kane's camp in season 2. She doesn't remotely know what she's getting into. Kitty O'Neal crosses the aisle serveral times and after several disappointments settles for the devil you know, citing Because I'm Good At It.
 Boss / int_76d167c0
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Boss / int_76d167c0
 Boss / int_771f6307
type
Brother–Sister Incest
 Boss / int_771f6307
comment
Brother–Sister Incest: Ian and Emma end up sleeping together. Ian is aware they are half-siblings. She is not, and she doesn't take it well when she finds out.
 Boss / int_771f6307
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Boss / int_771f6307
 Boss / int_7a53b67d
type
Sinister Surveillance
 Boss / int_7a53b67d
comment
Sinister Surveillance: Kane gets an idea after noticing one of the many CCTV public cameras and begins to monitor and spy on Mona Fredericks's private life in Season 2, sex and all.
 Boss / int_7a53b67d
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Boss / int_7a53b67d
 Boss / int_7aa858c1
type
Consummate Liar
 Boss / int_7aa858c1
comment
Consummate Liar: A second nature for Kane, who is also a master of the Bastardly Speech.
 Boss / int_7aa858c1
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Boss / int_7aa858c1
 Boss / int_83f3983b
type
Necessarily Evil
 Boss / int_83f3983b
comment
Necessarily Evil: Discussed by Kane, who also points out that the lesser of two evils is still evil.
 Boss / int_83f3983b
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1.0
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Boss / int_83f3983b
 Boss / int_86b21114
type
Badass Boast
 Boss / int_86b21114
comment
Badass Boast: Kane has grounds to brag about his political prowess and often does it in an overbearing and commanding way.
 Boss / int_86b21114
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Boss / int_86b21114
 Boss / int_87bb6874
type
Villain with Good Publicity
 Boss / int_87bb6874
comment
Villain with Good Publicity: While not universally adored, Kane has charisma and knows how to use it.
 Boss / int_87bb6874
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Boss / int_87bb6874
 Boss / int_88cee6e2
type
Abhorrent Admirer
 Boss / int_88cee6e2
comment
Abhorrent Admirer: Kane develops an obsession with Mona Fredericks during Season 2, to the point where he arranges to have hidden cameras planted all over her house.
 Boss / int_88cee6e2
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Boss / int_88cee6e2
 Boss / int_898ff050
type
Villain Protagonist
 Boss / int_898ff050
comment
Villain Protagonist: Tom Kane, a power-hungry sociopath. Sleazy Politician doesn't begin to describe him.
 Boss / int_898ff050
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 Boss / int_898ff050
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Boss / int_898ff050
 Boss / int_8b568cb7
type
Posthumous Character
 Boss / int_8b568cb7
comment
Posthumous Character: Ezra Stone keeps appearing in Kane's mind as an inconvenient voice of conscience.
 Boss / int_8b568cb7
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Boss / int_8b568cb7
 Boss / int_928ca2cc
type
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness
 Boss / int_928ca2cc
comment
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Stone is shot by Kane's hitman in the Season 1 Finale. The hitman himself offs himself in the Season 2 finale when he becomes a liability.
 Boss / int_928ca2cc
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Boss / int_928ca2cc
 Boss / int_99fa6bc0
type
Because I'm Good At It
 Boss / int_99fa6bc0
comment
Kitty O'Neal crosses the aisle serveral times and after several disappointments settles for the devil you know, citing Because I'm Good At It.
 Boss / int_99fa6bc0
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Boss / int_99fa6bc0
 Boss / int_9b9d2629
type
Evil Will Fail
 Boss / int_9b9d2629
comment
Evil Will Fail: Played with as one of the themes of the series. Mayor Kane is dying and his absolutist style plants the seeds of his own destruction, but his ways are effective and he rides the storms out because he is a master of troubled waters. Underscored in the credits with the song "Satan, your kingdom must come down."
 Boss / int_9b9d2629
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Boss / int_9b9d2629
 Boss / int_9e1e14ea
type
Ambition Is Evil
 Boss / int_9e1e14ea
comment
Ambition Is Evil: One of the motifs of the series. Chicago and to a lesser extent Illinois are full of schemers and corrupt politicians only worried about their own agendas and whose ambitions lead to reprehensible acts time and again.
 Boss / int_9e1e14ea
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Boss / int_9e1e14ea
 Boss / int_a39d6056
type
NiceToTheWaiter
 Boss / int_a39d6056
comment
Nice to the Waiter: Averted. Tom is nasty to everyone, particularly when the cameras aren't rolling.
 Boss / int_a39d6056
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 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_a39d6056
 Boss / int_a70223
type
Karma Houdini
 Boss / int_a70223
comment
Karma Houdini: Illness aside, no matter what his opponents throw at him, Kane trumps them all.
 Boss / int_a70223
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1.0
 Boss / int_a70223
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_a70223
 Boss / int_a7382a73
type
Imagine Spot
 Boss / int_a7382a73
comment
Imagine Spot: Kane suffers from very realistic hallucinations.
 Boss / int_a7382a73
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_a7382a73
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_a7382a73
 Boss / int_ab8e26e2
type
Slipping a Mickey
 Boss / int_ab8e26e2
comment
Slipping a Mickey: Murderous variation with Tina.
 Boss / int_ab8e26e2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_ab8e26e2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_ab8e26e2
 Boss / int_adfd3165
type
For the Evulz
 Boss / int_adfd3165
comment
Mona Fredricks calls Kane out and accuses him of doing things For the Evulz.
 Boss / int_adfd3165
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_adfd3165
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_adfd3165
 Boss / int_b11ac9f5
type
Abusive Parents
 Boss / int_b11ac9f5
comment
Abusive Parents: The Kanes threw Emma under the bus when she became a liability to their political careers, and keep manipulating her emotionally to further their own agendas. Meredith doesn't even pretend like she cares about her and seems stunned that Emma pushed her after she slapped her first.
 Boss / int_b11ac9f5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_b11ac9f5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_b11ac9f5
 Boss / int_b43dfc8d
type
Your Days Are Numbered
 Boss / int_b43dfc8d
comment
Your Days Are Numbered: Kane is ill and there's no cure for his condition. Even though the series ends with him on top, it's only a matter of time until he either must step down of his own accord, or his condition becomes known and he is forced out.
 Boss / int_b43dfc8d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_b43dfc8d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_b43dfc8d
 Boss / int_b5c56995
type
Corrupt the Cutie
 Boss / int_b5c56995
comment
In episode 7 Kane utterly destroys Kitty in his attempts to reveal the people conspiring against him. By season 2, she has learnt many lessons from Kane's book of dirty tricks.
 Boss / int_b5c56995
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_b5c56995
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_b5c56995
 Boss / int_bb18a227
type
It's All About Me
 Boss / int_bb18a227
comment
It's All About Me: Tom Kane did good things for the city in the past, but in the present day he's all about self preservation and remaining in power for the sake of power.
 Boss / int_bb18a227
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_bb18a227
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_bb18a227
 Boss / int_c75df49a
type
Shout-Out
 Boss / int_c75df49a
comment
Shout-Out: Several obligatory ones to Citizen Kane, a film where the protagonist is an unpleasant, narcissistic big-shot who is Lonely at the Top, just like Mayor Kane. Some references fall flat on the characters.
 Boss / int_c75df49a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_c75df49a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_c75df49a
 Boss / int_cbe687ab
type
Corrupt Corporate Executive
 Boss / int_cbe687ab
comment
Corrupt Corporate Executive: Gerald "Babe" McGantry is a greedy property developer and political financier with a nastier demeanor than Kane's.
 Boss / int_cbe687ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_cbe687ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_cbe687ab
 Boss / int_cf92fea8
type
Cassandra Truth
 Boss / int_cf92fea8
comment
Cassandra Truth: Invoked in the finale as Miller says he's about to break the story about Kane's health issues. His editor points out "even if that were true, which I doubt", after Miller's "expose" of Kane was "proven" false, "no one can ever believe another word you say."
 Boss / int_cf92fea8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_cf92fea8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_cf92fea8
 Boss / int_d839c530
type
The Unfettered
 Boss / int_d839c530
comment
The Unfettered: Saying that Kane is ruthless would be an understatement.
 Boss / int_d839c530
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_d839c530
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_d839c530
 Boss / int_da4300b9
type
Mayor Pain
 Boss / int_da4300b9
comment
Mayor Pain: Kane is probably the poster boy for a non-supernatural version of the Wilkins.
 Boss / int_da4300b9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_da4300b9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_da4300b9
 Boss / int_ddb233c1
type
Mid-Season Twist
 Boss / int_ddb233c1
comment
Mid-Season Twist: At the end of Episode 5 it is revealed that absolutely everyone has joined forces to bring Kane down, and that Zajac has been chosen to run against him at the next election for Mayor. Also counts as a Wham Episode.
 Boss / int_ddb233c1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_ddb233c1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_ddb233c1
 Boss / int_dea5fe1
type
Kubrick Stare
 Boss / int_dea5fe1
comment
Kubrick Stare: Just look at that picture.
 Boss / int_dea5fe1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_dea5fe1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_dea5fe1
 Boss / int_e031b7ef
type
Slave to PR
 Boss / int_e031b7ef
comment
Slave to PR: Public opinion and finding a way to spin things are the everyday bread and butter to Kane and other high profile figures.
 Boss / int_e031b7ef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_e031b7ef
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_e031b7ef
 Boss / int_e3585b3d
type
No Party Given
 Boss / int_e3585b3d
comment
No Party Given: Grammer discusses that they made a conscious decision not to portray Kane as belonging to any particular party because both parties are capable of doing the same stuff. He appears to be the second mayor of the city after the mandate of Daley the Elder — it's not clear if the Younger exists in this continuity — real life Chicago votes heavily Democrat (Chicago hasn't had a Republican mayor since 1931), and Kane's party is mentioned to have progressive, Latino, and Black caucuses (none of the three being Republican constituencies). Senator Walsh, whose platform includes denying felons the right to vote, is implied to be a Republican.
 Boss / int_e3585b3d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_e3585b3d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_e3585b3d
 Boss / int_e3b0cd87
type
Morality Pet
 Boss / int_e3b0cd87
comment
Morality Pet: Kane appoints Mona Fredricks, a principled politician, as his right-hand woman and supports her progressive social agenda. Subverted when Kane reveals that he's only seeking the respect of an upstanding official and he destroys her political and personal projects.
 Boss / int_e3b0cd87
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Boss / int_e3b0cd87
featureConfidence
1.0
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hasFeature
Boss / int_e3b0cd87
 Boss / int_e5c64f3f
type
Shame If Something Happened
 Boss / int_e5c64f3f
comment
Shame If Something Happened: Mayor Kane's underlings are very fond of this tactic and use it to great effect to intimidate potential threats. It helps to establish Kane as a thuggish kingpin.
 Boss / int_e5c64f3f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_e5c64f3f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_e5c64f3f
 Boss / int_e66e9bfb
type
New Era Speech
 Boss / int_e66e9bfb
comment
New Era Speech: Inverted when Kane rallies his precinct captains before the primary. Instead of promising change, he espouses the necessity of everything remaining the same.
 Boss / int_e66e9bfb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_e66e9bfb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_e66e9bfb
 Boss / int_e83f211c
type
O.O.C. Is Serious Business
 Boss / int_e83f211c
comment
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Kane is always second-guessed, and for good reasons, when he abandons his gruffy demeanor. Zajac's wife also sees through her husband's softer moments.
 Boss / int_e83f211c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_e83f211c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_e83f211c
 Boss / int_eb8ec7c8
type
Jerkass
 Boss / int_eb8ec7c8
comment
Jerkass: Tom Kane is a sociopath who enjoys domineering over his subjects. When he does something that may indicate that he has a heart, it turns out he had a perfectly cold and selfish reason to do so.
 Boss / int_eb8ec7c8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_eb8ec7c8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_eb8ec7c8
 Boss / int_ed05cfee
type
Naïve Newcomer
 Boss / int_ed05cfee
comment
Mona Fredricks abandons Ross and joins Kane's camp in season 2. She doesn't remotely know what she's getting into.
 Boss / int_ed05cfee
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_ed05cfee
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_ed05cfee
 Boss / int_f818b637
type
Dude, Where's My Respect?
 Boss / int_f818b637
comment
Dude, Where's My Respect?: Kane's unwillingness to throw anyone a bone alienates or annoys most of the people around him.
 Boss / int_f818b637
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_f818b637
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_f818b637
 Boss / int_f91d1d4f
type
Darkest Hour
 Boss / int_f91d1d4f
comment
Darkest Hour: Kane faces huge, career-ending crises at least once per season when he's put one step away from a shameful resignation or worse.
 Boss / int_f91d1d4f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_f91d1d4f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_f91d1d4f
 Boss / int_f9c3ecc6
type
Series Fauxnale
 Boss / int_f9c3ecc6
comment
Series Fauxnale: The Season 1 finale works as one, suggesting that Kane dies of his illness, but the show got renewed for a new season despite the low ratings.
 Boss / int_f9c3ecc6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_f9c3ecc6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_f9c3ecc6
 Boss / int_fd4f8299
type
Well-Intentioned Extremist
 Boss / int_fd4f8299
comment
Well-Intentioned Extremist: Emma Kane, who uses illegal means to get prescription drugs to the church she works for. The drugs are given to those in need who can't afford them. Subverted with her father. He certainly fancies himself to be this trope, but when you really get right down to it, the only thing he really cares about is his own personal power, not the greater good.
 Boss / int_fd4f8299
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Boss / int_fd4f8299
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_fd4f8299
 Boss / int_fe64d5a1
type
Evil Is Petty
 Boss / int_fe64d5a1
comment
Evil Is Petty: When Kane condescendingly chats with Alderman Mata while taking a crap, the mayor stands up, deliberately shakes Mata's hand and only then he washes his own. Mona Fredricks calls Kane out and accuses him of doing things For the Evulz. Making Ben get on his knees when he comes to beg him for forgiveness.
 Boss / int_fe64d5a1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_fe64d5a1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_fe64d5a1
 Boss / int_fe8a1029
type
Feed the Mole
 Boss / int_fe8a1029
comment
Feed the Mole: When Kane realizes that Kitty is leaking info to his adversaries, he uses it to his own advantage by feigning that he's stepping down.
 Boss / int_fe8a1029
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_fe8a1029
featureConfidence
1.0
 Boss
hasFeature
Boss / int_fe8a1029
 Boss / int_ffa0483f
type
Cut Short
 Boss / int_ffa0483f
comment
Cut Short: The run ends with season 2, with some of the plots Left Hanging. Not that you would expect everything to be wrapped up in a neat bow here.
 Boss / int_ffa0483f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Boss / int_ffa0483f
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1.0
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Boss / int_ffa0483f
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ItemName
 Boss / int_name
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Boss

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Boss
seeAlso
Boss
 Boss
hasFeature
Corrupt Politician / int_8d7cf114
 Boss
hasFeature
Happy Marriage Charade / int_8d7cf114
 Boss
hasFeature
Hiding the Handicap / int_8d7cf114
 Boss
hasFeature
Indian Burial Ground / int_8d7cf114
 KelseyGrammer
seeAlso
Boss
 Boss
hasFeature
Morality Chain Beyond the Grave / int_8d7cf114
 Boss
hasFeature
Vote Early, Vote Often / int_8d7cf114