The Secretary of State in Independence Day. The damn world is almost destroyed and what’s left of civilization is hunkered down under a mountain. There is no reason to continue to keep secrets from the President and saying no to every damn thing.
It’s exactly like this in the '70s show Harry O in which the private investigator Harry Orwell (David Janssen) is constantly being told by Lieutenant Trench (Anthony Zerbe) not to follow a lead or act on a suspicion. Just once I want Harry O to stick it in Trench’s face by pointing out that in their disagreements Trench has been wrong and Harry’s been right about 20 times in a row, as any regular viewer will have noticed.
Similar dynamic in The Rockford Files between Jim Rockford and Sergeant Becker.
Slugworth was in the book. But only mentioned as a competitor to Wonka, and he did offer Charlie money for Wonka’s secrets towards the beginning of the story, but Charlie said no and that was that. The scene at the end where Wonka flipped out and refused Charlie his lifetime supply of chocolate didn’t happen in the book. In fact, there was no real climax in the book at all, and the only conflict was Charlie’s family’s poverty, and the other kids getting into trouble at the factory. And then there was the whole elevator adventure sequel.
Granted, I haven’t read the books in a few decades, but that’s my recollection.
“How about NO!, you crazy Dutch bastard?!”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that Dave.” – HAL
Also, it is shown that “Slugworth” was actually working for Wonka all along. He was deliberately testing the children’s integrity, and not even a villain at all.
He was pretty good at battle tactics when the Cylons invaded the ship or venting chambers where firefighters were to save the ship. He led the resistance on New Capricia. But too often he was a mean drunk and inept dealing with civilians.
on Star Trek TNG Tasha Yar existed only to recommend firing phasers only to have Picard open hailing frequencies.