http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TyrantTakesTheHelm

Scar, The Lion King (1994) "Mufasa's death was a terrible tragedy; but to lose Simba, who had barely begun to live...for me it is a deep personal loss. So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne. Yet, out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era...in which lion and hyena come together, in a great and glorious future!"

Did your new leader start off their reign by making a speech that included phrases such as "there will be many changes around here" or "things will be very different under my command"? If so, then you're in a situation where a Tyrant Takes the Helm.

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This is a plot trope relating to a Story Arc where a character snags a major leadership position of the series, becomes Drunk with Power, and decides that from here on out, things will be run their way whether you like it or not. The person regularly filling this position, often a Reasonable Authority Figure, will likely be absent during this time (and this new replacement may have had something to do with that). As would be expected of a tyrannical ruler, expect them to immediately start making "changes" and becoming an instant despot. Common changes made include the elimination of Ultimate Job Security and the decree that All Crimes Are Equal. In most cases, the main heroes will have to confront this new ruler and attempt to change things back to normal.

A common subversion of this trope is the Bait-and-Switch Tyrant, who is signalled to be this in their introduction but turns out to not be that bad after all, with the story demonstrating that the characters have come to accept the new rules. If the character who temporarily takes control isn't malicious or obnoxious, but is simply grossly incompetent, see Sketchy Successor. If the tyrant took the helm of a corporation by acquiring 51% of its stock, they're a Majority-Share Dictator.

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Does not require the dictator forcibly gaining possession of a new piece of headgear.

Remember, this isn't a trope for describing characters who become tyrants, but for describing a plot point of when (and possibly how) a character takes over for someone else and institutes new rules that are generally disliked by the majority of those affected. Be aware of spoilers!

Examples

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Anime and Manga

Asian Animation

In the Simple Samosa episode "Mayor Gaayab", Cham Cham is the first person to replace the kind, well-liked Royal Falooda as the mayor of Chatpata Nagar. Within the short period of time he leads the town, he demonstrates just how egotistical he is by imposing taxes on all the townsfolk, bossing the citizens around for his own purposes and acting like a king, even donning a crown and king's cape. When Samosa convinces Mr. Fried Fritter to take the position of mayor, Cham Cham super-glues himself to the chair in the town hall in a vain attempt to keep Fritter from replacing him.

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Comic Books

Comic Strips

An early arc of FoxTrot saw parents Roger and Andy leaving their eldest son Peter in charge while they went on vacation. Peter immediately started abusing the power they'd given him, making Paige and Jason follow all his demands. When they get sick of it and confront him, he responds by locking them in the basement. Fortunately, Jason and Paige had tapes of Peter's reign and Peter himself told them he locked Jason and Paige in the basement, so he was punished accordingly.

Fanfiction

Films  Animated

Films  Live-Action

Literature

Live-Action TV

Music

Al Stewart's song Joe the Georgian, which is actually about Joseph Stalin's regime, re-imagined in a naval setting where he literally takes the helm. We all set off together On this sorry ship of state When the captain took the fever We were hijacked by the mate And he steered us through the shadows Upon an angry tide And cast us one by one over the side

Pinball

This is the backstory for Big Guns; even the antagonist is named "King Tyrant".

Professional Wrestling

Radio

Remley pulls this in The Phil Harris Alice Faye Show after he signs his name to Phil's employment contract, but it's played humorously. It doesn't last long: Remley: From this moment on, I am your leader. You will respect my authority without question and obedience, From this moment on, I am your leader. You will respect my authority without question and obedience, I AM AN ABSOLUTE POWER Band members: Heil, Remley! Heil, Remley! Heil, Remley!

Theatre

In Measure for Measure, the Duke of Vienna disappears and leaves Angelo in his place. The Duke later explains that he did this specifically because he wanted this to happen, for the purpose of pulling a Good Cop/Bad Cop on Vienna.

Video Games

Webcomics

Simon DeVere, the new store director in TRU-Life Adventures. He talks big about preserving what works at the store and just making a few tweaks here and there, his actions prove him to be this trope.

Web Original

Western Animation

Real Life