# Tired fictional tropes you hate **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 16, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937 "2020-05-16T19:07:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/121 "2020-05-18T03:44:12Z")
The precocious and insightful child, intelligent beyond his years, who is able to drive right to the heart of the adult’s motivations and failings. I don’t mean a teen, but a 10-year-old. Or younger. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/122 "2020-05-18T11:25:23Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Bookish people who can read all the languages. I’d make an exception for Professor Theophilus Branestawm, the hero of the British series of childrens’ books by Norman Hunter. Said gentleman is an archetypal hugely brilliant but utterly absent-minded and unworldly professor: among very many other accomplishments, he’s fluent in something like 254 languages – with 27 of them, he is the only person in the world who knows them. I love these books – would consider that they rate a pass re the theme of this thread, because the Professor’s immense linguistic knowledge is never of the slightest practical use in any way. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/123 "2020-05-18T11:39:16Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > I’d make an exception for Professor Theophilus Branestawm, the hero of the British series of childrens’ books by Norman Hunter. Said gentleman is an archetypal hugely brilliant but utterly absent-minded and unworldly professor: among very many other accomplishments, he’s fluent in something like 254 languages --\*\* with 27 of them, he is the only person in the world who knows them.\*\* I love these books – would consider that they rate a pass re the theme of this thread, because the Professor’s immense linguistic knowledge is never of the slightest practical use in any way. If he’s the only one who knows the language, how did he learn them and how can anyone else tell if he’s actually fluent? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/124 "2020-05-18T11:53:07Z")
“I’m a mild mannered milquetoast, but I’ll do anything to protect my FAMILY! To protect my KIDS!” … “You can’t do that! This is horrible, psychotic behavior! You’ll be a murderer, or worse!” “I’m doing this for my FAMILY! Dammit, all I do, is for my KIDS!” “Oh. Right-o, well, carry on, then.” … [protagonist discovers heinous plot] Dying Antagonist: [whispers hoarsely] It was … all … for my … FAMILY … for … MAH KIDSSSSsssss … [heroic music swells, indicating moral redemption] … From Cersei Lannister (“Game of Thrones”) to Walter White (“Breaking Bad”) to Marty Byrde (“Ozark”) this one is goddamn every-fucking-where. As someone with no children (intentionally) and no husband (not so much) I kinda wanna know where my get-outta-shit card might be. Apparently, if you’re married with children, you’re allowed to do whatevs … as long as you frame it as being in the best interest of those children. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/125 "2020-05-18T12:04:04Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > “I’m a mild mannered milquetoast, but I’ll do anything to protect my FAMILY! To protect my KIDS!” > … > > “You can’t do that! This is horrible, psychotic behavior! You’ll be a murderer, or worse!” > > “I’m doing this for my FAMILY! Dammit, all I do, is for my KIDS!” > > “Oh. Right-o, well, carry on, then.” > … > > [protagonist discovers heinous plot] > > Dying Antagonist: [whispers hoarsely] It was … all … for my … FAMILY … for … MAH KIDSSSSsssss … > > [heroic music swells, indicating moral redemption] > … > > From Cersei Lannister (“Game of Thrones”) to Walter White (“Breaking Bad”) to Marty Byrde (“Ozark”) this one is goddamn every-fucking-where. > > As someone with no children (intentionally) and no husband (not so much) I kinda wanna know where my get-outta-shit card might be. Apparently, if you’re married with children, you’re allowed to do whatevs … as long as you frame it as being in the best interest of those children. You got to admit, Walter White is a bit of an outlier here (if you watch to the end) " I did it for me. It was fun. I liked it…" ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/126 "2020-05-18T12:05:07Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > This seems to be a more recent trend: The ‘good guy’ disarms the bad guy or eliminates them as a threat, yet goes ahead and kills them and is celebrated as a hero. Sorry, you’ve just become a murderer. I think this is more of an “antihero” trope. One that comes to mind is a movie with Rutger Hauer and Gene Simmons, ummm…googling…ok, “Wanted: Dead or Alive”. Jeez, 1987? Thought it was more recent than that. Anyway, don’t know how necessary it is to spoiler tag a 33 yo movie in which the basic premise of the ending has already been described, but here goes: Ex-CIA bounty hunter Rutger Hauer captures criminal terrorist mastermind Gene Simmons, and hands him over handcuffed to authorities, in what feels like an anticlimactic ending. Then Rutger has a change of heart (I think spurred on by Simmons taunting him). Rutger takes out a grenade, jams it in his mouth, and pulls the pin. Everybody steps back and watches Gene’s head asplode. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/127 "2020-05-18T12:07:49Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > You got to admit, Walter White is a bit of an outlier here (if you watch to the end) > > " I did it for me. It was fun. I liked it…" Yeah, Breaking Bad was kind of meta in that it seeemd to actively play with tropes. Every time it seemed like a plot point was going to settle in a comfortable trope rut, there was a sudden left turn. ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/128 "2020-05-18T12:23:52Z")
> [@sohvan](#): > > When all is forgiven for the villain at the end just because they had a moment of regret. Doesn’t matter if they tortured kittens, experimented on infants, and caused the genocide of billions of people. The protagonist with a strong connection to the villain made a moving speech, and now the villain is one of the good guys again. Often the villain will get to do a heroic sacrifice at the cost of their life, so they never have to deal with the consequences of their atrocities. I’m looking at _you_ Darth Vader and Kylo Ren! ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/129 "2020-05-18T12:32:41Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Yes! Lovely. I saw this in the theater, and maybe two years later at home with the Ukulele Lady. She turned to me and said “If anything bad happens to McDormand, I’m going to kill you.” > > “Shut up and watch.” Well, she _did_ have that awkward lunch with Mike Yanagita! ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/130 "2020-05-18T12:48:28Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > In “War Games” there’s a woman in the final scenes whose job is apparently to tell us how much of the launch code WOPR has figured out - information that is displayed on the big screen in front of all of the characters. Gwen DeMarco: [shouts] Look! I have one job on this lousy ship, it’s _stupid_, but I’m gonna do it! Okay? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/131 "2020-05-18T13:05:22Z")
> [@BeagleJesus](#): > > Gwen DeMarco: [shouts] Look! I have one job on this lousy ship, it’s _stupid_, but I’m gonna do it! Okay? Point taken… ---
**Author:** ![Eclipse\_Chaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Eclipse\_Chaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse_Chaser)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/132 "2020-05-18T13:13:38Z")
The carefree bachelor hero, who has always played the field, finally falls genuinely in love for the first time in his life. All his friends and workmates are happy that he has finally found “the one”. Of course she dies at the end of the episode. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/133 "2020-05-18T13:25:39Z")
“Threat Level Midnight” from _The Office_ contains as many cliches that can possibly be squeezed into it. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/134 "2020-05-18T13:39:06Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > The carefree bachelor hero, who has always played the field, finally falls genuinely in love for the first time in his life. All his friends and workmates are happy that he has finally found “the one”. > > Of course she dies at the end of the episode. Perfect example: every member of the Cartwright family on Bonanza. Being in a love relationship with Little Joe was especially deadly. I just watched a particularly gruesome one: Little Joe falls in love with the daughter of a neighboring rancher who’s in a feud with Ben Cartwright, “Romeo and Juliet” style. The head ranch hand, who is egging the feud on for his own purposes, is also in love with the girl and apparently tries to rape her at one point, when LJ shows up and fights him. In the melee she manages to get herself pitchforked. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/135 "2020-05-18T13:46:09Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > The cop and their partner are looking for Joe Blow. They go to his work place, and see him doing whatever about, and Joe’s about 10 yards from them. One of the cops says "Joe Blow? " Joe looks up and runs. Cue a chase. Next week, the same scenario. The cops never learn. But it’s the only way Lenny stayed in half-decent shape on Law & Order. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/136 "2020-05-18T13:47:00Z")
SF movies/shows/books that are set after the great war that killed a lot of people ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/137 "2020-05-18T13:50:36Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Perfect example: every member of the Cartwright family on Bonanza. Being in a love relationship with Little Joe was especially deadly. The old “Cartwright Curse” [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CartwrightCurse](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CartwrightCurse) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/138 "2020-05-18T14:22:59Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Or the even worse variant (as seen in The Dark Knight Goes Boom) > > The nuclear bomb will go off in five minutes! > > _Everybody stands around while speeches are made._ > > You have to travel a hundred miles out to sea so it won’t destroy the entire city! > > _More speeches, probably some hugging_ > > _Finally gets into plane that goes from 0 to 1000 in three seconds. Flies at super speed and drops the bomb into the ocean where for some reason it doesn’t cause a tsunami. However, he’s still standing right next to an exploding nuclear bomb he can’t escape from_ > > Waves from a cafe in Italy. > > That’s the worst, but legions of films have ten minutes pass during the 60 seconds the timer is ticking off. Not exactly a direct response, but this made me think of the ONE TIME that the countdown in the movie was EXACTLY the real time it was supposed to be. At the end of William Cameron Menzies’ original version of _Invaders from Mars_\* you see them setting the timer on the bomb for 5 minutes. And, by gum, it’s five minutes later in the movie that it actually blows up. This was notable to me, because it made me appreciate just how long five minutes can be. If you’re busy with something, five minutes is over in a flash. But if you’re watching a movie, it can take an agonizingly long time (just look how long that one minute countdown takes during the “When I’m 64” sequence in _Yellow Submarine_). They had to fill in the time during those five minutes with flashbacks and stock footage of military maneuvers. You were pretty relieved when the ship actually blew up. \*An incredibly overrated film. It scared the heck out of me as a kid, but when I saw a showing of it at the Dryden Theater at Eastman House in Rochester – a high-class art cinema venue where they have no snack bar, and people actually get dressed up to watch movies – the usually sophisticated audience was yelling abuse at the film before it was halfway over. I’d forgotten (or missed) how overall stupid the movie is. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/139 "2020-05-18T14:29:52Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Bad guy plans that require EVERYTHING to go right to even remotely work, even worse if his plan involves knowing exactly what the heroes will do to the very second so he can plan elaborate subterfuge/escapes days in advance. Bonus points if his plan requires him to be captured in the first place to even get the plan started. Double bonus points when the Bad Guy’s entire master plan requires manipulating the hero into doing something specific at the _end_ of the movie, despite trying to kill the hero multiple times throughout the rest of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937/140 "2020-05-18T15:28:04Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > “I’m a mild mannered milquetoast, but I’ll do anything to protect my FAMILY! To protect my KIDS!” > … > > “You can’t do that! This is horrible, psychotic behavior! You’ll be a murderer, or worse!” > > “I’m doing this for my FAMILY! Dammit, all I do, is for my KIDS!” > > “Oh. Right-o, well, carry on, then.” > … > > [protagonist discovers heinous plot] > > Dying Antagonist: [whispers hoarsely] It was … all … for my … FAMILY … for … MAH KIDSSSSsssss … > > [heroic music swells, indicating moral redemption] > … > > From Cersei Lannister (“Game of Thrones”) to Walter White (“Breaking Bad”) to Marty Byrde (“Ozark”) this one is goddamn every-fucking-where. > > As someone with no children (intentionally) and no husband (not so much) I kinda wanna know where my get-outta-shit card might be. Apparently, if you’re married with children, you’re allowed to do whatevs … as long as you frame it as being in the best interest of those children. I have now fallen completely in love with you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-fictional-tropes-you-hate/853937.md?page=8)