Where Is Your X Now?

A Stock Phrase said by the villain when he has a character at his mercy, "Where Is Your X Now?" Usually done in an attempt to crush said character's spirit. Whether or not this works depends on the amount of cynicism of the work in question.

In less cynical stories, X in question will ultimately show up and save the day. It could come in the form of Divine Intervention, or a Big Damn Heroes moment. The point is the villain is proven wrong, and the character's faith in X was rewarded by rescue.

In more cynical works, the villain is ultimately proven correct. The character believes X is coming to save them in their Darkest Hour. They wait, and wait for X to come rescue them. Nothing will break their spirit. Suddenly, out of nowhere, X has arrived for them... But wait! No... It's just the villain playing a cruel joke on them. The truth is X isn't coming. The character is completely alone. The villain may even call them out on this, telling them that their belief in X has made them stupid.

Perhaps the most recognizable use of this trope is the phrase, "Where Is Your God Now?"

So tell me, my little troper, where's your TV Tropes now?

Film
"Dathan (Edward G Robinson): Where's your messiah now?"
 * Used by  in Toy Story 3. After Buzz and Woody help to
 * The Ten Commandments is possibly the Ur Example, at least the Trope Codifier/what's being Shouted Out to.


 * Used by Chief Wiggum (based on Robinson) in "Simpsons Bible Stories" portraying the same character, and in another episode as he's arresting Ned Flanders for reckless driving.
 * Throughout Pitch Black, devout Muslim Imam insists that God will provide for them. So when a sudden rain begins extinguishing the torches they've been using to keep the photosensitive alien locusts at bay, decidedly nihilistic career criminal Riddick mockingly asks him, "Where the hell's your God now?"
 * Although these things are all but impossible to track accurately, some hold this instance as the codifier for this phrase's current memetic popularity.

Literature

 * The Bible: When Elijah competes with the priests of Baal over whose god can light their sacrifice, he makes fun of the other priests using lines similar to this trope.

Web Original

 * On the Internet, this phrase has become a meme

Fan Fiction
"Muriel: Who's going to rescue you now, Mr Avery? Where's the infamous Miss Riddle when you need her?
 * In the Harry Potter fanfic "Fallen Angel", after Robert has been captured by an (absolutely crazy) woman, she is stupid enough to upset his friend. A definite example of Big Damn Heroes on Katherine's part.

Robert: Right behind you."

Western Animation
"Catbert: I understand you've been praising, Todd.
 * In an episode of Dilbert, the group creates a fictional employee by the name of Todd, to keep an empty cubicle, by saying it belonged to Todd. Soon Todd's reputation begins to grow. As the group are enjoy the empty cubicle, the power suddenly goes out as Catbert appears:

Alice: You could say that.

Catbert: His personnel folder is curiously empty, no photo, no work history. Hmm, very, very suspicious.

Wally: Uh, Todd, works in mysterious ways.

Catbert: He won't work at all if his file doesn't turn up soon. You see... I don't believe in, Todd.

Wally: You take that back!

Catbert: There is no, Todd. Todd, only exists, in your minds...

Wally tries to attack Catbert, but is taken down by his trolls.

Catbert: Where's your, Todd now, hmm? Mauahahaha!"