All The Tropes:Tropes Are Not Bad: Difference between revisions

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If your favorite shows have long lists of tropes associated with them, well, so do everybody's. A show featuring an [[Action Girl]] or showing a character [[Kick the Dog|kicking the dog]] is not a bad thing; the former is merely a reasonable type of character (badass character who is female) and the latter is a character action that happens plenty in [[Real Life]].

That said, some trope entries are just highlights of common mistakes, and generally ''are'' bad. For instance, a modern-day show where all the cops have [[Where Did They Get Lasers|laser guns]] is probably just necessary lameness to appease censors (unless [[Justified Trope|superhero-tech from superhuman geniuses is a common part of the universe]]), and a writer that includes [[Instant Death Bullet~~|Instant Death Bullets~~]] probably just [[Did Not Do the Research|screwed up]]. Still, even if a show includes always-bad and unjustified tropes, the harm is likely non-fatal.

That said, some trope entries are just highlights of common mistakes, and generally ''are'' bad. For instance, a modern-day show where all the cops have [[Where Did They Get Lasers|laser guns]] is probably just necessary lameness to appease censors (unless [[Justified Trope|superhero-tech from superhuman geniuses is a common part of the universe]]), and a writer that includes [[Instant Death Bullet]]s probably just [[Did Not Do the Research|screwed up]]. Still, even if a show includes always-bad and unjustified tropes, the harm is likely non-fatal.

Consider the following points before you label simply including a common story element or character type as a sign of creative failure:

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'''There is nothing new under the sun.''' Including that very statement. And the [[The Bible|book]] from which it comes. Completely ignoring the possibility that one's favorite show just might ''not'' be hewn from the very essence of the universe by Thor himself and placed in the periodic table under '''Or''' for "Originalium" doesn't change the fact that it ''wasn't''. And acknowledging that it isn't should not lessen its appeal, either.

Every story is influenced by what came before ~~it -- and~~ storytellers (e.g., writers, directors, actors) are bound to show that influence, intentionally or not, in the process of telling. Just because something's been used before doesn't mean it's a clichÃ©. That said, there certainly is such thing as ''too'' derivative, but there's a difference between playing a trope straight and utter [[Cliché Storm]].

Every story is influenced by what came before it—and storytellers (e.g., writers, directors, actors) are bound to show that influence, intentionally or not, in the process of telling. Just because something's been used before doesn't mean it's a clichÃ©. That said, there certainly is such thing as ''too'' derivative, but there's a difference between playing a trope straight and utter [[Cliché Storm]].

'''Fiction isn't necessarily supposed to be realistic.''' When your reader wants to escape from the tired drudgery of reality, you shouldn't be trying to indexically recreate it. Much fiction seeks to show not what is, but what could be, or what should be. A trope being unrealistic isn't necessarily a flaw, and is often covered by [[Rule of Cool]], [[Rule of Funny]], or [[Rule of Scary]]. Indeed, a trope, however unrealistic, can be a convenient shorthand when played straight; setting up aversions or subversions for it can be more wordy than is needed to get on with story.

'''Every trope has a silver lining.''' Just because there's a lot of bad, ''bad'' [[Mary Sue~~|Mary Sues~~]] out there doesn't mean nobody could ever, or has ever, [[Divine Comedy|done it well]]. The much-reviled [[All Just a Dream]] was, let's not forget, used in one of the [[Newhart|best series finales]] in the history of television, as well as one of the [[The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari|best twist endings]] in any movie. While becoming [[Darker and Edgier]] isn't always a good thing, it's been used in one of the [[Monty Python|best movie series in recent memory]], and indeed [[The Dark Knight|the biggest blockbuster of 2008.]] Remember, while this site is fairly snarky, most of the snark is directed towards shows who ''don't'' use tropes well.

'''Every trope has a silver lining.''' Just because there's a lot of bad, ''bad'' [[Mary Sue]]s out there doesn't mean nobody could ever, or has ever, [[Divine Comedy|done it well]]. The much-reviled [[All Just a Dream]] was, let's not forget, used in one of the [[Newhart|best series finales]] in the history of television, as well as one of the [[The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari|best twist endings]] in any movie. While becoming [[Darker and Edgier]] isn't always a good thing, it's been used in one of the [[Monty Python|best movie series in recent memory]], and indeed [[The Dark Knight|the biggest blockbuster of 2008.]] Remember, while this site is fairly snarky, most of the snark is directed towards shows who ''don't'' use tropes well.

When someone points out a less-than-flattering trope in a less-than-flattering way, remember that ''[[Star Trek]]'' fans have learned to live with and even ''love'' [[The Wesley|annoying characters]], outbursts of "[[The Khan|Khaaaaaaan!]]", [[Rubber Forehead Aliens]], [[Green-Skinned Space Babe|Green Skinned Space Babes]], etc. Seriously, you can learn to love it while still acknowledging it.

'''Just because nobody points out a trope doesn't mean it isn't there.''' [[Tropes Will Ruin Your Life]], one way or another. When you read a long and hilarious list of trope examples, and you know deep in your heart of hearts that your pet show belongs, save yourself the heartache and list it ~~yourself--you~~'ll probably be [[Complaining About Shows You Don't Like|fairer than someone who doesn't like the show]]. It ''is'' [[It's the Only Way|the only way]], my friend, and you won't have to give up your [[Fan Communities|fan-club]] membership just because you acknowledged the truth. Be specific, be funny, and resist that [[Fan Boy]] temptation to add that prefix [[Averted Trope|averted]] or [[Justified Trope|justified]].

'''Just because nobody points out a trope doesn't mean it isn't there.''' [[Tropes Will Ruin Your Life]], one way or another. When you read a long and hilarious list of trope examples, and you know deep in your heart of hearts that your pet show belongs, save yourself the heartache and list it yourself—you'll probably be [[Complaining About Shows You Don't Like|fairer than someone who doesn't like the show]]. It ''is'' [[It's the Only Way|the only way]], my friend, and you won't have to give up your [[Fan Communities|fan-club]] membership just because you acknowledged the truth. Be specific, be funny, and resist that [[Fan Boy]] temptation to add that prefix [[Averted Trope|averted]] or [[Justified Trope|justified]].

"[[Justified Trope]]" [[I Thought It Meant|doesn't mean what you think it means, anyway]].