But Now I Must Go: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|'''Bart''': Work here is done. I'm needed elsewhere now. I'm needed wherever outlaws rule the West, wherever innocent [[Damsel in Distress|women]] and [[Children Are Innocent|children]] are afraid to walk the streets, wherever a man cannot live in simple dignity, wherever a people cry out for justice!

'''Crowd''': ''(in unison)'' Bullshit!

It doesn't count if the character was already dying for some understandable reason, has some kind of good, understandable, plot-related reason to leave, or goes off to a [[Heroic Sacrifice]]. This is when the character has become loved and respected by other characters, and has to leave for no other reason than "he must".

 

 

 

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{{examples}}

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** And then it was suddenly subverted when we see Minagi's half-sister, who {{spoiler|looks exactly like a younger version of, and is also named, Michiru. [[Contrived Coincidence]]? I think not}}.

* Layla Ashley in ''[[Avenger]]''. After {{spoiler|defeating the unbeatable [[Big Bad]], resolving her personal problems, and bringing about a new age of prosperity to the entire planet}}, no less.

* Both Haruko and Mamimi in ''[[FLCL]]''.

* {{spoiler|Chiaki}} in ''[[The Girl Who Leapt Through Time]]''.

** (This editor's dad had a regular tirade over the ending and how he'd never do that to a daughter of his...and thanks to this trope, this editor better understands the negative reaction to this turn of events.)

** Subverted in the musical theater show. Dad gives an explanation of what he's going to do next.

** This trope is played straight in the original novel by Joann Harris, however.

* The titular characters of ''[[¡Three Amigos!|Three Amigos]]!'' pulled this one at the end of the movie because their characters in their [[Show Within a Show]] always did it.

* ''[[Yojimbo]]''. A partial aversion in that Mifune's character leaves the village not because "he must", but simply because with his enemies defeated, the place was boring.

** Echoed in ''[[Sanjuro]]'': The Lord of the region offers him a job, but Sanjuro doesn't show up. The Lord reveals that he knew Sanjuro would never be able to settle down like that, and the young samurai Sanjuro had been tutoring chase after him to change his mind. {{spoiler|Ends up subverted; after having to kill his [[Not So Different]] adversary, Sanjuro's too upset to stay, but he won't be venturing on either, with the implication that it's time to retire his blade.}}

{{quote|'''Philo''': You're welcome. Well, it appears that my work on this planet is finished, so I must now return to my home planet of Zarquon.

'''George''': [dubious] Oh...okay. Have fun! }}

** [[Word of God|He'll be back, though. Eventually.]]

* This is a recurring theme in the light novel series, and the anime adaptation, of ''[[Kino's Journey]]'' in which the main character, as a drifter, has a self-imposed limit of staying three days upon reaching a town or rest stop and can give no exceptions regardless of the situation. This is in order not to form attachments to prevent the ideal of traveling. A little different in that the plot follows Kino to each next place. {{spoiler|This is explored deeper when the the main character, eventually revealed to be female, discovers a place she can finally grow used to loving while becoming acquainted with someone sharing many common and reminiscent traits with her. Coping on her decision on whether or not wishing to finally settle down, the conclusion is the final episode of the anime adaption, whilst the light novels simply continue, and still are, after that point.}}

* [[Robert E. Howard]] did a superb But Now I Must Go ending for the ''[[Solomon Kane]]'' story "The Blue Flame of Vengeance":

{{quote|''"I am a landless man." A strange, intangible, almost mystic look flashed into his cold eyes. "I come out of the sunset and into the sunrise I go, wherever the Lord doth guide my feet. I seek...my soul's salvation, mayhap. I came, following the trail of vengeance. Now I must leave you. The dawn is not far away, and I would not have it find me idle. It may be I shall see you no more. My work here is done; the long red trail is ended. The man of blood is dead. But there be other men of blood, and other trails of revenge and retribution. [[Mission from God|I work the will of God]]. [[With Great Power|While evil flourishes and wrongs grow rank, while men are persecuted and women wronged, while weak things, human or animal, are maltreated, there is no rest for me beneath the skies, nor peace at any board or bed]]. Farewell!"''}}

* Used quite a lot in ''[[The Lone Ranger]]'', as he goes off into the sunset... leaving grateful townsfolk behind, wondering, "Who is that Masked Man?"

* Used straight in ''[[The Adventures of Pete and Pete]]''. In the two-parter "Goodbye, My Little Viking", Little Pete parts ways with his best friend and personal superhero Artie (the Strongest Man - in the world!), who realizes that he is no longer needed more, and sets off to find a new kid who does.

* The Doctor from ''[[Doctor Who]]'' shows something of this; he saves the day, and then leaves again, never staying. It's been suggested in the show this is because he's afraid to look back at the trail of destruction he leaves behind.

** A strange subversion of this trope is used in the Doctor's regeneration in 'The Parting of the Ways'. He tells Rose he'll still be there, "but not like this. Not with this daft old face."

 

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