Cleaning Up Romantic Loose Ends: Difference between revisions

← Older editNewer edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Mass update links
m Mass update links
Line 7: Line 7:
What a happy couple (hopefully). The audience should also feel happy for them, even though this very act has crushed the hearts of Charlie and Dave.
What a happy couple (hopefully). The audience should also feel happy for them, even though this very act has crushed the hearts of Charlie and Dave.


This is awkward, especially if Alice was being foolish in stretching this situation for most of the series. The audience is supposed to support the final couple completely, but this is difficult if the pairing has "casualties" (or competition that's still floating around). This is especially problematic if the show has fallen victim to a lot of [[Shipping]]. It's especially bad if the writer-preferred pairing cannot compete with the other possibilities due to a [[Strangled By the Red String|lack of communication and relationship building]].
This is awkward, especially if Alice was being foolish in stretching this situation for most of the series. The audience is supposed to support the final couple completely, but this is difficult if the pairing has "casualties" (or competition that's still floating around). This is especially problematic if the show has fallen victim to a lot of [[Shipping]]. It's especially bad if the writer-preferred pairing cannot compete with the other possibilities due to a [[Strangled by the Red String|lack of communication and relationship building]].


So, the writers tend to quickly whip up some contrivances to deal with this. Given the romantic resolution occurs late in the series, this has to be applied rather quickly, as there isn't much time left. This can create a subset of moderate shippers, who aren't bothered so much at being unfulfilled as it being done in a silly manner.
So, the writers tend to quickly whip up some contrivances to deal with this. Given the romantic resolution occurs late in the series, this has to be applied rather quickly, as there isn't much time left. This can create a subset of moderate shippers, who aren't bothered so much at being unfulfilled as it being done in a silly manner.
Line 17: Line 17:
* Going insane (or flatout evil) or [[Derailing Love Interests|turning out to be a jerk]], so they are no longer worthy of Alice's love.
* Going insane (or flatout evil) or [[Derailing Love Interests|turning out to be a jerk]], so they are no longer worthy of Alice's love.
* [[Death of the Hypotenuse|Getting killed off.]]
* [[Death of the Hypotenuse|Getting killed off.]]
* [[Twilight (Literature)|Eventually being paired off with Alice, Jr.]] (even if [[Dirty Old Man|aging would]] [[Dirty Old Woman|make that]] [[Sick and Wrong|rather creepy]].)
* [[Twilight (novel)|Eventually being paired off with Alice, Jr.]] (even if [[Dirty Old Man|aging would]] [[Dirty Old Woman|make that]] [[Sick and Wrong|rather creepy]].)


Often the [[Bait and Switch Lesbians|fate]] of [[Schoolgirl Lesbians]]. As a type of [[Die for Our Ship|backlash]], sympathetic [[Fanfic]] will often get rid of the heterosexual competition in this fashion as well. Often the fate of the "second" father when [[First Father Wins]].
Often the [[Bait and Switch Lesbians|fate]] of [[Schoolgirl Lesbians]]. As a type of [[Die for Our Ship|backlash]], sympathetic [[Fanfic]] will often get rid of the heterosexual competition in this fashion as well. Often the fate of the "second" father when [[First Father Wins]].
Line 33: Line 33:
* ''[[Kimagure Orange Road]]'' had Character C rather quickly turned down once they got to the end, with her taking it bizarrely well that the main character lead her on for so long "in order to not hurt her feelings." A later [[OAV]] subverts this, however, and touches more on the emotional ramifications.'
* ''[[Kimagure Orange Road]]'' had Character C rather quickly turned down once they got to the end, with her taking it bizarrely well that the main character lead her on for so long "in order to not hurt her feelings." A later [[OAV]] subverts this, however, and touches more on the emotional ramifications.'
** To be fair to the main character though, he never really led her on (okay, he kinda did in the manga), he simply just never outright reject her. He does show signs and even push her away at times but [[The Glomp|Hikaru is not one to a hint]] even had the hints not been subtle.
** To be fair to the main character though, he never really led her on (okay, he kinda did in the manga), he simply just never outright reject her. He does show signs and even push her away at times but [[The Glomp|Hikaru is not one to a hint]] even had the hints not been subtle.
* In ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura (Manga)|Cardcaptor Sakura]]'', we find out that Syaoran's, and to some extent Sakura's, romantic feelings for Yukito were not simply crushes but in fact [[Loving a Shadow|caused by magical attraction]].
* In ''[[Cardcaptor Sakura]]'', we find out that Syaoran's, and to some extent Sakura's, romantic feelings for Yukito were not simply crushes but in fact [[Loving a Shadow|caused by magical attraction]].
** Tomoyo from the same series is the archetypal [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy]]-character. Unusual in that Tomoyo acknowledges Sakura is a little dense with subtly, and decides to explain more fully when they're older. It doesn't really come up again once Syaoran enters the picture; Tomoyo was both a [[Muggle]] and largely defined by her relation to Sakura, so it was a pretty serious [[Road Cone]].
** Tomoyo from the same series is the archetypal [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy]]-character. Unusual in that Tomoyo acknowledges Sakura is a little dense with subtly, and decides to explain more fully when they're older. It doesn't really come up again once Syaoran enters the picture; Tomoyo was both a [[Muggle]] and largely defined by her relation to Sakura, so it was a pretty serious [[Road Cone]].
*** Likewise Mei-Ling drops herself out of the race by annulling her engagement to Syaoran now that she sees he has found someone he loves more; this completes her promise she made to him when they were younger. As an aside, Mei-Ling tells Tomoyo later that night that she cannot hate Sakura for it as it is not her fault.
*** Likewise Mei-Ling drops herself out of the race by annulling her engagement to Syaoran now that she sees he has found someone he loves more; this completes her promise she made to him when they were younger. As an aside, Mei-Ling tells Tomoyo later that night that she cannot hate Sakura for it as it is not her fault.
* ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'' resolves the love triangle between Hikaru, Lantis and Eagle by nobly killing Eagle off. (Which does not occur in the manga, where Hikaru [[Tenchi Solution|does not feel a pressing need to choose just one]]...)
* ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'' resolves the love triangle between Hikaru, Lantis and Eagle by nobly killing Eagle off. (Which does not occur in the manga, where Hikaru [[Tenchi Solution|does not feel a pressing need to choose just one]]...)
* ''[[Shuffle]]'' does this ''twice'' to the main obstacle of the final pairing, both by having her [[Yandere|go nuts]], and then having a two-second implication that she falls in love with [[Schoolgirl Lesbians|another of the girls]] in the ending credits.
* ''[[Shuffle]]'' does this ''twice'' to the main obstacle of the final pairing, both by having her [[Yandere|go nuts]], and then having a two-second implication that she falls in love with [[Schoolgirl Lesbians|another of the girls]] in the ending credits.
* [[Schoolgirl Lesbians|Schoolgirl Lesbian]] Shizuru from ''[[Mai-HiME (Anime)|Mai-HiME]]'' has had two of these occur. In the [[Anime]] itself, she goes insane, though a combination of her popularity and the [[Reset Button]] nature of the ending save her in the end. The video game based on this, which is aimed at a different [[Demographics|demographic]], has her committing suicide if the [[Dating Sim|main character chooses to be]] with Natsuki.
* [[Schoolgirl Lesbians|Schoolgirl Lesbian]] Shizuru from ''[[Mai-HiME]]'' has had two of these occur. In the [[Anime]] itself, she goes insane, though a combination of her popularity and the [[Reset Button]] nature of the ending save her in the end. The video game based on this, which is aimed at a different [[Demographics|demographic]], has her committing suicide if the [[Dating Sim|main character chooses to be]] with Natsuki.
** In the [[Mai-HiME (Anime)|manga]], this is averted, as while Natsuki continues having feelings for Yuuichi after he has essentially chosen Mai, Shizuru does not go insane, kill herself, get together with anyone else or even seem affected at all by Natsuki's pursuit of Yuuichi.
** In the [[Mai-HiME|manga]], this is averted, as while Natsuki continues having feelings for Yuuichi after he has essentially chosen Mai, Shizuru does not go insane, kill herself, get together with anyone else or even seem affected at all by Natsuki's pursuit of Yuuichi.
* Subverted to an extreme in the ''[[Tenchi Muyo]] spinoff'', ''[[Tenchi Muyo GXP|Tenchi Muyo! GXP]]''. {{spoiler|Seina marries his entire harem. ''[[Tenchi Solution|All of them.]]'' Even his ship's cute [[Spaceship Girl|animal avatar]]. This also includes the [[Trickster Mentor]]'s [[Girl Posse]], who suddenly arranged to get [[Shotgun Wedding|shotgun themselves into the wedding]],}} not entirely for [[The Mole|ulterior motives]].
* Subverted to an extreme in the ''[[Tenchi Muyo!]] spinoff'', ''[[Tenchi Muyo! GXP]]''. {{spoiler|Seina marries his entire harem. ''[[Tenchi Solution|All of them.]]'' Even his ship's cute [[Spaceship Girl|animal avatar]]. This also includes the [[Trickster Mentor]]'s [[Girl Posse]], who suddenly arranged to get [[Shotgun Wedding|shotgun themselves into the wedding]],}} not entirely for [[The Mole|ulterior motives]].
* In the last episode of ''[[Speed Grapher]]'', {{spoiler|Ginza's long-time obsessive crush on Saiga}} is abruptly pushed aside by a sudden change of heart, after she {{spoiler|hears him tell Kagura that he loves her.}} Later, we hear other characters saying how surprising it was that she decided to {{spoiler|hook up with Ryougoku, another character on the show whom she hardly knew--presumably so that Saiga and Kagura can be happy together}} after Kagura comes back.
* In the last episode of ''[[Speed Grapher]]'', {{spoiler|Ginza's long-time obsessive crush on Saiga}} is abruptly pushed aside by a sudden change of heart, after she {{spoiler|hears him tell Kagura that he loves her.}} Later, we hear other characters saying how surprising it was that she decided to {{spoiler|hook up with Ryougoku, another character on the show whom she hardly knew--presumably so that Saiga and Kagura can be happy together}} after Kagura comes back.
* And then there's ''[[Fruits Basket]]'' where it turns out that {{spoiler|Yuki wasn't really in love with Tohru, [[Loving a Shadow|he has been only looking for his mother in her]]; then he is quickly paired off with another girl.}} Seeing that this happened after fourteen volumes of pining and even a confession of love, many fans found it less than convincing, and many people regard it as only an excuse {{spoiler|to get rid of Yuki so Tohru and Kyo can be together.}}
* And then there's ''[[Fruits Basket]]'' where it turns out that {{spoiler|Yuki wasn't really in love with Tohru, [[Loving a Shadow|he has been only looking for his mother in her]]; then he is quickly paired off with another girl.}} Seeing that this happened after fourteen volumes of pining and even a confession of love, many fans found it less than convincing, and many people regard it as only an excuse {{spoiler|to get rid of Yuki so Tohru and Kyo can be together.}}
Line 53: Line 53:
* The [[Love Triangle]] in ''[[Inuyasha]]'' is resolved for good when Kikyo dies and her soul ascends to heaven, enabling Inuyasha to finally get over her and focus on Kagome.
* The [[Love Triangle]] in ''[[Inuyasha]]'' is resolved for good when Kikyo dies and her soul ascends to heaven, enabling Inuyasha to finally get over her and focus on Kagome.
** Don't forget [[The Rival|Koga]] finally leaving Kagome alone in the same book as well.
** Don't forget [[The Rival|Koga]] finally leaving Kagome alone in the same book as well.
* The [[Love Dodecahedron]] of ''[[FAKE (Manga)|FAKE]]'' is sorted out in the epilogue "Like Like Love". First, there's the obvious flagship couple of [[Boys Love|Dee and Ryo]]. Bikky and Carol's relationship is solidified (we get to see them talking about college). Berkeley finally realizes how important [[Victorious Childhood Friend|Diana]] is to him. Finally, JJ is paired off with his partner Drake as consolation for his one-sided crush on Dee. These pairings seem to be sticking in the second season, but a new [[Love Dodecahedron]] is promised to form as new characters enter.
* The [[Love Dodecahedron]] of ''[[FAKE]]'' is sorted out in the epilogue "Like Like Love". First, there's the obvious flagship couple of [[Boys Love|Dee and Ryo]]. Bikky and Carol's relationship is solidified (we get to see them talking about college). Berkeley finally realizes how important [[Victorious Childhood Friend|Diana]] is to him. Finally, JJ is paired off with his partner Drake as consolation for his one-sided crush on Dee. These pairings seem to be sticking in the second season, but a new [[Love Dodecahedron]] is promised to form as new characters enter.
* The extremely melodramatic love triangle in the ''[[Kashimashi Girl Meets Girl]]'' anime gets resolved when Hazumu finally chooses {{spoiler|Yasuna over Tomari - even though she is the girl who turned ''her'' down first when she still was a boy. This doesn't bode well for their relationship and Yasuna decides to break Hazumu's heart ''again'' by dumping her several months later - which enables Hazumu to go after Tomari in the [[OVA]] meant to "fix" the earlier [[Gecko Ending]]. With Yasuna helping things along (and remaining friends with the couple), of course.}}
* The extremely melodramatic love triangle in the ''[[Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl]]'' anime gets resolved when Hazumu finally chooses {{spoiler|Yasuna over Tomari - even though she is the girl who turned ''her'' down first when she still was a boy. This doesn't bode well for their relationship and Yasuna decides to break Hazumu's heart ''again'' by dumping her several months later - which enables Hazumu to go after Tomari in the [[OVA]] meant to "fix" the earlier [[Gecko Ending]]. With Yasuna helping things along (and remaining friends with the couple), of course.}}
** It should be noted that {{spoiler|Yasuna originally rejected Hazumu not because of any of Hazumu's qualities that carried over through the change, but simply because Hazumu was, at the time, a boy, which, due to her odd affliction, made things a no-go. The later breakup was unrelated.}}
** It should be noted that {{spoiler|Yasuna originally rejected Hazumu not because of any of Hazumu's qualities that carried over through the change, but simply because Hazumu was, at the time, a boy, which, due to her odd affliction, made things a no-go. The later breakup was unrelated.}}
** Also, it was rather less complicated in the manga, where {{spoiler|Hazumu chose Tomari from the start, because she was the one who didn't hesitate to save Hazumu's life. Not to mention that she loved him/her in both genders, choosing to change her own sexuality just to be with Hazumu.}}
** Also, it was rather less complicated in the manga, where {{spoiler|Hazumu chose Tomari from the start, because she was the one who didn't hesitate to save Hazumu's life. Not to mention that she loved him/her in both genders, choosing to change her own sexuality just to be with Hazumu.}}
* Creed from the ''[[Black Cat (Manga)|Black Cat]]'' anime, after realizing that Train will never return his feelings ([[Asexuality|or anyone else's, for that matter]]), does a [[Heel Face Turn]] and ends up with [[Love Martyr|Echidna]].This never happens in the manga.
* Creed from the ''[[Black Cat (manga)|Black Cat]]'' anime, after realizing that Train will never return his feelings ([[Asexuality|or anyone else's, for that matter]]), does a [[Heel Face Turn]] and ends up with [[Love Martyr|Echidna]].This never happens in the manga.
* The way '' [[Toradora (Light Novel)|Toradora]]'' was going to end was ''incredibly'' obvious, but they took such a long time getting there that while Taiga was believable enough, Ryuuji just seemed to randomly {{spoiler|decide he loved her and wanted to elope, after spending practically the whole series pining for Minori}}. Where did THAT come from?
* The way '' [[Toradora!]]'' was going to end was ''incredibly'' obvious, but they took such a long time getting there that while Taiga was believable enough, Ryuuji just seemed to randomly {{spoiler|decide he loved her and wanted to elope, after spending practically the whole series pining for Minori}}. Where did THAT come from?
** There is at least a bit more foreshadowing in both the manga and the light novel, since they let you in on Ryuuji's thought process. He is always thinking about {{spoiler|Taiga and how pretty she is}}, among other things.
** There is at least a bit more foreshadowing in both the manga and the light novel, since they let you in on Ryuuji's thought process. He is always thinking about {{spoiler|Taiga and how pretty she is}}, among other things.
* [[Yaoi]] mangas that put the main pairing into a love triangle will sometimes give the loser his own chapter or manga that shows him finding love.
* [[Yaoi]] mangas that put the main pairing into a love triangle will sometimes give the loser his own chapter or manga that shows him finding love.
* Seems to be happening in the last two volumes of ''[[Ai Kora (Manga)|Ai Kora]]'', with {{spoiler|Tsubame finding a boyfriend, Ayame developing feelings for Haiji, and Kirino becoming an idol singer and moving out of the dorm, with the final volume dedicated to untangling the [[Love Triangle]] involving Maeda, Sakurako, and Yukari.}}
* Seems to be happening in the last two volumes of ''[[Ai Kora]]'', with {{spoiler|Tsubame finding a boyfriend, Ayame developing feelings for Haiji, and Kirino becoming an idol singer and moving out of the dorm, with the final volume dedicated to untangling the [[Love Triangle]] involving Maeda, Sakurako, and Yukari.}}
** {{spoiler|Avoided at the end. Except for Tsubame, the girls never gave up on him, and somehow Maeda gathered an even bigger harem with girls all over the world.}}
** {{spoiler|Avoided at the end. Except for Tsubame, the girls never gave up on him, and somehow Maeda gathered an even bigger harem with girls all over the world.}}




== Fan Fiction ==
== Fan Fiction ==
* In [[White Devil of the Moon (Fanfic)|White Devil of the Moon]], after {{spoiler|Nanoha and Fate get together}}, in an omake, it is implied that {{spoiler|Sailor Mars}} sees this as the perfect opportunity to get together with {{spoiler|Mamoru/Endymion}}, with the main romantic rival removed.
* In [[White Devil of the Moon]], after {{spoiler|Nanoha and Fate get together}}, in an omake, it is implied that {{spoiler|Sailor Mars}} sees this as the perfect opportunity to get together with {{spoiler|Mamoru/Endymion}}, with the main romantic rival removed.




== Film ==
== Film ==
* An [[Egregious]] use of the trope was in the film ''[[Pretty in Pink (Film)|Pretty in Pink]]''. Originally the heroine was supposed to end up romantically with her offbeat platonic buddy, but the test audiences insisted that she end up in the arms of the superficial rich pretty-boy instead. Thus was the [[Revised Ending|ending of the film changed]], with poor old Ducky going for some girl who merely winks at him from the dance floor, despite his stalker-like fixation with the heroine throughout the entire damn film. It's speculated that this is why the writer created the film ''[[Some Kind of Wonderful]]'' the next year with the exact same story (save for the genders switched) with the "original" ending.
* An [[Egregious]] use of the trope was in the film ''[[Pretty in Pink]]''. Originally the heroine was supposed to end up romantically with her offbeat platonic buddy, but the test audiences insisted that she end up in the arms of the superficial rich pretty-boy instead. Thus was the [[Revised Ending|ending of the film changed]], with poor old Ducky going for some girl who merely winks at him from the dance floor, despite his stalker-like fixation with the heroine throughout the entire damn film. It's speculated that this is why the writer created the film ''[[Some Kind of Wonderful]]'' the next year with the exact same story (save for the genders switched) with the "original" ending.
** The ending was changed because the test audiences pointed out that the original ending creates a hell of a [[Broken Aesop]] about not crossing class lines. Ducky going with another girl at a single dance just showed that he was able to move on (contrasting with the girl's father, who let his life fall apart because he never did).
** The ending was changed because the test audiences pointed out that the original ending creates a hell of a [[Broken Aesop]] about not crossing class lines. Ducky going with another girl at a single dance just showed that he was able to move on (contrasting with the girl's father, who let his life fall apart because he never did).
* The deleted scenes on the [[Limited Special Collectors Ultimate Edition|Special Edition DVDs]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Return of the King]]'' pair Eowyn, who couldn't win Aragorn from Arwen, with Faramir. Granted, this was in the books, but the films emphasized the [[Love Triangle]] far more, making the trope more obvious as a side effect.
* The deleted scenes on the [[Limited Special Collectors Ultimate Edition|Special Edition DVDs]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Return of the King]]'' pair Eowyn, who couldn't win Aragorn from Arwen, with Faramir. Granted, this was in the books, but the films emphasized the [[Love Triangle]] far more, making the trope more obvious as a side effect.
Line 82: Line 82:
* A major subplot in ''[[Alexander Nevsky]]'' has two warriors, [[Sensitive Guy and Manly Man|Gavrilo and Vassili]], as rivals for the hand of [[Proper Lady|Olga Danilova]], declaring that whoever is bravest in battle will win her. It ends with Vasili yielding place to Gavrilo, as he has fallen hard for [[Action Girl|Vasilissa of Pskov]] (Vasili claims that ''she'' was the bravest of all, and Gavrilo was second).
* A major subplot in ''[[Alexander Nevsky]]'' has two warriors, [[Sensitive Guy and Manly Man|Gavrilo and Vassili]], as rivals for the hand of [[Proper Lady|Olga Danilova]], declaring that whoever is bravest in battle will win her. It ends with Vasili yielding place to Gavrilo, as he has fallen hard for [[Action Girl|Vasilissa of Pskov]] (Vasili claims that ''she'' was the bravest of all, and Gavrilo was second).
* After winningly declaring her independence from Henry Higgins, Eliza Doolittle in ''[[My Fair Lady]]'' returns to Higgins after all give the audience a so called romantic happy ending, deviating from the source material, ''Pygmalion'', by [[George Bernard Shaw]], who strongly felt that the characters should not end up together.
* After winningly declaring her independence from Henry Higgins, Eliza Doolittle in ''[[My Fair Lady]]'' returns to Higgins after all give the audience a so called romantic happy ending, deviating from the source material, ''Pygmalion'', by [[George Bernard Shaw]], who strongly felt that the characters should not end up together.
* ''[[LA Story|L.A. Story]]''. Married man Harris K. Telemacher falls in love with a younger woman, but his loyalty to his wife prevents him from going any further. Luckily, he discovers that his wife is cheating on him with another man, so he can proceed with his new romance.
* ''[[L.A. Story]]''. Married man Harris K. Telemacher falls in love with a younger woman, but his loyalty to his wife prevents him from going any further. Luckily, he discovers that his wife is cheating on him with another man, so he can proceed with his new romance.
* Kelsi and Jason at the end of the first High School Musical movie: Kelsi, who seemed to have a bit of a crush on Troy, is randomly paired up with his only friend, (with actual lines,) Jason, that doesn't have a crush/girlfriend/whatever, despite the fact that they never interacted before in the movie and they have nothing in common.
* Kelsi and Jason at the end of the first High School Musical movie: Kelsi, who seemed to have a bit of a crush on Troy, is randomly paired up with his only friend, (with actual lines,) Jason, that doesn't have a crush/girlfriend/whatever, despite the fact that they never interacted before in the movie and they have nothing in common.
* [[Pair the Spares|Dan's brother and Dan's date]] in ''[[Dan in Real Life]]''
* [[Pair the Spares|Dan's brother and Dan's date]] in ''[[Dan in Real Life]]''
Line 91: Line 91:
== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' ends with the good guys rewarded, the "bad" guys punished, and everyone happily paired up... ''except Antonio, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek''. Antonio's constant devotion and implied love for Sebastian goes completely unacknowledged. At least one film version ends with him walking away from the castle all alone. And Aguecheek, well... despite being rather slow in the head, his ending is quite tragic, as he appears smitten with Olivia and, judging by his comment early on "I was adored once too", he's really not got any other existing prospects.
* [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' ends with the good guys rewarded, the "bad" guys punished, and everyone happily paired up... ''except Antonio, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek''. Antonio's constant devotion and implied love for Sebastian goes completely unacknowledged. At least one film version ends with him walking away from the castle all alone. And Aguecheek, well... despite being rather slow in the head, his ending is quite tragic, as he appears smitten with Olivia and, judging by his comment early on "I was adored once too", he's really not got any other existing prospects.
* ''[[A Midsummer Nights Dream]]'': The fairies repair the damage caused by the [[Love Potion]], and Demetrius sticks with Helena, whom he was "[[Have a Gay Old Time|making love to]]" before his [[Arranged Marriage]] to Hermia. There is the question, of course, if Demetrius would still have loved Hermia if it hadn't been for the love juice. Couple this with the fact he was threatening to rape Helena in the woods near the beginning of the play, and it does not bode well. Then again, knowing Will, he probably ''cultivated'' the implications.
* ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'': The fairies repair the damage caused by the [[Love Potion]], and Demetrius sticks with Helena, whom he was "[[Have a Gay Old Time|making love to]]" before his [[Arranged Marriage]] to Hermia. There is the question, of course, if Demetrius would still have loved Hermia if it hadn't been for the love juice. Couple this with the fact he was threatening to rape Helena in the woods near the beginning of the play, and it does not bode well. Then again, knowing Will, he probably ''cultivated'' the implications.
* Can't forget ''As You Like It''. ''Four'' weddings at the end.
* Can't forget ''As You Like It''. ''Four'' weddings at the end.
* ''The Merchant of Venice''. After Bassanio successfully courts and marries the wealthy Portia, his friend Gratiano and Portia's handmaid Nerissa also decide to marry each other, apparently for the hell of it.
* ''The Merchant of Venice''. After Bassanio successfully courts and marries the wealthy Portia, his friend Gratiano and Portia's handmaid Nerissa also decide to marry each other, apparently for the hell of it.
* ''[[1632]]'' does this on a regular basis. The first book started off at the wedding reception of Tom Simpson and Rita Stearns. Then, Gretchen Richter and Jeff Higgins get married, followed by Mike Stearns and Rebecca Abrabanel, with Julie Sims and Alex Mackay at the end. 1634: The Galileo Affair ended in the marriage of Frank Stone and Giovanna Marcoli and the engagement of Sharon Nichols to Ruy Sanchez de Casador y Ortiz.
* ''[[1632]]'' does this on a regular basis. The first book started off at the wedding reception of Tom Simpson and Rita Stearns. Then, Gretchen Richter and Jeff Higgins get married, followed by Mike Stearns and Rebecca Abrabanel, with Julie Sims and Alex Mackay at the end. 1634: The Galileo Affair ended in the marriage of Frank Stone and Giovanna Marcoli and the engagement of Sharon Nichols to Ruy Sanchez de Casador y Ortiz.
* The romantic "tension" in the ''[[Twilight (Literature)|Twilight]]'' series between [[Our Vampires Are Different|Edward]], Bella, and [[Our Werewolves Are Different|Jacob]] is resolved when {{spoiler|Bella marries Edward, and Jacob "imprints" (the werewolf version of discovering a soulmate) on Bella and Edward's [[Squick|newborn daughter Renesmee]]. It's okay because while Renesmee's going to [[Younger Than They Look|appear 17 when she's 7]], mentally she'll be an adult.}} All together now: [[Squick|Ewwwwwwwww...]].
* The romantic "tension" in the ''[[Twilight (novel)|Twilight]]'' series between [[Our Vampires Are Different|Edward]], Bella, and [[Our Werewolves Are Different|Jacob]] is resolved when {{spoiler|Bella marries Edward, and Jacob "imprints" (the werewolf version of discovering a soulmate) on Bella and Edward's [[Squick|newborn daughter Renesmee]]. It's okay because while Renesmee's going to [[Younger Than They Look|appear 17 when she's 7]], mentally she'll be an adult.}} All together now: [[Squick|Ewwwwwwwww...]].
** Additionally, ''Breaking Dawn'' also sees Kate and Garret hooking up with only a few sentences of them spending time together and implies that {{spoiler|Charlie and Sue}} are in the process of hooking up (after, erm...{{spoiler|Sue cooks meals for Charlie, it seems}}). In the first story, Bella casually plays matchmaker for her friends, with no real mention of how well the friends get along before that. In fact, almost all of the protagonists are hooked up with someone, and the characters who are meant to be unsympathetic are [[Unfortunate Implications|left single.]]
** Additionally, ''Breaking Dawn'' also sees Kate and Garret hooking up with only a few sentences of them spending time together and implies that {{spoiler|Charlie and Sue}} are in the process of hooking up (after, erm...{{spoiler|Sue cooks meals for Charlie, it seems}}). In the first story, Bella casually plays matchmaker for her friends, with no real mention of how well the friends get along before that. In fact, almost all of the protagonists are hooked up with someone, and the characters who are meant to be unsympathetic are [[Unfortunate Implications|left single.]]
* This is done rather wonderfully in ''[[Stardust (Literature)|Stardust]]'' where Tristran gets home, finds the girl he went on the adventure for in the first place {{spoiler|wants to marry someone else}} and promptly informs her his heart's desire is for her {{spoiler|to have the happiest marriage anyone ever had}} before going to find his star.
* This is done rather wonderfully in ''[[Stardust (novel)|Stardust]]'' where Tristran gets home, finds the girl he went on the adventure for in the first place {{spoiler|wants to marry someone else}} and promptly informs her his heart's desire is for her {{spoiler|to have the happiest marriage anyone ever had}} before going to find his star.
* Ken Follett's two Kingsbridge historical fiction novels both feature a main couple (Jack and Aliena and ''The Pillars of the Earth'', Merthin and Caris in ''World Without End'') who, for various plot contrivances, can't be together in a practical and/or legal (it's 12th or 14th century England) sense for very extended periods of time. As a result, various stopgap love interests are employed, but have to be disposed of when it's time for the main couple to possibly have a shot (which, particularly in ''World Without End'', happens several times before they actually succeed). For example, after Caris is forced into becoming a nun, Merthin leaves for Florence, marries, and has a daughter; then the Black Death kills his wife, and he returns to England, has an affair with a barmaid, who ''also'' dies of the Black Death, gets back together with Caris for a while, but circumstances force another breakup, and he has an affair with Lady Philippa, his brother's wife (loveless forced marriage), but Philippa gets pregnant by him and has to pretend the child is his brother's, and her departure coincides with Caris finally getting out of the nunnery.
* Ken Follett's two Kingsbridge historical fiction novels both feature a main couple (Jack and Aliena and ''The Pillars of the Earth'', Merthin and Caris in ''World Without End'') who, for various plot contrivances, can't be together in a practical and/or legal (it's 12th or 14th century England) sense for very extended periods of time. As a result, various stopgap love interests are employed, but have to be disposed of when it's time for the main couple to possibly have a shot (which, particularly in ''World Without End'', happens several times before they actually succeed). For example, after Caris is forced into becoming a nun, Merthin leaves for Florence, marries, and has a daughter; then the Black Death kills his wife, and he returns to England, has an affair with a barmaid, who ''also'' dies of the Black Death, gets back together with Caris for a while, but circumstances force another breakup, and he has an affair with Lady Philippa, his brother's wife (loveless forced marriage), but Philippa gets pregnant by him and has to pretend the child is his brother's, and her departure coincides with Caris finally getting out of the nunnery.
** Also seen in Follett's ''A Dangerous Fortune'', where [[Romantic False Lead]] Nora [[Took a Level In Jerkass|takes a rather severe level in jerkass]] after her husband Hugh loses his fortune (though he's still comfortably middle class), abandoning him and their three kids. There was a bit of foreshadowing of this as Hugh's true love interest Maisie was suspicious from the start that she was a heartless golddigger, but it's still pretty jarring as there was a period where we were meant to sympathize with her being manipulated into causing a scene at a high society party, and root for her fixing the problem it caused.
** Also seen in Follett's ''A Dangerous Fortune'', where [[Romantic False Lead]] Nora [[Took a Level In Jerkass|takes a rather severe level in jerkass]] after her husband Hugh loses his fortune (though he's still comfortably middle class), abandoning him and their three kids. There was a bit of foreshadowing of this as Hugh's true love interest Maisie was suspicious from the start that she was a heartless golddigger, but it's still pretty jarring as there was a period where we were meant to sympathize with her being manipulated into causing a scene at a high society party, and root for her fixing the problem it caused.
Line 109: Line 109:
** Perhaps the most obvious ''[[Friends]]'' example of this trope: Ross's wedding to Emily. "I, Ross, take thee Rachel..."
** Perhaps the most obvious ''[[Friends]]'' example of this trope: Ross's wedding to Emily. "I, Ross, take thee Rachel..."
* ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'' has Jess becoming a good boy, trying to rekindle his relationship with Rory but finally accepting she's in love with somebody else. It also has Christopher being OK with not being Lorelai's soulmate (after a lot of frustration over it).
* ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'' has Jess becoming a good boy, trying to rekindle his relationship with Rory but finally accepting she's in love with somebody else. It also has Christopher being OK with not being Lorelai's soulmate (after a lot of frustration over it).
* The last few seasons of ''[[Star Trek the Next Generation]]'' gradually allowed the [[Official Couple]] Riker and Troi to drift apart, even having Troi date Worf with Riker's approval. Later appearances by Worf never acknowledged this plot arc, and Riker and Troi were married in one of [[The Movie]] sequels. Exactly how they patched things up is left to the viewer.
* The last few seasons of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' gradually allowed the [[Official Couple]] Riker and Troi to drift apart, even having Troi date Worf with Riker's approval. Later appearances by Worf never acknowledged this plot arc, and Riker and Troi were married in one of [[The Movie]] sequels. Exactly how they patched things up is left to the viewer.
** Non-Canon explanation: Peter David's [[Fix Fic]] ''Triangle: Imzadi II''. Let's just say it involved Lwaxana Troi, Thomas Riker, and Sela, and leave it at that.
** Non-Canon explanation: Peter David's [[Fix Fic]] ''Triangle: Imzadi II''. Let's just say it involved Lwaxana Troi, Thomas Riker, and Sela, and leave it at that.
** A deleted scene has Worf hung over on Romulan Ale. General consensus and possibly [[Word of God]] says it's because of this. Nevermind that Worf married another woman on another show.
** A deleted scene has Worf hung over on Romulan Ale. General consensus and possibly [[Word of God]] says it's because of this. Nevermind that Worf married another woman on another show.
Line 124: Line 124:


== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* ''[[El Goonish Shive (Webcomic)|El Goonish Shive]]'' avoids making a mess of this pretty nicely, with romantic loose ends cleaned up pretty much right after they appear early on (Nanase dumps Elliot, and Justin doesn't have a chance because he's a gay guy with a crush on a straight guy), but in ways that leave open potential for character development later on. (In one strip, Justin looks at Elliot's girlfriend Sarah and thinks, [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy|"How dare you be someone I can't dislike?"]])
* ''[[El Goonish Shive]]'' avoids making a mess of this pretty nicely, with romantic loose ends cleaned up pretty much right after they appear early on (Nanase dumps Elliot, and Justin doesn't have a chance because he's a gay guy with a crush on a straight guy), but in ways that leave open potential for character development later on. (In one strip, Justin looks at Elliot's girlfriend Sarah and thinks, [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy|"How dare you be someone I can't dislike?"]])
** Nanase's part in this gets a very interesting solution: {{spoiler|Justin suspected Nanase was a lesbian, and Nanase finds out he's right when Elliot's [[Cloning Blues|extremely-similar female copy]], Ellen, is brought into play.}}
** Nanase's part in this gets a very interesting solution: {{spoiler|Justin suspected Nanase was a lesbian, and Nanase finds out he's right when Elliot's [[Cloning Blues|extremely-similar female copy]], Ellen, is brought into play.}}
* ''[[Megatokyo (Webcomic)|Megatokyo]]'''s Yutaka Kobayashi seems to serve little purpose other than a potential love interest for Yuki, whose crush on Piro has negative zero chance of resulting in anything.
* ''[[Megatokyo]]'''s Yutaka Kobayashi seems to serve little purpose other than a potential love interest for Yuki, whose crush on Piro has negative zero chance of resulting in anything.
** Well, he's also [[Genre Savvy]] enough to serve as [[Mission Control]] for Yuki. At least ''he'' can recognize {{spoiler|the symptoms of zombie infection}}.
** Well, he's also [[Genre Savvy]] enough to serve as [[Mission Control]] for Yuki. At least ''he'' can recognize {{spoiler|the symptoms of zombie infection}}.
** Yuki also seemed on her way to getting over her crush on Piro anyway.
** Yuki also seemed on her way to getting over her crush on Piro anyway.
* ''[[Fans|Fans!]]'' had a unique resolution to the Rikk/Alisin/Rumy triangle, after Rumy's attempts at [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy]] didn't take: {{spoiler|[[Tenchi Solution|consensual polyamory]]. Lucky Rikk.}}
* ''[[Fans]]'' had a unique resolution to the Rikk/Alisin/Rumy triangle, after Rumy's attempts at [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy]] didn't take: {{spoiler|[[Tenchi Solution|consensual polyamory]]. Lucky Rikk.}}
* ''[[Tales of the Questor]]'' had a different take on it when it is revealed that Quentyn's close friend, Kestrel, has a romantic interest in him, but decides not to reveal it. Since the strongest moment of temptation to do so is on the night before he left on his grand quest and de facto probable permanent exile outside the Raccoonan lands, she felt that it was too cruel to give him yet another thing to sacrifice and keeps the true depth of her feelings to herself. However, it doesn't end too badly since Quentyn, although unaware of Kestrel's feelings, insists that she join him for a dance at the harvest festival and they both have one last merry time together under the circumstances.
* ''[[Tales of the Questor]]'' had a different take on it when it is revealed that Quentyn's close friend, Kestrel, has a romantic interest in him, but decides not to reveal it. Since the strongest moment of temptation to do so is on the night before he left on his grand quest and de facto probable permanent exile outside the Raccoonan lands, she felt that it was too cruel to give him yet another thing to sacrifice and keeps the true depth of her feelings to herself. However, it doesn't end too badly since Quentyn, although unaware of Kestrel's feelings, insists that she join him for a dance at the harvest festival and they both have one last merry time together under the circumstances.




== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
* Fans of [[Golden Sun (Video Game)|Golden Sun]] have to wait until the 3rd game to confirm the romantic relationship between Isaac and Jenna.
* Fans of [[Golden Sun]] have to wait until the 3rd game to confirm the romantic relationship between Isaac and Jenna.
** [[Golden Sun Dark Dawn|Not anymore...]]
** [[Golden Sun Dark Dawn|Not anymore...]]
* In [[Final Fantasy II]], Scott tells Firion and friends to not tell Hilda about his death, as she deserves to fall in love again.
* In [[Final Fantasy II]], Scott tells Firion and friends to not tell Hilda about his death, as she deserves to fall in love again.
Line 146: Line 146:
** In The Beast With A Billion Backs, Fry dates a {{spoiler|polygamist, the [[Naughty Tentacles|tentacle monster]] Yivo dates the whole universe, and in the end, Yivo and the polygamist find what they really wanted in each other. (Also herpes)}}
** In The Beast With A Billion Backs, Fry dates a {{spoiler|polygamist, the [[Naughty Tentacles|tentacle monster]] Yivo dates the whole universe, and in the end, Yivo and the polygamist find what they really wanted in each other. (Also herpes)}}
** Into the Wild Green Yonder may be this trope, as a very minor Fry/Leela subplot {{spoiler|provides fodder for the last scene when Fry and Leela declare their love for each other, to each other. Then they ride off into a <s> [[Sequel Hook]]</s> wormhole holding hands and sharing a kiss.}}
** Into the Wild Green Yonder may be this trope, as a very minor Fry/Leela subplot {{spoiler|provides fodder for the last scene when Fry and Leela declare their love for each other, to each other. Then they ride off into a <s> [[Sequel Hook]]</s> wormhole holding hands and sharing a kiss.}}
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go]]'' had this in a way. {{spoiler|It was clear in the series that Otto had a crush on Nova, but Nova ends up confessing feelings for Sprx in the finale. Unfortunately, since the show was left on a [[Cliff Hanger]], there's no way to know if Otto had any issues after this. Fan's thoughts on this issue are mixed [[Ho Yay|(though, there were others who kept their ships just fine)]].}}
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!]]'' had this in a way. {{spoiler|It was clear in the series that Otto had a crush on Nova, but Nova ends up confessing feelings for Sprx in the finale. Unfortunately, since the show was left on a [[Cliff Hanger]], there's no way to know if Otto had any issues after this. Fan's thoughts on this issue are mixed [[Ho Yay|(though, there were others who kept their ships just fine)]].}}
* In ''[[Gargoyles (Animation)|Gargoyles]]'', Brooklyn is the series' romantic [[Butt Monkey]], falling for multiple femmes and being brushed off by all of them. Creator Greg Weisman intends to finally fix that in the official comic book continuation where Brooklyn is whisked away for a 40 year journey where he finds his true love and raises a family before they all return to his clan at a time that is five minutes after the moment he disappeared. That journey was originally supposed to be depicted in a [[Spin-Off]] series called ''Timedancer''. In addition, in the interim after the original TV series cancellation and before the SLG comic book continuation (which will touch bit on that plot shortly), plenty of Brooklyn fans who were [[Fanfic]] writers were happy to supply their own idea of the ideal true love for him.
* In ''[[Gargoyles]]'', Brooklyn is the series' romantic [[Butt Monkey]], falling for multiple femmes and being brushed off by all of them. Creator Greg Weisman intends to finally fix that in the official comic book continuation where Brooklyn is whisked away for a 40 year journey where he finds his true love and raises a family before they all return to his clan at a time that is five minutes after the moment he disappeared. That journey was originally supposed to be depicted in a [[Spin-Off]] series called ''Timedancer''. In addition, in the interim after the original TV series cancellation and before the SLG comic book continuation (which will touch bit on that plot shortly), plenty of Brooklyn fans who were [[Fanfic]] writers were happy to supply their own idea of the ideal true love for him.
* Played with hilariously in ''[[The Princess and The Frog]]''. Of course Tiana and Naveen fall in love and are married, but this leaves Charlotte as the only "good guy" who doesn't hook up with anyone or achieve her dream of meeting a prince. {{spoiler|In the final song of the movie, we see Charlotte dancing happily with Naveen's younger brother - who is six and half! While she shrugs and says "I waited this long", they technically don't hook up.}}
* Played with hilariously in ''[[The Princess and the Frog]]''. Of course Tiana and Naveen fall in love and are married, but this leaves Charlotte as the only "good guy" who doesn't hook up with anyone or achieve her dream of meeting a prince. {{spoiler|In the final song of the movie, we see Charlotte dancing happily with Naveen's younger brother - who is six and half! While she shrugs and says "I waited this long", they technically don't hook up.}}
** They should have brought back that Travis guy who was flirting with her at the first party.
** They should have brought back that Travis guy who was flirting with her at the first party.


Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Cleaning_Up_Romantic_Loose_Ends"