Idiot Plot/Western Animation: Difference between revisions

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** One of the worst specific example would be the episode where Timmy joins the circus. The entire circus plot would literally have not happened had Timmy not overheard his dad talking about him, or more correctly would have not happened had his dad decided to phrase his opinion in literally any way that wasn't basically "Timmy is a worthless little prick who should have been a girl and then I would be much much happier... [Timmy walks out of earshot, sad, to go make preparations to run away] ...'''is the exact opposite of how I really feel!'''"

* ''[[DCAU]]'':

** As awesome it was, it was not immune to Idiot Plots from time to time. One notable example is the ''[[Justice League]]'' episode "War World". Though closely adapted from a popular DC Comics storyline from the early 80s, "War World" is easily the weakest episode of the first season of ''[[Justice League]]'', in large part because of its flaming idiot plot. This [http://worldsfinestonline.com/WF/jl/episodes/warworld/ World's Finest] review says it best:

** As awesome it was, it was not immune to Idiot Plots from time to time. One notable example is the ''[[Justice League (animation)|Justice League]]'' episode "War World". Though closely adapted from a popular DC Comics storyline from the early 80s, "War World" is easily the weakest episode of the first season of ''[[Justice League (animation)|Justice League]]'', in large part because of its flaming idiot plot. This [http://worldsfinestonline.com/WF/jl/episodes/warworld/ World's Finest] review says it best:

{{quote|"Ebert defines an "idiot plot" as a plot that could be solved in 5 minutes if the characters did not act like idiots. We get this in the very first scene, when Superman, J'onn and Hawkgirl are trying to detonate an asteroid. Something goes wrong with the explosion and Supes and J'onn are left stranded in deep space. We never get a full explanation for what exactly went wrong and who was at fault, a sure sign that the writer, having made one of the heroes an idiot, is trying to avoid pinning the blame on anyone. But if this person had not screwed up, we wouldn't even have a story. Nor is this the only occasion when someone acts like an idiot: Why are GL and Hawkgirl gassed in part two? Because they're arguing like idiots. In the fights on War World, why doesn't Superman just fly away from Draaga? Because he's an idiot."}}

** And then there's the JLU episode "Clash", which relies entirely on Superman acting like an idiotic jerkass for the story to work. Heck, even Batman points out Supes is acting rashly and out of character and Superman ignores him.