They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot/Western Animation: Difference between revisions

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* ''[[Kappa Mikey]]'' had the brilliant idea of mixing a [[Western Animation]] American in a [[Anime]] and [[Animesque]] Japanese setting to create a unique [[Fish Out of Water]] story. The only problem? The show ''barely'' if any utilized any real [[Japanese Media Tropes]] or Western [[Animation Tropes]] that would've made it a unique blending of the two mediums. Any Anime related things were mainly for the [[Gag Series]], that eventually turned into a [[Gross-Out Show]], certainly not the [[Genre Busting]] concept it could've become.
* ''[[Kappa Mikey]]'' had the brilliant idea of mixing a [[Western Animation]] American in a [[Anime]] and [[Animesque]] Japanese setting to create a unique [[Fish Out of Water]] story. The only problem? The show ''barely'' if any utilized any real [[Japanese Media Tropes]] or Western [[Animation Tropes]] that would've made it a unique blending of the two mediums. Any Anime related things were mainly for the [[Gag Series]], that eventually turned into a [[Gross-Out Show]], certainly not the [[Genre Busting]] concept it could've become.
** Pretty much true of any anime parody ever. The gags--lips moving wrong, J-Pop, giant mecha--are always the same, often outdated, and represent a small sample of anime. It's not really "plot," but the point is, who is this for? People who don't like anime don't get it, and those who do have made these jokes a billion times over during Dragonball Z.
** Pretty much true of any anime parody ever. The gags--lips moving wrong, J-Pop, giant mecha--are always the same, often outdated, and represent a small sample of anime. It's not really "plot," but the point is, who is this for? People who don't like anime don't get it, and those who do have made these jokes a billion times over during Dragonball Z.
* ''[[Justice League (Animation)|Justice League Unlimited]]'' had a full season of shows building to a climactic confrontation between the Justice League and a revitalized Legion of Doom, led by a Lex Luthor who, it appeared would regain Brainiac and ascend to near godhood with a full army equal in power and numbers to the expanded Justice League... then, at the literal last second Darkseid is resurrected by his efforts, and the League and Legion have to team up to beat him back. Gripping stuff to be sure, but wouldn't have the expected DCAU [[Battle Royale With Cheese]] been awesome?
* ''[[Justice League (animation)|Justice League Unlimited]]'' had a full season of shows building to a climactic confrontation between the Justice League and a revitalized Legion of Doom, led by a Lex Luthor who, it appeared would regain Brainiac and ascend to near godhood with a full army equal in power and numbers to the expanded Justice League... then, at the literal last second Darkseid is resurrected by his efforts, and the League and Legion have to team up to beat him back. Gripping stuff to be sure, but wouldn't have the expected DCAU [[Battle Royale With Cheese]] been awesome?
** Likewise, the Cadmus story arc. For most the season, the tension between the Justice League and the United States Government (Cadmus) slowly but surely ramps up, threatening to explode into full scale war and raising serious ethical questions on whether an independent organization staffed by an army of superpowered individuals could be trusted in dictating world security. Turns out, it was all just one massive [[Xanatos Gambit]] by Brainiac. He rebuild himself by playing the League and Cadmus against each other. He would have succeeded to some degree no matter who won. The threat he posed prompted the Justice League and Cadmus to team up and defeat him.
** Likewise, the Cadmus story arc. For most the season, the tension between the Justice League and the United States Government (Cadmus) slowly but surely ramps up, threatening to explode into full scale war and raising serious ethical questions on whether an independent organization staffed by an army of superpowered individuals could be trusted in dictating world security. Turns out, it was all just one massive [[Xanatos Gambit]] by Brainiac. He rebuild himself by playing the League and Cadmus against each other. He would have succeeded to some degree no matter who won. The threat he posed prompted the Justice League and Cadmus to team up and defeat him.
** Arguably, since those ethical questions were raised and addressed (to a degree), it could be said that the plot wasn't so much wasted, as it simply could have gone in another direction.
** Arguably, since those ethical questions were raised and addressed (to a degree), it could be said that the plot wasn't so much wasted, as it simply could have gone in another direction.
* ''Transformers: [[Beast Wars (Animation)|Beast Wars]]'' hints at an impressive new civilization on Cybertron, a near-golden age marred only by political infighting between the Maximals and Predacons, the renamed Autobots and Decepticons. Then comes the sequel series, ''Transformers: [[Beast Machines (Animation)|Beast Machines]]'', which turns Cybertron into an empty wasteland and contradicts most of the Transformer milieu that came before by introducing a [[Flesh Versus Steel]] ecological theme: Cybertron secretly has a gooey organic center, and the Maximals have to embrace their inner animals to defeat the wants-to-be-technological-only Megatron.
* ''Transformers: [[Beast Wars]]'' hints at an impressive new civilization on Cybertron, a near-golden age marred only by political infighting between the Maximals and Predacons, the renamed Autobots and Decepticons. Then comes the sequel series, ''Transformers: [[Beast Machines]]'', which turns Cybertron into an empty wasteland and contradicts most of the Transformer milieu that came before by introducing a [[Flesh Versus Steel]] ecological theme: Cybertron secretly has a gooey organic center, and the Maximals have to embrace their inner animals to defeat the wants-to-be-technological-only Megatron.
** It gets worse when you stop to consider the little snippets of horror behind this "Brand New Cybertron", from the alleged corruption of the Maximal High Council to the secret schemes and origins of Tarantulas and the Tripredacus Council, are only glimpsed at and not elaborated on at any length, leaving a ''lot'' of intriguing history undiscovered.
** It gets worse when you stop to consider the little snippets of horror behind this "Brand New Cybertron", from the alleged corruption of the Maximal High Council to the secret schemes and origins of Tarantulas and the Tripredacus Council, are only glimpsed at and not elaborated on at any length, leaving a ''lot'' of intriguing history undiscovered.
* In ''[[Transformers Armada]]'', one particular episode comes to mind. The Autobots had just managed to eke out a victory over the Decepticons regarding a trio of Minicons that combined to form a particularly devastating weapon. They could easily end the Cybertron war by using them, they realize. The problem is that the Minicons want nothing to do with the war, and prefer to be left alone. As the Autobots argue the moral dilemma against each other, the human members of the cast reach their own decision. They side with the Minicons, abandon the Autobots, and help them escape from the base to safety. While this works at first, eventually they are tracked down by a Decepticon, and they realize the danger of not being protected by the Autobots. This could have become a great plotline. Unfortunately, it is considered one of the worst episodes of the series. Reasons are numerous, including the show's insistence that the Autobots must always be the good guys, the fandom's [[Creator's Pet|hatred of the kids]], a [[Paper-Thin Disguise]] scene that is considerably more painful than amusing, and the whole thing being resolved by a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment from Optimus Prime that solidified the argument that the kids were morons for not having perfect faith in the heroes of the show.
* In ''[[Transformers Armada]]'', one particular episode comes to mind. The Autobots had just managed to eke out a victory over the Decepticons regarding a trio of Minicons that combined to form a particularly devastating weapon. They could easily end the Cybertron war by using them, they realize. The problem is that the Minicons want nothing to do with the war, and prefer to be left alone. As the Autobots argue the moral dilemma against each other, the human members of the cast reach their own decision. They side with the Minicons, abandon the Autobots, and help them escape from the base to safety. While this works at first, eventually they are tracked down by a Decepticon, and they realize the danger of not being protected by the Autobots. This could have become a great plotline. Unfortunately, it is considered one of the worst episodes of the series. Reasons are numerous, including the show's insistence that the Autobots must always be the good guys, the fandom's [[Creator's Pet|hatred of the kids]], a [[Paper-Thin Disguise]] scene that is considerably more painful than amusing, and the whole thing being resolved by a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment from Optimus Prime that solidified the argument that the kids were morons for not having perfect faith in the heroes of the show.
** Not to mention the ''master tactician'' being thwarted by a series of trips and traps more suited to ''Home Alone''. Then again, Thrust's [[Plot Induced Stupidity]] was legendary in this show.
** Not to mention the ''master tactician'' being thwarted by a series of trips and traps more suited to ''Home Alone''. Then again, Thrust's [[Plot Induced Stupidity]] was legendary in this show.
* One of the more universally reviled episodes of ''[[Animaniacs (Animation)|Animaniacs]]'' is "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock", a full episode featuring Slappy and Skippy. The premise: Slappy goes insane, Skippy is eventually taken away to a foster home, Slappy needs to get back. Again, many figure Slappy was a little out of character here... but some fans felt that it had a lot of potential as a story, maybe more dramatic than most... until it all falls flat at the end, with the foster family (or the government agency that put Skippy there!) never even mentioned. Not even a token grenade tossed. Even if the plot was meant to justify large cartoon bombs... at least feature things getting bombed, OK?
* One of the more universally reviled episodes of ''[[Animaniacs]]'' is "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock", a full episode featuring Slappy and Skippy. The premise: Slappy goes insane, Skippy is eventually taken away to a foster home, Slappy needs to get back. Again, many figure Slappy was a little out of character here... but some fans felt that it had a lot of potential as a story, maybe more dramatic than most... until it all falls flat at the end, with the foster family (or the government agency that put Skippy there!) never even mentioned. Not even a token grenade tossed. Even if the plot was meant to justify large cartoon bombs... at least feature things getting bombed, OK?
* Parodied in the [[Shoo Out the New Guy]] episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'': Poochie's premiere cartoon begins with Itchy and Scratchy driving to a fireworks factory. They then get stopped by Poochie, who launches into a [[Totally Radical]] rap song. Cut to Milhouse sobbing and asking, "When are they going to get to the fireworks factory?"
* Parodied in the [[Shoo Out the New Guy]] episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'': Poochie's premiere cartoon begins with Itchy and Scratchy driving to a fireworks factory. They then get stopped by Poochie, who launches into a [[Totally Radical]] rap song. Cut to Milhouse sobbing and asking, "When are they going to get to the fireworks factory?"
** ''[[The Simpsons]]'' does this a lot (though most of them are either [[Brick Joke|Brick Jokes]] or [[What Happened to The Mouse?]] moments). Examples:
** ''[[The Simpsons]]'' does this a lot (though most of them are either [[Brick Joke|Brick Jokes]] or [[What Happened to the Mouse?]] moments). Examples:
*** The season six episode "Homer vs. Patty and Selma," when you consider that the promos focused more on {{spoiler|Bart joining a ballet class and loving it}} instead of {{spoiler|Homer trying to pay off his mortgage after losing the money in a bad investment, then asking Marge's sisters Patty and Selma for the money, only to have The Gruesome Twosome blackmail Homer}}.
*** The season six episode "Homer vs. Patty and Selma," when you consider that the promos focused more on {{spoiler|Bart joining a ballet class and loving it}} instead of {{spoiler|Homer trying to pay off his mortgage after losing the money in a bad investment, then asking Marge's sisters Patty and Selma for the money, only to have The Gruesome Twosome blackmail Homer}}.
*** Another season six episode "Fear of Flying," shifted from Homer trying to find a new bar to drink in after Moe throws him out of Moe's Tavern to Marge going to therapy for her aviophobia. [[What Happened to The Mouse?|And that bar subplot was ''never'' resolved...]]
*** Another season six episode "Fear of Flying," shifted from Homer trying to find a new bar to drink in after Moe throws him out of Moe's Tavern to Marge going to therapy for her aviophobia. [[What Happened to the Mouse?|And that bar subplot was ''never'' resolved...]]
* For the [[Grand Finale]] of ''[[Ben 10 (Animation)|Ben 10]]'' (aside from the animated "Secret of the Omnitrix" movie, anyway), the plot initially seamed involved the Forever King gathering 10 of Ben's greatest enemies to destroy him once and for all, with it culminating in a showdown between his force and the Tennysons in the Mount Rushmore base. How could it go wrong? Well, how about the villains consisting of a bunch of [[Monster of the Week|Monsters of the Week]], an addition of boring [[Cousin Oliver]], a pointless [[MacGuffin]] plot tacked on and application of [[Conservation of Ninjutsu]] for the climax?
* For the [[Grand Finale]] of ''[[Ben 10]]'' (aside from the animated "Secret of the Omnitrix" movie, anyway), the plot initially seamed involved the Forever King gathering 10 of Ben's greatest enemies to destroy him once and for all, with it culminating in a showdown between his force and the Tennysons in the Mount Rushmore base. How could it go wrong? Well, how about the villains consisting of a bunch of [[Monster of the Week|Monsters of the Week]], an addition of boring [[Cousin Oliver]], a pointless [[MacGuffin]] plot tacked on and application of [[Conservation of Ninjutsu]] for the climax?
** In the ''[[Ben 10 (Animation)|Ben 10]]'' episode "Super Alien Hero Buddy Adventures", Ben finds that his aliens are being used in a [[Lighter and Softer|very childish]] series of the same name, one that replaced his (suddenly favorite) TV show ''Kangaroo Commando'', leading to him going to the studio to complain, only to be tangled up in a plot that doesn't involve the original reason he came! It probably would've made more sense if the whole hero buddy thing was a lure to entice Ben to come and complain so he could be destroyed. The creator of the show seemed awful tired-looking of it, and maybe he was forced. But no...
** In the ''[[Ben 10]]'' episode "Super Alien Hero Buddy Adventures", Ben finds that his aliens are being used in a [[Lighter and Softer|very childish]] series of the same name, one that replaced his (suddenly favorite) TV show ''Kangaroo Commando'', leading to him going to the studio to complain, only to be tangled up in a plot that doesn't involve the original reason he came! It probably would've made more sense if the whole hero buddy thing was a lure to entice Ben to come and complain so he could be destroyed. The creator of the show seemed awful tired-looking of it, and maybe he was forced. But no...
** The sequels to ''[[Ben 10 (Animation)|Ben 10]]'', ''Alien Force'' and ''Ultimate Alien'' have become infamous for their many wasted or mishandled plotlines.
** The sequels to ''[[Ben 10]]'', ''Alien Force'' and ''Ultimate Alien'' have become infamous for their many wasted or mishandled plotlines.
* ''[[Drawn Together]]'', somewhere around the second season, stopped being a [[Dead Baby Comedy]] spoof of reality TV shows, and just decided to set their sights on making fun of anything and everything.
* ''[[Drawn Together]]'', somewhere around the second season, stopped being a [[Dead Baby Comedy]] spoof of reality TV shows, and just decided to set their sights on making fun of anything and everything.
* The made-for-video ''Mickey's House of Villains'' involved a wide range of Disney villains taking over the [[House of Mouse]] and evicting Mickey. Instead of a huge brawl between the heroes and villains of Disney, the villains ran away after Mickey trapped Jafar in the magic lamp.
* The made-for-video ''Mickey's House of Villains'' involved a wide range of Disney villains taking over the [[House of Mouse]] and evicting Mickey. Instead of a huge brawl between the heroes and villains of Disney, the villains ran away after Mickey trapped Jafar in the magic lamp.
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** The episode; "TP + KF". The gang finds a carving of his Tommy's initials and Kimi's initials in a heart. Rather than explore the concept of two members of the group being romantically involved, the episode is based around Tommy and Chuckie falling out with each other because Chuckie thinks Tommy's fooling around with his sister. It's even hinted that the two characters really do like each other, but nothing ever comes out of it. Though to be fair, the series did end soon after.
** The episode; "TP + KF". The gang finds a carving of his Tommy's initials and Kimi's initials in a heart. Rather than explore the concept of two members of the group being romantically involved, the episode is based around Tommy and Chuckie falling out with each other because Chuckie thinks Tommy's fooling around with his sister. It's even hinted that the two characters really do like each other, but nothing ever comes out of it. Though to be fair, the series did end soon after.
* In ''[[Code Lyoko]]'', anything involving Project Carthage, the military project that Franz Hopper created XANA to attempt to stop. Mentioned in a season finale and presumed to be extremely important... then disappears without a trace for the rest of the show.
* In ''[[Code Lyoko]]'', anything involving Project Carthage, the military project that Franz Hopper created XANA to attempt to stop. Mentioned in a season finale and presumed to be extremely important... then disappears without a trace for the rest of the show.
** Ditto Aelita's mother, [[Put On a Bus|crammed into the back of a government SUV]] pretty much the same episode she became a plot point.
** Ditto Aelita's mother, [[Put on a Bus|crammed into the back of a government SUV]] pretty much the same episode she became a plot point.
*** XANA HIMSELF. There are several points in the series that hint that there's more to him than just a Token Evil Computer. He has goals, though admittedly cliche, something of an honor code, can enact long-term deceptions, interacts with the heroes, struggles to understand his enemies, continually improved upon his plans, and...is destroyed by a program designed to hunt down and delete every part of him, without ever explaining why he "turned evil." This may or may not have been resolved in the movie, which seems to have sunk into the 9th Circle of Development Hell.
*** XANA HIMSELF. There are several points in the series that hint that there's more to him than just a Token Evil Computer. He has goals, though admittedly cliche, something of an honor code, can enact long-term deceptions, interacts with the heroes, struggles to understand his enemies, continually improved upon his plans, and...is destroyed by a program designed to hunt down and delete every part of him, without ever explaining why he "turned evil." This may or may not have been resolved in the movie, which seems to have sunk into the 9th Circle of Development Hell.
* The second season of ''[[WITCH (Animation)|WITCH]]'' was considered a [[Growing the Beard|beard-growing]] by many, mainly due to the plot being brought about by [[Magnificent Bastard|the magnificent bitch]] Nerissa. But then, toward the end of the season, {{spoiler|the [[Hijacked By Ganon|previous BigBad, Prince Phobos, returns and rather easily defeats Nerissa]] and takes back his position, despite being previously depicted as a [[Smug Snake]] nowhere on Nerissa's level. Thus, you think there has to be a catch. Nerissa has a plan to strike back and....nope, she's really gone. OK then, Phobos it is...again. He's more of a threat now, so maybe we'll get a satisfying resolu...HUH?! Cedric absorbed his powers and is the last enemy of the season?! Cedric, who barely had any character beyond that of a generic evil lackey who gets beaten by the Guardians ALL THE TIME?}} [[Greg Weisman]], what were you thinking?!
* The second season of ''[[WITCH (animation)|WITCH]]'' was considered a [[Growing the Beard|beard-growing]] by many, mainly due to the plot being brought about by [[Magnificent Bastard|the magnificent bitch]] Nerissa. But then, toward the end of the season, {{spoiler|the [[Hijacked by Ganon|previous BigBad, Prince Phobos, returns and rather easily defeats Nerissa]] and takes back his position, despite being previously depicted as a [[Smug Snake]] nowhere on Nerissa's level. Thus, you think there has to be a catch. Nerissa has a plan to strike back and....nope, she's really gone. OK then, Phobos it is...again. He's more of a threat now, so maybe we'll get a satisfying resolu...HUH?! Cedric absorbed his powers and is the last enemy of the season?! Cedric, who barely had any character beyond that of a generic evil lackey who gets beaten by the Guardians ALL THE TIME?}} [[Greg Weisman]], what were you thinking?!
** Also, the manipulation of Elyon by Phobos in Season 1. For half the season he's changed his palace to look beautiful and is acting nice around Elyon and giving her everything that she wants. But soon, things start to happen that plant some doubt in Elyon's mind. You'd expect things to follow through like they did in the comics: Elyon finds out, on her own, that her brother's no good, and she makes a [[Heel Face Turn]]. But no, Elyon remains a naive fool to the exact moment Phobos has her where he wants her and reveals his evil plan to her. Elyon was always naive, but by having her [[Too Dumb to Live|not figure out ANYTHING until it was too late]], the show officially made her an [[What an Idiot!|idiot.]]
** Also, the manipulation of Elyon by Phobos in Season 1. For half the season he's changed his palace to look beautiful and is acting nice around Elyon and giving her everything that she wants. But soon, things start to happen that plant some doubt in Elyon's mind. You'd expect things to follow through like they did in the comics: Elyon finds out, on her own, that her brother's no good, and she makes a [[Heel Face Turn]]. But no, Elyon remains a naive fool to the exact moment Phobos has her where he wants her and reveals his evil plan to her. Elyon was always naive, but by having her [[Too Dumb to Live|not figure out ANYTHING until it was too late]], the show officially made her an [[What an Idiot!|idiot.]]
* The ''[[Dungeons and Dragons (Animation)|Dungeons & Dragons]]'' cartoon has an episode where the kids were adopted by an [[Arabian Nights (Literature)|Arabian Nights]]-inspired king... and that's before they help save his daughter. At the end of the episode, they naturally decide to continue their quest to find a way home. One always has to wonder what would have happened if they had accompanied King Rahmuhd home for at least a bit of rest, especially given that he was one of the genuinely nicest and most interesting characters in the series.
* The ''[[Dungeons and Dragons (animation)|Dungeons & Dragons]]'' cartoon has an episode where the kids were adopted by an [[Arabian Nights]]-inspired king... and that's before they help save his daughter. At the end of the episode, they naturally decide to continue their quest to find a way home. One always has to wonder what would have happened if they had accompanied King Rahmuhd home for at least a bit of rest, especially given that he was one of the genuinely nicest and most interesting characters in the series.
* Arguably Raimundo's [[Face Heel Turn]] in ''[[Xiaolin Showdown (Animation)|Xiaolin Showdown]]''. Who stayed "evil" for all of just 3 or 4 eps. They never took the opportunity to explore that plot further.
* Arguably Raimundo's [[Face Heel Turn]] in ''[[Xiaolin Showdown]]''. Who stayed "evil" for all of just 3 or 4 eps. They never took the opportunity to explore that plot further.
* [[The Mole|Terra's Betrayal]] arc in ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]''. The story was very good, but the actual ''betrayal'' was not. A new member enters the group, has a romance with one of the regulars, then reveals her true colors. They milked the feelings of betrayal for all they could. However, this would have worked ''so'' much better if they had actually bothered to ''show'' Terra's time as a member. Basically, she joins full-time, next episode she gets a [[Mandatory Line|two-second appearance]] in an episode, and then in the next episode betrays them.
* [[The Mole|Terra's Betrayal]] arc in ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''. The story was very good, but the actual ''betrayal'' was not. A new member enters the group, has a romance with one of the regulars, then reveals her true colors. They milked the feelings of betrayal for all they could. However, this would have worked ''so'' much better if they had actually bothered to ''show'' Terra's time as a member. Basically, she joins full-time, next episode she gets a [[Mandatory Line|two-second appearance]] in an episode, and then in the next episode betrays them.
** The whole character of General Immortus from the same show. Introduced along with the three other main Brotherhood members (all important recurring villains) given a very cool background as a millennia-old strategic genius who is now equipped with modern superscience- ought to be a really powerful and dangerous opponent, right? Wrong- he only has about five lines in his introductory episode and spends the rest of the season hovering silently around behind [[Big Bad|the Brain]], before getting ignominiously taken out by a tidal wave.
** The whole character of General Immortus from the same show. Introduced along with the three other main Brotherhood members (all important recurring villains) given a very cool background as a millennia-old strategic genius who is now equipped with modern superscience- ought to be a really powerful and dangerous opponent, right? Wrong- he only has about five lines in his introductory episode and spends the rest of the season hovering silently around behind [[Big Bad|the Brain]], before getting ignominiously taken out by a tidal wave.
*** From the same season, the [[Doom Patrol]] appeared in the two-part season premier, which ended with the Doom Patrol leaving to search for the Brotherhood of Evil. The Brotherhood appeared as the season's primary antagonists (and was thoroughly defeated in the penultimate episode), but the Doom Patrol never showed up again. Are they still searching?
*** From the same season, the [[Doom Patrol]] appeared in the two-part season premier, which ended with the Doom Patrol leaving to search for the Brotherhood of Evil. The Brotherhood appeared as the season's primary antagonists (and was thoroughly defeated in the penultimate episode), but the Doom Patrol never showed up again. Are they still searching?
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* ''[[Invader Zim]]'' was never really meant to be more than a dark sci-fi/comedy set in a [[Crapsack World]], but at least some fans wish the show had been at least a ''little'' more serious at times, especially with the moral implications of a [[Villain Protagonist]] whose [[Always Chaotic Evil|species regularly utilizes genocide]]. In particular the creators seemed to throw in a lot of minor plot elements -- for example the Irkens' PAKs, the society based on height, etc. -- that could have been fascinating if it was expanded on, either because of cancellation or [[They Just Didn't Care|the creators just not being interested]].
* ''[[Invader Zim]]'' was never really meant to be more than a dark sci-fi/comedy set in a [[Crapsack World]], but at least some fans wish the show had been at least a ''little'' more serious at times, especially with the moral implications of a [[Villain Protagonist]] whose [[Always Chaotic Evil|species regularly utilizes genocide]]. In particular the creators seemed to throw in a lot of minor plot elements -- for example the Irkens' PAKs, the society based on height, etc. -- that could have been fascinating if it was expanded on, either because of cancellation or [[They Just Didn't Care|the creators just not being interested]].
** Actually, it [[What Could Have Been|WAS supposed to go from]] the idiosyncratic, self-contained episode system to a mature [[Myth Arc]] with much more continuity and less humor. Unfortunately, it got cancelled.
** Actually, it [[What Could Have Been|WAS supposed to go from]] the idiosyncratic, self-contained episode system to a mature [[Myth Arc]] with much more continuity and less humor. Unfortunately, it got cancelled.
* ''[[Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends]]'':
* ''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'':
** "Foster's Goes to Europe" sounds like a good premise... until it ends up being [[Non-Indicative Name|anything but]] [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin]] (er, [[Episode Title Card|title card]]). Instead, it's a [[Deconstruction]] of how hard it is to pack up and plan for a vacation on very short notice. Interesting nonetheless, but try telling that to those who tuned in expecting to see Bloo "[[As Long As It Sounds Foreign|blah-blah no stoppah blah]]" at random French people. And that's not even [[Karma Houdini|the biggest issue]] most people had with the episode...
** "Foster's Goes to Europe" sounds like a good premise... until it ends up being [[Non-Indicative Name|anything but]] [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]] (er, [[Episode Title Card|title card]]). Instead, it's a [[Deconstruction]] of how hard it is to pack up and plan for a vacation on very short notice. Interesting nonetheless, but try telling that to those who tuned in expecting to see Bloo "[[As Long as It Sounds Foreign|blah-blah no stoppah blah]]" at random French people. And that's not even [[Karma Houdini|the biggest issue]] most people had with the episode...
** "When There's a Wilt, There's a Way": Wilt missing a televised basketball game because he can't turn down an errand sounds more like a set-up for Wilt simply deciding to stop doing errands, rather than the whole plot of half of a [[Three Shorts|two shorts]] episode.
** "When There's a Wilt, There's a Way": Wilt missing a televised basketball game because he can't turn down an errand sounds more like a set-up for Wilt simply deciding to stop doing errands, rather than the whole plot of half of a [[Three Shorts|two shorts]] episode.
** "Duchess of Wails": We spend the first couple minutes establishing Duchess as a big pain, and we see that they've long been trying to get her adopted. Sounds like a set-up for them trying to give her an attitude adjustment, but instead we get a family suddenly showing up and taking Duchess, rotten behavior and all, to their apartment... which happens to be next to Mac's.
** "Duchess of Wails": We spend the first couple minutes establishing Duchess as a big pain, and we see that they've long been trying to get her adopted. Sounds like a set-up for them trying to give her an attitude adjustment, but instead we get a family suddenly showing up and taking Duchess, rotten behavior and all, to their apartment... which happens to be next to Mac's.
* A Season Two Episode of ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures (Animation)|Jackie Chan Adventures]]'' has Jade turn temporarily evil and in control of the series' mooks, the Shadowkhan. What was once just a normal filler episode got [[Continuity Nod|mentioned]] by the leader of the Shadowkhan in the fourth season. He asks Jade to join his clan of evil and she herself gives a shocked, but hesitated/tempted reaction. It made one wonder if they were going to explore Evil Shadowkhan Jade again. Unfortunately nothing came off it.
* A Season Two Episode of ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'' has Jade turn temporarily evil and in control of the series' mooks, the Shadowkhan. What was once just a normal filler episode got [[Continuity Nod|mentioned]] by the leader of the Shadowkhan in the fourth season. He asks Jade to join his clan of evil and she herself gives a shocked, but hesitated/tempted reaction. It made one wonder if they were going to explore Evil Shadowkhan Jade again. Unfortunately nothing came off it.
** For that matter, there was another episode where Jade is the reincarnation of the show's equivalent of the Dalai Lama. Nothing more came out of that as well.
** For that matter, there was another episode where Jade is the reincarnation of the show's equivalent of the Dalai Lama. Nothing more came out of that as well.
* All of the "revealing" flashbacks from ''[[Spongebob SquarePants]]'''s "Truth or Square" were nothing but this. You get to see Sandy and Spongebob married {{spoiler|(sorry, you just get a play)}}, Plankton have the perfect chance to steal the Krabby Patty formula {{spoiler|(he shows up for less then 5 minutes and doesn't even have a plan)}} AND learn the secret of the Krabby Patty formula {{spoiler|(they cut it off)}}. Everything that is not a wasted plot line is either an answer you wouldn't care about or a waste of time.
* All of the "revealing" flashbacks from ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'''s "Truth or Square" were nothing but this. You get to see Sandy and Spongebob married {{spoiler|(sorry, you just get a play)}}, Plankton have the perfect chance to steal the Krabby Patty formula {{spoiler|(he shows up for less then 5 minutes and doesn't even have a plan)}} AND learn the secret of the Krabby Patty formula {{spoiler|(they cut it off)}}. Everything that is not a wasted plot line is either an answer you wouldn't care about or a waste of time.
** Also, in ''Spongebob vs. the Big One'', they said in the episode and [[Never Trust a Trailer|in the trailers]] that "one of you will not return." {{spoiler|They all ended up returning safely.}}
** Also, in ''Spongebob vs. the Big One'', they said in the episode and [[Never Trust a Trailer|in the trailers]] that "one of you will not return." {{spoiler|They all ended up returning safely.}}
*** In '''Whatever Happened To Spongebob''', had a decent plot of Spongebob running away after the people got angry and called him "Idiot Boy". Plus, it had a decent [[Easy Amnesia]] plot device in Spongebob but it was rushed and half-assed throughout the whole thing. At least give Squidward a reason why he's happy that Spongebob's gone.
*** In '''Whatever Happened To Spongebob''', had a decent plot of Spongebob running away after the people got angry and called him "Idiot Boy". Plus, it had a decent [[Easy Amnesia]] plot device in Spongebob but it was rushed and half-assed throughout the whole thing. At least give Squidward a reason why he's happy that Spongebob's gone.
* In one episode of ''[[Batman the Brave And The Bold (Animation)|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'', Batman gets [[Literal Split Personality|split into three people, each with a part of his personality]]. Excellent! We get to see the different parts of Batman's deep psyche; in other words, he's going to be split into representations of his various incarnations, right? This is gonna be awesome! So, you've got the [[Batman: The Animated Series (Animation)|No-Nonsence, cold, logical]] [[The Spock|Batman]], a [[All Star Batman and Robin|crazy, violence-happy]] [[The Kirk|Batman]], and the third one is, to use the show's term, "what's left over": a lazy, apathetic Batman. Er, what? First off, which Batman is that supposed to be, exactly? And secondly, especially considering [[Batman the Brave And The Bold (Animation)|Batman the Brave And The Bold]] is a revival of the [[Silver Age]] Batman, why the hell isn't he [[Batman (TV)|the Adam West Batman?]] Come on! Batman-as-West would be hilarious here! But no, what they basically tell us is that underneath the scientific mind and passionate drive, there's nothing more to Batman. That's it, that's all he is. What a load.
* In one episode of ''[[Batman: The Brave And The Bold|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'', Batman gets [[Literal Split Personality|split into three people, each with a part of his personality]]. Excellent! We get to see the different parts of Batman's deep psyche; in other words, he's going to be split into representations of his various incarnations, right? This is gonna be awesome! So, you've got the [[Batman: The Animated Series|No-Nonsence, cold, logical]] [[The Spock|Batman]], a [[All Star Batman and Robin|crazy, violence-happy]] [[The Kirk|Batman]], and the third one is, to use the show's term, "what's left over": a lazy, apathetic Batman. Er, what? First off, which Batman is that supposed to be, exactly? And secondly, especially considering [[Batman: The Brave And The Bold|Batman the Brave And The Bold]] is a revival of the [[Silver Age]] Batman, why the hell isn't he [[Batman (TV series)|the Adam West Batman?]] Come on! Batman-as-West would be hilarious here! But no, what they basically tell us is that underneath the scientific mind and passionate drive, there's nothing more to Batman. That's it, that's all he is. What a load.
** I don't really see how introducing the Adam West version of Batman would've made sense in any context.
** I don't really see how introducing the Adam West version of Batman would've made sense in any context.
** Who cares if it made sense? It would have been [[Rule of Cool|awesome]].
** Who cares if it made sense? It would have been [[Rule of Cool|awesome]].
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** The Diaspro plot in S3 wasn't the first waste of Diaspro plot: Season 2 has an episode in which Sky offers to save her from a kidnapping. However, instead of the implications of Sky rescuing her ex-fiancee, the story ends up focusing on a parody of ''[[Battle of the Planets]]''. They don't even get to share a heart-to-heart together. <ref>And if that wasn't enough, 4Kids [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWPe-UN7Y2w completely changed her speech at the end] where she talks about how she feels offended that Sky's new GF rescued her.</ref>
** The Diaspro plot in S3 wasn't the first waste of Diaspro plot: Season 2 has an episode in which Sky offers to save her from a kidnapping. However, instead of the implications of Sky rescuing her ex-fiancee, the story ends up focusing on a parody of ''[[Battle of the Planets]]''. They don't even get to share a heart-to-heart together. <ref>And if that wasn't enough, 4Kids [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWPe-UN7Y2w completely changed her speech at the end] where she talks about how she feels offended that Sky's new GF rescued her.</ref>
** Season 4 was a bit better than 3, but still managed to ignore at least ''two'' potential love triangles: {{spoiler|First, we find out that Bloom had a boyfriend on earth, who happens to be a member of a juice bar's band... and instead of exploring what is essentially an inversion of the Diaspro situation in season 1, that aspect kind of faded away in favor of the Winx girls forming their own band. Second, we have a record producer threatening to drive a wedge between Musa and Riven... and then the guy gives her an envelope that is later revealed to be an invite to sing at his wedding.}}
** Season 4 was a bit better than 3, but still managed to ignore at least ''two'' potential love triangles: {{spoiler|First, we find out that Bloom had a boyfriend on earth, who happens to be a member of a juice bar's band... and instead of exploring what is essentially an inversion of the Diaspro situation in season 1, that aspect kind of faded away in favor of the Winx girls forming their own band. Second, we have a record producer threatening to drive a wedge between Musa and Riven... and then the guy gives her an envelope that is later revealed to be an invite to sing at his wedding.}}
* ''[[Star Wars the Clone Wars]]'' has passed up on multiple chances to show Anakin's Dark Side and build up tension in the character seemingly in favor of keeping up his hero appearance for the new, younger fans.
* ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' has passed up on multiple chances to show Anakin's Dark Side and build up tension in the character seemingly in favor of keeping up his hero appearance for the new, younger fans.
** So far, there has been little to no mention of Anakin's mechanical arm. It alone would make a good subject for any number of story scenarios. Perhaps something involving teaching Ahsoka a lesson about being reckless. Imagine how scared she would be if she was told that if you aren't more careful, you could lose a limb!
** So far, there has been little to no mention of Anakin's mechanical arm. It alone would make a good subject for any number of story scenarios. Perhaps something involving teaching Ahsoka a lesson about being reckless. Imagine how scared she would be if she was told that if you aren't more careful, you could lose a limb!
**** Does she even know about his arm?
**** Does she even know about his arm?
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* Played deliberately in the fifteenth season two parter ("You're Getting Old"/"Ass Burgers") of ''[[South Park]]'' which set itself up for some great potential storylines about divorce and how it's occasionally the best option, along with some major character development through life changes and epiphanies. Just as Stan accepts all the surprises his life awaits, the entire potential arc was wrapped up in a single [[Reset Button]], much to his exasperation.
* Played deliberately in the fifteenth season two parter ("You're Getting Old"/"Ass Burgers") of ''[[South Park]]'' which set itself up for some great potential storylines about divorce and how it's occasionally the best option, along with some major character development through life changes and epiphanies. Just as Stan accepts all the surprises his life awaits, the entire potential arc was wrapped up in a single [[Reset Button]], much to his exasperation.
* While the dream making concept of ''[[The Dreamstone]]'' is rather unique, it is actually rarely explored or developed in favor of the Urpneys' [[Road Runner vs. Coyote]] antics. The actual process for making dreams is depicted in a rather unclear and mundane manner due to the heroes being kept somewhat [[Out of Focus|underfocused]] and [[Flat Character|flat]], while the dreams themselves are shown once in a blue moon, largely in favor of making the minions of the [[They Wasted a Perfectly Good Character|equally underused Zordrak]] act as [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]]. If it weren't for it's name, The Dreamstone could often be seen as any other generic [[MacGuffin]] stealing show (not to say it's a bad one however).
* While the dream making concept of ''[[The Dreamstone]]'' is rather unique, it is actually rarely explored or developed in favor of the Urpneys' [[Road Runner vs. Coyote]] antics. The actual process for making dreams is depicted in a rather unclear and mundane manner due to the heroes being kept somewhat [[Out of Focus|underfocused]] and [[Flat Character|flat]], while the dreams themselves are shown once in a blue moon, largely in favor of making the minions of the [[They Wasted a Perfectly Good Character|equally underused Zordrak]] act as [[Villain Protagonist|Villain Protagonists]]. If it weren't for it's name, The Dreamstone could often be seen as any other generic [[MacGuffin]] stealing show (not to say it's a bad one however).
* One episode of [[X Men Evolution]] involved a sports drink that could harm mutants who came in contact with it. In the end of the episode, {{spoiler|Professor X tells the creator of the drink about it, who then promises to stop selling the product. But once the Professor leaves, the drink maker gets out his phone and calls someone, telling them he has a product they "might be interested in", and it's obvious he does this with malicious intent toward mutants}}. This is never even brought up again, a shame, it could've been a good storyline.
* One episode of [[X-Men: Evolution]] involved a sports drink that could harm mutants who came in contact with it. In the end of the episode, {{spoiler|Professor X tells the creator of the drink about it, who then promises to stop selling the product. But once the Professor leaves, the drink maker gets out his phone and calls someone, telling them he has a product they "might be interested in", and it's obvious he does this with malicious intent toward mutants}}. This is never even brought up again, a shame, it could've been a good storyline.
* [[Captain N the Game Master]]. Pretty much the whole show. Characters from popular Nintendo games all coming together to save the video game world from a villain? Could've been AWESOME in the right hands. A shame the people working on it knew NOTHING about the characters or the games.
* [[Captain N: The Game Master]]. Pretty much the whole show. Characters from popular Nintendo games all coming together to save the video game world from a villain? Could've been AWESOME in the right hands. A shame the people working on it knew NOTHING about the characters or the games.
* ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' is a pretty darn awesome superhero in concept, but he spends the entire series gleefully clutching the [[Idiot Ball]] and generally being useless (only a handful of episodes [[Let's Get Dangerous|showing his potential as a competant hero]]). Alot of people say that Penny's a lot better a protagonist, and wish that she was the series' primary focus.
* ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' is a pretty darn awesome superhero in concept, but he spends the entire series gleefully clutching the [[Idiot Ball]] and generally being useless (only a handful of episodes [[Let's Get Dangerous|showing his potential as a competant hero]]). Alot of people say that Penny's a lot better a protagonist, and wish that she was the series' primary focus.


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