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{{quote|''She doesn't waste time – She recycles it.''}}
[http://timeslikethis.com/ Times Like This] is a web comic created by Thomas Overbeck. It is, as [https://web.archive.org/web/20131210024632/http://timeslikethis.com/faq.php the author] puts it succinctly, "about time travel, and all the fun and interesting stuff involved with it. It's also about lampooning historical figures and speculating humorously on current celebrities."
In short – it's a [[Pun-Based Title|"Comedy of Eras."]]
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She has two friends helping her with her travels: Matt Gahan, an electronics expert whom Cassie befriended when he worked at the travel agency next door; and her best friend from school, Bethany Gibson.
She lives in the greater Dallas area along with Bethany, her [[Everything's Better with Dinosaurs|pet dinosaur]] Mascus, and her [[Robot Girl|MIRA-7 robot]], named [[Small Wonder|Nicki]] Darling. (Yes, [[Prince|exactly what you're thinking]] - Matt came up with the [[Double Entendre|last name]], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20160324051830/http://timeslikethis.com/index.php?id=206 she wasn't too thrilled about it.])
Her travels are "monitored" by the Federal government - but not how you'd expect. [[FBI Agent|Agent Keith Scott]] has been assigned by the FBI to keep tabs on her - and help her keep her secret.
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{{tropelist}}
* [[A Little Something We Call "Rock and Roll"]]:
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093044/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/231 Some Renaissance-era minstrels learn a certain medieval-sounding Yes song.]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091905/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/373 They came from the land of the ice and snow...]
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090929/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/489 The court jester performs "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" for... well, you know.]
* [[Adventures in the Bible]]: Cassie witnesses firsthand [https://web.archive.org/web/20170818225531/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/28 the birth of Jesus], while Matt [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093645/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/156 has some fun with the dead, decapitated Goliath.]
* [[Affectionate Parody]]: Examples include the cast discussing what could've happened in [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094626/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/37 Star Wars] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094312/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/78 Gilligan's Island]; the cast re-enacting [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091407/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/433 the opening to a TV show]; or various [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094125/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/101 commercials] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092431/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/308 redone with] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091649/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/399 historical figures.]
* [[Amulet of Concentrated Awesome]]: The [http://twitpic.com/16k4eg time machine itself.]
* [[Art Evolution]]: Compare and contrast a crude, unevenly drawn strip from [https://web.archive.org/web/20170519121557/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/5 2007]... and a more refined work in [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090830/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/501 2012.] (And at times, the author may [[Recut|pull a George Lucas]] and [
* [[Art Shift]]: Thanks to guest artist Halo Seraphim, Cassie looks [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092124/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/345 quite artistically different] once she arrives in Japan.
* [[Ascended Extra]]: Philip Webber started out as a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093609/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/163 casual acquaintance] on a [[Second Life]]-ish virtual world. After an [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092225/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/333 in-person meet-up] and various arguments, breakups and [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091134/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/463 near-death experiences,] he's become Cassie's steady boyfriend... and as a result showed up on the [
* [[Author Avatar]]: The creator showing up at a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093340/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/195 comic convention] or a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093926/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/124 renaissance festival].
* [[Barbie Doll Anatomy]]: Nicki. She's [
* [[Big Damn Heroes]]: Cassie's not thrilled about this trope [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/1 from the start].
* [[Brain Bleach]]: What Bethany's wanting after [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094503/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/54 Cassie describes herself getting intimate with Uncle Miltie.] (Which leads to a [[Big "Shut Up!"]].)
* [[Butterfly of Doom]]: What happens if Cassie tells someone about the time machine, and they can't keep the secret? [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/303 This].
* [[Call Back]]: There've been a few "repeated scenes" in the comic; one of them happening to be [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093139/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/220 Cassie's first day] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090759/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/507 at TerCon].
* [[Clothes Make the Superman|Clothes Make The Pooper-Man:]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094557/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/43 ANED-enhanced underwear in 2071.]
* [[Cosplay]]: Or at least that's what people THINK all those [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091754/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/387 costumes in her garage] are.
* [[David Versus Goliath]]: The [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|actual original showdown.]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093645/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/156 And Matt's a witness.]
* [[Drag Queen]]: Matt as the original [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094357/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/68 "Sweet Transvestite".]
* [[Elaborate Underground Base|Elaborate Underground Resort:]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091313/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/443 Paratopia!]
* [[Entendre Failure]]: Matt, in the Old West, tells a saloon belle she could "pull a train". [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093038/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/232 Guess what she does.]
* [[Explain, Explain, Oh Crap]]: Cassie's father [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090902/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/495 breaks up a fight between her and her mother] - {{spoiler|and brings up his wife's cancer sooner than intended}}.
* [[Ethical Slut]]: Cassie. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091736/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/391 And she states her case here.]
* [[Feghoot]]: [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/310 Cassie tells a tale of her old classmate Eli], which turns into a [[Shout-Out]] to ''[[Pearls Before Swine]]'' creator Stephan Pastis.
* [[Fish Out of Temporal Water]]: Cassie tends to subvert this, mostly because of her large cosplay collection.
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** Joan Arquette, {{spoiler|''aka'' [[Joan of Arc]]. [[Historical Domain Character|Yes, really]].}}
* [[Free-Love Future]]: Nicki's seen the future... [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/284 and after the human incubator is invented, there's another sexual revolution.]
* [[Genre Savvy]]: Cassie knows pretty much [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090729/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/512 from the day she began time traveling] that she needed to keep it a secret. Agent Scott just helped things along.
* [[Gilligan Cut]]: Subverted in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092714/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/275 Christmas Tree search of 2009] (which is also a subtle example of [[Who Writes This Crap?]]!).
* [[Giving Radio to the Romans]]: Ever wonder how [[Robin Hood]] managed to shoot arrows with [https://web.archive.org/web/20170519121650/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/6 such great accuracy]?
* [[Green Rocks]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090745/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/510 Literally.]
* [[The Gump]]: (or what the author likes to call "Gumpification") Sometimes Cassie or Matt accidentally do this, with the result ending up as inspiration for a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094120/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/102 pop song], [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092229/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/332 the wording of a document], or a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094357/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/68 fad].
* [[Historical In-Joke]]: The overriding theme of the comic.
* [[Hot Scientist]]: Cassie, of course. Not to mention she's a former [[Teen Genius]] who graduated high school two years early, and got her Master's Degree in Physics only five years later.
* [[It Will Never Catch On]]: Examples include Cassie [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093215/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/213 suggesting "Twilight" elements to the author of "Dracula"], [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094617/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/39 telling Devo in 1980 they'll one day do kiddie-show music]
* [[Keeping Secrets Sucks]]: Many a time to Cassie, especially after {{spoiler|it forced her to break up with both [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/307 Chad] and [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/412 Allen]}}.
* [[Leaning on the Fourth Wall]]: "Oh please... It's not even worthy of a [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314091150/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/460 half-assed COMIC STRIP!"]
* [[Little People Are Surreal]]: [
* [[The Masquerade Will Kill Your Dating Life]]: Cassie can attest to this, especially with {{spoiler|her relationships with exes Chad and Allen}}. She subverts it in other ways, of course.
* [[Master of Disguise]]: Agent Scott.
* [[The Men in Black]]: Agent Scott again. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093730/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/147 Complete with neuralyzer.]
* [[Mistaken for Masturbating]]: It's not "pocket rocket" action, Cassie's just [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094534/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/48 wetting her panties in the car! ...wait, what?]
* [[Nerds Are Sexy]]: Come on; a hot babe like her [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093443/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/182 with a pink camisole under a lab coat], talking about having sex on a conference table?
* [[Potty Failure]]: Subverted in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094557/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/43 "Cassandra's Secret" storyline.] {{spoiler|In the future, everyone will poop their pants... but their nanotech-enhanced underwear will instantly vaporize the excrement.}}
* [[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093130/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/222 Two!] [https://web.archive.org/web/20170519122436/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic
* [[Reality Is Unrealistic]]: When she describes the future to people [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093211/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/214 in the present] ... [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092935/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/245 or past.] (See also [[Retroactive Precognition]].)
* [[Robot Buddy]]: The ever-versatile [
* [[Running Gag]]: [http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/151 Cassie the Sooner] vs. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092014/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/359 Rodney the Longhorn.]
** Also, [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093826/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/136 Agent] [
** And don't forget [
* ''[[Screw Yourself]]'': The very first time Cassie thinks to travel back in time to help herself move some furniture, she ends up mutually seducing herself.
* [[Set Right What Once Went Wrong]]: Subverted in the story arc with {{spoiler|[http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/361 Jake Holland] and Vietnam}}, but played straight with {{spoiler|[http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/347 the rescue of Joan of Arc] using a [[Decoy Getaway|realistic human-looking movie prop]].}} Also with {{spoiler|[http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/463 the rescue of her boyfriend Philip].}}
* [[Shout-Out]]:
** Cassie uses the passcode [[Bill and Ted (film)|"Rufus"]] for her fembot, Nicki. She also uses the names of other famous time travelers, like [[Back to the Future (film)|Doc (Emmett) Brown]], [[Jules Verne]], and, of course, [[H. G. Wells]].
** Then there's [https://web.archive.org/web/20200328113015/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/625 strip 625]: "What's the "[[TV Tropes]] Foundation" and why are they telling us to ''shut the [[Precision F-Strike|fuck]] up?''"
* [[Sorry to Interrupt]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090834/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/500 Cassie's home, so she goes back in time to get an extra few hours of sleep]... {{spoiler|and catches Matt & Bethany in bed}}.
* [[Speech Bubbles Interruption]]: A couple of examples:
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314094335/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/73 The first appearance in-strip] of [[Jenny Everywhere]].
** [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314092159/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/338 During Cassie's first in-person meetup with Philip.]
* [[Take Your Time]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093310/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/201 The whole story arc surrounding the purchase of her house] is an example of this.
* [[Technology Marches On]]: Strips set in the future are full of things like holographic interfaces, holographic clothing, Net-Paper and battery tape.
* [[Temporal Paradox]]: <s>Somewhat</s> subverted. The first time Cassie met herself, she helped herself move a couch. Cassie isn't afraid to [[My Future Self and Me|"meet" herself in the past]]... with all the [[Screw Yourself|squick]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20170818205044/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/21 that comes along] with that.
* [[Time Travel]]: Of course.
* [[Time Travel for Fun and Profit]]: Of course, of course. It is how Cassie funds many of her travels... and you know how bad inflation could get in the future.
* [[Time Travel Tense Trouble]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093251/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/205 "...has will have been visited..."]
* [[Unobtainium]]: AKA [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314090729/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/512 Sesquicentium], the "rock" that drives the time machine.
* [[We Will Have Perfect Health in the Future]]: Thanks to [https://web.archive.org/web/20200328113015/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/521 Ready Remedy vending machines], dispensing medicine that completely cures over 25,000 ailments.
* [[What the Hell, Hero?]]: Bethany's initial reaction to [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314093750/http://www.timeslikethis.com/comic/143 Cassie trapping Agent Scott in the 16th century.]
{{reflist}}
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