Trick Dialogue: Difference between revisions

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* In ''[[Batman]]'' (1989), Bruce Wayne mouths "I'm Batman. I'm Batman" with a view to confessing to Vicki Vale, and an almost [[Ironic Echo]] of his first line of the movie, spoken to menace a Gotham thug.
* In ''[[Batman]]'' (1989), Bruce Wayne mouths "I'm Batman. I'm Batman" with a view to confessing to Vicki Vale, and an almost [[Ironic Echo]] of his first line of the movie, spoken to menace a Gotham thug.
* In ''[[Stardust (film)|Stardust]]'', Tristan gets fired from his job and practices by telling the mirror, only for his father to come in when he was telling the mirror. His father didn't mind anyway.
* In ''[[Stardust (film)|Stardust]]'', Tristan gets fired from his job and practices by telling the mirror, only for his father to come in when he was telling the mirror. His father didn't mind anyway.
* Much of ''[[The Sixth Sense]]'' turns out to be the "character talks to someone and doesn't realize they can't hear him" variety of this.
* Much of ''[[The Sixth Sense]]'' turns out to be the "character talks to someone and doesn't realize they can't hear him" variety of this.
* Near the beginning of ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'', Shaun and Liz have a frank discussion about Shaun's unbearable roommate, who, as it turns out, is cheerfully standing within earshot. They go on to discuss Liz's friends, who are then revealed to be sitting right next to them. ("No offense!").
* Near the beginning of ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'', Shaun and Liz have a frank discussion about Shaun's unbearable roommate, who, as it turns out, is cheerfully standing within earshot. They go on to discuss Liz's friends, who are then revealed to be sitting right next to them. ("No offense!").
* Done in reverse at the end of ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'': {{spoiler|It seems that Nick is talking to Danny's grave (the last scene had [[Stuff Blowing Up|the police office blow up]]) but he's actually talking to Danny's mother's grave, with Danny right behind him. Or maybe it's the other way around, it's been a while...}}
* Done in reverse at the end of ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'': {{spoiler|It seems that Nick is talking to Danny's grave (the last scene had [[Stuff Blowing Up|the police office blow up]]) but he's actually talking to Danny's mother's grave, with Danny right behind him. Or maybe it's the other way around, it's been a while...}}
* In ''[[Reservation Road]]'' Dwight appears to be telling someone what he had done, but then the camera pans to show that he's recording a message for his son on a video camera.
* In ''[[Reservation Road]]'' Dwight appears to be telling someone what he had done, but then the camera pans to show that he's recording a message for his son on a video camera.
* After his wife's kidnapping, (which he arranged himself), Jerry Lundegaard in ''[[Fargo]]'' sounds like he's desperately trying to explain to his father-in-law that his wife has been kidnapped, but stumbling over his words. It turns out he was just trying to find the right way to sound worried before he actually picked up the phone.
* After his wife's kidnapping, (which he arranged himself), Jerry Lundegaard in ''[[Fargo]]'' sounds like he's desperately trying to explain to his father-in-law that his wife has been kidnapped, but stumbling over his words. It turns out he was just trying to find the right way to sound worried before he actually picked up the phone.
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== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* Carter's rant about reproductive organs in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "Moebius, Part I". This was used partly to differentiate this version of Samantha Carter with the previous one, who had no problem uttering the same line during a briefing in the series' first episode, and partly as an in-joke.
* Carter's rant about reproductive organs in the ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'' episode "Moebius, Part I". This was used partly to differentiate this version of Samantha Carter with the previous one, who had no problem uttering the same line during a briefing in the series' first episode, and partly as an in-joke.
** Another episode had an interesting twist. Daniel, who is out of phase (read: invisible), is talking to his grandfather, Nick. Nick starts talking back, thinking that Daniel is a hallucination. Daniel continues replying, thinking that his grandpa is just thinking out loud. Eventually, it turns out that Nick can see Daniel. Yes, they managed to have a conversation ''without realizing it''.
** Another episode had an interesting twist. Daniel, who is out of phase (read: invisible), is talking to his grandfather, Nick. Nick starts talking back, thinking that Daniel is a hallucination. Daniel continues replying, thinking that his grandpa is just thinking out loud. Eventually, it turns out that Nick can see Daniel. Yes, they managed to have a conversation ''without realizing it''.
* An episode of ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'' featured Allison Cameron making a Freudian slip-up in front of a documentary crew by saying "I love House!" When next we see her, she's frantically trying to find some way of qualifying that statement without making matters worse and failing. On first reveal she is talking to a mirror; on second reveal, her current boyfriend is on the bench behind her looking put-upon for being forced to listen to this.
* An episode of ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'' featured Allison Cameron making a Freudian slip-up in front of a documentary crew by saying "I love House!" When next we see her, she's frantically trying to find some way of qualifying that statement without making matters worse and failing. On first reveal she is talking to a mirror; on second reveal, her current boyfriend is on the bench behind her looking put-upon for being forced to listen to this.
* This happens to Giles in 'Series/'[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'':
* This happens to Giles in 'Series/'[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'':
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* In season 2 of ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]'', politician-slash-beloved-terrorist Zarek talks in front of a mirror about the upcoming election in typical public speaking style. Then he turns, elaborating that he wants to run against the incumbent on a ticket with... current Vice-President Gaius Baltar.
* In season 2 of ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]'', politician-slash-beloved-terrorist Zarek talks in front of a mirror about the upcoming election in typical public speaking style. Then he turns, elaborating that he wants to run against the incumbent on a ticket with... current Vice-President Gaius Baltar.
* Sara Sidle of ''[[CSI]]'' has done this at least twice.
* Sara Sidle of ''[[CSI]]'' has done this at least twice.
* The start of ''[[Spaced]]'' begins with Tim and Daisy apparently splitting up with each other. However, at the end of the scene, we see that they are in different locations, having completely different conversations. Tim is getting dumped by his girlfriend and Daisy is talking to a homeless man.
* The start of ''[[Spaced]]'' begins with Tim and Daisy apparently splitting up with each other. However, at the end of the scene, we see that they are in different locations, having completely different conversations. Tim is getting dumped by his girlfriend and Daisy is talking to a homeless man.
* In the third season of ''[[Lost]]'', Hurley gives a speech about how hard things have been on the island, and how sad everyone is. As we watch, the camera pans to reveal that he's talking to a grave marker. {{spoiler|Libby's grave marker}}
* In the third season of ''[[Lost]]'', Hurley gives a speech about how hard things have been on the island, and how sad everyone is. As we watch, the camera pans to reveal that he's talking to a grave marker. {{spoiler|Libby's grave marker}}
* Wolf from [[The Tenth Kingdom]] appears to be confessing his love in a very heart-felt mannor, unusual for him. We soon learn that he was reciting a speech from a book, trying to memorize it.
* Wolf from [[The Tenth Kingdom]] appears to be confessing his love in a very heart-felt mannor, unusual for him. We soon learn that he was reciting a speech from a book, trying to memorize it.
* One episode of ''[[Scrubs]]'' was told largely by Dr Cox in flashback, against a neutral background, with the topic being his poor anger-management in dealing with the interns. From context, the obvioius conclusion was that he was talking to his shrink. But at the end he says "Well, unfortunately the only way I know how to teach is through fear. And I tell you this because I know that this particular shortcoming will invariably affect your life" and the [[Reveal Shot]] shows that he's been talking to his pre-verbal son.
* One episode of ''[[Scrubs]]'' was told largely by Dr Cox in flashback, against a neutral background, with the topic being his poor anger-management in dealing with the interns. From context, the obvioius conclusion was that he was talking to his shrink. But at the end he says "Well, unfortunately the only way I know how to teach is through fear. And I tell you this because I know that this particular shortcoming will invariably affect your life" and the [[Reveal Shot]] shows that he's been talking to his pre-verbal son.
* Dr Kovac on ''[[ER]]'' spent the entirety of one episode narrating his feelings as if he were talking with a psychiatrist, only to be revealed as talking to a prostitute at the end.
* Dr Kovac on ''[[ER]]'' spent the entirety of one episode narrating his feelings as if he were talking with a psychiatrist, only to be revealed as talking to a prostitute at the end.
* In one episode of ''[[Babylon 5]]'', after a Centauri warship attacked the station and was destroyed, Sheridan is shown giving a speech that starts out as an apology before veering into a rant about how he's glad he blew the ship to hell because they were firing on civilians, including their own people. The reveal, of course, shows that he's only practicing - whether he actually gave that "apology" or not is never shown.
* In one episode of ''[[Babylon 5]]'', after a Centauri warship attacked the station and was destroyed, Sheridan is shown giving a speech that starts out as an apology before veering into a rant about how he's glad he blew the ship to hell because they were firing on civilians, including their own people. The reveal, of course, shows that he's only practicing - whether he actually gave that "apology" or not is never shown.
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== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* ''[[Dominic Deegan]]'' used both kinds in one strip. Dominic's defensive justifications for his actions are revealed to have been aimed at his cat Spark instead of his girlfriend Luna. (Actually, the cat understood, but he just didn't care.) Also, Nimmel's [[Rousing Speech]] to himself in a mirror is revealed to have been overheard by Luna.
* ''[[Dominic Deegan]]'' used both kinds in one strip. Dominic's defensive justifications for his actions are revealed to have been aimed at his cat Spark instead of his girlfriend Luna. (Actually, the cat understood, but he just didn't care.) Also, Nimmel's [[Rousing Speech]] to himself in a mirror is revealed to have been overheard by Luna.
** Both kinds were also used earlier, when Szark Sturtz poured his heart out to what was revealed to be a Dominic doll -- and then Jayden revealed that she'd been standing nearby and heard the whole thing.
** Both kinds were also used earlier, when Szark Sturtz poured his heart out to what was revealed to be a Dominic doll -- and then Jayden revealed that she'd been standing nearby and heard the whole thing.
* Used in ''[[Sabrina Online]]'' when Zig-Zag appears to be telling Sabrina how she really feels... only to finish with, "I also wonder how hard it would be to tell you this while you're awake."
* Used in ''[[Sabrina Online]]'' when Zig-Zag appears to be telling Sabrina how she really feels... only to finish with, "I also wonder how hard it would be to tell you this while you're awake."
* A confession of love somewhere in ''[[Narbonic]]''.
* A confession of love somewhere in ''[[Narbonic]]''.
* [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0402.html This strip] of ''[[Order of the Stick]]''. Used again, [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0527.html more recently], and rather heartbreakingly.
* [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0402.html This strip] of ''[[Order of the Stick]]''. Used again, [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0527.html more recently], and rather heartbreakingly.
** [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0496.html This strip] is a bit of a subversion since Roy is actually talking to the person he means to address, but it still fits since {{spoiler|the person he's talking to is too young mentally to understand what he's saying.}} Also the first major [[Tear Jerker]] in the series. Hoo-boy.
** [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0496.html This strip] is a bit of a subversion since Roy is actually talking to the person he means to address, but it still fits since {{spoiler|the person he's talking to is too young mentally to understand what he's saying.}} Also the first major [[Tear Jerker]] in the series. Hoo-boy.
* One of the last [http://queenofwands.net/d/20061125.html comics] of [[Queen of Wands]] combined this with [[Not So Dire]] (and instead of the [[Closeup on Head]] Shot, used shadows) to give Aeire's readers' chains just one more little yank.
* One of the last [http://queenofwands.net/d/20061125.html comics] of [[Queen of Wands]] combined this with [[Not So Dire]] (and instead of the [[Closeup on Head]] Shot, used shadows) to give Aeire's readers' chains just one more little yank.
* In ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'', Bun-bun is once shown lying on a couch talking about his thoughts and problems as if to a therapist, even though he's the last person you'd ever expect to do that. It's then revealed that he ''was'' talking to someone, because he needed someone to talk to to clear his thoughts - but that someone is [[Attention Deficit Ooh Shiny|Kiki]], who immediately forgets everything he said when he shows her some shiny new car keys to play with. Bun-bun has also had his ears plucked to block out Kiki's incessant hyperactive chatter in response to what he's been saying.
* In ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'', Bun-bun is once shown lying on a couch talking about his thoughts and problems as if to a therapist, even though he's the last person you'd ever expect to do that. It's then revealed that he ''was'' talking to someone, because he needed someone to talk to to clear his thoughts - but that someone is [[Attention Deficit Ooh Shiny|Kiki]], who immediately forgets everything he said when he shows her some shiny new car keys to play with. Bun-bun has also had his ears plucked to block out Kiki's incessant hyperactive chatter in response to what he's been saying.
* [http://adventurers.keenspot.com/d/0199.html This] strip of ''[[Adventurers]]''. Khrima is just practicing his [[Evil Gloating]].
* [http://adventurers.keenspot.com/d/0199.html This] strip of ''[[Adventurers!]]''. Khrima is just practicing his [[Evil Gloating]].


== [[Web Original]] ==
== [[Web Original]] ==
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* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Zuko does this in "The Western Air Temple", practicing his "Hi, I've made a [[Heel Face Turn]]" speech in front of a frog.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'': Zuko does this in "The Western Air Temple", practicing his "Hi, I've made a [[Heel Face Turn]]" speech in front of a frog.
** And then subverted [[Played for Laughs|for laughs]] when he walks up to Aang and company and gives the first bit of the same speech, intonation and all.
** And then subverted [[Played for Laughs|for laughs]] when he walks up to Aang and company and gives the first bit of the same speech, intonation and all.
* The first episode of ''Clerks: The Animated Series'' used this type of gag; A manhole cover is lifted partially open from the inside, and we hear Dante and Randall speak to one another while two sets of eyes are shown peeking out. Cue Dante and Randall walking past from offscreen.
* The first episode of ''Clerks: The Animated Series'' used this type of gag; A manhole cover is lifted partially open from the inside, and we hear Dante and Randall speak to one another while two sets of eyes are shown peeking out. Cue Dante and Randall walking past from offscreen.
* In the ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'' episode "A Sucker for the Suck-O-Matic", Rocko appears to be getting fed up with his slacker friend Heffer ("You're useless, and pathetic! Like... [[Buffy-Speak|a useless and pathetic thing!]]") and is preparing to beat him to death, but he's really just frustrated that his old vacuum cleaner has broken down again.
* In the ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'' episode "A Sucker for the Suck-O-Matic", Rocko appears to be getting fed up with his slacker friend Heffer ("You're useless, and pathetic! Like... [[Buffy-Speak|a useless and pathetic thing!]]") and is preparing to beat him to death, but he's really just frustrated that his old vacuum cleaner has broken down again.
* In the ''[[Kim Possible]]'' episode "Emotion Sickness", a montage of Ron expressing his thoughts and concerns about Kim's sudden ([[Emotion Bomb|Moodulator-induced]]) romantic interest in him ends in the reveal that he's talking to [[Drill Sergeant Nasty|Mr. Barkin]], who demands to know, "Stoppable, how did you get in my house?"
* In the ''[[Kim Possible]]'' episode "Emotion Sickness", a montage of Ron expressing his thoughts and concerns about Kim's sudden ([[Emotion Bomb|Moodulator-induced]]) romantic interest in him ends in the reveal that he's talking to [[Drill Sergeant Nasty|Mr. Barkin]], who demands to know, "Stoppable, how did you get in my house?"
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