Tropes in That Make You Go "Huh?"

[cherrystark]

I know there have been a lot of threads about tropes in books and movies that we like or dislike. But what about the tropes that aren't necessarily bad but make you go ??? ???

Here is an example. It's really common in books and in movies for a shapeshifter to take over for one of the heroes but NO ONE ever notices the difference until it's too late. In real life, almost as soon as one of my friends or family members does something the least bit out of character (like claiming to hate apple juice) we immediately jump to the "Who are you and where's XXX person?"

I have only seen it happen once in a book where one of the heroes figured out that her assistant was really a phony before the shapeshifter could attack because of the shifter's opinion on the "How I Met Your Mother" finale. The trope's not necessarily bad but what does it say about a character if they fail to notice that one of their best friends, whom they spend all their free time with, suddenly starts acting completely different.

Have you guys noticed any others?

[Crusoe]

I just find it odd when the teenage hero needs to like... safe the government from a disaster or something. Of course, that trope can work when it's well-explained, but if it's not presented with the proper context it's like... Really? Is there no-one who is more capable? And no protocols for this kind of disaster?

[LadyN]

Murder mysteries where the teenager MC and his/her friends solve the crime. Like, isn’t that the police’s job???

Edit: okay I can understand if there’s a specific situation in the place it’s happening in but a lot of the time it’s never explained.

[joannekwan]

When characters are having consensual sex and the submissive one gets weepy or starts crying in the midst of it. And much of the time they aren't necessarily in emotional turmoil or anything but I'm like … shouldn't they stop??
Or they're crying from joy, though I'd rather they do that before or after the deed LOL.
It's just not sexy or cute to me.
Every time I see this trope I'm all

[cherrystark]

I've seen that one! A similar one to that is when the young hero must "save" the city, i.e. Spiderman, instead of maybe protecting the few blocks near where he lives. Saving the city makes sense for a hero like Batman, he's got the time, tech, and resources. Spiderman has to wake up the next morning and go to school.

[Crusoe]

Ah that's true! Tho in the case of spiderman, from what I've seen, he does actually tend to fight smaller crime than the heavier hitter heroes. He doesn't easily go up against galactic forces like superman might, but tends to fix smaller crimes such as robberies and such.

[cherrystark]

True. There are lots of different Spiderman storylines out there. I just remember the post where someone pointed out that Spiderman has to try and save the whole city while Daredevil micromanages the heck out of his ten block radius.

[cherrystark]

This is more of a thing in Disney movies but the heroes rarely have siblings and almost never have brothers. Some do, but most of the time, they come from the hero is an only child.

In other stories, if the hero does have siblings, they generally have only "all brothers" or "all sisters". Imagine how the show "Charmed" would have been different if the third sibling for the whole "power of 3" thing was their hidden brother Paul, instead of Phoebe.

[Moctemma]

That one person or two persons' inaction or actions doom the world.
I dislike this trope a lot, along with the "only the one can save the world". For me, it shows that your world is dead. If there's something more in the story, I may continue, but this alone can stop me from checking it in the first place.

In a world that is "alive", tens of organizations and hundreds, or thousands, of people would fight to prevent it. If they fail, I'm okay with that, but having the villains and heroes achieve it so easily drives me nuts. Where is the temple, the spies from other kingdoms, the government, the workers? They're non-existent.
If one of our presidents goes nuts and wants to nuke a country, there will be a ton of opposition. Because the world is "alive".

One of the stories that I can put as an example is "I'm the real one." If you want to do it, it's fine, but make sure there is a world outside of your main characters.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Many romance tropes because of my lack of understanding

• When a person so hard-set on liking another person they try to seduce and win that person out of a relationship they already in. The relationship is often just an average one when they love each other, not abusive or something.
  Why? You might ruin a relationship. If you successfully sway them, that means they're that easy to give in their commitment to anyone who promises them better and probably will run from you towards whoever seduce them better the next time. I don't know, I can't crush on someone who is already in relationship.

• Also when a party always demand on "spending more time for their relationship," usually the naggy wife or girlfriend. On screen sometimes IMO they spent enough time together. It is often made as an excuse to get in the way with their lover's important mission/job/hobby, and will make them hold back. I don't know this trope always made me think "Are people becoming needy once they're in relationship?"

• How the awkward male MC perfectly lands on female characters' boobs?

[cherrystark]

Also when a party always demand on "spending more time for their relationship," usually the naggy wife or girlfriend. On screen sometimes IMO they spent enough time together. It is often made as an excuse to get in the way with their lover's important mission/job/hobby, and will make them hold back. I don't know this trope always made me think "Are people becoming needy once they're in relationship?"

On the flip side to this one, I also wonder if they don't like/enjoy spending time with their partner, why are they even together? Or, why don't they make a better effort to include their partner in their friend group (rom-coms)? It's not that unusual IRL to add a person's partner to your social circle when they get together.

[Inspector_Spinda]

well it can work if they're in an isolated location or stranded somewhere without police. Or even just someone the police don't care about or if the city is overall sort of crappy so the police are too busy with other things. or if its a superhero story.

[Inspector_Spinda]

lmao i can't believe that's a thing that happens

[Inspector_Spinda]

I don't necessary consider this trope bad because tbh it's a guilty pleasure for me lol. But whenever a supernatural creature character is like "humans suck!" "all aspects of humans are stupid" its makes me go ??? because they are basically human too. they usually live among humans have human like emotions, wear human clothes and sometimes even eat human food. and never question it. it seems like a type of bullying almost or racism.

[cherrystark]

I can see your point there. In the stories I've seen this in, they'll even have close friends with humans or have dated humans. Like huh???

[Inspector_Spinda]

but then good omens is legit good and it kind does this

[surin]

the amnesia thing and the whole we thought we got rid of the villain finally but here he comes again stronger and more annoying than ever.
But honestly, for me it the execution of it. 97% of the time I would roll my eyes when I see one of those tropes but on the other 3% percent, I would be so amazed at how well they executed it to the point of it becoming my favorites.

[liamhernandezlucas]

When a character says things like 'He's a boy after all' or 'She's a girl after all', often without explaining why that's relevant. ?
Whenever a guy in a story says 'I'm a guy, so I might not be able to control myself' when a female character is alone with him, I think he's a massive creep. Like, dude, just because you're a guy doesn't mean you have to be some hormonal animal person. Reevaluate yourself. Same goes for girl characters making similar weird statements.

An extension of that is 'He doesn't see me like a woman'. Lady, being a woman doesn't make you an object of desire for every dude. The world is full of women. That guy knows full well you're a girl.

Or when a girl fights a guy and she loses 'because boys are stronger'. Hey, did you know Bruce Lee took a lot of inspiration from women's kung fu? You know why? Because if you punch or grab someone in the right manner, it doesn't matter if they're stronger than you. (Also, statistics are not the same as universal truths)
And if the characters being attacked are inexperienced or overwhelmed, a guy wouldn't do better.
Meanwhile Jenny here who trained hard for her whole life is being overpowered by some random street robber so the male lead can come in and rescue her.

I could go with many more, but I don't want to get too negative. These weird me out more than they turn me away. Maybe because I'm too used to them.

[cherrystark]

Or when a girl fights a guy and she loses 'because boys are stronger'. Hey, did you know Bruce Lee took a lot of inspiration from women's kung fu? You know why? Because if you punch or grab someone in the right manner, it doesn't matter if they're stronger than you. (Also, statistics are not the same as universal truths)

Historically, the majority of ninjas are believed to be women. Since for the era, no one would think twice if a young woman was seen going into a king or dignitary's room late at night.

[feuersichel]

New York always being the place, where all the aliens and monsters party to much...