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Changed line(s) 13,14 (click to see context) from:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee to enter into the nightly race. Vanellope rationalizes that In order to enter the race she needs a gold coin, but she can only get a gold coin if she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the able to race. When Ralph confronts her, she's remorseless, pointing out that she had no other racers for supposedly choice.
** Later in the movie, after finding out that Vanellope is a glitch and her showing up in the race could result in it beinga defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
shutdown (which would kill her), Ralph smashes up her car, saying he was DoingItForYourOwnGood, but he clearly feels this way about it afterwards.
** Later in the movie, after finding out that Vanellope is a glitch and her showing up in the race could result in it being
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Changed line(s) 57 (click to see context) from:
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates]]. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
to:
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' Prothero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates]]. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
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* In ''Film/{{Lincoln}}'', Thaddeus Stevens is eventually forced to compromise on his principles to claim that he only wants equality before the law, not total racial equality, in order to get the 13th Amendment passed. When brought to task for his statement, an unrepentant Stevens asserts that he'd do just about anything to end slavery.
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Changed line(s) 2,4 (click to see context) from:
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'': Subverted. Seti expresses regret in regards to ordering his soldiers to slaughter the Hebrew newborns. However, his following remark makes his real feelings about the matter even clearer.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'': Subverted. Seti expresses regret in regards to ordering ''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says that he and his soldiers pack have a choice: either eat a comatose dog to slaughter the Hebrew newborns. However, his following remark makes his real feelings about the matter survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even clearer.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizesthough Gondo says that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game. they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes
Changed line(s) 6,8 (click to see context) from:
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[DeconstructedTrope This backfires horribly]].]]
* ''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says that he and his pack have a choice: either eat a comatose dog to survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even though Gondo says that they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
* ''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says that he and his pack have a choice: either eat a comatose dog to survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even though Gondo says that they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting [[spoiler:attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[DeconstructedTrope This backfires horribly]].]]
horribly]].
*''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'': Subverted. Seti expresses regret in regard to ordering his soldiers to slaughter the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says Hebrew newborns. However, his following remark makes his real feelings about the matter even clearer.
-->'''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made... Oh, my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes thathe she's broke and his pack have homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a choice: either eat a comatose dog to survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even though Gondo says that they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
*
-->'''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made... Oh, my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that
Changed line(s) 10,22 (click to see context) from:
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowersTheSpyWhoShaggedMe''. However, Austin's not so much bothered about the ethics as the ''[[{{squick}} physics]]''.
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus have to be killed or risk having them turn on the uninfected cast. Closely related to most [[ZombieApocalypse zombie]] and werewolf movies. Contrast WhatHappenedToMommy.
%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil2002'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live]]."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing.]]
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after [[spoiler: Eben has [[HeroicSacrifice turned himself into a vampire]] in order to fight off the vampires who've invaded the town]]
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus have to be killed or risk having them turn on the uninfected cast. Closely related to most [[ZombieApocalypse zombie]] and werewolf movies. Contrast WhatHappenedToMommy.
%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil2002'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live]]."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing.]]
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after [[spoiler: Eben has [[HeroicSacrifice turned himself into a vampire]] in order to fight off the vampires who've invaded the town]]
to:
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowersTheSpyWhoShaggedMe''. However, Austin's not so much bothered about the ethics as the ''[[{{squick}} physics]]''.
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus haveregard to be killed or risk having them turn on the uninfected cast. Closely related to most [[ZombieApocalypse zombie]] and werewolf movies. Contrast WhatHappenedToMommy.
%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Invertedframing Stacy, never apologizing in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil2002'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]"least as he thinks it was right to be told by [=McCoy=]: "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live]]."
*** When Sarek thanksput him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he hadaway no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing.]]
matter what.
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after[[spoiler: Eben [[spoiler:Eben has [[HeroicSacrifice turned himself into a vampire]] in order to fight off the vampires who've invaded the town]]
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus have
%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Inverted
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]"
*** When Sarek thanks
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after
Changed line(s) 25,35 (click to see context) from:
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler: Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler: kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom'' is a suburban woman who feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day.]] Though funny, John Waters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* In ''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'' Mathieu delivers a speech on this theme to the French press, justifying his use of torture in combating the Algerian insurgency.
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom'' is a suburban woman who feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day.]] Though funny, John Waters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* In ''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'' Mathieu delivers a speech on this theme to the French press, justifying his use of torture in combating the Algerian insurgency.
to:
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler: Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler: kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom''''Film/AssassinsCreed2016'': Joseph Lynch's first scene is a suburban woman who feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes immediately after Labor Day.]] Though funny, John Waters has stated Mary's death and he is constantly repeating the Creed like a SurvivalMantra, as if he's trying to reassure himself that he feels very strongly did the right thing.
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowers: The Spy Who Shagged Me''. However, Austin's not so much bothered aboutall these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandonethics as the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
''[[{{Squick}} physics]]''.
* In''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'' ''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'', Mathieu delivers a speech on this theme to the French press, justifying his use of torture in combating the Algerian insurgency.
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom''
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowers: The Spy Who Shagged Me''. However, Austin's not so much bothered about
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon
* In
Changed line(s) 37,44 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero? treatment.
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision process behind it, is does seem like the best idea at that point in time.
* In ''Dangerous Beauty'', this is Veronica Franco's justification for why she became a [[HighClassCallGirl courtesan]]: "I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life."
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler: helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision process behind it, is does seem like the best idea at that point in time.
* In ''Dangerous Beauty'', this is Veronica Franco's justification for why she became a [[HighClassCallGirl courtesan]]: "I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life."
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler: helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
to:
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard One team in ''Film/{{Cannonball}}'' discovers their fan belt has broken and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero? treatment.
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point outhead to a shopping center to get a new one. However, they can't find an auto parts store and reason that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a only way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According they can get a fan belt is to WordOfGod this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier steal one from one of the cars in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision processparking lot. That's what they end up having to do, but they leave behind it, is does seem like the best idea at some money and a note explaining why they did it.
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}'': In a world where there's an infectious virus thatpoint kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in time.
their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* In''Dangerous Beauty'', ''Film/DangerousBeauty'', this is Veronica Franco's justification for why she became a [[HighClassCallGirl courtesan]]: "I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life."
* In''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'',''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler: helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].the audience has seen the exact decision process behind it, is does seem like the best idea at that point in time.
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point out
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision process
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}'': In a world where there's an infectious virus that
* In
* In
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'',
Changed line(s) 46 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/DraftDay'' the Browns general manager Sonny Junior fired his dad as the head coach, because his father was at risk of dying during his stressful job. Firing him would have resulted in some relaxed years. Too bad his dad died anyway.
to:
* In ''Film/DraftDay'' ''Film/DraftDay'', the Browns general manager Sonny Junior fired his dad as the head coach, because his father was at risk of dying during his stressful job. Firing him would have resulted in some relaxed years. Too bad his dad died anyway.anyway.
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero treatment. Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod, this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero treatment. Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod, this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
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* ''Film/AssassinsCreed2016'': Joseph Lynch's first scene is immediately after Mary's death and he is constantly repeating the Creed like a SurvivalMantra, as if he's trying to reassure himself that he did the right thing.
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone.]]
-->'''Peter Quill''': Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->'''Thanos''': I... had... to...
* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
-->'''Ego:''' I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So {{I did what I had to do}}. But... [[spoiler: [[WhamLine it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]]]
* ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'':
** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone.]]
-->'''Peter Quill''': Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->'''Thanos''': I... had... to...
* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
-->'''Ego:''' I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So {{I did what I had to do}}. But... [[spoiler: [[WhamLine it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]]]
* ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'':
** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.
Changed line(s) 60 (click to see context) from:
* One team in ''Film/{{Cannonball}}'' discovers their fan belt has broken and head to a shopping center to get a new one. However, they can't find an auto parts store and reason that the only way they can get a fan belt is to steal one from one of the cars in the parking lot. That's what they end up having to do, but they leave behind some money and a note explaining why they did it.
to:
* One team in ''Film/{{Cannonball}}'' discovers their fan belt has broken and head to a shopping center to get a new one. However, they can't find an auto parts store and reason that the only way they can get a fan belt is to steal one from one of the cars in the parking lot. That's what they end up having to do, but they leave behind some money and a note ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
--->'''Ego:''' I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler:[[WhamLine it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head]]]].
** In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler:sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]].
--->'''Peter Quill:''' Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!\\
'''Thanos:''' I... had... to...
** ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'':
*** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
*** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
* ''Film/{{Predators}}'': Royce is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We didit.what we had to do."
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.\\
'''The Operative:''' I do... if I have to.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/SerialMom''. The entire premise is that a suburban woman feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day]]. Though funny, Creator/JohnWaters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live]]."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where Spock mind-melds with [[spoiler:Valeris]] [[MindRape against her will]].
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler:helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates]]. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler:Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'', who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler:kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
-->''"A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."''
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing]].
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder:''' Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton:''' ...I had to close an episode.
----
** In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
--->'''Ego:''' I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler:[[WhamLine it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head]]]].
** In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler:sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]].
--->'''Peter Quill:''' Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!\\
'''Thanos:''' I... had... to...
** ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'':
*** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
*** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
* ''Film/{{Predators}}'': Royce is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* A light-hearted version in ''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.\\
'''The Operative:''' I do... if I have to.
* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/SerialMom''. The entire premise is that a suburban woman feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day]]. Though funny, Creator/JohnWaters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone My God, Bones, what have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live]]."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where Spock mind-melds with [[spoiler:Valeris]] [[MindRape against her will]].
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler:helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates]]. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler:Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'', who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler:kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
-->''"A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."''
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'':
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing]].
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder:''' Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton:''' ...I had to close an episode.
----
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*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live."
to:
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What My God, Bones, what have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "What "[[YouDidTheRightThing What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live.live]]."
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* Early in ''Film/FriendOfTheWorld'', Gore plays a recording that explains some of the story we missed. He can be heard on the tape quoting this trope word for word before he turns it off.
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* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone, and it's become a BerserkButton for Peter Quill since his father Ego used it, stated below]]:
-->Peter Quill: Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Thanos: I... had... to...
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.
-->Peter Quill: Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Thanos: I... had... to...
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.
to:
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone, and it's become a BerserkButton for Peter Quill since his father Ego used it, stated below]]:
-->Peter Quill:Stone.]]
-->'''Peter Quill''': Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Thanos: -->'''Thanos''': I... had... to...
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.to...
-->Peter Quill:
-->'''Peter Quill''': Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.
Changed line(s) 54 (click to see context) from:
-->Ego: I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler: it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]
to:
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matching work page
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* ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'':
** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
** Early on, a former colleague of Strange's who was dusted asks him if he really, absolutely had to give up the Time Stone to Thanos, considering all the pain and suffering it caused. Strange reiterates his justification of "It was the only way."
** This appears to be a philosophy that ''every'' Strange across the multiverse ascribes to. Strange even quotes this verbatim at the beginning. [[spoiler:However, he ultimately defies this by choosing to believe that America can control her powers on her own instead of absorbing them and killing her in the process]].
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adding information
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* ''Film/{{Jumper}}'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this trope word-for-word.
to:
* ''Film/{{Jumper}}'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this trope word-for-word.word-for-word.
* One team in ''Film/{{Cannonball}}'' discovers their fan belt has broken and head to a shopping center to get a new one. However, they can't find an auto parts store and reason that the only way they can get a fan belt is to steal one from one of the cars in the parking lot. That's what they end up having to do, but they leave behind some money and a note explaining why they did it.
* One team in ''Film/{{Cannonball}}'' discovers their fan belt has broken and head to a shopping center to get a new one. However, they can't find an auto parts store and reason that the only way they can get a fan belt is to steal one from one of the cars in the parking lot. That's what they end up having to do, but they leave behind some money and a note explaining why they did it.
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None
Changed line(s) 4 (click to see context) from:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then Ralph starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal and then Ralph starts chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
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Changed line(s) 4 (click to see context) from:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal (which Ralph himself stole) and then Ralph starts hypocritically chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal (which Ralph himself stole) and then Ralph starts hypocritically chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
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%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
to:
%%Administrivia.ZeroContextExample. How is it inverted?* Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil'' ''Film/ResidentEvil2002'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
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** Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[PlotMandatedFriendshipFailure This]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone backfires]] [[DarkestHour horribly]].]]
to:
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[PlotMandatedFriendshipFailure This]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone backfires]] [[DarkestHour [[DeconstructedTrope This backfires horribly]].]]
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Elsa's motives for shutting people out vary over the course of the movie, and while protecting Anna is one of them, at no point is it the only one.
Deleted line(s) 4 (click to see context) :
* Queen Elsa does this in ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
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Changed line(s) 57 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/Jumper'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this word-for-word trope.
to:
* ''Film/Jumper'': ''Film/{{Jumper}}'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this word-for-word trope.trope word-for-word.
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Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.
to:
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.what.
* ''Film/Jumper'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this word-for-word trope.
* ''Film/Jumper'': When the protagonist David reproaches his mother for abandoning him when he was a kid at the end of the film, she responds by saying this word-for-word trope.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'', Vanellope steals Ralph's golden medal (which Ralph himself stole) and then Ralph starts hypocritically chewing out Vanellope who used it as her entry fee into the race. Vanellope rationalizes that she's broke and homeless, having been ostracized from the other racers for supposedly being a defect who never should've been programmed into the game.
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Changed line(s) 54 (click to see context) from:
-->Ego: I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler: it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]
to:
-->Ego: I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler: it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]]]
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.
* ''Film/TenToMidnight'': Kessler asserts this with regards to framing Stacy, never apologizing in the least as he thinks it was right to put him away no matter what.
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Misuse: I Did What I Had To Do is for characters who commit morally questionable deeds for the greater good. What Aladdin was doing wasn't even really that evil given the circumstances, and he did it not for a grand cause such as "the greater good" but for his own survival.
Deleted line(s) 4 (click to see context) :
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'': Aladdin justified his [[JustifiedCriminal stealing]] by only taking what he needed to survive and nothing more. On the one occasion where he did take more than he needed, he was devastated to see how much he hurt someone and returned the money.
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Changed line(s) 4,5 (click to see context) from:
* ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'': Aladdin justified his [[JustifiedCriminal stealing]] by only taking what he needed to survive and nothing more. On the one occasion where he did take more than he needed, he was devastated to see how much he hurt someone and returned the money.
* Queen Elsa does this in ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
* Queen Elsa does this in ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
to:
* ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'': ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'': Aladdin justified his [[JustifiedCriminal stealing]] by only taking what he needed to survive and nothing more. On the one occasion where he did take more than he needed, he was devastated to see how much he hurt someone and returned the money.
* Queen Elsa does this in''Disney/{{Frozen}}'' ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
* Queen Elsa does this in
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* A light-hearted version in ''Running Scared'' (1986). The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
to:
* A light-hearted version in ''Running Scared'' (1986).''Film/RunningScared1986''. The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
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Changed line(s) 50 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]]:
to:
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]]:Stone, and it's become a BerserkButton for Peter Quill since his father Ego used it, stated below]]:
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!Animated
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'': Subverted. Seti expresses regret in regards to ordering his soldiers to slaughter the Hebrew newborns. However, his following remark makes his real feelings about the matter even clearer.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'': Aladdin justified his [[JustifiedCriminal stealing]] by only taking what he needed to survive and nothing more. On the one occasion where he did take more than he needed, he was devastated to see how much he hurt someone and returned the money.
* Queen Elsa does this in ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
* Bad Cop has to justify doing this in ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie'', since it's his and Good Cop's neck on the line if he doesn't Kragle his own parents as punishment for failing to capture the Special. [[EvenMooksHaveLovedOnes Both sides were clearly distressed to hear that they had to do this to their own parents]]; but Bad Cop did it because he knew the harsh consequences that would otherwise happen if they didn't obey. Unfortunately, this becomes the case when Good Cop can't bring himself to do it, winning out his other side and having his own face wiped clean off as a result.
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[PlotMandatedFriendshipFailure This]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone backfires]] [[DarkestHour horribly]].]]
* ''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says that he and his pack have a choice: either eat a comatose dog to survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even though Gondo says that they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
!Live-Action
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowersTheSpyWhoShaggedMe''. However, Austin's not so much bothered about the ethics as the ''[[{{squick}} physics]]''.
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus have to be killed or risk having them turn on the uninfected cast. Closely related to most [[ZombieApocalypse zombie]] and werewolf movies. Contrast WhatHappenedToMommy.
** Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Running Scared'' (1986). The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing.]]
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after [[spoiler: Eben has [[HeroicSacrifice turned himself into a vampire]] in order to fight off the vampires who've invaded the town]]
-->'''Stella:''' What did you do to yourself?\\
'''Eben:''' What I had to do.
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler: Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler: kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom'' is a suburban woman who feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day.]] Though funny, John Waters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* In ''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'' Mathieu delivers a speech on this theme to the French press, justifying his use of torture in combating the Algerian insurgency.
-->'''Mathieu:''' Should France remain in Algeria? If your answer is "yes", then you must accept all the consequences.
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero? treatment.
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision process behind it, is does seem like the best idea at that point in time.
* In ''Dangerous Beauty'', this is Veronica Franco's justification for why she became a [[HighClassCallGirl courtesan]]: "I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life."
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler: helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
* In ''Film/DraculaUntold'', this is Vlad III Dracula's reason for becoming a vampire, as well as his reasons for the impalings earlier in his life.
* In ''Film/DraftDay'' the Browns general manager Sonny Junior fired his dad as the head coach, because his father was at risk of dying during his stressful job. Firing him would have resulted in some relaxed years. Too bad his dad died anyway.
* ''Film/AssassinsCreed2016'': Joseph Lynch's first scene is immediately after Mary's death and he is constantly repeating the Creed like a SurvivalMantra, as if he's trying to reassure himself that he did the right thing.
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]]:
-->Peter Quill: Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Thanos: I... had... to...
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.
* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
-->Ego: I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler: it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceOfEgypt'': Subverted. Seti expresses regret in regards to ordering his soldiers to slaughter the Hebrew newborns. However, his following remark makes his real feelings about the matter even clearer.
--> '''Seti:''' Sometimes for the greater good, sacrifices must be made...Oh my son. [[WhamLine They were only slaves]].
* ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'': Aladdin justified his [[JustifiedCriminal stealing]] by only taking what he needed to survive and nothing more. On the one occasion where he did take more than he needed, he was devastated to see how much he hurt someone and returned the money.
* Queen Elsa does this in ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'' when she shuts herself out in order to protect her sister, Anna, from her powers that [[MyGreatestFailure almost killed her]].
* Bad Cop has to justify doing this in ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie'', since it's his and Good Cop's neck on the line if he doesn't Kragle his own parents as punishment for failing to capture the Special. [[EvenMooksHaveLovedOnes Both sides were clearly distressed to hear that they had to do this to their own parents]]; but Bad Cop did it because he knew the harsh consequences that would otherwise happen if they didn't obey. Unfortunately, this becomes the case when Good Cop can't bring himself to do it, winning out his other side and having his own face wiped clean off as a result.
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'', this is Twilight's justification to the rest of the Mane 6 for [[spoiler: attempting to steal the hippogriffs' Pearl of Transformation -- every attempt at using the power of friendship outside of Equestria so far [[NiceJobBreakingItHero has only gotten the ponies in more trouble]], so she decided to forgo it entirely. [[PlotMandatedFriendshipFailure This]] [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone backfires]] [[DarkestHour horribly]].]]
* ''WesternAnimation/IsleOfDogs'': One of the dogs on Trash Island, Gondo, says that he and his pack have a choice: either eat a comatose dog to survive or starve to death. They end up eating said comatose dog, and even though Gondo says that they did what they had to in order to survive, he still feels ashamed of doing it.
!Live-Action
* This is Felicity Shagwell's excuse for sleeping with Fat Bastard in ''Film/AustinPowersTheSpyWhoShaggedMe''. However, Austin's not so much bothered about the ethics as the ''[[{{squick}} physics]]''.
* Any Scifi horror movie where people who are infected by TheVirus have to be killed or risk having them turn on the uninfected cast. Closely related to most [[ZombieApocalypse zombie]] and werewolf movies. Contrast WhatHappenedToMommy.
** Inverted in the first ''Film/ResidentEvil'' movie. The infectee even receives the cure... and still turns into a zombie at THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT.
* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'':
*** Reversed. Watching the Enterprise explode, Kirk asks, "[[MyGodWhatHaveIDone What have I done?]]" to be told by [=McCoy=]: "What you had to do; what you always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live."
*** When Sarek thanks him at the end, Kirk plays it straight: "What I did, I had to do."
** ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry'', during the scene where [[TheSpock Spock]] [[MindRape mindmelds]] with [[spoiler: Valeris]] against her will.
* A light-hearted version in ''Running Scared'' (1986). The two cop heroes are in a hostage situation with a gunman who doesn't have any pants (long story). He orders them to take off their pants and give them to him so (a) he'll have a pair and (b) it will be harder for them to follow him. They do so. Later in the station house they're asked how they could give up their pants, and one of them says "We did what we had to do."
* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries''
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' Professor X tells Wolverine he did what he had to do in suppressing Jean's powers and her violent Phoenix personality.
** In ''Film/TheWolverine'', [[spoiler:during a dream sequence, Wolverine tells Jean Grey that he had no choice but to kill her because of all the death and destruction she was causing.]]
* In ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'', after [[spoiler: Eben has [[HeroicSacrifice turned himself into a vampire]] in order to fight off the vampires who've invaded the town]]
-->'''Stella:''' What did you do to yourself?\\
'''Eben:''' What I had to do.
* Played straight to the letter by [[spoiler: Ozymandias]] of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' who not only goes to [[TheChessmaster ridiculous lengths]] to dupe the world into think they're under attack (and killing millions in the process), he also [[spoiler: kills his beloved Bubastis in a vain attempt to kill Dr. Manhattan]].
--> "A world at peace. There had to be sacrifice."
* Featured prominently in the second of many speeches in ''Film/VForVendetta''.
-->'''Lewis Protero:''' We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. [[PlayingWithSyringes They had to go]].
* [[PlayedForLaughs In a more comical direction]], the entire premise of Creator/JohnWaters' ''Film/SerialMom'' is a suburban woman who feels morally justified in offing people for [[spoiler:bad manners, not recycling and fashion faux pas, like Patricia Hearst's white shoes after Labor Day.]] Though funny, John Waters has stated that he feels very strongly about all these grievances (especially the last).
* ''Film/{{Carriers}}''. In a world where there's an infectious virus that kills people, pretty much everyone is forced to kill people who are infected but not yet dead. On some occasions our 'heroes' kill some non-infected people when they refused to give up gas in their car. They needed this gas to survive.
* The Operative in ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
-->'''Mal:''' I don't murder children.
-->'''The Operative:''' I do...if I have to.
* Royce from ''Film/{{Predators}}'' is willing to sacrifice his fellow humans and abandon the wounded in order to survive, and often invokes this trope when Isabelle [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out for it]].
* In ''Film/TheBattleOfAlgiers'' Mathieu delivers a speech on this theme to the French press, justifying his use of torture in combating the Algerian insurgency.
-->'''Mathieu:''' Should France remain in Algeria? If your answer is "yes", then you must accept all the consequences.
* In ''Film/DrNo'', Film/JamesBond invokes the trope after he knifes a guard and Honey Ryder gives him the WhatTheHellHero? treatment.
** Some latter-day reviews of this film point out that there is actually little plot justification for Bond killing this particular man, other than continuing to establish the "licence to kill" aspect of 007 in a way Creator/IanFleming never did in his books. (According to WordOfGod this is why Bond is shown murdering [[spoiler: Professor Dent]] earlier in the film, again an event never depicted by Fleming.)
* In the ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', this is done by Jim Gordon when he is called out by John Blake over hiding the Two-Face murders by blaming it on Batman. An interesting take, however, as this is suggested by Batman himself, he is never seen as a villain or a KnightTemplar, and since the audience has seen the exact decision process behind it, is does seem like the best idea at that point in time.
* In ''Dangerous Beauty'', this is Veronica Franco's justification for why she became a [[HighClassCallGirl courtesan]]: "I repent there was no other way open to me. I do not repent my life."
* In ''Film/Zombi3D'' when Dr. Holder and his assistant, Norma, confront General Morton as the infector's body is burned, Morton uses this as an excuse.
-->'''Dr. Holder''': Who told you to burn the body of the man infected with Death One?\\
'''General Morton''': ...I had to close an episode.
* In ''Film/TellNoOne'', this is how Jacques justifies [[spoiler: helping Margot [[FakingTheDead fake her death]] and not telling Alexandre about it; he was trying to keep Margot away from Gilbert, since she had killed Gilbert's son]].
* In ''Film/DraculaUntold'', this is Vlad III Dracula's reason for becoming a vampire, as well as his reasons for the impalings earlier in his life.
* In ''Film/DraftDay'' the Browns general manager Sonny Junior fired his dad as the head coach, because his father was at risk of dying during his stressful job. Firing him would have resulted in some relaxed years. Too bad his dad died anyway.
* ''Film/AssassinsCreed2016'': Joseph Lynch's first scene is immediately after Mary's death and he is constantly repeating the Creed like a SurvivalMantra, as if he's trying to reassure himself that he did the right thing.
* In ''Film/{{Trumbo}}'', Edward G. Robinson says "I did what I had to do" while explaining to Trumbo why he named names to HUAC.
* In ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', Thanos uses this to justify [[spoiler: sacrificing Gamora for the Soul Stone]]:
-->Peter Quill: Asshole! Tell me you didn't do it!
-->Thanos: I... had... to...
-->Peter Quill: No, you didn't.
* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', Ego says these exact words when explaining to Peter Quill why he left Meredith, Peter's mother, if Ego loved her so much:
-->Ego: I returned to Earth to see her three times. And I knew if I returned a fourth, I'd never leave. The Expansion, the reason for my very existence, would be over. So I did what I had to do. But... [[spoiler: it broke my heart to put that tumor in her head.]]
