History Main / AlwaysSaveTheGirl

As long as the hero [[TakeAThirdOption takes a third option]] or at least [[DirtyBusiness shows a decent amount of angst]] over the decision, the audience ''may'' sympathize. But MoralDissonance can result if the hero seems to make the choice a little too easily, or if the exchange of life is ridiculously high. It can go full-on WallBanger if the couple in question were {{Strangled by the Red String}} or [[TheDulcineaEffect if they've only known each other for a short time]]. Then again, it could also be done in such a way that makes the audience feel [[KickTheSonOfABitch the hometown/nation/world deserved it]] [[HumansAreBastards for relentlessly abusing the hero.]]

->'''Majesty:''' Setting fire to an entire city for the sake of one woman seems... excessive.\\
'''Caine:''' Fuck the city. I'd burn the whole world to save her.
-->-- ''{{Acts of Caine}}''

See also {{Hostage for MacGuffin}}.

* In ''DoctorWho'', the Doctor is often criticized by fans for his tendency to place Rose's life above everyone else in the universe. But in something of a subversion, in "The Impossible Planet," the Beast (which may or may not be {{Satan}}) has manipulated events to put the Doctor in a position where, in order to kill the Beast, he has to smash the gravity generators suspending the Beast's prison-world around a Black Hole - however, to do this will mean that he'll be forced to sacrifice Rose, who is currently in a space ship heading through the gravity pocket holding the planet in place and will be sucked into the black hole. If he doesn't, then the Beast will be free to bring death and destruction to the universe. The Doctor's response is that he has faith in Rose, and smashes the jars anyway, dooming the Beast (he then finds the TARDIS and saves everyone anyway).
** The Doctor has always put the lives of his companions first (Sarah Jane Smith & Harry Sullivan are [[ColdBloodedTorture tortured]] in ''Genesis of the Daleks'' until the Doctor agrees to give details on future Dalek defeats, despite their pleas to him to not do it). Can be justified in that the Doctor has faith in his ability to muddle through any situation. Also the new Doctor Who series suggests that his companions represent his humanity in a universe full of mass death; as seen in "The Fires of Pompeii" when Donna convinces him to go back for one family among all those destroyed in Pompeii.
** It's mentioned some times that he feels responsible for them because it's his fault that they are in danger, since he brought them to wherever it is they are.

* In the fifth season finale of ''{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}'', Buffy would rather allow the fabric of reality to rip apart and condemn everyone on Earth to a horrible death than kill her sister, Dawn. In the seventh season she tells Giles that faced with the same choice now as she was then, she would allow Dawn to die.

* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, this trope basically sums up how [[spoiler:Snape responded to Lily being in danger. He was happy being a Death Eater until Voldemort targeted [[strike:the Potters]] Lily and some irrelevant people. In this case, this trope worked for good, motivating Snape's HeelFaceTurn as Voldemort could not have been expected to spare Lily since EvilCannotComprehendGood.]]

* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, this trope basically sums up how [[spoiler:Snape responded to Lily being in danger. He was happy being a Death Eater until Voldemort targeted [[strike:the Potters]] Lily and some other people.]]

* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, this trope basically sums up how [[spoiler:Snape responded to Lily being in danger. He was happy being a Death Eater until Voldemort targeted [[strike:the Potters]] Lily and some other people who don't matter.]]

* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, this trope basically sums up how [[spoiler:Snape responded to Lily being in danger]].

* In the ''HarryPotter'' series, [[spoiler:this trope basically sums up how Snape responded to Lily being in danger.]]

* In ''HarryPotter/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:Snape had this attitude about Lily, being willing to let Voldemort kill James and Harry if Lily was spared. Nevertheless, he doubted (accurately) that Voldemort would follow through and made a HeelFaceTurn to ensure Lily would be protected. When Lily dies anyway, Snape's reply is "I wish... I wish ''I'' were dead..." Dumbledore talks him into dedicating the rest of his life to honoring Lily's memory by protecting Harry.]]

* In ''HarryPotter/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:Snape had this attitude about Lily, being willing to let Voldemort kill James and Harry if Lily was spared. Nevertheless, he doubted (accurately) that Voldemort would follow through and made a HeelFaceTurn to ensure Lily would be protected.]]

* ''CityOfReality'' averts it in an ImagineSpot: Todo would [[http://cityofreality.com/2010/02/14/06-11-snap/ always]] go for the busFullOfInnocents.

* In the fifth season finale of ''{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}'', Buffy would rather allow the fabric of reality to rip apart and condemn everyone on Earth to a horrible death than kill her sister, Dawn.
** Although she decides to [[TakeAThirdOption sacrifice herself instead]]. [[IGotBetter She gets better]] 47 and 9/10ths days later.
* In ''{{Bones}}'', agent Booth won't hesitate to jump in to prevent anyone from hurting or threatening Bones. Which only strengthens their {{UST}} only more, of course.

** Although she decides to sacrifice herself instead. Though [[IGotBetter she gets better]] 47 and 9/10ths days later.

** Also from 'Changes', not a love interest, but instead [[spoiler: a daughter]] Harry makes it very clear he'd let the world AND HIMSELF burn if it means he can keep [[spoiler: Maggie]] safe.

** Also from Changes, not a love interest, but instead [[spoiler: a daughter]] Harry makes it very clear he'd let the world AND HIMSELF burn if it means he can keep [[spoiler: Maggie]] safe.