History Main / ArcadianInterlude

* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': The Harfoots are mostly disconnected from the main plot in Season 1, they are unaware about the big powers trying to decide the fate of the world. Their subplot is more relaxed and happy-go-lucky. Even in the final of Season 1, they don't meet any of the other main characters.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* In several of ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'''s fiction vignettes, a Celestial Exalt dreams or flashbacks to their past incarnation's life in the First Age. They are inevitably saddened or confused by how far civilization has fallen since that golden era.

Not related to [[DorkAge that one time]] three guys from Music/DuranDuran recorded as a (not really) different band entirely.

* In several of ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'''s fiction vignettes, a Celestial Exalt dreams or flashbacks to their past incarnation's life in [[AndManGrewProud the First Age]]. They are inevitably saddened or confused by how far civilization has fallen since that golden era.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* In several of ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'''s fiction vignettes, a Celestial Exalt dreams or flashbacks to their past incarnation's life in [[AndManGrewProud the First Age]]. They are inevitably saddened or confused by how far civilization has fallen since that golden era.
[[/folder]]

* ''Literature/TheWindInTheWillows'': The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - basically Arcadia taken UpToEleven, considering the rest of the book is pretty much set in Arcadia to start with.

This place is also often set off from the rest of the narrative structurally, as a separate chapter or episode. In film it may be shot in a slightly different visual style. In literature it may be written with a more relaxed or lyrical tone. The Arcadian Interlude may be a key thematic and/or emotional moment for the work, even if it is never addressed again. In terms of narrative, the time away from the main setting can function as a sort of BreatherEpisode for the characters, a respite from the strife and conflict of the plot. If they are a couple they may have a RollInTheHay too.

* Heartbreakingly done near the end of ''Anime/PomPoko'', where the tanuki [[spoiler: -- having failed to protect their forest home from land developers -- combine their transformative powers to temporarily turn the hills into the lush, arcadian landscape they remember it as.]]

* The Piper at the Gates of Dawn segment of ''WesternAnimation/TheWindInTheWillows1995'' was this. Mole and Rat, while looking for Otter's missing son, stumble on Pan, the pagan god, who's playing his pipes by the river's edge. The realise they're not afraid and he disappears, revealing Portly, safe and sound. The whole scene is adapted almost exactly from the original novel.

* ''Film/BigFish'' has the town of Spectre, where everything is peaceful and perfect, and no one even needs to wear shoes because the ground is all soft grass. The hero enjoys his time there, but decides that he still needs to go out into the world before settling down. It's implied that people there don't really have any meaningful experiences. An author living there has been unable to write anything since arriving.

** The [[TownWithADarkSecret Kingdom of Zeal]]. The rest of the planet is in the throes of the perpetual winter caused by [[BigBad Lavos]]' arrival, but the FloatingContinent is just hunky dory.

** In Vault 112, you have to journey into a LotusEaterMachine to rescue your father. "Tranquility Lane" seems like a peaceful Pre-War suburban neighborhood, but it's subverted when it turns out to be one of many simulations Dr. Braun, the Vault's overseer, uses to torment Vault 112's citizens. You either have to help Braun with his latest twisted game, or [[spoiler: activate a "failsafe" that {{Mercy Kill}}s the people of Vault 112, leaving Braun trapped in the simulation by himself for the rest of his life.]]

* Yormgen from ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' is a town in the middle of nowhere, with no idea of current technology or politics [[spoiler:though the mysterious Duke has managed to find it]] yet thrives without the protection of a blastia. [[spoiler:It is eventually revealed to be a memory of a long dead place created by Phaeroh.]]

{{Arcadia}} depicts a place set apart from the rest of the world where a golden age of security and tranquility can still be remembered.

{{Arcadia}} depicts a place set apart from the rest of the world where a Golden Age of security and tranquility can still be remembered.

This place is also often set off from the rest of the narrative structurally, as a separate chapter or episode. In film, it may be shot in a slightly different visual style, in Literature it may be written with a more relaxed or lyrical tone. The Arcadian Interlude may be a key thematic and/or emotional moment for the work, even if it is never addressed again. In terms of narrative, the time away from the main setting can function as a sort of BreatherEpisode for the characters, a respite from the strife and conflict of the plot. If they are a couple they may have a RollInTheHay too.

* The 100 Acre Wood in VideoGame/{{Kingdom Hearts}} functions as this. No Heartless, no danger, just mini-games and sentimental moments.

* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': Adventure II Chapter 2 takes place in Reynir's rural hometown, which is more of a village by pre-ZombieAplocalyse standards, and situated in an entirely zombie-free country.