History Main / GodzillaThreshold

* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'': In "Dodgebrawl", [[Characters/TotalDramaDuncan Duncan]] sleeps out the dodgeball game due to being exhausted from the previous challenge, warning his team that if they wake him up, it'll be the last thing they do. They leave him alone for most of the game and only wake him up when it looks like they're about to lose for the third time in a row.

Note that, as the Real Life section below attempts to show, using such options tends to create more problems; if the solution ultimately causes more/worse problems than you had before, you may have a case of PyrrhicVictory. NiceJobBreakingItHero and WonTheWarLostThePeace can be related in larger-scale stories. Of course, these only apply when the consequences are shown — if they pull it off without problems, you may have an InformedFlaw.

Once the Threshold is crossed, ''any'' {{plan}} with even the smallest possibility of success, no matter how [[CrazyEnoughToWork ludicrous]], {{dangerous|ForbiddenTechnique}}, or [[IDidWhatIHadToDo abhorrent]], suddenly becomes a valid option. This serves both narrative and authorial purposes. Suppose the heroes are given EmergencyAuthority. Or they have an awesome weapon that nonetheless causes a lot of property damage, like a KillSat. Or a [[SealedEvilInACan captured]] or [[EvilIsNotAToy dormant]] monster. Or one knows a DangerousForbiddenTechnique that will put their life at risk. Or [[TheOnlyOne the only ones left]] who are in a position to try and save the day are the RagtagBunchOfMisfits who've been bumbling their way in the background the whole time. The powers that be [[ChekhovsGun have to use it]], but it can't be done lightly without portraying them as either [[MoralEventHorizon careless or cruel]]. So the author contrives to make the situation call for its use in such clear terms the audience understands this was done as a last resort — and, if it's handled properly, the audience doesn't even notice.

Once the Threshold is crossed, ''any'' {{plan}}, with even the smallest possibility of success, no matter how [[CrazyEnoughToWork ludicrous]], {{dangerous|ForbiddenTechnique}}, or [[IDidWhatIHadToDo abhorrent]], suddenly becomes a valid option. This serves both narrative and authorial purposes. Suppose the heroes are given EmergencyAuthority. Or they have an awesome weapon that nonetheless causes a lot of property damage, like a KillSat. Or a [[SealedEvilInACan captured]] or [[EvilIsNotAToy dormant]] monster. Or one knows a DangerousForbiddenTechnique that will put their life at risk. Or [[TheOnlyOne the only ones left]] who are in a position to try and save the day are the RagtagBunchOfMisfits who've been bumbling their way in the background the whole time. The powers that be [[ChekhovsGun have to use it]], but it can't be done lightly without portraying them as either [[MoralEventHorizon careless or cruel]]. So the author contrives to make the situation call for its use in such clear terms the audience understands this was done as a last resort — and, if it's handled properly, the audience doesn't even notice.

There is wisdom in facing a threat with a proportionate response. Sure, ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill, but it will likely cause a lot of [[DestructiveSaviour avoidable collateral damage]], ''and'' it will guarantee that tomorrow [[SortingAlgorithmOfEvil the next threat is stronger]]. But every so often, the time comes when [[OutsideContextProblem the threat is so great]], the situation has [[GoneHorriblyWrong gone so horribly wrong]], that there is ''no'' proportionate response. When circumstances are so dire as to justify the use of any and every thing that might solve it, no matter how reckless, nonsensical, or horrific, regardless of cost. When even the [[SummonBiggerFish summoning]] of Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, king of the monsters and patron saint of collateral damage, could not possibly make the crisis any worse. Every so often, the situation crosses the Godzilla Threshold.

** The Rabbit Miraculous can be used to travel through time. However, ForWantOfANail is very much in effect, and time-travel can have highly unpredictable results. This is why the Rabbit is the "hero of last resort", only used when things have gone spectacularly wrong.

* Defied in ''Film/MenInBlack''. The bug impersonating Edgar is getting close to stealing the Arquillian galaxy, so when Agent J sees him, he tries to shoot in broad view of dozens of New Yorkers with his fancy ray gun, earning K's fury.
-->'''Agent J:''' Hey, we ain't got time for this cover-up bullshit! Maybe you've forgotten, but there's an Arquillian battle cruiser-\\
'''Agent K:''' There's ''[[TheWorldIsAlwaysDoomed always]]'' an Arquillian battle cruiser, or a Corellian DeathRay, or an intergalactic plague that's about to wipe out life on this miserable little planet. [[{{Masquerade}} The only way]] [[{{Muggles}} these people]] [[{{Masquerade}} get on with their happy lives]] is they [[PunctuatedForEmphasis do. Not. Know about it]]!

** In "A Better World", the League has to fight the Justice Lords, their KnightTemplar parallel Earth counterparts who have no compunctions about killing or lobotomizing their enemies. Batman notes that the only way they’ll win is by crossing a line themselves. They resort to making an alliance with Lex Luthor, allowing him to walk free with a Presidential pardon once the Lords are defeated.
** Green Arrow and Speedy's "quantum arrows", which are only to be used in an emergency. When used together, they create an explosion powerful enough to create a small ''mushroom cloud.''