History Main / MediationBackfire

[[quoteright:225:[[ComicStrip/{{Peanits}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peace_0.jpg]]]]

* On ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' when Marge went after Itchy and Scratchy, the series staff did an episode where a squirrel character based on Marge tries to stop a fight, but the duo decides to knock her head off instead. Given that the only other time they've worked together against someone else was an old wartime special where they beat up Hitler...

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' Hank and Cotton, his father, have been more antagonistic lately in the days leading up to Christmas, and wanting to do a good deed, Peggy and Bobby try to get them to get along better, but their efforts do little to decrease the tension. Things escalate when Mr. Strickland offers Hank a promtion and a raise, prompting Hank to say "I love you" to Strickland. When the Hills volunteer to help build a house for an underprivileged family, Cotton throws a tantrum and insults Hank by reminding that he said "I love you" to another man. Peggy, thinking that if Hank say he loves Cotton will make him stop encourages Hank to day something, and Hank uses the opportunity to say "dad, I hate you!" As Cotton thrashes the house further, Peggy and Bobby ask Hank to reconsider what he said, but Hank responds that he's been waiting years to say that, and feels happy to have said it, and when Bobby says that he doesn't really mean that, Hank says that a father and son don't have to love another. Hank and Cotton only make peace thanks to [[AsHimself former president]] Usefulnotes/JimmyCarter who was building another house nearby as part of his habitats for humanity organization, who was asked by Bobby to mediate the argument because he thought Carter was Jesus Christ.

* In the ''Series/{{Friends}}'' episode "The One With The Racecar Bed'', Ross' attempts to endear himself to Rachel's father (who already didn't like Ross ''before'' he found out he'd gotten Rachel pregnant out of wedlock) aren't going well. Rachel's attempts to get them to try and warm up to each other segue into a conversation about Rachel's "specialty" chiropractor, and the two soon find common ground... criticizing Rachel's questionable life choices.

* In the ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'' episode where [[EvilOldFolks Granmda Ida]] loses a leg [[PetTheDog after saving Dewey, one of her grandsons, from being run over by a truck,]] Lois forces her oldest son, Francis, to take care of Ida until she fully recovers, citing that since he's unemployed at the time he has plenty of time to do so. Francis tells Lois that's a terrible idea because of how much they hate each other, but Lois responds that she doesn't care what it takes for them to get along but he's going to stay with Ida no matter what. When Francis starts pointing out Lois' flaws, Ida adds several other flaws that she's noticed while raising her.

* ''Theater/WestSideStory'': Tony's attempt to break up the rumble between the Jets and Sharks at Maria's request only serves to raise everyone's tempers, until the situation devolves from what could have been a begrudgingly-honorable, non-lethal fistfight to a knife fight that leaves both Bernardo and Riff dead and sets of the tragic chain reaction of the final act.

** This can be particularly amplified when it comes to political, religious, and ideological disputes. Those who take the "centrist/moderate" position often fall victim to this trope, and [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment let's leave it at that]].

* This trope, along with TheMasochismTango, is the entire point of the Edward Albee play ''Theatre/WhosAfraidOfVirginiaWoolf''. George and Martha attack each other at every turn, but take more delight in ganging up to tear apart the innocent young couple they invite round for drinks, ([[TheAlcoholic lots and lots]] [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl of drinks]]). It's heavily implied they do this all the time to keep them from killing each other.

* One ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' strip sees an exchange of snowballs over Snoopy's dog house while he's lying on it. He stands up and gently cautions, "peace." Cue a ''hail'' of snowballs striking him from both sides.

* Discussed and defied by the Feegles in ''Discworld/IShallWearMidnight'' - "Any man who interferes with the arguin' of women is gonnae find himself with both of them jumpin' up and doon on him in a matter of seconds".

** This can be particularly amplified when it comes to political, religious, and ideological disputes. Those who take the "centrist/moderate" position often fall victim to this trope, and [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement let's leave it at that]].

** This can be particularly amplified when it comes to political, religious, and ideological dispute. Those who take the "centrist/moderate" position often fall victim to this trope, and [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement let's leave it at that]].

* From ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' after J.D. intervenes in an argument between [[BelligerentSexualTension Dr. Cox and Jordan]];
-->'''[[ButtMonkey J.D.]]:''' And just like that all the hatred they had for each other was instantly directed at me.

* The whole point of an SF story: A scientist sees this trope happen, has an epiphany and fakes an alien invasion to unite mankind. It works, even if it all comes out at the end.

Subtrope of NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished, and related to UnwantedAssistance. Inversion of AppleOfDiscord, when a third party makes two allies ''start'' arguing - this is about making two arguers temporarily join forces against the intruder. Compare/contrast EnemyMine, when two mortal enemies join forces to defeat a mutual threat, GenghisGambit (where the mediator deliberately invokes this), and ContemptCrossfire.

Subtrope of NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished, and related to UnwantedAssistance. Inversion of AppleOfDiscord, when a third party makes two allies ''start'' arguing - this is about making two arguers temporarily join forces against the intruder. Compare/contrast EnemyMine, when two mortal enemies join forces to defeat a mutual threat, and GenghisGambit (where the mediator deliberately invokes this).

* In the Robert Asprin book ''[[Literature/MythAdventures The Sweet Myth-tery of Life]]'', Guido describes this as an inevitable result of getting involved in a domestic dispute.
** As previously shown by Skeeve in ''Hit or Myth'', when he got the reluctantly married king and queen to get along by telling off both of them. (And wisely brought bodyguards when he did it.)
* Very deliberately {{invoked|Trope}} by Creator/{{Saki}} in "Excepting Mrs. Pentherby".

* In an early ''ComicStrip/{{Doonesbury}}'' comic strip, activist Mark Slackmeyer tries to quiet down an unruly crowd of disorganized and divied protesters by having them unite under a common goal, and they end up shouting "KILL THE MODERATOR!"

* In an early ''ComicStrip/Doonesbury'' comic strip, activist Mark Slackmeyer tries to quiet down an unruly crowd of disorganized and divied protesters by having them unite under a common goal, and they end up shouting "KILL THE MODERATOR!"