History Main / PlaceboEurekaMoment

* There is an old academic advice that basically says, if you want to understand what you're learning, find someone who knows even less than you to explain it to. In other words, in the process of breaking down an idea for someone else to understand you also get a better understanding of it (this is very much a truth; even if you though you got it before it can reveal a lot of mistakes or parts that you have skipped.)

* ''{{House}}'', usually at least OnceAnEpisode. Sometimes House and Wilson will be in the same room and talking, but having two entirely different conversations, and something Wilson says or does causes House to get up and leave, generally without explanation.

* Used in [[http://kevinandkell.com/2011/kk0902.html this]] ''KevinAndKell'' strip.

In short, this is when a character has a EurekaMoment without being inspired by the other character, but acts like the other character gave them just what they needed. Sometimes the other character isn't actually listening in the first place - they're asleep, or they've left the room, etc. Sometimes it's an animal or someone who doesn't speak English. A common variation is for a character to be visiting their therapist, who doesn't say much more than "hmm," and "I see," yet they leave the session [[EpiphanyTherapy feeling much better]] (in fact, [[AllPsychologyIsFreudian psychoanalysis]] actually ''recommends'' that the therapist say as little as possibly, partly to prevent them from putting words in the patient's mouth and partly to encourage the patient to talk themselves).

* The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA ELIZA]] program, a "psychoanalytic" computer program where people would type in their problems (ie "People don't like me") and it would just throw their statements back at them in the form of questions ("Why do you think people don't like you?"). IIRC the majority of users said the program helped them feel better.

* I think there was an early episode of ''{{Scrubs}}'' where first J.D. and then Eliot did this with Dr Cox. This cemented Dr. Cox as the guy people came to with problems, much to his annoyance.

* ''{{Momo}}'', by MichaelEnde. Momo is a little girl who basically solves everyone's problems by simply listening to them. She never gives any advice at all, but the people who talk to her suddenly come up with ideas and solutions.

* ''BlackBooks'', all three main characters visit the same psychiatrist, and all of them experience ([[StatusQuoIsGod temporary]]) epiphanies. The shrink never says a thing, and gets showered with money for her trouble.

* The therapist Maddie talks to (or rather ''at'') in the ''JonathanCreek'' episode "The Scented Room".

* With [[DoctorWho the Doctor]] around, this is almost given. He'll be talking to his companion and then he'll explain what he had figured out. His companions will still wonder what he says!

** Not really an example, these generally were inspired by something Harry or Ron had said, like when she figured out Rita Skeeter's secret.

* In ''[[LionKing The Lion King One and A Half]]'', this happens the second time Timon meets Rafiki:
-->[=*Rafiki appears before Timon from a tree*=]
-->'''Timon''': You! No, no, don't say a word. I know what you're going to say.
-->[=*Imitates Rafiki*=]
-->'''Timon''': Did you find Hakuna Matata?
-->[=*Normal*=]
-->'''Timon''': Well, yes, I did! Thank you very much.
-->[=*Laughs*=]
-->'''Timon''': And I am happy. Happy, happy, deliriously happy.
-->[=*Imitates*=]
-->'''Timon''': Ho ha ha! I see. Happy, is it? So, if you're so happy, why do you look so miserable?
-->[=*Normal*=]
-->'''Timon''': Miserable, you say? Why should I be miserable? Oh, I don't know. Maybe my two best pals in the world deserted me. They - they've headed off on some heroic mission... . My friends... . are gone.
-->[=*Realizes*=]
-->'''Timon''': And... . my Hakuna Matata went with them!
-->[=*Rafiki smiles and nods*=]
-->'''Timon''': [=*points to his head*=] Would you mind?
-->[=*bows his head down*=]
-->[=*Rafiki lightly hits him on the head with his stick*=]
-->'''Timon''': Ay. Thanks. I'm glad we had this talk.
-->[=*Timon runs off screen*=]
-->'''Rafiki''': [[BreakingTheFourthWall My work here is done.]]
* Happens in TheSimpsons episode ''Who Shot Mr. Burns Part 2'' when Lisa finds a clue and then thanks a nearby pigeon for pointing it out to her.

[[AC:Theatre]]

* Haley at one point starts talking to Roy's corpse in ''OrderOfTheStick'', and his ghost continues the conversation. Of course, she can't hear a word of it...

In short, this is when a character has a EurekaMoment without being inspired by the other character, but acts like the other character gave them just what they needed. Sometimes the other character isn't actually listening in the first place - they're asleep, or they've left the room, etc. Sometimes it's an animal or someone who doesn't speak English. A common variation is for a character to be visiting their therapist, who doesn't say much more than "hmm," and "I see," yet they leave the session [[EpiphanyTherapy feeling much better]].

* {{House}}, when House and Wilson are in the same room and talking, but having two entirely different conversations, and something Wilson says or does causes House to get up and leave, generally without explanation. This happens often in the show.

* In ''ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace'', Merlin discusses something with Arthur over breakfast. Merlin then admits he just needed to say it out loud, and NotAMorningPerson Arthur replies that obviously Merlin knows him better than to actually ask his ''opinion'' at that time of day.

** This also got lampshaded by a politician (I don't remember the name or the direct quote) who travelled with Albert Einstein to a conference and wrote: "On the train Mr. Einstein has explained to me his theorem and by the time we arrived to the final station I was convinced that he understood it."

* The therapist in ''{{Phantasmagoria 2}}'' had surprisingly little to say about Curtis's various revelations: everything from being dressed as a girl by his mother, to his attraction to both his female co-worker and male best friend, to his interest in bondage. You'd think there would've at least been a comment of note. Oh well, Curtis seemed pleased with the sessions.

----

* ''{{Charlie and the Chocolate Factory}}'' (the second movie) - "Oh, you're good."

* [[CharmPerson Rin]], in Shannon Hale's [[BooksOfBayern ''Forest Born'']] has the gift for helping people this way, due to her quiet and accepting nature.
* ''{{Momo}}'', by Michael Ende. Momo is a little girl who basically solves everyone's problems by simply listening to them. She never gives any advice at all, but the people who talk to her suddenly come up with ideas and solutions.

* Happens in the ''{{Castle}}'' episode "Punked." Alexis asks her dad how to know if she's in love, but before he can give her any advice, she rambles on about it, coming to her own conclusion, but thanking him as if he gave her the answer. Quoth Castle as she runs off, "Glad we had this talk."

* Some of Hermione's I-think-I-just-had-an-epiphany-I'm-off-to-the-library moments in HarryPotter were like this. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by Ron at least once (he hates it when she figures something out and then leaves without telling them what it was).

* In [[LionKing The Lion King One and A Half]], this happens the second time Timon meets Rafiki: