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* ''XiaolinShowdown'': Clay does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
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* ''XiaolinShowdown'': ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'': Clay does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
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[[folder: Fan Works]]
* In ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached'', the Hunter, with twenty years of nonstop adventure behind him, begins to plot out a long, difficult slog into the Misery Mountains, citing lurking undead and other nasty things lying in wait along the cold, windy, miles-long path. George stops him and basically says, “Hey, I'll just turn into a dragon and fly us up there.” End of problem.
[[/folder]]
* In ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached'', the Hunter, with twenty years of nonstop adventure behind him, begins to plot out a long, difficult slog into the Misery Mountains, citing lurking undead and other nasty things lying in wait along the cold, windy, miles-long path. George stops him and basically says, “Hey, I'll just turn into a dragon and fly us up there.” End of problem.
[[/folder]]
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* ''SchlockMercenary'' [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20030413.html here.]]
to:
* ''SchlockMercenary'' ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20030413.html here.]]
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We Have The Keys is a related trope.
Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
Compare with ThereWasADoor, a specific subtrope where rather than simply opening a door, someone smashes through the door or wall (though actually, smashing through is simpler in the short term, and only in the long term is it more complicated). Also compare CuttingTheKnot. This strategy might be used by TheJohnHenry.
to:
Compare with ThereWasADoor, a specific subtrope where rather than simply opening a door, someone smashes through the door or wall (though actually, smashing through is simpler in the short term, and only in the long term is it more complicated). Also compare CuttingTheKnot. May overlap with WeHaveTheKeys if the "key" is found before the more violent solution is tried (or after the more violent solution has failed). This strategy might be used by TheJohnHenry.
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Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* The [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney version]] of ''TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': Quasimodo and Phoebus find the entrance to the Hall of Miracles (the Gypsies' secret hideout) using the amulet Esmeralda gave Quasimodo. The amulet leads them to a large grave with mysterious writing on the lid. While Phoebus tries to decipher the writing, Quasi simply lifts it open, uncovering a staircase.
to:
* The [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney version]] of ''TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': ''Disney/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': Quasimodo and Phoebus find the entrance to the Hall of Miracles (the Gypsies' secret hideout) using the amulet Esmeralda gave Quasimodo. The amulet leads them to a large grave with mysterious writing on the lid. While Phoebus tries to decipher the writing, Quasi simply lifts it open, uncovering a staircase.
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Better sorting.
Changed line(s) 1,4 (click to see context) from:
-> '''Frodo:''' It's a riddle. "Speak'' friend ''and enter." What's the Elvish word for friend?
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. *the door opens* ''
-->--'''''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''''' film adaptation
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. *the door opens* ''
-->--'''''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''''' film adaptation
to:
->
'''Gandalf:'''
-->--'''''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings
-->-- ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
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!!Examples:
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[[folder:[[AC:Anime and Manga]]]]
* In ''[=~Ranma ½~=]'', Ranma gets a cursed spatula attached to his hand ([[ItMakesSenseInContext don't ask]]). It will only come off when it is "used properly". Every attempt to use it to cook results in disaster and magic energy bolts flying all over the place. Then someone realizes that the Japanese phrases "use properly" and "use fish flakes" sound identical. They sprinkle on some fish flakes and the spatula falls right off.
* ''{{Pokemon}}'' uses a variant of this trope, amazingly enough, in the second movie. "And the world will turn to Ash."
* In ''[=~Ranma ½~=]'', Ranma gets a cursed spatula attached to his hand ([[ItMakesSenseInContext don't ask]]). It will only come off when it is "used properly". Every attempt to use it to cook results in disaster and magic energy bolts flying all over the place. Then someone realizes that the Japanese phrases "use properly" and "use fish flakes" sound identical. They sprinkle on some fish flakes and the spatula falls right off.
* ''{{Pokemon}}'' uses a variant of this trope, amazingly enough, in the second movie. "And the world will turn to Ash."
to:
* In
*
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[[folder:[[AC:Comics]]]]
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[[folder:[[AC:Films]]]]
* ''BedknobsAndBroomsticks'': Near the end, they realize [[spoiler: the spell they were looking for was in the child's book all along.]] This make a large part of the movie somewhat of a ShaggyDogStory in retrospect.
* In ''[[Film/TheBourneSeries The Bourne Identity]]'', Jason and Marie are trying to obtain some information from a hotel's files. Jason comes up with an absurdly complicated scheme for acquiring this information, and instructs Marie at length about the precise timing and attention to detail required before sending her in. She returns thirty seconds later, having decided to simply walk up and ''ask'' the clerk for the files after claiming to be Bourne's personal assistant.
* ''BedknobsAndBroomsticks'': Near the end, they realize [[spoiler: the spell they were looking for was in the child's book all along.]] This make a large part of the movie somewhat of a ShaggyDogStory in retrospect.
* In ''[[Film/TheBourneSeries The Bourne Identity]]'', Jason and Marie are trying to obtain some information from a hotel's files. Jason comes up with an absurdly complicated scheme for acquiring this information, and instructs Marie at length about the precise timing and attention to detail required before sending her in. She returns thirty seconds later, having decided to simply walk up and ''ask'' the clerk for the files after claiming to be Bourne's personal assistant.
to:
*
* In ''[[Film/TheBourneSeries The Bourne Identity]]'', Jason and Marie are trying to obtain some information from a hotel's files. Jason comes up
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[[folder:[[AC:Literature]]]]
* In ''[[LordOfTheRings The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Gandalf spends hours casting opening spells and trying passwords on the door into Moria. He finally realizes that he mistranslated the inscription on the door: instead of "Speak, friend, and enter", it was "Say 'friend' and enter" All he had to do was say the elven word for "friend" and the door opened. Gandalf read the inscription aloud before, but in the common tongue, not in Elvish.
* In the parody ''BoredOfTheRings'', Goodgulf tries many passwords, before realizing that the door has a knob.
* ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had the inscription on the door read, "[[AC:I give up my secret]]". Naturally, the door opens when the "Gandalf" character (played by Chad) [[YouWereTryingTooHard exhausts all his ideas and says, "I give up!"]]
* In ''[[LordOfTheRings The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Gandalf spends hours casting opening spells and trying passwords on the door into Moria. He finally realizes that he mistranslated the inscription on the door: instead of "Speak, friend, and enter", it was "Say 'friend' and enter" All he had to do was say the elven word for "friend" and the door opened. Gandalf read the inscription aloud before, but in the common tongue, not in Elvish.
* In the parody ''BoredOfTheRings'', Goodgulf tries many passwords, before realizing that the door has a knob.
* ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had the inscription on the door read, "[[AC:I give up my secret]]". Naturally, the door opens when the "Gandalf" character (played by Chad) [[YouWereTryingTooHard exhausts all his ideas and says, "I give up!"]]
to:
*
* In ''[[Film/TheBourneSeries The Bourne Identity]]'', Jason and Marie are trying
* In the parody ''BoredOfTheRings'', Goodgulf tries many passwords,
* ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had
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[[folder:[[AC:Live Action TV]]]]
to:
* In ''[[TheLordOfTheRings The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Gandalf spends hours casting opening spells and trying passwords on the door into Moria. He finally realizes that he mistranslated the inscription on the door: instead of "Speak, friend, and enter", it was "Say 'friend' and enter" All he had to do was say the elven word for "friend" and the door opened. Gandalf read the inscription aloud before, but in the common tongue, not in Elvish.
* In the parody ''BoredOfTheRings'', Goodgulf tries many passwords, before realizing that the door has a knob.
* ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had the inscription on the door read, "[[AC:I give up my secret]]". Naturally, the door opens when the "Gandalf" character (played by Chad) [[YouWereTryingTooHard exhausts all his ideas and says, "I give up!"]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
Changed line(s) 37,38 (click to see context) from:
--->'''Lister''': Why don't we scrape away this mortar here, slide one of these bricks out, then using a rope weaved from strands of this hessian, rig up a kind of a pulley system so that when a guard comes in, using it as a trip wire, gets laid out, and we put Rimmer in the guard's uniform, he leads us out, we steal some swords, and fight our way back to the bug.
--->'''Kryten''': Or we could use the teleporter.
--->'''Kryten''': Or we could use the teleporter.
to:
--->'''Kryten''':
'''Kryten''': Or we could use the teleporter.
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-->Mr. Moore: I'd say to the super, "if you tell me how tall this building is I'll give you this neat barometer."
::This is a reference to a tale of [[http://www.snopes.com/college/exam/barometer.asp similar smartassery]] on the part of Niels Bohr (in his university days).
::This is a reference to a tale of [[http://www.snopes.com/college/exam/barometer.asp similar smartassery]] on the part of Niels Bohr (in his university days).
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* ''The Men From The Ministry'': The protagonists are faced with an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
to:
* ''The Men From The from the Ministry'': The protagonists are faced with an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
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[[folder:[[AC:Tabletop Games]]]]
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** Module I7 ''Baltron's Beacon'' has a ShoutOut to the ''LordOfTheRings'' example. A door has the inscription "Sayez Chi, Passant Avantre" ("To pass through, say who"). If the party uses magic to read the inscription they may think they need to say "who" in Common: they actually need to say "Chi", which is the word for "who" in the language the message is written in.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any 'Dungeons And Dragons'' product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
** [Brackets] once included a dungeon with a nine-letter tumbler puzzle locking a door, with the riddle question "What is the mirror that shines in the darkness?" The answer was Moonlight. '''Moonlight''' is ''the mirror'' that '''shines''' [[spoiler: The moon reflects light from the sun, thus making it a mirror.]]
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any 'Dungeons And Dragons'' product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
** [Brackets] once included a dungeon with a nine-letter tumbler puzzle locking a door, with the riddle question "What is the mirror that shines in the darkness?" The answer was Moonlight. '''Moonlight''' is ''the mirror'' that '''shines''' [[spoiler: The moon reflects light from the sun, thus making it a mirror.]]
to:
** Module I7 ''Baltron's Beacon'' "Baltron's Beacon" has a ShoutOut to the ''LordOfTheRings'' ''TheLordOfTheRings'' example. A door has the inscription "Sayez Chi, Passant Avantre" ("To pass through, say who"). If the party uses magic to read the inscription they may think they need to say "who" in Common: they actually need to say "Chi", which is the word for "who" in the language the message is written in.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any'Dungeons And ''Dungeons & Dragons'' product that I am we are aware of, I learned this rule was learned from another D&D ''D&D'' player while playing a rogue.
** [Brackets] once included a dungeon with a nine-letter tumbler puzzle locking a door, with the riddlequestion question: "What is the mirror that shines in the darkness?" The answer was Moonlight. '''Moonlight''' is ''the mirror'' that '''shines''' [[spoiler: The [[spoiler:The moon reflects light from the sun, thus making it a mirror.]]
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any
** [Brackets] once included a dungeon with a nine-letter tumbler puzzle locking a door, with the riddle
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[[folder:[[AC:Video Games]]]]
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* In the third ''[[MetalGear Metal Gear Solid]]'', knocking on the door is also the solution, contrary to anything your support team suggests, to getting through a random locked door in the enemy base.
* In ''FinalFantasyXIII'', Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because [[spoiler: the doors are fal'Cie, and thus living creatures who don't respond well to being punched and knocked on.]]
* In ''FinalFantasyXIII'', Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because [[spoiler: the doors are fal'Cie, and thus living creatures who don't respond well to being punched and knocked on.]]
to:
* In the third ''[[MetalGear Metal Gear Solid]]'', ''MetalGearSolid'', knocking on the door is also the solution, contrary to anything your support team suggests, to getting through a random locked door in the enemy base.
base.
* In ''FinalFantasyXIII'', Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because[[spoiler: the [[spoiler:the doors are fal'Cie, and thus living creatures who don't respond well to being punched and knocked on.]]
* In ''FinalFantasyXIII'', Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because
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* In the {{Infocom}} game ''Journey'', the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
* In ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
* In ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
to:
* In the {{Infocom}} game ''Journey'', the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues [[spoiler:Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
* In ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?"[[spoiler:one [[spoiler:One of the choices is "knock"]]"knock".]]
* In ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?"
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[[folder:[[AC:Web Comics]]]]
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* Another case of a character locked outside in this [[http://www.xkcd.com/530/ this]] {{Xkcd}} strip, only geekier.
to:
* Another case of a character locked outside in this [[http://www.xkcd.com/530/ this]] {{Xkcd}} ''{{xkcd}}'' strip, only geekier.
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[[folder:[[AC:Western Animation]]]]
* The [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney version]] of ''{{The Hunchback Of Notre Dame}}'': Quasimodo and Phoebus find the entrance to the Hall of Miracles (the Gypsies' secret hideout) using the amulet Esmeralda gave Quasimodo. The amulet leads them to a large grave with mysterious writing on the lid. While Phoebus tries to decipher the writing, Quasi simply lifts it open, uncovering a staircase.
* The [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney version]] of ''{{The Hunchback Of Notre Dame}}'': Quasimodo and Phoebus find the entrance to the Hall of Miracles (the Gypsies' secret hideout) using the amulet Esmeralda gave Quasimodo. The amulet leads them to a large grave with mysterious writing on the lid. While Phoebus tries to decipher the writing, Quasi simply lifts it open, uncovering a staircase.
to:
* The [[DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney version]] of ''{{The Hunchback Of Notre Dame}}'': Quasimodo and Phoebus find the entrance to the Hall of Miracles (the Gypsies' secret hideout) using the amulet Esmeralda gave Quasimodo. The amulet leads them to a large grave with mysterious writing on the lid. While Phoebus tries to decipher the writing, Quasi simply lifts it open, uncovering a staircase.
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Renaming to Rube Goldberg Device.
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In any story, there are problems. Characters need to solve those problems. Usually, they do so in the most straightforward way. But sometimes, they create an [[RobinsonGoldbergContraption extremely complex and convoluted plan]] for what should be a [[OverrideCommand simple solution]]. They may just plan it, or they may actually go through with it, but often before, during, or after, some other character points out how complicated the plan is, or what the simplest solution would be.
to:
In any story, there are problems. Characters need to solve those problems. Usually, they do so in the most straightforward way. But sometimes, they create an [[RobinsonGoldbergContraption [[RubeGoldbergDevice extremely complex and convoluted plan]] for what should be a [[OverrideCommand simple solution]]. They may just plan it, or they may actually go through with it, but often before, during, or after, some other character points out how complicated the plan is, or what the simplest solution would be.
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Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
* In ''BattlefieldBadCompany 2'', the squad captures a Russian soldier and intends to interrogate him for information. While TheSarge goes off to talk to him, the other soldiers start talking about how effective he is at torture and betting on how long it will take the guy to break. Sarge comes back in seconds, having simply asked the guy straight-up. Apparently, he was just a Russian conscript with family in Houston, and wanted no part of the whole thing.
to:
* In ''BattlefieldBadCompany 2'', the squad captures a Russian soldier and intends to interrogate him for information. While TheSarge The Sarge goes off to talk to him, the other soldiers start talking about how effective he is at torture and betting on how long it will take the guy to break. Sarge comes back in seconds, having simply asked the guy straight-up. Apparently, he was just a Russian conscript with family in Houston, and wanted no part of the whole thing.
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* In ''BattlefieldBadCompany 2'', the squad captures a Russian soldier and intends to interrogate him for information. While TheSarge goes off to talk to him, the other soldiers start talking about how effective he is at torture and betting on how long it will take the guy to break. Sarge comes back in seconds, having simply asked the guy straight-up. Apparently, he was just a Russian conscript with family in Houston, and wanted no part of the whole thing.
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* ''{{Pokemon}}'' uses a variant of this trope, amazingly enough, in the second movie. "And the world will turn to Ash."
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Added DiffLines:
* ''{{Rolemaster}}'' ''Shadow World'' supplement ''Emer''. Inside the Ahrenthrok, a door made of frosted green laen has a silver rune inlaid on it. It will open if the Iruaric word "IKen" ("open") is spoken.
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left the italics for the foreign word
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
-> '''Frodo:''' ''It's a riddle. "Speak'' friend ''and enter." What's the Elvish word for friend?''
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. * the door opens* ''
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. * the door opens* ''
to:
-> '''Frodo:''' ''It's It's a riddle. "Speak'' friend ''and enter." What's the Elvish word for friend?''
friend?
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon.* the *the door opens* ''
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Please do not pothole work titles — they provide context to those who do not know the work well. Work titles are given in italics. Please follow our Example Indentation. Folderize. Fix quote formatting. The urban legend in the real life section isn\'t a truthful example and was collecting natter — drop that one. Move webcomic example to webcomic seciton.
Changed line(s) 2,4 (click to see context) from:
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. * the door opens* ''\\
-''Film/TheLordOfTheRings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' film adaptation
-''Film/TheLordOfTheRings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' film adaptation
to:
-> '''Gandalf:''' ''Mellon. * the door opens* ''\\
-''Film/TheLordOfTheRings:''
-->--'''''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of theRing'' Ring]]''''' film adaptation
-''Film/TheLordOfTheRings:
-->--'''''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* After a week-long story in the comic strip ''{{Monty}}'' where Monty thinks he locked himself out and tries all sorts of ways to coerce his cat to give him the keys (the cat gives him peas) or get the keys himself, he eventually gets stuck in the cat door. His friend Moondog walks up to him, and when Monty asks how he got inside, Moondog says the front door was open.
to:
* ''Monty'': After a week-long story in the comic strip ''{{Monty}}'' where Monty thinks he locked himself out and tries all sorts of ways to coerce his cat to give him the keys (the cat gives him peas) or get the keys himself, he eventually gets stuck in the cat door. His friend Moondog walks up to him, and when Monty asks how he got inside, Moondog says the front door was open.
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
* Near the end of ''BedknobsAndBroomsticks'', they realize [[spoiler: the spell they were looking for was in the child's book all along.]] This make a large part of the movie somewhat of a ShaggyDogStory in retrospect.
to:
* ''BedknobsAndBroomsticks'': Near the end of ''BedknobsAndBroomsticks'', end, they realize [[spoiler: the spell they were looking for was in the child's book all along.]] This make a large part of the movie somewhat of a ShaggyDogStory in retrospect.
Changed line(s) 30,32 (click to see context) from:
** In the parody ''BoredOfTheRings'', Goodgulf tries many passwords, before realizing that the door has a knob.
** Parodied in [[http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=680 this strip]] of ''DMOfTheRings''.
** ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had the inscription on the door read, "[[AC:I give up my secret]]". Naturally, the door opens when the "Gandalf" character (played by Chad) [[YouWereTryingTooHard exhausts all his ideas and says, "I give up!"]]
** Parodied in [[http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=680 this strip]] of ''DMOfTheRings''.
** ''Muse'' magazine's AffectionateParody of ''LordOfTheRings'' had the inscription on the door read, "[[AC:I give up my secret]]". Naturally, the door opens when the "Gandalf" character (played by Chad) [[YouWereTryingTooHard exhausts all his ideas and says, "I give up!"]]
to:
**
Changed line(s) 39 (click to see context) from:
* In the first episode of ''HeadOfTheClass'' Dr. Samuels gives the class an assignment: how do you measure the height of a building using a barometer? After several explanations, he asks the new sub Mr. Moore how he would do it.
to:
* In the first episode of ''HeadOfTheClass'' ''HeadOfTheClass'': Dr. Samuels gives the class an assignment: how do you measure the height of a building using a barometer? After several explanations, he asks the new sub Mr. Moore how he would do it.
Changed line(s) 41 (click to see context) from:
** This is actually a reference to a tale of similar smartassery on the part of Niels Bohr (in his university days). {{Snopes}} [[http://www.snopes.com/college/exam/barometer.asp has more]].
to:
Changed line(s) 46 (click to see context) from:
* •There was an episode of The BBC Radio Sit Com ''The Men From The Ministry'' involving an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
to:
* •There was an episode of The BBC Radio Sit Com ''The Men From The Ministry'' involving Ministry'': The protagonists are faced with an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
Changed line(s) 53,54 (click to see context) from:
** Module I7 ''Baltron's Beacon'' has a ShoutOut to the LordOfTheRings example. A door has the inscription "Sayez Chi, Passant Avantre" ("To pass through, say who"). If the party uses magic to read the inscription they may think they need to say "who" in Common: they actually need to say "Chi", which is the word for "who" in the language the message is written in.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any D&D product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any D&D product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
to:
** Module I7 ''Baltron's Beacon'' has a ShoutOut to the LordOfTheRings ''LordOfTheRings'' example. A door has the inscription "Sayez Chi, Passant Avantre" ("To pass through, say who"). If the party uses magic to read the inscription they may think they need to say "who" in Common: they actually need to say "Chi", which is the word for "who" in the language the message is written in.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in anyD&D 'Dungeons And Dragons'' product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any
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* In ZorkGrandInquisitor in Hades, the player is tasked with answering a bunch of questions on the Hades Hotline telephone before he/she can call a shuttle. It's made especially confusing (the Hotline strives for "customer dissatisfaction") by the fact that, for example to press 6, you need to press 2, and to press 4, you need to press 0. The puzzle is doable, and there are only 5 questions, but it can also all be overriden if the player [[spoiler: casts "Kendall" to simplify the instructions.]]
* The InteractiveFiction game ''Bureaucracy'', written by DouglasAdams, has a puzzle that consists of a locked door in an apartment complex. The way to get the door open is to do something no experienced adventure game player would ever think of trying, but someone faced with the same situation in RealLife would probably have no trouble finding the answer. [[spoiler: Simply knock on the door, and the person inside lets you in.]] It's that kind of game.
* The InteractiveFiction game ''Bureaucracy'', written by DouglasAdams, has a puzzle that consists of a locked door in an apartment complex. The way to get the door open is to do something no experienced adventure game player would ever think of trying, but someone faced with the same situation in RealLife would probably have no trouble finding the answer. [[spoiler: Simply knock on the door, and the person inside lets you in.]] It's that kind of game.
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* In ZorkGrandInquisitor ''ZorkGrandInquisitor'' in Hades, the player is tasked with answering a bunch of questions on the Hades Hotline telephone before he/she can call a shuttle. It's made especially confusing (the Hotline strives for "customer dissatisfaction") by the fact that, for example to press 6, you need to press 2, and to press 4, you need to press 0. The puzzle is doable, and there are only 5 questions, but it can also all be overriden if the player [[spoiler: casts "Kendall" to simplify the instructions.]]
*The ''Bureaucracy'': this InteractiveFiction game ''Bureaucracy'', game, written by DouglasAdams, has a puzzle that consists of a locked door in an apartment complex. The way to get the door open is to do something no experienced adventure game player would ever think of trying, but someone faced with the same situation in RealLife would probably have no trouble finding the answer. [[spoiler: Simply knock on the door, and the person inside lets you in.]] It's that kind of game.
*
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* In FinalFantasyXIII, Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because [[spoiler: the doors are fal'Cie, and thus living creatures who don't respond well to being punched and knocked on.]]
* Near the start of the {{Infocom}} adventure ''Leather Goddesses of Phobos'', the player is captured by aliens and thrown into a cell. The way to escape is [[spoiler:simply to open the door - it's not locked]]. Many players were stuck for weeks on this point.
** Lampshaded in-game as well - the other prisoner admits he never thought to try it.
* In the {{Infocom}} game "Journey", the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
* In KnightsOfTheOldRepublic, to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
* Near the start of the {{Infocom}} adventure ''Leather Goddesses of Phobos'', the player is captured by aliens and thrown into a cell. The way to escape is [[spoiler:simply to open the door - it's not locked]]. Many players were stuck for weeks on this point.
** Lampshaded in-game as well - the other prisoner admits he never thought to try it.
* In the {{Infocom}} game "Journey", the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
* In KnightsOfTheOldRepublic, to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
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* In FinalFantasyXIII, ''FinalFantasyXIII'', Lightning tries almost everything to get a certain door open. Then, for some reason, she ''gives the door a hug'', and says: "I'm sorry. Please open". The door pops open, and every other door of that type opens witout a fuss from then on. This happens because [[spoiler: the doors are fal'Cie, and thus living creatures who don't respond well to being punched and knocked on.]]
*Near the start of the {{Infocom}} adventure ''Leather Goddesses of Phobos'', the Phobos'': The player is captured by aliens and thrown into a cell. The way to escape is [[spoiler:simply to open the door - -- it's not locked]]. Many players were stuck for weeks on this point.
**point. Lampshaded in-game as well - -- the other prisoner admits he never thought to try it.
* In the {{Infocom}} game"Journey", ''Journey'', the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
* InKnightsOfTheOldRepublic, ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
*
**
* In the {{Infocom}} game
* In
* ''TheLordOfTheRings'' is parodied in [[http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=680 this strip]] of ''DMOfTheRings''.
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* In ''TheFairlyOddParents, Timmy, Chester, and AJ are sent to a military school, where they are forced to conquer an obstacle course. One obstacle is a sixty-foot climbing wall covered in spikes. While Timmy and Chester are in awe of what they seemingly have to climb, AJ comes up with a simpler solution - walk around it.
* [[XiaolinShowdown Clay]] does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
* [[XiaolinShowdown Clay]] does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
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* In ''TheFairlyOddParents, ''TheFairlyOddParents'', Timmy, Chester, and AJ are sent to a military school, where they are forced to conquer an obstacle course. One obstacle is a sixty-foot climbing wall covered in spikes. While Timmy and Chester are in awe of what they seemingly have to climb, AJ comes up with a simpler solution - walk around it.
*[[XiaolinShowdown Clay]] ''XiaolinShowdown'': Clay does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
*
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[[folder:Real Life]]
* There's the urban legend of how NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, while the Soviet Cosmonauts just used pencils.
** Of course, the reason why NASA ''didn't'' use pencils is because they create free-floating waste (powder from the lead, or heaven forbid you actually try to erase). Getting rid of said waste in zero gravity is rather tricky, and could build up in important components.
*** I'm guessing it wouldn't cost millions to come up with a countermeasure for that.
** NASA never spent anything on the research to begin with, it was [[http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp a private company that afterwards sold the pens]] to the USA and USSR for several dollars a piece.
[[/folder]]
* There's the urban legend of how NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, while the Soviet Cosmonauts just used pencils.
** Of course, the reason why NASA ''didn't'' use pencils is because they create free-floating waste (powder from the lead, or heaven forbid you actually try to erase). Getting rid of said waste in zero gravity is rather tricky, and could build up in important components.
*** I'm guessing it wouldn't cost millions to come up with a countermeasure for that.
** NASA never spent anything on the research to begin with, it was [[http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp a private company that afterwards sold the pens]] to the USA and USSR for several dollars a piece.
[[/folder]]
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<<|NarrativeDevices|>>
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** NASA never spent anything on the research to begin with, it was a private company that afterwards sold the pens to USA and USSR for several dollars a piece.
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** NASA never spent anything on the research to begin with, it was [[http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp a private company that afterwards sold the pens pens]] to the USA and USSR for several dollars a piece.
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** NASA never spent anything on the research to begin with, it was a private company that afterwards sold the pens to USA and USSR for several dollars a piece.
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* In KnightsOfTheOldRepublic, to choose your Jedi class, you are asked a series of questions, one of them being "You are at a locked door. What do you do?" [[spoiler:one of the choices is "knock"]]
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*** I'm guessing it wouldn't cost millions to come up with a countermeasure for that.
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** Of course, the reason why NASA ''didn't'' use pencils is because they create free-floating waste (powder from the lead, or heaven forbid you actually try to erase). Getting rid of said waste in zero gravity is rather tricky, and could build up in important components.
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* [[XiaolinShowdown Clay]] does something similar to circumvent an obstacle course.
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[[folder:Radio]]
* •There was an episode of The BBC Radio Sit Com ''The Men From The Ministry'' involving an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
[[/folder]]
* •There was an episode of The BBC Radio Sit Com ''The Men From The Ministry'' involving an infestation of mice. One character suggests using high tech methods to get rid of them such as laser beams or ultrasonics. His secretary suggests a cat.
[[/folder]]
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* In ''TheFairlyOddParents, Timmy, Chester, and AJ are sent to a military school, where they are forced to conquer an obstacle course. One obstacle is a sixty-foot climbing wall covered in spikes. While Timmy and Chester are in awe of what they seemingly have to climb, AJ comes up with a simpler solution - walk around it.
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[[folder:Real Life]]
* There's the urban legend of how NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, while the Soviet Cosmonauts just used pencils.
[[/folder]]
* There's the urban legend of how NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, while the Soviet Cosmonauts just used pencils.
[[/folder]]
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Compare with ThereWasADoor, a specific subtrope where rather than simply opening a door, someone smashes through the door or wall (though actually, smashing through is simpler in the short term, and only in the long term is it more complicated). Also compare CuttingTheKnot.
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Compare with ThereWasADoor, a specific subtrope where rather than simply opening a door, someone smashes through the door or wall (though actually, smashing through is simpler in the short term, and only in the long term is it more complicated). Also compare CuttingTheKnot. This strategy might be used by TheJohnHenry.
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Was getting a better image (DVD source) ready, and realized, this is just a face and a caption. I love LotR but it\'s just some glowy doors. Pulled.
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[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/The_Doors_of_Durin.jpg]]
[[caption-width:240:[[TheLordOfTheRings The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria.]] You know what to do.]]
[[caption-width:240:[[TheLordOfTheRings The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria.]] You know what to do.]]
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* In ''AustinPowers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'', Austin and Felicity are about to be thrown at a LavaPit. Austin makes up an elaborate plan to escape. Felicity decides to [[ShowSomeLeg flash the guard]], [[DistractedByTheSexy who then promptly falls into the pit]].
** [Brackets] once included a dungeon with a nine-letter tumbler puzzle locking a door, with the riddle question "What is the mirror that shines in the darkness?" The answer was Moonlight. '''Moonlight''' is ''the mirror'' that '''shines''' [[spoiler: The moon reflects light from the sun, thus making it a mirror.]]
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* In ''ZorkGrandInquisitor'', playing as Brog, you come across a complicated puzzle based on a three-ways chess game, with the Skull of Yoruk protected in a wire mesh that will open if it's solved. If you try to solve the puzzle, Brog just moves one piece back and forth on each board, which does nothing. The only option is the simplest one: smash the machine with a plank and take the Skull.
** Also, while in Hades, the player is tasked with answering a bunch of questions on the Hades Hotline telephone before he/she can call a shuttle. It's made especially confusing (the Hotline strives for "customer dissatisfaction") by the fact that, for example to press 6, you need to press 2, and to press 4, you need to press 0. The puzzle is doable, and there are only 5 questions, but it can also all be overriden if the player [[spoiler: casts "Kendall" to simplify the instructions.]]
** Also, while in Hades, the player is tasked with answering a bunch of questions on the Hades Hotline telephone before he/she can call a shuttle. It's made especially confusing (the Hotline strives for "customer dissatisfaction") by the fact that, for example to press 6, you need to press 2, and to press 4, you need to press 0. The puzzle is doable, and there are only 5 questions, but it can also all be overriden if the player [[spoiler: casts "Kendall" to simplify the instructions.]]
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* In
** Also, while
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* In the third ''[[MetalGear Metal Gear Solid]]'', this is also the solution, contrary to anything your support team suggests, to getting through a random locked door in the enemy base.
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* In the third ''[[MetalGear Metal Gear Solid]]'', this knocking on the door is also the solution, contrary to anything your support team suggests, to getting through a random locked door in the enemy base.
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* In the {{Infocom}} game "Journey", the characters find a gate with an inscription reading "Please only say 'gate open' to enter storage-room." [[spoiler: Clues allow the player to read this correctly as "Storage-room entrance. To open gate, say only 'Please'."]]
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Natter
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** What kind of ''language'' is Japanese?
*** It has a pretty limited number of distinct syllables, making homonyms more common than English speakers are used to.
**** He may have been asking why the word "properly" is made of the syllables for "fish" and "flake."
***** Because it has a pretty limited number of distinct syllables, making homonyms more common than English speakers are used to.
****** Even in English, the directions could easily have said "Use with [[DolphinsDolphinsEverywhere purpose]]."
*** It has a pretty limited number of distinct syllables, making homonyms more common than English speakers are used to.
**** He may have been asking why the word "properly" is made of the syllables for "fish" and "flake."
***** Because it has a pretty limited number of distinct syllables, making homonyms more common than English speakers are used to.
****** Even in English, the directions could easily have said "Use with [[DolphinsDolphinsEverywhere purpose]]."
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** First rule of lockpicking: check that the door with a lock is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any D&D product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
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** First rule of lockpicking: check that the locked door with a lock is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any D&D product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
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** First rule of lockpicking: check that the door with a lock is actually locked. Although this rule isn't published in any D&D product that I am aware of, I learned this rule from another D&D player while playing a rogue.
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* In the ''{{Sherlock}}'' episode ''The Blind Banker'', John finds a wall covered in graffiti that's actually the code that will allow them to solve the case. He runs to fetch Sherlock, but by the time they get back, the entire thing's been painted over. Sherlock then spends the next minute or so pressing John to remember the code, waxing lyrical about the fallibilities of the average human mind's memory capacities, all the while ignoring John's protests and attempts to get to his camera phone, on which is stored a picture of the entire wall before it was painted over.
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* In the first episode of ''HeadOfTheClass'' Dr. Samuels gives the class an assignment: how do you measue the height of a building using a barometer? After several explanations, he asks the new sub Mr. Moore how he would do it.
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* In the first episode of ''HeadOfTheClass'' Dr. Samuels gives the class an assignment: how do you measue measure the height of a building using a barometer? After several explanations, he asks the new sub Mr. Moore how he would do it.
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** This is actually a reference to a tale of similar smartassery on the part of Niels Bohr (in his university days). {{Snopes}} [[http://www.snopes.com/college/exam/barometer.asp has more]].
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[[caption-width:240:The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. You know what to do.]]
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-''TheLordOfTheRings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' film adaptation
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