This is where writers want to include an idea -- any element contributing to the plot or a character -- in canon, but don't want to explicitely state it. As a work-around, the writers hint at the idea until it's [[{{Fanon}} accepted by most of the fandom]].

These hints are usually strong enough that most of the fandom gets the right idea fairly quickly, but not so strong that they can't be ignored or attributed to something else if the viewer dislikes the idea being hinted at. The point is, after all, getting the idea across to a large portion of the fandom while offering a less convenient, but still plausible, alternate explanation for those viewers who don't want to believe.

This tactic is most often employed when writers want to include an element such as mental illness, rape, in older shows, homosexuality, or another sensitive topic in a plotline or a character's backstory as a means of plot or character development, but don't want to explicitly state it to avoid controversy or alienating certain viewers.

If the hints are particularly weak or ambiguous, it can be difficult to determine if they are deliberate or merely a coincidence. Short of a {{Word of God}} confirmation of intent, the easiest way to establish this is if the idea is built on as if it was canon. Bear in mind also that, for this trope to apply, the fanon has to result from the hints. If the fanon existed with more than a few supporters before the idea was hinted at it's just fanon.

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If the hints are particularly weak or ambiguous, it can be difficult to determine if they are deliberate or merely a coincidence. Short of a WordOfGod confirmation of intent, the easiest way to establish this is if the idea is built on as if it was canon. Bear in mind also that, for this trope to apply, the fanon has to result from the hints. If the fanon existed with more than a few supporters before the idea was hinted at it's just fanon.

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[[AC:LiveActionTV]] 
* From ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', Ziva having been raped in Somalia. It was hinted at by Gibbs and Vance throughout the beginning of the seventh season and is widely accepted fanon. 
** The idea is further used throughout the seventh and eighth seasons to help develop Ziva as a character, as well as her relationships with other characters, most substantially Gibbs, Tony, and her father, but remains non-canon. 
* Renee Walker having been raped on ''Series/TwentyFour''. While it was pretty evident that she was raped by Vladimir Laitanan during the events of Day 8, the writers never more than hinted at the idea that she was also raped when she was undercover with the Russians before. This is one of the most widely accepted pieces of fanon in the 24 fandom, many fans even considering it canon. 
** This idea is later used to help validate what Renee ends up doing to Laitanan. 
* From ''Series/{{Bones}}'', Brennan having Asperger's Syndrome was an example of this until she was given a {{Word of God}} diagnosis. [[DeathOfTheAuthor It's still an example of this if you don't consider the Word of God to be]] [[{{Canon}} canonical]].

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[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* From ''Series/{{NCIS}}'', Ziva having been raped in Somalia. It was hinted at by Gibbs and Vance throughout the beginning of the seventh season and is widely accepted fanon.
** The idea is further used throughout the seventh and eighth seasons to help develop Ziva as a character, as well as her relationships with other characters, most substantially Gibbs, Tony, and her father, but remains non-canon.
* Renee Walker having been raped on ''Series/TwentyFour''. While it was pretty evident that she was raped by Vladimir Laitanan during the events of Day 8, the writers never more than hinted at the idea that she was also raped when she was undercover with the Russians before. This is one of the most widely accepted pieces of fanon in the 24 fandom, many fans even considering it canon.
** This idea is later used to help validate what Renee ends up doing to Laitanan.
* From ''Series/{{Bones}}'', Brennan having Asperger's Syndrome was an example of this until she was given a WordOfGod diagnosis. [[DeathOfTheAuthor It's still an example of this if you don't consider the Word of God to be]] [[{{Canon}} canonical]].

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11th Jun '12 1:30:37 PM Quanyails

Send Quanyails a PM notification explaining the badness of natter: natter-fy

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29th May '12 12:54:04 PM tropemunch

Send tropemunch a PM notification explaining the badness of natter: natter-fy

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This list shows the last 10 events of 24. Show all.

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