History Main / YoyoPlotPoint

* The ComicBook/MartianManhunter is ridiculously [[SuperpowerLottery powerful]], [[KryptoniteFactor his only vulnerability is fire]], and unlike most superheroes with weaknesses, his origin doesn't contain a particularly good reason ''why'' he's vulnerable to fire. Those facts combine to ensure that every time a new writer gets a hold of him, they come up with the "real" reason he's vulnerable to fire and (since they usually decide it was all in his head the whole time) usually have him overcome it for good. Again. Until next time.

** Are the X-Men heroes or a bunch of borderline-fascistic jerks that are no different from the other fascistic jerk factions in the mutant conundrum but are the "good guys" because they only wish to take mutants to a place where they will be left the hell alone (which makes them also NotSoDifferent from the Inhumans)? It started since at the very least post-M-Day and doesn't really seems to stop, leading to schisms in the team, fights with the Avengers and the Inhumans, and ''ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'' of all people calling them out on it (not that they listen).

** The reboot series introduced the running theme of the Doctor's fears that he'll become just as bad as his enemies, and the moral ambiguity of wiping out the MonsterOfTheWeek, which would be introduced and resolved nearly ''every season''. It reached the point that when a season eight episode rehashed the whole "the Doctor's hatred of the Daleks makes him NotSoDifferent" thing, it copied almost verbatim a line from the season ''one'' episode that started that theme in the first place.

* The Franchise/MarvelUniverse in general has always been pretty prone to use LetsYouAndHimFight, but as far back as ''at least'' ''ComicBook/CivilWar'' things have escalated to full-blown "WithUsOrAgainstUs" wars that keep swearing up and down that will change the Marvel Universe "forever" and have extended periods of people hating each other in the aftermath, then cooling down... and then along comes ''ComicBook/AvengersVsXMen'', Hickman's ''Avengers'' run, ''[[ComicBook/CivilWarII Civil War]]'' '''[[ComicBook/CivilWarII TWO]]''', ''ComicBook/InhumansVsXMen'', and now we have ''ComicBook/SecretEmpire'' (that makes it an important plot point that '''[[OmnicidalManiac Ultron]]''' is so sick and tired of seeing the superheroes' in-fighting that he has decided that they are doing a better job at trying to kill each other than he has ever done [[spoiler:although that is definitely Hank Pym's uploaded personality talking (and being ignored when he tries to deliver a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to make everybody see reason)]]... It has come to the point when people don't really know what to think of the situation, [[DarknessInducedAudienceApathy and some people have actually quit reading Marvel Comics in disgust]].

* The Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse has a LetsYouAndHimFight mad-on as hard as its comic book counterpart, with characters being at each other's throats for a variety of reasons that shows every time that they are together. By the time of ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', this has reached its apogee [[spoiler:with Tony Stark's reluctance to contact the fugitive Avengers because he is still sore over the events of ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'' leading to multiple teams doing whatever they can to try to stop Thanos with zero organization between them and this leading to Thanos' genocidal BadassFingersnap happening with (comparative) ease.]]

-->-- '''[[BigBad Aku]]''' {{lampshade|Hanging}}s his JokerImmunity, ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack''

** The series premise: the X-Men will, forever, be "feared and hated". No matter what happens, no matter if the Avengers or the Government are on their side, no matter how many people are convinced, no matter how often people InUniverse and out swear that the Mutants will be accepted, yes, sir, ''this'' time it's permanent... rest assured, people hating "muties" (and armed with damn Sentinels) are coming up around the corner ''aaaaany'' moment now...

-->-- '''[[BigBad Aku]]''', ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack''

->''”Every Comicbook/XMen story is the same.”''
-->-- Comicbook/{{Cyclops}}, [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall leaning on the fourth wall as hard as he possibly can]], ''Comicbook/UncannyXMen2018'', issue #11

** With ''ComicBook/CivilWar'' (2006), ''ComicBook/ComicBook/CivilWarII'' (2016), and ''ComicBook/{{Outlawed}}'' (2020), people are now complaining that Marvel Comics, when they can't think of a better idea for a CrisisCrossover, are now going to bring back the plot of "[[MutantDraftBoard make superpowered people unlawful]], have law enforcement [[DayOfTheJackboot go full Gestapo]], and have heroes [[WithUsOrAgainstUs stand on both sides of the line]] willing to do [[JerkassBall incredibly vile and stupid things]] for the sake of supporting their point, and presto", no matter how much the audience makes clear that they're sick of it.

* The ''Literature/BloodyJack'' novels have this in a ''bad'' way. Since Book Two, every single book has Jackie wind up in trouble with the law, be separated from her "[[OfficialCouple true love]]", Jaimy, land in some kind of AttemptedRape / VirginTension scene, and [[YourCheatingHeart flirt and make out]] with at ''least'' one attractive young man (or, on occasion, an attractive young ''[[LesYay woman]]''). Usually, by the end of the book, the troubles are sorted out and Jackie and Jaimy are/are on the brink of being reunited--and then a new problem tears them apart.

* ''Series/MadMen'': Don Draper's Dick Whitman past comes back to haunt him in some way once a season. However, in a case of Administrivia/TropesAreTools, the recurring nature of the Dick Whitman problem makes perfect sense. Truly facing and dealing with this landmine secret (stealing another man's identity to commit desertion during wartime) would likely destroy the life he built for himself, a tall order for anyone and especially someone with Don's inclination to run when things get tough. In a more straightforward example, Don's alcoholism and [[YourCheatingHeart inability to commit to a relationship]] continue to cause him personal and professional troubles throughout the show.

* Literally all the WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug episodes have the same premise, spare the season finales and the origins episodes: The episode starts with Marinette (seeing Adrien starting the episode is not uncommon, OR the episode starts with Ladybug detransforming into Marinette), and most of the time, Marinette attempts to advance her relationship with Adrien. A character is introduced, either an already existing character or a completely new one, although the latter has been more frequent in later seasons, and they get some exposition. During Marinette's A Plot, the introduced character feels negative emotions. Hawk Moth senses them and makes an appearance in his lair, and corrupts the introduced character, becoming the VillainOfTheWeek. Marinette/Adrien finds out, transforming into Ladybug and C(h)at Noir, respectively. It's an equal guess on which one arrives at the scene first, but if C(h)at Noir arrives first, expect Marinette to come as soon as she can, and if Ladybug arrives first, Adrien will not find out until later.

** Mutantkind being a biologically endangered species has been done... how many times, already? Most fans may be able to remember at least three occasions: the Legacy Virus, there was the post-''ComicBook/HouseOfM'' "curse" made by Scarlet Witch, and the Terrigen Mists being ([[HandWave somehow]]) fatally poisonous to Mutants... and there is, of course, the many people/aliens/sentient bacteria that target mutants because they are mutants... WordOfGod swears up and down that this kind of plots will stop for good after ''ComicBook/InhumansVsXMen'', but the response of the fans (although grateful overall for the attempt at an AuthorsSavingThrow) is "we'll see". [[spoiler:''ComicBook/UncannyXMen2018'' ends with the governments of the world obtaining plans to create a vaccine that eliminates the X-Gene and working on plans to "inoculate" their populations, so as sure as there's a day and a night, mutants are endangered ''again''. Not surprisingly, this is one of many things in the comic that have enraged fans, with them calling the writers out on it being one of ''several'' supposedly rehashed plot points.]]

** The X-Men being pretty much at each other's throats on a constant basis, backstabbing and generally being barely able to tolerate each other because they cannot agree on how to do something (the Cyclops Vs. Wolverine animosity being one of the biggest examples, with Hank/Beast's TookALevelInJerkass curve in the face of the constant "endangered species" arcs taking a toll on him being another one). Again, Marvel swears that they will cut down on this after ''ComicBook/InhumansVsXMen'' in order to allow the group to just be heroes, but ''nobody'' expects it to stick.

** Second is Naruto's and Anko's relationship. After it's revealed Anko's been cheating on him, the story can't decide whether they've reconciled or if Naruto will never forgive her. This ties into the first point as Naruto will sometimes perform a completely idiotic action just to spite Anko, such as making a very flashy and dramatic attack on an enemy base that she wants to subtly infilitrate and sabotage.

** Prue, Phoebe and Piper each had an episode where they interacted with the [[GrimReaper Angel of Death]] and had to accept that some people couldn't be saved. Actually, Piper had two (and both wound up being {{Broken Aesop}}s since she ''does'' save Paige and Leo, respectively).

** The cycle is as follows: Sam (or Dean) has an issue but won't talk about it. Dean (or Sam) knows something is wrong and keeps pushing Sam (or Dean) on it, only to be frozen out. Tension builds. Sam (or Dean) keeps secrets. Dean (or Sam) finds out about them. Finally, there is a huge fight and Sam (or Dean) walks out. An episode follows where the two of them are seen going their separate ways. Then they realize the importance of family and get back together, and the cycle is renewed. And the original issue that caused the whole thing never actually gets addressed.

** Per both of the above, the nature of the Horde itself goes through this. Is it a union of necessity between races haunted by their history and driven to the brink of destruction? Or is it a war machine that will use any excuse to go to war with anyone, even itself? In ''Battle for Azeroth'' the leaders attempt to address this by doing away with the Warchief position in favor of a council as they feel the Horde is too easily swayed by a single charismatic leader.

* In the first season of ''WesternAnimation/{{Ninjago}}'', the second episode featuring Samurai X centers on the ninja attempting to learn their identity, until the end where Kai discovers that it's Nya and the other ninja learn as well later. In the fifth season Nya abandons her samurai persona to become the [[MakingASplash water]] ninja and a new character takes up the identity of Samurai X in season 7, leading to Nya trying (and failing) to uncover who the new Samurai X is, until season 8 revealed that this Samurai X is [[spoiler: P.I.X.A.L. in a new body.]]

** Are the X-Men heroes or a bunch of borderline-fascistic jerks that are no different from the other fascistic jerk factions in the mutant conundrum but are the "good guys" because they only wish to take mutants to a place where they will be left the hell alone? It started since at the very least post-M-Day and doesn't really seems to stop, leading to schisms in the team and ''ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}'' of all people calling them out on it (not that they listen).

** Mutantkind being a biologically endangered species has been done... how many times, already? Most fans may be able to remember at least three occasions: the Legacy Virus, there was the post-''ComicBook/HouseOfM'' "curse" made by Scarlet Witch, and the most recent example being the Terrigen Mists being ([[HandWave somehow]]) fatally poisonous to Mutants... and there is, of course, the many people/aliens/sentient bacteria that target mutants because they are mutants... WordOfGod swears up and down that this kind of plots will stop for good after ''ComicBook/InhumansVsXMen'', but the response of the fans (although grateful overall for the attempt at an AuthorsSavingThrow) is "we'll see". [[spoiler:''ComicBook/UncannyXMen2018'' ends with the governments of the world obtaining plans to create a vaccine that eliminates the X-Gene and working on plans to "inoculate" their populations, so as sure as there's a day and a night, mutants are endangered ''again''. Not surprisingly, this is one of many things in the comic that have enraged fans, with them calling the writers out on it being one of ''several'' supposedly rehashed plot points.]]

** Mutantkind being a biologically endangered species has been done... how many times, already? Most fans may be able to remember at least three occasions: the Legacy Virus, there was the post-''ComicBook/HouseOfM'' "curse" made by Scarlet Witch, and the most recent example being the Tereigen Mists being ([[HandWave somehow]]) fatally poisonous to Mutants... and there is, of course, the many people/aliens/sentient bacteria that target mutants because they are mutants... WordOfGod swears up and down that this kind of plots will stop for good after ''ComicBook/InhumansVsXMen'', but the response of the fans (although grateful overall for the attempt at an AuthorsSavingThrow) is "we'll see". [[spoiler:''ComicBook/UncannyXMen2018'' ends with the governments of the world obtaining plans to create a vaccine that eliminates the X-Gene and working on plans to "inoculate" their populations, so as sure as there's a day and a night, mutants are endangered ''again''. Not surprisingly, this is one of many things in the comic that have enraged fans, with them calling the writers out on it being one of ''several'' supposedly rehashed plot points.]]

This trope is not about [[JustEatGilligan plot points that get dragged out long past when they should have been resolved]], but about plot points that are resolved, and then un-resolved, repeatedly. PostScriptSeason is related, but typically happens only once. See also: StatusQuoIsGod, FailureIsTheOnlyOption, SequelReset, HeelFaceRevolvingDoor, RelationshipRevolvingDoor, AesopAmnesia, OncePerEpisode, HereWeGoAgain, and HappyEndingOverride. JokerImmunity and CardboardPrison are related, employed so that villains may be defeated many times over. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] a yo-yo that is used as a plot point.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' frequently took advantage of circumstances only possible in a SciFi setting to advance the WillTheyOrWontThey relationship between Fry and Leela only to send them back to square one, with several incidents involving TimeTravel, some related EasyAmnesia and at least one case of FlowersForAlgernonSyndrome. Even after [[RelationshipUpgrade finally getting together]] at the end of the last movie, they were caught in the RelationshipRevolvingDoor throughout season 5.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' frequently took advantage of circumstances only possible in a SciFi setting to advance the WillTheyOrWontThey relationship between Fry and Leela only to send them back to square one, with several incidents involving TimeTravel and at least one case of FlowersForAlgernonSyndrome. Even after [[RelationshipUpgrade finally getting together]] at the end of the last movie, they were caught in the RelationshipRevolvingDoor throughout season 5.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' frequently took advantage of circumstances only possible in a SciFi setting to advance the WillTheyOrWontThey relationship between Fry and Leela only to send them back to square one, with a FlowersForAlgernonPlot and several incidents of TimeTravel. Even after [[RelationshipUpgrade finally getting together]] at the end of the last movie, they were caught in the RelationshipRevolvingDoor throughout season 5.

** Per both of the above, the nature of the Horde itself goes through this. Is it a union of necessity between races haunted by their history and driven to the brink of destruction? Or is it a war machine that will use any excuse to go to war with anyone, even itself?

* In ''Manga/InuYasha'', while the romances are definitely of the WillTheyOrWontThey variety, the true culprit is the main plot of killing [[BigBad Naraku]]. They get close, then he escapes. [=InuYasha=] gets a new attack that makes it possible for him to kill Naraku. Naraku [[IAmNotLeftHanded levels up]] and defeats it. Rinse and repeat for [[EndingFatigue way too long]].

** With ''ComicBook/CivilWar'', ''ComicBook/CivilWar2'', and the 2020 event ''ComicBook/{{Outlawed}}'', people are now complaining that Marvel Comics, when they can't think of a better idea for a CrisisCrossover, are now going to bring back the plot of "[[MutantDraftBoard make superpowered people unlawful]], have law enforcement [[DayOfTheJackboot go full Gestapo]], and have heroes [[WithUsOrAgainstUs stand on both sides of the line]] willing to do [[JerkassBall incredibly vile and stupid things]] for the sake of supporting their point, and presto", no matter how much the audience makes clear that they're sick of it.