Line #22 Main/PlotDevice


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2	%% Image source ''Plot Device'': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKZfAQ7L_WM
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4	[[quoteright:349:[[Website/RedGiantDotCom https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Plot-Device-Red-Giant-Viral-Video_1727.jpg]]]]
5	[[caption-width-right:349:[[VisualPun Use with Caution.]]]]
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7	->''"This movie has so many contrived plot devices that Website/TVTropes deserves to be in the credits as lead writer."''
8	-->-- '''[=LittleshyFiM=]''' [[https://youtu.be/Xfcu4GUytIE?t=3m50s on the usage of this trope on]] ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks''[[note]]For added humour, the TV Tropes logo appears as he says this.[[/note]]
9
10	A plot device is an object or character in the story whose purpose is purely to drive the {{Plot}}, maintain its flow, or resolve situations within it. It could be something everybody wants to obtain, a device that must be destroyed, or an annoying teenager who must be protected at all costs.
11
12	It may also be an object or gadget introduced early in the story for the sole purpose of [[ChekhovsGun solving a sticky situation later on]].
13
14	The term is commonly used in a derisory manner, on the grounds that the best stories are character-driven, and using an object to make things happen is thus seen as a sign of bad writing. However, there are [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools plenty of good stories]] which do indeed revolve around a plot device; equally, a plot device can very easily be used to generate conflict and thus spark a character-driven story.
15
16	Whenever someone uses the term derisively they often mean that something is being used as a [[TheGimmick gimmick]] (or worse, an AssPull) to HandWave resolutions to {{Plot Hole}}s in a way that breaks the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief.
17
18	'''Subtropes:'''
19	[[index]]
20	* AmplifierArtifact: An item that serves to magnify one's already existing abilities.
21	* ArtifactOfAttraction: An item which magically causes everybody to {{lust}} after it, generating conflict.
22	* ArtifactOfDeath: A powerful item that leads to its owner's death.
23	* ArtifactOfDoom: A powerful item that causes corruption in all who use it.
24	* ArtifactOfHope: A powerful item that's ideal for smiting AncientEvil.
25	* ChekhovsGun: A plot device that the heroes have been carrying around since the first five minutes finally gets used.
26	* ConvenientEclipse
27	* DeathTrap: A trap employed by villains to heighten drama instead of merely [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim shooting the heroes and getting it over with]].
28	* DeusExMachina: A plot device that gets the heroes out of danger.
29	* DiabolusExMachina: A plot device that gets the heroes into danger.
30	* EverythingSensor: A plot device that tells the heroes what and where the danger is.
31	* FakinMacGuffin: A decoy that's not the object wanted by someone.
32	* GottaCatchThemAll: A set of items which the characters all want to collect.
33	* LaserGuidedBroadcast: A plot device where a message is sent to one specific person through a wide broadcast.
34	* {{MacGuffin}}: A plot device which nobody actually uses, and whose nature and identity are basically irrelevant.
35	* MagneticPlotDevice: A plot device whose very presence causes things to happen.
36	* PlotCoupon: An object necessary to continue or resolve the plot.
37	* PlotCouponThatDoesSomething: A plot coupon that has uses beyond clearing a particular obstacle.
38	* SuspiciouslySpecificSermon
39	* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: A plot device that can kill stuff.
40	* TranslatorMicrobes: A plot device that lets everybody communicate clearly.
41	[[/index]]
42
43	----
44	!!{{Lampshade Hanging}}s and Other References:
45	[[foldercontrol]]
46
47	''Almost by definition, stories have plot devices. Examples should be limited to lampshade hangings and references to the term.''
48
49	[[folder:Comic Books]]
50
51	* One ''ComicBook/{{Captain Marvel\|MarvelComics}}'' comic, starring Genis-Vell, featured a very clever Kree fellow named "Plaht," whose "device" cleared away several plot inconveniences.
52
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Film]]
56
57	* Mentioned in ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'', when Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem discuss how they can help Kermit and Fozzie avoid Doc Hopper:
58	-->'''Janice''': Oh man, what can we do?\
59	'''Floyd''': Well if this were the movies...\
60	'''Dr. Teeth''': [[BreakingTheFourthWall Which it is!]]\
61	'''Floyd''': Then we'd think of some clever plot device.\
62	'''Scooter''': [[EurekaMoment Like painting their car so Doc Hopper and his men can't recognize it!]]
63	* In ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', Spider-Man ([[AlternateSelf specifically Peter B. Parker]]) has [[SeenItAll saved the world so many times]] that he always knows that there's an object of importance that's needed to save the day, and rather than calling it whatever it happens to be (a bypass key, a virus key, a who-cares key, etc.), he just calls it a "goober". This particular movie has a USB drive needed to destroy the Kingpin's Super-Collider, with Peter [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike and pretty much everyone else calling it the "goober".]]
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Literature]]
67
68	* In ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', there is [[BlackBox a mysterious device resembling a present-day microwave oven]] on the ''Intrepid'' called simply "the Box". Putting a sample from a xenobiological problem inside it will cause it to produce a solution {{just in time}} to provide a [[RuleOfDrama dramatic resolution]] to the current problem. Essentially, it's a {{handwave}} to make the "real world" experienced by the characters work out consistently with the "Narrative" cranked out by some modestly-talented writers.
69	* The ''Literature/LordsOfTheUnderworld'' series has PandorasBox, which is the only way the titular immortals can be [[DeaderThanDead killed]]. The Lords- not being interested in dying- search for it.
70
71
72	[[/folder]]
73
74	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
75
76	* In ''TabletopGame/TheDresdenFiles'' RPG, certain characters are noted as being "plot device level" characters. Most of them are considered Plot Devices because they're so ridiculously powerful that no PlayerParty would ever reasonably be able to take them on directly, making stats meaningless, and thus would have to outmanuever, work around, or run away from them; these include the [[TheFairFolk Faerie Queens]], [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Angels]], and [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]]. A handful, however, are noted as being a Plot Device because they're so far down on the other side of the scale that they can only really provide one specific and specialized purpose, such as Elidee, a tiny pixie--even by pixie standards--who shows up briefly in one book to serve as a guide/flashlight for Dresden.
77	* This is one of the functions of Secrets ''[[TabletopGame/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy Mistborn Adventure Game]]''. For example, the secret formula for a new Allomantic metal, which gives the heroes bizarre new powers at the cost of drawing the attention of the Canton Of Inquisition.
78	* ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'': Vampires of 3rd Generation or older (that is, effectively, those vampires that predate Noah's Ark) have "Plot Device" as a power. The game clarifies that these vampires can do whatever the plot needs them to be able to, as long as it can be vaguely construed as fitting with their defined power-set.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Theater]]
82	* The live stage show ''Franchise/TheMuppets Take the O2'' contained a Pigs in Space/Series/DoctorWho {{Crossover}} sketch, entitled [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E12TheStolenEarth "The Stolen Mirth"]] for the Friday performance and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E6Earthshock "Mirthshock"]] on Saturday. In the sketch, the Doctor (portrayed by Creator/DavidTennant and Creator/PeterDavison respectively) invades the pigs' ship and detects a "PlotDevice" in their console using his [[MagicTool Sonic Screwdriver]]: a [[BigRedButton red lever]] that causes the captain to regenerate.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Video Games]]
86
87	* One of the various {{Mac Guffin}}s that ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' radio missions will occasionally ask you to retrieve is a "P.L.O.T. Device." Its description:
88	-->The [[FunWithAcronyms Phased Linear Oscillation Transducer]] is a miraculous device, capable of producing such a variety of effects that many find it simply unbelievable. However, overusing a P.L.O.T. device can have serious consequences, and the more JustForFun/{{egregious}} uses can strain the very fabric of reality. P.L.O.T devices have fallen out of favor overall, but many a young and reckless pioneer has picked up a well-used P.L.O.T. device and run with it.
89
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Webcomics]]
93
94	* Mr. Mighty of ''Webcomic/EverydayHeroes'' realizes that he can subject Matt O'Morph to a bit of HarmlessFreezing with a [[http://eheroes.smackjeeves.com/comics/1895758/chilling-out/ carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher]] ... which has a label on the side that reads, "Warning, Plot Device!"
95	* A literal plot device can be seen here in [[http://www.explosm.net/comics/1295/ this]] ''Webcomic/CyanideAndHappiness'' strip.
96	* In ''Webcomic/NipAndTuck'', when [[http://www.rhjunior.com/NT/00620.html a character complains of an obvious plot device]] in the ShowWithinAShow, someone else informs him it was RealLife.
97
98	[[/folder]]
99
100	[[folder:Web Original]]
101
102	* Dr. Bill Ernoehazy, an ''Website/OrionsArm'' contributor'', wrote another story with a FasterThanLightTravel system called the [[http://www.kheper.net/topics/scifi/grading.html#note Plott-deVice drive]].
103	* [[http://vimeo.com/24320919 This]] short by Seth Worley features a device called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Plot Device]], which is a yellow box with large friendly letters reading "Plot Device" with a BigRedButton on its top and enables the user to turn his life in a movie and travel between different film genres.
104	* The Imperial Hereditary Seal in ''Fanfic/FarceOfTheThreeKingdoms.'' Sun Ce openly refers to it as one, and later [[spoiler: the narrator]] steals it from Cao Cao's effects in order to use it to legitimize Liu Bei.
105
106	[[/folder]]
107
108	[[folder:Western Animation]]
109
110	* There is a character in ''WesternAnimation/SheepInTheBigCity'', literally called The Plot Device, which is a robot that can cause nearly anything to happen to advance the plot.
111
112	[[/folder]]
113
114	[[folder:Other]]
115
116	* The third act of [[ARG/MITMysteryHunt MIT Mystery Hunt 2022]] involved repairing the [[https://puzzles.mit.edu/2022/round/plot-device/ "Plot Device"]]. This fits the literary theming as the parts come from 10 different areas of Bookspace (each representing a different literary genre), and this also fits literally as the device is powered by a battery pack.
117
118	[[/folder]]

Context Main / PlotDevice