Line #34 Main/PlotSensitiveItems


1	In most fictional universes (and RealLife), [[MagicAIsMagicA things tend to function in a particular, expected way]], and perform that function consistently. [[Franchise/StarTrek Phasers have settings]], [[ShurFineGuns guns will go off when the trigger is pulled (and sometimes when it isn't)]], healing potions will heal, and [[EveryCarIsAPinto cars will ignite as they fly through the air]].
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3	But sometimes the plot calls for an item to operate [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands in ways that weren't previously established]]. [[{{Asspull}} This effect is unexpected]], or even [[PlotHole inconsistent with its previous known functions]]. But it'll [[{{Railroading}} get you through to the next plot point]], and [[MST3KMantra that's all that counts]].
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5	A classic example is time bombs, which will go faster or slower depending on how much tension is needed.
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7	When a writer attempts to explain the sudden change of behavior, he/she will frequently invoke PhlebotinumBreakdown, or RetCon the function into the item's repertoire. The way to tell, frequently, is by watching to see [[ForgottenPhlebotinum whether this new old function appears again]].
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9	If the change of function is not merely a handy means to an end, you may instead have ChekhovsGun--particularly if the characters notice or [[TooDumbToLive should have noticed]].
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11	MyCarHatesMe is a vehicle-specific SubTrope, as ContextSensitiveButton is for control panels, and SuperCellReception is a phone-specific sub-trope. The superhero version is NewPowersAsThePlotDemands. Compare SuddenlyAlwaysKnewThat. Not to be confused with MagicTool and GreenRocks, both of which are known from the outset to have multiple and possibly unknown functions or the SwissArmyWeapon which can explicitly do just about anything if you know how to use it.
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13	Remember, this is about a specific "normal" item acting strangely; do not add examples of all-purpose Phlebotinum like Star Trek's "reverse shield polarity" and "deflector pulse" or Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver.
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17	!! Examples
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19	[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
20	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
21	** Sunlight burns nameless mook vampires faster than the recurring ones.
22	** For that matter, Buffy can hit a Mook vampire anywhere in the torso and he'll turn to dust, staked through the heart. It's a plot point in Season 2 when a named vampire is shot with a crossbow bolt barely missing the heart, and it's much closer than it normally takes for Buffy to kill anyone.
23	* ''Film/TheCall'': When [[spoiler: Jordan]] arrives at the place where [[spoiler: Casey]] is being held, her phone appears to have no service. However, when the former rescues the latter at that very spot, she attempts to call 9-1-1, as if she now has cellular service. Additionally, the former drops her phone into an underground murder lair. Cell phones don't work well underground.
24	* In the 1979 TV series ''Series/{{Salvage 1}}'', [[MadeOfExplodium monohydrazine]] was used to solve any number of problems, from fueling a rocket to restarting oil wells.
25	* ''Franchise/StarTrek''
26	** The automatic doors will always open (when not locked) when a person approaches and shut as the person moves away -- unless the door NEEDS to be wide open, in which case...
27	** More to the point, the Main Deflector Array has been used to do just about everything. It's even the go-to choice when you want to do a one-shot overloaded weapon attack. It does more damage than the actual weapons would.
28	* ''Franchise/StargateVerse'':
29	** The Stargate closes just before someone "unwanted" is about to enter it and sometimes it allows them to go into the orifice. Sometimes it just stays on or closes for no apparent reason. It's a complete mess in what's otherwise a decent universe.
30	** The zat guns too, although in this case, it may be a subversion since they just kind of lost an ability. The rule at the beginning of the TV series was: first hit stuns, second hit kills, third hit disintegrates. It was an excuse to get rid of any inconvenient bodies that they didn't want to keep track of. The creative team eventually decided it was stupid and the ability just kind of vanished. This was lampshaded in the 100th episode ''Wormhole X-Treme!''.
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34	[[AC: Comic Books]]
35	* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Pre-Crisis]] the abilities of Diana's lasso were subject to change to make a story work, but this was fixed in ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'' where the lasso's abilities were clearly defined and kept to for decades until the '90s wanted things darker and edgier. Its first and second shown abilities in the ComicBook/PostCrisis continuity went absent without explanation causing Diana to have to kill Maxwell Lord when wrapping him in the thing should have caused him to drop his flawed plan instantly (if not necessarily permanently) like it had done previously to ''gods''.
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39	[[AC: Toys]]
40	* The Mask of Life did this in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. Need to get rid of a bad guy in a family-friendly manner? [[ForcedTransformation Mask turns him into a snake]]. [[MerchandiseDriven Need to sell more toys of the same characters and give an explanation as to why they look different?]] Mask upgrades them into new forms. Need to seal the [[SealedGoodInACan Great Spirit]] away somewhere? Put him in the mask, etc.
41	** There's also Energized Protodermis, which will either transform or destroy the victim depending on their destiny.
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45	[[AC: Video Games]]
46	* Many of the gadgets in the ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' fit the bill. The Hypershot from ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal Up Your Arsenal]]'' in particular can not only make solid platforms but can also create a swing rope to use to jump between. The Electrolizer from ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]'' can fix nigh anything, with any technical fault, just by spinning a few dials to allow a current through. Anything from a hoverbike, to a computer terminal, to a BrokenBridge.
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Context Main / PlotSensitiveItems