Line #63 Main/ResistanceIsFutile


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4	[[quoteright:320:[[VideoGame/ZeroWing https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Zero_Wing_Make_Your_Time.png]]]]
5	[-[[caption-width-right:320:[[BigWhat WHAT YOU SAY !!]]]]-]
6	%%
7
8	->''"Resistance is futile to one who is the destroyer of all that exists!"''
9	-->-- '''Trigon the Terrible''', ''ComicBook/NewTeenTitans''
10
11	A villain will say some variation of "resistance is futile." [[{{Pride}} Often]], it will turn out resistance was anything but, but villains do like to have their moments. Other common variations are "it is useless to resist us" and "resistance is useless."
12
13	See also NothingCanStopUsNow, and other forms of TemptingFate. Compare YouCantFightFate, FailureIsTheOnlyOption, ButThouMust, MortonsFork, and XanatosGambit when resistance ''really'' is futile.
14
15	----
16	!!Examples:
17	[[foldercontrol]]
18
19	[[folder:Trope Namer]]
20	* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' uses "resistance is futile", as the catchphrase of the Borg. This phrase is subject to a great deal of MemeticMutation, such as "Billgatus of Borg."
21	** Defied in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "Scorpion" which begins with two Borg cubes giving their spiel as they approach an unseen target. Right in the middle of [[KilledMidSentence "Resistance is__" a beam of energy lances out and destroys both cubes]]. Enter [[AlwaysABiggerFish Species 8472]].
22	*** Defied by the Federation itself: As much as the Borg may profess it, every attempt to assimilate Earth has failed spectacularly. Even when the Queen ''personally'' intervened the Borg simply can't defeat those pesky humans.
23	** Also, the Borg are quick to point out that anything else you may have to say is "irrelevant".
24	--->'''Picard:''' Our culture is built on freedom and self-determination!\
25	'''The Borg:''' FREEDOM IS IRRELEVANT. SELF-DETERMINATION IS IRRELEVANT. YOU MUST COMPLY.
26	** Also {{subverted\|Trope}} in the episode "I Borg" when Guinan makes the isolated Borg drone Hugh see that "resistance... is ''not'' futile?"
27	** Also used as an IronicEcho in ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'' [[spoiler:when Data reveals that he has been unaffected by the Borg Queen's attempts to seduce him to her side, and was on Picard's side the whole time.]]
28	--->[[spoiler:'''Data''']]: Resistance is futile. [[spoiler:''(Smashes warp coolant tank.)'']]
29	* In ''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'', after mind-melding with V'Ger, Spock tells Kirk "Any show of resistance would be futile, Captain." What's even more interesting is that V'Ger is said to have come from "a planet populated by living machines with unbelievable technology", [[EpilepticTrees which many theorize to be the Borg homeworld]].
30	[[/folder]]
31
32	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
33	* A [[FanTranslation fansub]] of ''Anime/UchuuSenkanYamato'' has Desler say this exactly. It's probably a ShoutOut by the translators.
34	%% * [[spoiler:Nami]] says this in ''Anime/TheGirlWhoLeaptThroughSpace''.
35	%% * This exact phrase was used in a ''Manga/OnePiece'' fansub, but it is hard to know if it was intentional or the real translation.
36	%% * During the Retribution Arc in ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'', one of the pagans who was trying to rape Casca said something akin to this. [[Tempting Fate Boy was]] [[Parents InDistress he in]] [[Berserk Button for it.]]
37	* Dr Eggman in the third episode of ''Anime/SonicX'' gives a quote the comes close to the Borg introduction: "I have decided to take over your world and make it part of the new Eggman Empire! Resistance is futile. You will submit to my rule or be swept away like dust bodies!"
38	* ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex''. In "¥€$", Kusanagi gives this trope while busting a gang of Yakuza. When one of them disagrees and pulls out a shotgun, Batou puts a bullet through his hand. "Didn't we tell you not to resist?"
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Fan Works]]
42	* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Hefty, The Luckiest Smurf", the Psyche Master says this to Empath in the alternate timeline where he is taken back to Psychelia.
43	* N says a variation of "resistance is futile" in ''FanFic/NaturalLiberated'' when he finds first Cheren, then Ash, then Rourke. He usually asks "What chance have you against me?", but it delivers the same effect.
44	* ''Fanfic/AVoiceInTheWilderness'' uses a somewhat different version of the Borg spiel because [[spoiler:they've been co-opted by the ''original'' Borg Queen, One of One]].
45	-->''"Surrender your vessel. Your technological and biological distinctiveness are immaterial. You will be assimilated into the whole and perfected. I am the Borg. Resistance is futile."''
46	* In the 18th chapter of ''Fanfic/TheVow'', Lord Shen duels with Lady Lianne, his prisoner and [[DatingCatwoman "former" love interest]], telling her at one point that she's fighting an inevitable loss. She is certain that he's referring to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe something else]] than the duel.
47	* Subverted in the J/7 SlashFic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/14136774 The Voyorgy Conspiracy.]]''
48	-->"I am Luscious of Borg," she said huskily. "Your vagina will be double-adapted to service my own. Resistance is exciting."
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
52	* Darth Vader, while fighting Luke in ''Franchise/StarWars: Episode V - Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''.
53	-->'''Vader''': You are beaten. It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as Obi-Wan did.
54	* Long before the Borg, the 'Captain' in ''Film/CoolHandLuke'' was giving this exact warning to his inmates.
55	* In ''Film/TheWolverine'', this is the reason why Logan did not join the Japanese freed prisoners that were running away from the explosion that was about to happen, and preferred to stay in his pit. They can't escape from the near-ground zero of an atomic explosion.
56	* ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'': During his VillainousBreakdown, Smith spends a good long while ranting about the pointlessness of Neo's resistance and [[StrawNihilist life in general.]]
57	-->"You must able to see it, Mister Anderson, you must know it by now! You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting!"
58	[[/folder]]
59
60	[[folder:Literature]]
61	* In ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' #6, a Yeerk taunts Jake:
62	--> "Forget resistance. It is futile. No host has ever overpowered a Yeerk. It is impossible."
63	* In the ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' novel ''Fall of Damnos'' we get this nice message from your usual friendly neighborhood apocalyptic robots next door, "We are the Necrontyr. We are Legion. We Claim Dominion of this World... Surrender and Die. (Note this message was translated by the local Tech Priests, and they insist the last three words were properly translated)
64	* In the British ''Star Wars'' parody "Star Bores", the BigBad is a Dark Lord of the Hith, a group of evil beings with a distinctive lisp. At some point, said BigBad delivers this gem: "Rethithtanth ith uthelethth!"
65	* This Gem from Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy, where a Vogon guard keeps shouting "Resistance is Useless", apparently as his job.
66	[[/folder]]
67
68	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
69	* From ''Series/DadsArmy'':
70	-->'''Mainwaring''': Further resistance is useless. In the name of the King I demand that you surrender.
71	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
72	** For the very first time in the series in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E2TheDalekInvasionOfEarth "The Dalek Invasion of Earth"]], a Dalek (who had invaded Earth) to a captive Doctor and Ian: "RESISTANCE IS USELESS."
73	** A Cyberman, in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E1TheTombOfTheCybermen "The Tomb of the Cybermen"]]: "TO STRUGGLE IS FUTILE."
74	*** "Resistance is Useless" was a favourite phrase of the Cybermen in their first two stories, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS4E2TheTenthPlanet "The Tenth Planet"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS4E6TheMoonbase "The Moonbase"]]. Which actually makes them an UrExample (1965), however the phrase is now more commonly associated with the Borg.
75	*** The Borg themselves actually derive some of their characteristics from the Cybermen. The original episode featuring the Borg was "Q Who?"
76	** Noah, the [[{{Metamorphosis}} human-turned-Wirrn]] in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E2TheArkInSpace "The Ark in Space"]]: "Your resistance is useless."
77	** The Master, in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E3TheDeadlyAssassin "The Deadly Assassin"]]: "Resistance is futile".
78	** An Eternal in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS20E5Enlightenment "Enlightenment"]]: "Resistance is futile". He was very friendly about it, though.
79	** A Dalek, in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E6RevelationOfTheDaleks "Revelation of the Daleks"]]: "IT IS FUTILE TO RE-SIST". These happen to be its last words.
80	** A Dalek, in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E12TheStolenEarth "The Stolen Earth"]]: "RESISTANCE IS USELESS."
81	** Played with in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E11TheGodComplex "The God Complex"]]: One of the mottos of Tivoli, the Most Conquered Planet in the Galaxy, is "Resistance is exhausting."
82	** Subverted with a Dalek, in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E2IntoTheDalek "Into the Dalek"]]: "RESISTANCE IS FUTILE." The Doctor makes it repeat itself, just to be sure, because it's not saying that resisting the Daleks is futile. It's saying that the ''Daleks'' [[OmnicidalManiac resisting]] ''life'' is futile.
83	%%* ''Series/OurMissBrooks'': Mr. Conklin once uses a variation, when Miss Brooks tries to avoid having him assign some unpaid overtime work.
84	* [[TheDragon Zeltrax]] in ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'', to an actress Mesogog was planning to experiment on. Her response: "[[ShoutOut Hey, I was up for that part.]]"
85	** Earlier in ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'', [[OurVampiresAreDifferent the vampire monster Count Nocturne]] constantly says to Carlos that he stop fighting the vampire infection. "Don't fight it, Green Ranger! You're mine!"
86	* The ''Series/{{Space 1999}}'' finale "The Dorcons":
87	-->'''Varda:''' Commander, the Psychon will tell you how futile it is to resist us.\
88	'''Maya:''' Resistance... (sigh) ...is futile.
89	* As noted in the page quote, this is a favourite catchphrase of the Borg from ''Franchise/StarTrek''.
90	** The Borg's 'standard hail' replaced a different, less informative greeting from their initial appearance in the episode "Q Who?":
91	--->'''Borg Collective''': [[AC: We have analyzed your defensive capabilities as being unable to withstand us. If you defend yourselves, you will be punished]] (transmission abruptly cuts out).\
92	'''Picard''': Hmm.
93	[[/folder]]
94
95	[[folder:Music]]
96	* From ''Scars of Yesterday'' by Music/{{DragonForce}}:
97	-->Trapped within my fierce desire
98	-->Resistance is futile
99	* ''Comfort Eagle'' by Cake:
100	--> "To resist it is useless
101	-->[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment it is useless to resist it]]."
102	* ''Protect The Law'' by ''Music/IronSavior'':
103	-->My directives are simple peace and justice for all
104	-->Your resistance is futile if you fight me you'll fall
105	* "Time Bomb" by All Time Low
106	--> resistance is useless, just two kids stupid and fearless.
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:Pinball]]
110	* Spoken word-for-word by the Borg in ''Pinball/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''.
111	[[/folder]]
112
113	[[folder:Radio]]
114	* Starting with the original radio series, all the various iterations of ''Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' franchise feature this as a catchphrase for the Vogons. (Though they go with "useless" rather than "futile".) In particular there's the spaceship guard early in the story who is assigned [[ThrownOutTheAirlock airlock-stuffing duty]] in regards to hitchhikers Arthur and Ford. He really loves to shout it and considers it [[SignedUpForTheDental a major job perk]].
115	[[/folder]]
116
117	[[folder:Video Games]]
118	* Nine-Ball from ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'' says this when he, [[spoiler:actually, they,]] ambush you in the end.
119	-->'''Nine-Ball''': ''"Resistance is futile, [[YouCantFightFate your fate is sealed]]."''
120	* The [[{{Mooks}} ork legions]] in ''VideoGame/{{RuneScape}}'' sometimes say "Resistance is futile!". This combined with the fact they are summoned to defend their leader Bork should make it clear what's being referenced.
121	* The Aparoids in ''VideoGame/StarFoxAssault'', apparently inspired by the Borg, spout lines like this. Well, the Queen and Aparoid Pigma do, the rest aren't much for talking. Pigma even outright quotes the Vogons in saying, "Resistance is useless."
122	* Actually accurate in the ''ComicBook/{{Ashbringer}}'' tie-in comic for ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.
123	-->'''Kel'Thuzad''': Further '''resistance''' is pointless. Your '''will''' is [[BrainwashedAndCrazy no longer]] your '''own'''.
124	* Kunzite says the exact line in ''VideoGame/TalesOfHearts'' (orig. ''teikou wa muimi da'').
125	* ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'':
126	** BigBad Harbinger tends to s-- [[MemeticMutation ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL.]] YOU CANNOT RESIST.
127	** Seems to be common among Reapers, since [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 first episode]] BigBad Sovereign drops it too on Virmire.
128	---> '''Sovereign:''' ''"You exist, because we allow it. And you will end, because we demand it."''
129	** The Reapers generally see any kind of resistance against them as utterly useless and only delaying the inevitable (not without some justification, admittedly). The one exception is Shepard: they're the one thing in history the Reapers consider [[TheDreaded an actual threat.]]
130	--->'''Harbinger''': [[AC:Shepard. You have become an ''annoyance''.]]
131	* The far too numerous doppelgangers in ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' shout this incessantly as you hack them to bits "It is useless to resist!" Since they only have some two battle lines and the latter 3rd of the game consists almost entirely of fighting great wads of them at once you'll be hearing it. A lot.
132	* ''VideoGame/MasterOfOrion'':
133	** If you meet a particularly hostile alien race in the original game, they will say "[[ShoutOut Resistance is futile.]] The fate of the <your race> is inevitable. Prepare to submit to the <our race> Empire."
134	** This is one of the messages from the Antarans in the second game, when they're specifically attacking one of your colonies.
135	* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' has a rare benevolent version from Orisa. She repeatedly instructs her enemies to surrender, and her Ultimate call out is 'CEASE YOUR RESISTANCE!' BadassAdorable that she is, she has a number of ways to make you.
136	* The [[HumongousMecha Nod Redeemer]] epic unit from ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberiumWars: Kane's Wrath'' has this as one of its in-game quotes.
137	* In ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'':
138	-->'''Citan:''' Resistance is futile. It only makes things painful.
139	* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'', Imperial Marshall Cid Aulstyne says as he demands Rubrum surrender their Vermillion Bird Crystal:
140	-->'''Cid Aulstyne''': Your Crystal cannot protect you. Resistance is no longer an option. You have six hours. You must comply with our demands, or face the full might of our forces - in which case, I promise you, the roads of Rubrum will run red with the blood of her people.
141	[[/folder]]
142
143	[[folder:Webcomics]]
144	* In a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' reference on ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'', [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/050617 George asks Present!X if he wants to be like the Borg Queen, all nasty, and slimy, and...]]
145	-->'''X:''' ''ResistanceIsFutile, George.''
146	-->'''George:''' ''Damnit, I knew he was gonna say that.''
147	* In ''Webcomic/SabrinaOnline'', where Amy, in the advanced stages of her pregnancy with Thomas' son Timmy, is commanded to get pickles and Chex mix by the unborn wolf/squirrel child.
148	[[/folder]]
149
150	[[folder:Western Animation]]
151	* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': Rampage gives a variation of this in his debut episode "Bad Spark", but Silverbolt has a snappy comeback.
152	-->'''Rampage:''' Your persistence is futile! I rise again!\
153	'''Silverbolt:''' In that case, let us give you further to fall!
154	* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse'' has Emperor Milleus delivering the line when he invades Earth:
155	-->"Resistance is futile; but encouraged, for it amuses me."
156	* ''WesternAnimation/BountyHamster''. Cassie and Marion are being chased by a couple of psychotic space slugs with this as their catchphrase. Or maybe not both of them -- at one point one slug turns to the other and asks, "What is ''my'' line?"
157	* Said by the boss bad guy in ''WesternAnimation/ChallengeOfTheGoBots'' after his invasion force had landed on an alien world: "Resistance isn't only futile, it's stupid!"
158	* [[AIIsACrapshoot Brainiac]] in the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse was fond of "You are only delaying the inevitable." It was practically his catchphrase.
159	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'', the three eat a pizza gone bad; Billy and Grim have bad dreams, and Grim's consist of replicating Mandies that go "Resistance is useless. Obey...".
160	%%* Was a title for a ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'' episode.
161	* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{ReBoot}}'' episode 'Between A Raccoon and a Hard Place', Megabyte says "Resistance is futile" - the intention of the writers was to reference the Borg from ''Franchise/StarTrek''.
162	** This episode even includes a binome in a Starfleet uniform quoting part of Picard's speech from ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact''. [[RedShirt Right before getting deleted.]] ''Then'' Megabyte says "Resistance is futile."
163	* ''WesternAnimation/RegularShow'': "Prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is DUMB!"
164	* Of course, ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' has parodied this at least once. In "Lisa The Vegetarian", Lisa's class is forced to watch a film called ''Meat and You: Partners in Freedom (number 3F03 in the Resistance is Useless Series)''.
165	* Allura the witch says "resistance is useless" to the Smurfs she has held captive with her FantasticDrug in her fortress in ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981'' episode "The Lure of the Orb".
166	* Peridot of ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' paraphrases this when fighting the Crystal Gems, though in a much more frustrated manner than the usual indifference it's delivered with.
167	-->"I'm doing this one way or another! You're just making it really difficult!"
168	* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': "I am Soundwave. Resistance is futile."
169	* The Phalanx in the ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'' cartoon, being [[{{Expy}} expies]] of the Borg, even used ''both'' parts of the Borg catchphrase ("Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated." Though [[BeamMeUpScotty contrary to popular belief]], the Borg say "resistance is futile" ''last.'')
170	[[/folder]]
171
172	[[folder:Real Life]]
173	* According to Website/TheOtherWiki, this was part of a telegram that UsefulNotes/NaziGermany sent to the Netherlands at the start of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_declaration_of_war_against_the_Netherlands Source]]
174	** During the very short invasion of Denmark, Germany dropped leaflets, calling on the Danish people not to resist. The government surrendered in six hours after formations of bombers dropped them over the king's palace where they were debating their options.
175	* When the United States was preparing to invade Afghanistan in 2001, they broadcast warning messages to the Taliban including [[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/us-to-taliban-you-are-condemned-did-you-know-that-632036.html You will be attacked by land, sea and air. Resistance is futile.]]
176	[[/folder]]
177
178	----
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Context Main / ResistanceIsFutile