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''Tropes that are primarily found in dramas, are not restricted to another category, and are not universal to all media.''
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!!Tropes:
[[index]]
[floatboxright:
'''Main topics:'''
+ PlayedForDrama
+ RuleOfDrama
+ TearJerker

'''Genres:'''
+ {{Dramedy}}
+ {{Tragedy}}

'''Other categories:'''
+ BetrayalTropes
+ ChewingTheScenery
+ ConfessionTropes
+ {{Conflict}}
+ DeathTropes
+ DysfunctionalFamilyIndex
+ EmotionTropes
+ IHaveYourIndex
+ IndexToTheRescue
+ InternalConflictTropes
+ PriceOfPowerIndex
+ RejectionIndex
+ RevengeTropes
+ ASeriousIndex
+ SubvertedInnocence
+ ThisIndexHasHadAHardLife
+ VictimhoodTropes
+ ViolenceTropes
]
* ABirthdayNotABreak: Today being the person's birthday does not exempt them from peril.
* AbusiveParents: Fathers and mothers who bully and mistreat their own children.
* AcheyScars: The scarring of a character hurts physically or emotionally.
* AchillesHeel: The weakness of a character is exposed.
* ActionFilmQuietDramaScene: A quiet scene in an action-genre work that gives it substance.
* ActorRoleConfusion: An actor gets mistaken for the fictional character they portray.
* AdaptationalAchillesHeel: When a character receives a new weakness or drawback in an adaptation.
* AintTooProudToBeg: A benevolent character (especially a hero) begs for mercy.
* AllUpToYou: A character shows his full potential only when a loved one is in trouble.
* AlwaysMurder: An episode of a series ends with a murder.
* AlwaysSaveTheGirl
* AmbiguousSituation
* {{Anorgasmia}}
* AntiInterferenceLockUp
* ArcNumber
* ArcSymbol
* ArcWords
* ArmedAltruism: A character giving their sole weapon to someone they want safe in immediate combat.
* AsLongAsThereIsOneMan
* AttemptedRape: A would-be rapist tries to attack someone but ultimately fails.
* BackstoryHorror
* BatmanGrabsAGun: A hero resorts to breaking their own rules.
* BeggarWithASignboard
* BerserkerTears
* BestForLast
* BigNo: Someone screams "NO" in response to seeing a misfortune they really didn't want to happen.
* BigShutUp: Yelling at a person to shut up.
* BigWhy
* BigWordShout: Someone shouts a word for dramatic effect.
* BigYes
* BillyNeedsAnOrgan
* BlackVikings
* BluntYes
* {{Blaxploitation}}
* BoardingSchoolOfHorrors
* BodyBridge
* BondBreaker: Someone manages to make close friends distrust each other and drift apart.
* BravingTheBlizzard
* BreakingOutTheBoss: A gang of criminals orchestrate a plan to free their imprisoned leader.
* BreakTheCutie
* BrokenPedestal: Someone becomes disillusioned toward their favorite hero after learning that their idol isn't exactly as good and noble as they thought they were.
* CalmBeforeTheStorm: A brief peaceful moment before the action starts.
* CaperRationalization
* CaptiveDate
* CaregiverAngst
* CasualtyInTheRing
* CerebusCallBack: It was light-hearted or funny before, but in this situation, it's serious.
* CerebusRetcon
* CerebusRollercoaster: A story that keeps shifting from dramatic periods and light-hearted periods.
* CerebusSyndrome: When the story's tone shifts from being mostly comedic to more dramatic.
* TheChainOfHarm (usually as a subset of revenge, but it can also be used to show a down-on-their luck family being at the end of this chain)
* ChainOfPeople
* ChainsOfLove
* ChildOfForbiddenLove
* TheChosenOne
* ChaosWhileTheyreNotLooking
* ClimacticElevatorRide
* ComedicWorkSeriousScene: A dramatic, possibly emotional moment in an otherwise comedic work that gives it depth.
* ComingOfAgeStory
* TheCommiesMadeMeDoIt
* CopeByPretending
* CPRCleanPrettyReliable
* CrazyJealousGuy
* CreepyPhysical
* CrowdChant
* CryingAfterSex
* CuriosityKilledTheCast
* CutHimselfShaving
* CycleOfRevenge
* DangerousTerrain
* DarkAndTroubledPast: A character experienced great misery or traumatic events when they were younger.
* DarkerAndEdgier: A work that started out light and humorous is retooled to be more "adult".
* ADeadlyAffair: An extramarital affair that ends in murder.
* DeadlyPrank: A prank that results in someone getting killed.
* DeathIsDramatic
* DestinationDefenestration: Crashing through a window.
* DestroyTheAbusiveHome
* DestroyTheEvidence
* DestructiveRomance
* DomesticAbuse: Abusing your spouse.
* DontLookBack
* DownerBeginning: The story begins on a tragic note.
* DownerEnding: The story ends on a tragic note.
* DownToTheLastPlay
* DramaBomb
* DramaBombFinale: The finale of a story is much darker than the parts preceding it.
* DramaPanes: Someone walks over to a window at the height of drama.
* DramaQueen: A person who whines about and exaggerates every inconvenience that bothers them.
* DramaticallyMissingThePoint
* DramaticAmmoDepletion
* DramaticChoirNumber
* DramaticDownstageTurn
* DramaticDrop
* DramaticNecklaceRemoval
* DramaticShattering
* DramaticSitDown
* DreamRealityCheck
* DustbinSchool
* EmergencyCargoDump
* EstrangedSoapFamily
* EverybodyLives: The story ends with no one dying.
* ExtremelyShortTimespan: The events of the entire story occur in a rather short amount of time.
* FaceDeathWithDespair: A character death often played for drama.
* FalseFriend
* FamilyDisunion
* FeudingFamilies
* FingerTwitchingRevival
* FirstDayFromHell
* ForcedFromTheirHome
* ForceFeeding: Forcing people to eat something they don't want to.
* FreudianExcuse: A dysfunctional character's current behavior is the result of bad things that happened to them in their past.
* FriendshipFavoritism
* FriendsTurnedRomanticRivals: Friends start fighting over a shared love interest.
* FuneralBanishment
* GainingTheWillToKill
* {{Gaslighting}}: Emotional manipulation taken to the extreme.
* {{GASP}}
* GenerationalTrauma: Conflict arises due to unresolved baggage passed down from generation to generation.
* GiveHimANormalLife
* AGlassInTheHand
* GloryDays
* GoodDocBadDoc
* GRatedDrug: An ordinary substance is treated as if it were a drug.
* GraveMarkingScene
* GrewASpine
* GutPunch
* HangingByTheFingers
* HatesTheirParent
* HealthcareMotivation
* HesBack: A character who's been in a fit of depression snaps out of their funk and gets back in the game.
* HeroicBSOD
* HeyLetsPutOnAShow
* HollywoodHeartAttack
* HopeSpringsEternal
* HouseInspection: Inspectors are coming. The house is a mess despite your best efforts.
* ICanChangeMyBeloved
* IJustWantToBeNormal: A hero or an extraordinary person wishes that they could have a normal life.
* IgnoranceIsBliss
* IgnoredEpiphany: The villain considers redeeming themselves, but decides not to and continues being bad.
* IWillWaitForYou
* ImpromptuFortress
* ImprovisedImprisonment
* IndianSummer
* InformedSelfDiagnosis
* InitiationCeremony
* TheInspectorIsComing
* InstantDramaJustAddTracheotomy
* InstantSedation
* InverseDialogueDeathRule: A dying, important character gets several lines of {{dialogue}} before kicking it.
* IronicBirthday
* ItGetsEasier
* ItNeverGetsAnyEasier
* JustifiedCriminal
* KillTheCutie
* KirkSummation
* KnightOfCerebus: An antagonist whose introduction or rise in prominence heralds the story becoming darker in tone.
* LastSecondChance
* LeaveYourQuestTest
* LessonOfTheDaySpeech
* LibationForTheDead: Pouring a drink onto the ground to honor the deceased.
* LifeWillKillYou
* LimitedAdvancementOpportunities
* LinkedListClueMethodology
* LiteralCliffhanger
* LittleNo
* LonelyPianoPiece
* LovedINotHonorMore
* MacGyvering
* MagicalDefibrillator
* MamaDidntRaiseNoCriminal
* MasqueradeBall
* MaternalDeathBlameTheChild: When a mother dies giving birth, the resulting child is blamed for causing their mother's death.
* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent
* MeaningfulFuneral
* {{Melodrama}}: Dramatic situations depicted through unsubtly exaggerated emotions.
* MilkingTheGiantCow
* MoralDilemma
* MobWar
* MontageOut
* MustLetThemGetAway
* MysteriousParent
* {{Narm}}: When a dramatic moment intended to be serious turns into accidental comedy instead, due to poor writing and/or acting.
* NearRapeExperience: Someone has to deal with the aftermath of almost getting raped.
* NotableNonSequitur
* NotInMyBackyard
* OffTheTable
* OfferingAHand
* OnlyTheLeadsGetAHappyEnding: The main characters get a happy ending, but the rest of the characters are screwed.
* OperationGameOfDoom
* OrphanageOfFear: An orphanage where the orphans are abused and tormented by the people running the place.
* OstentatiousSecret
* ParentalFavoritism: The parent has one child they favor over the rest.
* PenultimateOutburst: After several disturbances, the judge threatens to kick the offender out of the courtroom.
* PhonyNewscast
* PickOnSomeoneYourOwnSize
* PlayerDeathIsDramatic
* PleaseIWillDoAnything
* PlethoraOfMistakes
* PoliceBrutality
* PoliceBrutalityGambit
* PoliticallyCorrectHistory: A work taking place in the past ignores or whitewashes aspects of the past that might offend modern audiences.
* PostSupportRegret: A character has always vouched for their {{Jerkass}} friend against haters, only for them to regret they did when they realize the jerk is just as bad as everyone says they are.
* PowerAtAPrice
* ProxyBreakup: Alice wants to break-up with Bob, so she has Cindy do it for her.
* PullTheTriggerProvocation: A character is wavering over doing something irrevocable when they are suddenly goaded into committing.
* PresentDayPresentTime
* PromotionToParent: When the parents for some reason can't take care of their children, the responsibility falls on a relative or legal guardian.
* PsychicDreamsForEveryone
* PunchAWall
* PushoverParents: Parents who are easily manipulated into letting their children have their way.
* TheQueenWillBeWatching
* RapeAsBackstory: [[DarkAndTroubledPast A person's past]] involves being sexually abused or assaulted.
* RapeAsDrama: Someone suffers sexual violence, and it is portrayed completely seriously.
* RealTime
* TheReasonISuckSpeech: Someone confesses their own flaws.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Someone goes on a rant where they list another person's flaws.
* RebuiltPedestal: Someone gets upset upon learning that their idol isn't the flawless hero they assumed them to be but likes them again after their idol redeems themselves or proves that their imperfection does not make them any less noble as their fan assumed them to be.
* RedSpiderLiliesOfMourning: A flower used to portray a tragic death or loss.
* RememberedTooLate
* ReunionVow
* RevengeIsNotJustice
* ReverseCerebusSyndrome: A story goes from being really dark to really lighthearted.
* RewindReplayRepeat
* RoadsideSurgery
* RooftopConfrontation
* RunawayTrain
* SadisticChoice
* SarcasticClapping
* SelfHarm
* SelfHarmInducedSuperpower: Causing self-damage activates this type of power.
* SeriousWorkComedicScene: A comedic moment in an otherwise dramatic work that gives it some levity.
* ShooOutTheClowns
* ShotToTheHeart
* ShowerOfAngst
* SlowNo
* SmallTownBigHell
* SmokingGunControl
* SoapOperaDisease
* {{Soaperizing}}
* SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome: A character becomes older between appearances with no explanation.
* SorrowfulStutter
* TheStoolPigeon
* StrangerInAFamiliarLand: The hero finally returns home, but the place has changed so much that it's no longer the place it was before the hero left.
* StrikeMeDown
* SuddenDownerEnding: A dark, depressing ending to an otherwise upbeat work.
* SugaryMalice
* SuspiciousMissedMessages: If a person hasn't replied to phone calls, emails or letters in a while, it's a sure sign that something is off.
* TakeBackYourGift
* TakeMyHand
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath
* TarnishingTheirOwnBeauty
* TearsOfFear
* TeenDrama
* TeensAreMonsters
* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Teammates who openly dislike each other.
* TelevisuallyTransmittedDisease
* TheseHandsHaveKilled: A person gets upset at the realization that they just killed someone.
* ThingsGetReal
* ThirdActMisunderstanding
* ThisIsMySide
* TimmyInAWell
* ToiletSeatDivorce: A couple divorce over something trivial.
* TooDesperateToBePicky
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth
* TooUpsetToCreate
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: When an unfortunate outcome befalls a character because they acted on their emotions without considering the ramifications of their actions.
* TheTragicRose
* TraumaSwing
* TroubledFetalPosition
* TwistedChristmas
* UnableToCry
* UnconfessedUnemployment
* UnderestimatingBadassery
* UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode: An unusually dark episode of a light-hearted series.
* VerySpecialEpisode: An unusual episode in a light-entertainment series that suddenly tackles a serious issue, such as drugs, alcohol or gangs.
* VigilanteInjustice: Vigilantes are problematic because they interfere with investigations and can kill innocent people.
* WakingUpElsewhere
* WarIsHell: Warfare and violence are inherently emotionally-distressful experiences for most people.
* WartsAndAll
* WeCanRuleTogether: The villain tries to make the offer that the hero can join them in their conquest.
* WeDoNotKnowEachOther
* WeUsedToBeFriends
* WhereDidWeGoWrong
* WhyDidYouMakeMeHitYou
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility
* WitnessProtection
* TheWoobie
* WoundThatWillNotHeal
* WoundedGazelleGambit: Manipulating people by tricking them into thinking the other guy hurt you.
* WoundedGazelleWarcry
* YouDidntAsk
* YouExclamation
* YouShouldHaveDiedInstead: Someone wishes a person they hate had died instead of a lost loved one.
[[/index]]
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