->''"You mere device," he gnarled. "You platitude! You [[DeusExMachina Golux ex machina]]!"''
->-- ''The13Clocks''

In service to the plot, characters are given these roles, sometimes making them just plot devices with lines.

These "devices" can also be viewed as "component parts" from which more complex, realistic characters can be built, but television production usually means churning out episodes as quickly as possible to meet looming deadlines. Mediocre writers will merely take one of the following and slap a name on it. By contrast, better writers start with a character and slap two or more of the following labels on it.

Contrast CharacterizationTropes, where the plot serves the establishment of the character.
----
[floatboxright:
Categories:
+ BrainChain
+ CastFillerTropes
+ DeadHerring
+ FantasticSapientSpeciesTropes
+ TheParentTrope
++ ParentalIssues
+ QueerAsTropes
+ RaceTropes
+ {{Youngsters}}
]
!!Tropes
* AbsentMindedProfessor
* ActionDuo
* ActionHero
* ActionSurvivor
* AgentMulder
* TheAggressiveDrugDealer
* AlBundy
* TheAlcoholic
* AliceAndBob
* AlienScrappy
* AlmightyJanitor
* TheAloner
* AlwaysChaoticEvil
* AlwaysSecondBest
** RomanticRunnerUp
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter
** SuckSessor
* AncientKeeper
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling
* AnonymousRinger
* AntiRoleModel
* ApocalypseMaiden
* TheAragorn
* ArchnemesisDad
* ArthurDent
* TheArtifact
* ASharedSuffering
* AsHimself
* AssholeVictim
* AudienceSurrogate
* AutomatedAutomobiles
* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter
* BackAlleyDoctor
* BadassBystander
* BadassGrandpa
* BadBoss
* BarbarianTribe
* BarrierMaiden
* BarrierWarrior
* BasementDweller
* BattleButler
* TheBeard
* BearerOfBadNews
* BeastMan
* BeleagueredAssistant
* BeleagueredChildhoodFriend
* BenevolentBoss
* BetaCouple
* BigGood
* BigManOnCampus
* [[{{ptitleutvwuc2h}} Bitch in Sheep's Clothing]]
* BitPartBadguys
* BlackAndNerdy
* BlackBestFriend
* BlankSlate
* BlondeRepublicanSexKitten
* BodyDouble
* BodyOfTheWeek
* BollywoodNerd
* BookDumb
* TheBooRadley
* BornDetective
* BornLucky
* {{Bouncer}}
* BoxedCrook
* BoisterousBruiser
* BraggartBoss
* TheBrigadier
* BunglingInventor
* {{Buttmonkey}}
** TheUnfavourite
* CameraFiend
* CanonForeigner
* CanonImmigrant
* CaptainObvious
* TheCaretaker
* TheCassandra
* CavalierCompetitor
* CelebrityImpersonator
** ElvisImpersonator
* TheChamberlain
* ChanceTheGardener
* CharacterOverlap
* CharacterWitness
* ChasteHero
* [=~Chekhov's Gunman~=]
* CherylBlossom
* TheChewToy
* ChildMage
* CircusBrat
* ClockKing
* ClosetKey
* {{Coaster}}
* CoincidenceMagnet
* CollegeWidow
* CombatCommentator
* TheCombatPragmatist
* CommanderContrarian
* CommissionerGordon
* CompanionCube
* CompassionateCritic
* CompressedVice
* ConflictKiller
* TheConscience
* TheConsigliere
* ConspiracyTheorist
* ConsummateLiar
* CoolLoser
* CopBoyfriend
* CordonBleughChef
* CountryMouse
* CousinOliver
* CowardlyLion
* CriminalAmnesiac
* CrossPlayer
* CunningLinguist
* CuriousAsAMonkey
* CynicalMentor
* DaChief
* DamselScrappy
* DangerousDeserter
* DarkAndTroubledPast
* DeadAllAlong
* DeadPersonImpersonation
* DeadlyGuest
* DecoyDamsel
* DecoyProtagonist
* DeepCoverAgent
* DepravedKidsShowHost
* DesignatedHero
* DesignatedVictim
* DeskJockey
* DiabolusExVacuus
* DisasterScavengers
* DisposableWoman
* DistressedDamsel
* TheDoctorDolittle
* DoctorGirlfriend
* [[{{ptitleoe7myb9t}} Don't You Dare Pity Me]]
* DoomedDefeatist
* DoomedProtagonist
* DoppelgangerReplacementLoveInterest
* DragonRider
* DreadfulMusician
* DrFeelgood
* DropInCharacter
* DumbassDJ
* DumbMuscle
* TheDutifulSon
* DaEditor
* [[{{ptitlekyvqx5xp}} Elephant's Child]]
* EmpathicHealer
* EmperorScientist
* EmptyShell
* EthnicMagician
* EthnicScrappy
* TheEveryman
* EvilCripple
* EvilMinions
* ExcitedKidsShowHost (sorta)
* ExtremeDoormat
* FagHag
* FaintingSeer
* FairyCompanion
* FantasyCharacterClasses
* FatBastard
* AFatherToHisMen
* FemaleSuccessIsFamily
* TheFettered
* FetishFuelStationAttendant
* FightingForAHomeland
* FixerSue
* FriendlyEnemy
* FriendOnTheForce
* TheFrizzle
* FlyingDutchman
* FourStarBadass
* FourthWallObserver
* FormerChildStar
* FortuneTeller
* FoxNewsLiberal
* FunnyForeigner
* FutureLoser
* TheGadfly
* {{Garfunkel}}
* {{Gayngster}}
* GenieInABottle
* GeniusBruiser
* GeniusCripple
* GeniusLoci
* GentleGiant
* GentlemanAdventurer
* GentlemanThief
* GhostExtras
* TheGift
* TheGimmick
* GirlFriday
* GirlOfTheWeek
* GirlPosse
* GloriousLeader
* GlurgeAddict
* GoddamnOrks
* GodEmperor
* GodInHumanForm
* GodOfEvil
* GodSaveUsFromTheQueen
* GoodSamaritan
* GoodWithNumbers
* GossipyHens
* GrandparentalObliviousness
* GranolaGirl
* GreaseMonkey
* GreekChorus
* GroupieBrigade
* GrumpyBear
* GrumpyOldMan
* GullibleLemmings
* HangingJudge
* TheHeart
* HeartwarmingOrphan
* HelloNurse
* HermitGuru
* HeroicBastard
* HeroicConfidant
* HeroicNeutral
* HeroicWannabe
* HeroOfAnotherStory
* HeroSecretService
* HeroWorshipper
* HeWhoFightsMonsters
* HeWhoMustNotBeHeard
** TheSpeechless
** TheUnintelligible
** TheVoiceless
* HeWhoMustNotBeSeen
** TheFaceless
** TheGhost
** TheVoice
* HeyIKnowYou
* HiddenDepths
* HighSchoolRejects
* {{Hobbits}}
* HolierThanThou
* HomelessPigeonPerson
* HometownHero
* HoneyTrap
* HookerWithAHeartOfGold
* TheHopelessReplacement
* HornyScientist
* HotAsHell
* HotLibrarian
* HotScientist
* {{Housewife}}
* TheHunter
* TheHyena
* HyperAwareness
* HypercompetentSidekick
* {{Hypocrite}}
* IdentityAmnesia
* IdiotOfTheWeek
* IJustWantToBeBadass
* IJustWantToBeSpecial
* TheIllegal
* TheImmune
* [[{{ptitleil14yw44}} I'm Not Hungry]]
* TheImp
* ImpoverishedPatrician
* IncorruptiblePurePureness
* IndianMaiden
* IneptMage
* TheIngenue
* InHarmsWay
* InnocentBystander
** HeroicBystander
* InnocentFanserviceGirl
* InnocentFlowerGirl
* InspectorLestrade
* InspectorJavert
* InsufferableGenius
* InterruptedSuicide
* InvisiblePresident
* TheIshmael
* JailbirdOfPanama
* TheJailer
* TheJeeves
* JerkJock
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold
* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk
* TheJester
* TheJohnHenry
* TheJorEl
* JudgeJuryAndExecutioner
* JumpedAtTheCall
* JunglePrincess
* KavorkaMan
* KickedUpstairs
* KidFromTheFuture
* KingIncognito
* TheKingOfTown
* TheKirk
* KnightTemplarParent
* KnowledgeBroker
* TheLabRat
* LadyMacbeth
* LaResistance
* LargeAndInCharge
* LargeHam
* TheLastDJ
* LastOfHisKind
* LawfulStupid
* LeastIsFirst
* TheLeisureSuitLarry
* LesbianVampire
* LethalChef
* LittlestCancerPatient
* LiveActionEscortMission
* LivingLieDetector
* LivingMacGuffin
* LivingProp
* TheLoad
* LongLostUncleAesop
* TheLongtarin
* LookingForLoveInAllTheWrongPlaces
* LoserGuy
* LovableCoward
* LovableNerd
* LoveMartyr
* LoverNotAFighter
* LovesMyAlterEgo
* MadArtist
* MadBomber
* TheMadHatter
* MadMathematician
* MadScientist
** TheIgor
** ReluctantMadScientist
* [[{{ptitlejhfmx9xo4le0}} Mad Scientist's Beautiful Daughter]]
* MafiaPrincess
* [[InspirationallyDisadvantaged Magical Differently Abled Person]]
* MagicalArsehole
* MagicalNanny
* MagicalNativeAmerican
* MagicalNegro
* MagicalQueer
* MaidenAunt
* MajoredInWesternHypocrisy
* {{Malaproper}}
* MamaBear
** PapaWolf
* ManChild
* [[{{ptitleanw72ww7}} The Man They Couldn't Hang]]
* ManchurianAgent
* ManicPixieDreamGirl
* MarathonMan
* TheMark
* MartyrWithoutACause
* MasterOfDelusion
* MasterOfTheMixedMessage
* MayorOfAGhostTown
* {{The McCoy}}
* MeanBoss
* MeddlingParents
* TheMedic
* MenOfSherwood
* {{Messenger}}
** AlmostDeadGuy
** DoomedAppointment
** {{Herald}}
** ImpededMessenger
** MysteriousInformant
** SpearCarrier
* TheMessiah
** TheParagon
* MetaGuy
* {{MIB}}
* MilhollandRelationshipMoment
* MilitaryBrat
* MilitaryMaverick
* TheMillstone
* MinorMajorCharacter
* MiserAdvisor
* MissedTheCall
* MissionControl
* MoralityChain
* MoralityPet
* MostWritersAreWriters
* MotherPenguin
* MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong
* MouthyKid
* MisterBig
* MrImagination
* MrViceGuy
* MrsRobinson
* MuggleFosterParents
* {{Muggles}}
* TheMunchausen
* TheMuse
* MyBelovedSmother
* MysteriousPast
* MysteriousWatcher
* NaiveNewcomer
* TheNapoleon
* {{Narrator}}
** InteractiveNarrator
** LemonyNarrator
** UnreliableNarrator
* NatureSpirit
* NaziNobleman
* NerdsAreSexy
* NeuroVault
* NeverLiveItDown
* NeverMessWithGranny
* NewAgeRetroHippie
* NewOldFlame
* NiceGuy
* TheNiles
* NobleBigot
** NobleBigotWithABadge
* NobleFugitive
* NobleProfession
* NobleSavage
* NonActionGuy
* NonHumanSidekick
* NonPromotion
* NoRespectGuy
* NoSenseOfDirection
* NosyNeighbor
* NotBrainwashed
* NotGoodWithPeople
* NumberTwo
* NunsAreFunny
* NunsAreSpooky
* NurseJenny
* NurseWithGoodIntentions
* TheObiWrong
* ObsoleteMentor
* ObstructiveBureaucrat
* TheObstructiveLoveInterest
* ObstructiveZealot
* OccultDetective
* OfficerAndAGentleman
* OfficerOHara
* OffstageVillainy
* TheOldCon
* OlderSidekick
* OldFriend
* OldMaster
* OldSoldier
* OldSuperhero
* OmnidisciplinaryScientist
* OnlySaneEmployee
* OnlySaneMan
* OurPresidentsAreDifferent
* OverprotectiveDad
* OvershadowedByAwesome
* OvertOperative
* ThePaolo
* ParentalAbandonment
** MissingMom
** DisappearedDad
* ParentalSubstitute
* ParentExMachina
* ParentsAsPeople
* ParkerLewisFerrisBueller
* ThePawn
* PerkyGoth
* PerpetualFrowner
* ThePesci
* ThePhilosopher
* PhonyVeteran
* PhysicalGod
** FightingAShadow
* PickyEater
* ThePigPen
* PinballProtagonist
* PingPongNaivete
* ThePianoPlayer
* [[{{ptitle94ctt9bsmafc}} The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything]]
* PlotMagnet
* PlotSensitiveSnoopingSkills
* PluckyComicRelief
* PlugNPlayFriends
* PointyHairedBoss
* PoisonousFriend
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain
* ThePornomancer
* ThePollyanna
* [[PreachersKid Preacher's Kid]]
* PregnantHostage
* [[ThePresidentsDaughter The President's Daughter]]
* PrideBeforeAFall
* PrimaDonnaDirector
* PrivateDefective
* ProfessionalButtKisser
* ProperlyParanoid
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy
* PsychoSidekick
* PungeonMaster
* PussInBoots
* QuicklyDemotedWoman
* TheQuietOne
* TheQuincyPunk
* TheRainman
* RaisedByNatives
* RaisedByWolves
* RalphWiggum
* {{Ranger}}
* TheRealHeroes
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure
* RebelLeader
* RebelliousPrincess
* RecklessSidekick
* RedShirt
** MauveShirt
* RedshirtArmy
** DeadStarWalking
** TheShrikeTeam
* TheRedSonja
* RenaissanceMan
* ReformedCriminal
* TheRenfield
* TheResenter
* RetiredBadass
* RetiredCompleteMonster
* {{Retirony}}
* ReturningWarVet
* ReverseMole
* RichBitch
** [=~Screw The Rules, I Have Money!~=]
* RichIdiotWithNoDayJob
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter
* RightManInTheWrongPlace
* RobotBuddy
* RobotMe
* RookieRedRanger
* SacrificialLamb
* SacrificialLion
* SadClown
* SadistTeacher
* TheSandiego
* SarcasticDevotee
* SassySecretary
* SatelliteCharacter
* TheScapegoat
** SilentScapegoat
* ScarilyCompetentTracker
* ScaryBlackMan
* ScaryMinoritySuspect
* {{Schemer}}
* SchoolyardBullyAllGrownUp
* TheScrooge
* TheScrounger
* ScreamingWoman
* [=~Screw The Money, I Have Rules!~=]
* SecretKeeper
* SeenItAll
* SelfPropelledBarrierOfStupidity
* SeriesMascot
* ServiceSectorStereotypes
* SexyMentor
* ShapeShifter
* ShellShockedSenior
* TheShortGuyWithGlasses
* ShrinkingViolet
* ShroudedInMyth
* SiblingYinYang
* {{Sidekick}}
* SilentBob
* SilentPartner
* SimpleCountryLawyer
* SitcomArchNemesis
* TheSlacker
* SmallAnnoyingCreature
* SmugSnake
* SoapBoxSadie
* SoulBrotha
* TheSoulless
* SourSupporter
* SpannerInTheWorks
* SpecialGuest
* TheSpook
* TheSpymaster
* SquishyWizard
* StageMagician
* StepfordSmiler
* SternTeacher
* StockCharacter
* TheStoner
* TheStoryteller
* StrawCritic
* StrawFan
* StrawmanPolitical
** StrawFeminist
* TheStrategist
* StreetSamurai
* StuffedIntoTheFridge
* StupidBoss
* SummonEverymanHero
* SuperCoach
* SuperpowerSillyPutty
* SuperStoicShopkeeper
* SuperStrength
* SupremeChef
* SupportingProtagonist
* SurferDude
* SympatheticAdulterer
* SympatheticMurderer
* TallDarkAndSnarky
* TeamChef
* TeamDad
* TeamMom
* TheTeamNormal
* TeamSwitzerland
* TeaserOnlyCharacter
* TechnoWizard
* TedBaxter
* TeenGenius
* TeensAreMonsters
* TelepathicSpacemen
* TemporaryLoveInterest
* TemporaryScrappy
* ThereIsAnother
* TheyKilledKenny
* ThirdPersonPerson
* TinMan
* TokenMinority
** TokenEnemyMinority
** TokenNonHuman
** TwoferTokenMinority
** TokenWhite
* TooCleverByHalf
* TooDumbToFool
* TooDumbToLive
* ToxicFriendInfluence
* TragicMonster
* TripleShifter
* TroubledButCute
* TunnelKing
* TurnCoat
* TVGenius
* UltimateBlacksmith
* UltimateGamer386
* UltimateJobSecurity
* TheUmbridge
** BaitAndSwitchUmbridge
* UnclePennybags
* UncleTomfoolery
* TheUnfettered
* TheUnfrozenCavemanLawyer
* {{Unfunny}}
* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist
* TheUrkel
* UselessProtagonist
* VainSorceress
* ValleyGirl
* VampireRefugee
* VeryPunchableMan
* TheVicar
* VictimOfTheWeek
* VillainByDefault
* ViolentGlaswegian
* VoiceWithAnInternetConnection
* WackyGuy
* WalkingDisasterArea
* WalkingTechbane
* WastelandElder
* TheWatchmaker
* TheWatson
* WeekendInventor
* WeirdnessMagnet
* WellDoneSonGuy
* TheWesley
* {{Wide-Eyed Idealist}}
* WhileRomeBurns
* WhiteDwarfStarlet
* TheWhitePrince
* [[{{ptitleh6h2ojyu}} Why Do You Keep Changing Jobs?]]
* WildChild
* WitchSpecies
* WomanScorned
* TheWoobie
** WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds
* TheWonka
* TheWorfEffect
* {{Workaholic}}
* TheWormGuy
* WorthlessForeignDegree
* XanatosSucker
* YesMan
* YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters
* YouSuck
* YuppieCouple
* ZombieInfectee
----
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