This is a list of wick cleanings mandated by forum threads, such as the Wick Cleaning thread, the Wick Migration thread, or Trope Repair Shop threads. Please add new work piles to the bottom of the list, so that older efforts have better visibility.

If you're waiting for a TRS slot, finishing off one labeled Active TRS Thread is a great way to open up a spot.

Dates are written in MM/DD/YYYY format.

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Renames

Be sure to check the definition of the page(s), many of these were renamed due to misuse.

Tropes:

Ambiguous Disorder to Hollywood Psych, Diagnosis of God, or Diagnosed by the Audience: 336 wicks as of 04/16/2024

If Hollywood Psych applies, just rename. If Diagnosis of God applies, move to Trivia page. If Diagnosed by the Audience (an Audience Reaction) applies, move to YMMV page. Otherwise, remove entirely.

Distressed Damsel to Damsel in Distress: 476 wicks as of 04/16/2024

Authority Equals Asskicking and Authority Grants Asskicking to Rank Scales with Asskicking and Position of Literal Power: 1943 wicks as of 04/25/2024 Active TRS Thread

Initially, TRS renamed the trope to Authority Grants Asskicking, but since that name was determined to be inaccurate, it was renamed again to Rank Scales with Asskicking. Originally renamed because "equals" made it unclear which way the causality goes, with examples split between the new name and Position of Literal Power because of two separate reasons why someone with a high rank would be powerful. Examples of characters' power increasing with rank go to Rank Scales with Asskicking, and characters gaining access to power directly associated with positions of authority after gaining said positions go to Position of Literal Power.

Half-Truth and From a Certain Point of View to Metaphorically True: 290 wicks for Half-Truth and 618 wicks for From a Certain Point of View as of 01/25/2024

Spell My Name With An S to Inconsistent Spelling: 4888 wicks as of 04/25/2024 Active TRS Thread

Only allows official and intentional examples. Allows long vowels.

Incorruptible Pure Pureness to The Incorruptible: 3426 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Redefined to refer to characters who are portrayed in-universe as untemptable/incorruptible.

Chinese Girl to Anime Chinese Girl: 110 wicks as of 04/26/2024.

Main.Dangerous Sixteenth Birthday to Main.Dangerous 16th Birthday: 340 as of 04/26/2024.

Main.The Eighties to Main.The80s: 5806 wicks as of 04/26/2024.

Once Original, Now Overdone to Once Original, Now Common: 135 wicks as of 04/26/2024

Main.Standard Fifties Father to Main.Standard50s Father: 194 as of 01/25/2024

Other:

Administrivia.Creating A Work Page For An Upcoming Work to Administrivia.Creating A Work Page For An Unreleased Work: 221 wicks as of 01/25/2024.

Works:

WesternAnimation.The Venture Brothers to WesternAnimation.The Venture Bros: 1393 wicks as of 01/25/2024.

VideoGame.Fallout to Franchise.Fallout or VideoGame.Fallout 1: 2122 wicks as of 01/25/2024 Active Short Term Projects Thread

Film.Around The World In Eighty Days 2004 to Film.Around The World In 80 Days 2004: 82 as of 01/25/2024

Theatre.Heathers to Theatre.Heathers The Musical: 257 wicks as of 01/25/2024.

Film.Ready Player One to Film.Ready Player One 2018: 126 wicks as of 02/21/2024.

Film.The General to Film.The General 1926: 61 wicks as of 02/21/2024.

Merges

Wicks need to either be replaced with the merged trope or cut as misuse.

Spiritual Adaptation to Spiritual Successor: 1230 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Most examples can probably be moved as-is, since the merge was done due to to concerns with redundancy, but since Spiritual Successor is YMMV, examples need to stay on YMMV pages (except in the case of In-Universe reactions to a Show Within a Show).

Hilarity Ensues to Played for Laughs: 9780 wicks as of 04/25/2024

Misaimed Marketing to Misaimed Merchandising: 262 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Splits

Wicks need to be changed to two or more different tropes (with very few exceptions) Most require familiarity with works.

Toy Ship to Puppy Love: 715 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Only wicks that directly refer to the fanspeak term should stay. Any In-Universe examples go to Puppy Love, cut examples referring to out-of-universe ships.

Closer to Earth to its subtropes: 907 wicks (with 176 wicks as Voice of Reason) as of 01/25/2024

Hidden Badass to its subtropes: 401 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Might Makes Right to its subtropes: 2195 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Mysterious Woman to its subtropes: 130 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Antagonist Abilities to its subtropes: 280 wicks, with 2 at Antagonist Ability, as of 01/25/2024

Wrath to its subtropes: 115 wicks as of 04/26/2024

Parental Issues to its subtropes: 1635 wicks (with 412 wicks at Mommy Issues and 636 wicks at Daddy Issues) as of 01/25/2024

Gender Reveal to its subtropes: 308 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Power Trio to its subtropes: 3083 wicks as of 03/26/2024

Evil Makeover to its subtropes: 508 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Shapeshifting to its subtropes: 2666 wicks (with 788 wicks at Shapeshifter) as of 01/25/2024

Body Snatcher to its subtropes: 717 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Double Standard to its subtropes: 3479 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Mind Control to its subtropes: 5255 wicks (with 941 wicks at Mind Manipulation) as of 01/25/2024

Spiritual Successor to Creator-Driven Successor: 10949 wicks as of 02/09/2024

If a work that's similar to an older work is known to share a creator with the older work, move it to the Trivia subpage under Creator-Driven Successor. If the two works do not share a creator, and are thought to be similar by fans, it should stay listed under Spiritual Successor; since Spiritual Successor was made YMMV, any examples that stay under Spiritual Successor need to be moved to YMMV pages if they aren't there already (except in the case of In-Universe reactions to a Show Within a Show).

Artistic License – Law to one of its subtropes: 1409 wicks (with 62 wicks at Artistic Licence – Law) as of 01/25/2024

Plot Induced Stupidity to Forgot About His Powers, Idiot Ball, or Gameplay-Guided Amnesia: 103 wicks as of 01/25/2024

WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies to WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies 1984 or WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies 2018: 113 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Memetic Badass to Shrouded in Myth, Living Legend, Famed In-Story, or The Dreaded: 4727 wicks as of 01/25/2024

In-Universe examples are to be moved to objective tropes (with the possible exception of reactions to a Show Within a Show). Progress is being tracked using the Memetic Badass Wick Cleaning sandbox.

Evil Genius to several other tropes: 4540 wicks (with 443 wicks as The Evil Genius) as of 01/25/2024

Move any examples that fit any subtropes now that Evil Genius is a supertrope. Progress is being tracked using the Evil Genius Wick Cleaning sandbox.

The Cameo to Crossover Cameo, Continuity Cameo, and Celebrity Cameo: 15599 wicks as of 04/26/2024

Only those that do not fit any of the subtropes (mostly the listed three, but could also be one of the others listed in the page) can be left as supertrope wicks.

WesternAnimation.Kung Fu Panda to WesternAnimation.Kung Fu Panda 1 and Franchise.Kung Fu Panda: 556 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.The Incredibles to WesternAnimation.The Incredibles 1 and Franchise.The Incredibles: 720 wicks as of 04/26/2024

VideoGame.Five Nights At Freddys to Franchise.Five Nights At Freddys or VideoGame.Five Nights At Freddys 1: 1706 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Film.Jurassic Park to Franchise.Jurassic Park or Film.Jurassic Park 1993: 2095 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Gremlins to Franchise.Gremlins or Film.Gremlins 1984: 570 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls to Franchise.The Powerpuff Girls, WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls 1998, or WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls 2016: 1511 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.Shrek to Franchise.Shrek or WesternAnimation.Shrek 1: 424 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Mission Impossible to Film.Mission Impossible Film Series or Film.Mission Impossible 1996: 293 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Recycled In Space to JustForFun.Recycled In Space or Recycled with a Gimmick: 3194 wicks + 763 wicks for IN SPACE! as of 01/25/2024

Examples with a stated gimmick added go to Recycled with a Gimmick. For any other cases, namespace to Just for Fun/ if appropriate, remove or rewrite if it's too gratuitous.

Catharsis Factor to Stress-Relieving Gameplay: 4019 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Name is now an Audience Reaction about moments that relieve tension. Current video game-specific definition Trope Transplanted to Stress-Relieving Gameplay. Move examples that fit the video game-specific Audience Reaction accordingly, and leave examples for other types of works under the old name.

VideoGame.Animal Crossing to Franchise.Animal Crossing or VideoGame.Animal Crossing 2001: 1698 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Mega Man to Franchise.Mega Man, VideoGame.Mega Man Classic, or VideoGame.Mega Man 1: 384 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.Fire Emblem to Franchise.Fire Emblem or VideoGame.Fire Emblem The Blazing Blade: 737 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Kirby to Franchise.Kirby or VideoGame.Kirbys Dream Land: 550 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Final Fantasy to Franchise.Final Fantasy or VideoGame.Final Fantasy I: 403 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.Castlevania to Franchise.Castlevania or VideoGame.Castlevania 1986: 229 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.Tekken to Franchise.Tekken or VideoGame.Tekken 1: 1393 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Metroid to Franchise.Metroid or VideoGame.Metroid 1: 276 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.Star Fox to Franchise.Star Fox or VideoGame.Star Fox 1: 667 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Pokemon to Franchise.Pokemon or VideoGame.Pokemon Red And Blue: 559 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.The King Of Fighters to Franchise.The King Of Fighters, VideoGame.The King Of Fighters 94, or VideoGame.Fatal Fury King Of Fighters: 1805 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Mass Effect to Franchise.Mass Effect or VideoGame.Mass Effect 1: 629 wicks as of 01/25/2024

VideoGame.Dragon Quest to Franchise.Dragon Quest or VideoGame.Dragon Quest I: 1509 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.The Fast And The Furious to Franchise.The Fast And The Furious, Film.The Fast And The Furious 2001, or Film.Fast And Furious: 721 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.Monsters Inc to Franchise.Monsters Inc or WesternAnimation.Monsters Inc 1: 1359 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.How To Train Your Dragon to Franchise.How To Train Your Dragon or WesternAnimation.How To Train Your Dragon 2010: 842 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.Madagascar to Franchise.Madagascar or WesternAnimation.Madagascar 1: 247 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Scooby Doo to Film.Scooby Doo 2002 or Film.Scooby Doo Monsters Unleashed: 338 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.Teen Titans to WesternAnimation.Teen Titans 2003 or WesternAnimation.Teen Titans Go: 1622 wicks as of 03/30/2024

WesternAnimation.Scooby Doo to Franchise.Scooby Doo or WesternAnimation.Scooby Doo Where Are You: 755 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Ratchet And Clank to Franchise.Ratchet And Clank, VideoGame.Ratchet And Clank 2002, or VideoGame.Ratchet And Clank 2016: 265 wicks as of 03/30/2024

VideoGame.Sly Cooper to Franchise.Sly Cooper or VideoGame.Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus: 607 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Childs Play to Franchise.Childs Play, Film.Childs Play 1988, or Film.Childs Play 2019: 326 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Anime.Pokemon to Anime.Pokemon The Series, Anime.Pokemon Horizons The Series or Anime.Pokemon Origins: 604 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Wicks referring to Pokemon in general should be moved to Franchise.Pokemon.

Film.Beverly Hills Cop to Film.Beverly Hills Cop I, Film.Beverly Hills Cop II, or Film.Beverly Hills Cop III, unless it refers to the series as a whole: 340 wicks as of 01/25/2024

WesternAnimation.Castlevania to WesternAnimation.Castlevania 2017 or WesternAnimation.Castlevania Nocturne: 101 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Iron Man to Film.Iron Man Films or Film.Iron Man 1: 942 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Series.Tarzan to Franchise.Tarzan, Series.Tarzan 1991, or Series.Tarzan The Epic Adventures: 43 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Film.King Kong to Franchise.King Kong, Film.King Kong 1933, Film.King Kong 1976, or Film.King Kong 2005: 573 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Series.Wonder Woman to Series.Wonder Woman 1975 or Series.Wonder Woman 2011 Pilot: 181 wicks as of 04/20/2024

Film.The Santa Clause to Film.The Santa Clause 1 or one of its sequels, unless it refers to the series as a whole: 317 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Film.Home Alone to Film.Home Alone 1 or one of its sequels, unless it refers to the series as a whole: 994 wicks as of 04/20/2024

WesternAnimation.Puss In Boots to WesternAnimation.Puss In Boots 2011, WesternAnimation.Puss In Boots The Last Wish, or WesternAnimation.The Adventures Of Puss In Boots: 160 wicks as of 04/20/2024

VideoGame.Plants Vs Zombies to VideoGame.Plants Vs Zombies 1, unless it refers to the series as a whole: 753 wicks as of 04/20/2024

Film.The Crow to Film.The Crow 1994 or Film.The Crow 2024: 297 wicks as of 04/20/2024

Film.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to Franchise.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Film.The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 1974, Film.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003, or Film.Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022: 486 wicks as of 04/20/2024

Film.The Neverending Story to Film.The Never Ending Story 1984 or Franchise.The Neverending Story: 482 wicks as of 04/20/2024

Disambiguations

The trope no longer exists on the site and has been disambiguated between multiple pre-existing tropes. If a wick fits one of those other tropes, move it there. Otherwise, remove it. See also Sandbox.Ambiguity Index Clean Up Project.

Engrish to several other tropes: 818 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Origin Story to several other tropes: 552 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Comic Relief to several other tropes: 244 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Kick The Son Of A Bitch to several other tropes: 992 wicks as of 04/25/2024 Active TRS Thread

VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog to multiple other pages: 610 wicks as of 04/26/2024

Wicks that refer to the series as a whole should be moved to Franchise.Sonic The Hedgehog. Wicks that refer to a specific installment should be moved to VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 1, VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 18 Bit, or VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 2006.

The Force to several other pages: 55 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Full Motion Video to several other pages: 155 wicks as of 03/26/2024

Gamer Girl to several other pages: 115 wicks as of 04/25/2024

Golden Age to several other pages: 288 wicks as of 01/25/2024

ComicBook.Human Torch to Characters.Human Torch 1939 or Characters.Fantastic Four The Fantastic Four: 96 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Creator.Jim Cummings to Creator.Jim Cummings Voice Actor or Creator.Jim Cummings Filmmaker: 144 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Creator.Jim Cummings 1952 to Creator.Jim Cummings Voice Actor: 571 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Justified to several other pages: 1644 wicks as of 03/20/2024

The Messiah to All-Loving Hero or Messianic Archetype: 129 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Disambiguation page currently only has one link; other was probably meant to be turned into a Useful Notes page.

Necessary Evil to several other pages: 328 wicks as of 01/25/2024

PC to several other pages: 336 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Reds With Rockets to Literature.Red Army or UsefulNotes.Reds With Rockets: 85 wicks as of 01/25/2024

WesternAnimation.The Smurfs to WesternAnimation.The Smurfs 1981 or WesternAnimation.The Smurfs 2021: 346 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Spoony Bard to several other pages: 231 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Take That Me to several other pages: 255 wicks as of 03/26/2024

Take That Us to several other tropes: 268 wicks as of 03/26/2024

Virtual Reality to several other pages: 134 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Music to several other pages: 372 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Make Me Wanna Shout to several other pages: 882 wicks as of 04/25/2024 Active TRS Thread

For Want Of A Nail to several other pages: 3779 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Gender Flipped to Gender Flip or Gender-Inverted Trope: 528 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Literature.Twilight to The Twilight Saga or Literature.Twilight 2005: 1106 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Catchphrase to Character Catchphrase or several other tropes: 16080 wicks as of 04/26/2024 Active TRS Thread

Initially turned into an index, TRS decided to rename the index to Index of Catchphrases to prevent new wicks and disambiguate Catchphrase. Move examples that fit Character Catchphrase accordingly, and for examples that don't, move anything that fits another trope listed on Index of Catchphrases if possible and remove everything else.

ComicBook.Superior Spider Man to several other pages: 401 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Creator.ABC to Creator.American Broadcasting Company or Creator.Australian Broadcasting Corporation: 1550 wicks (with an additional 125 wicks at Creator.The ABC) as of 03/18/2024

ComicBook.Ultimate X Men to ComicBook.Ultimate X Men 2001 or ComicBook.Ultimate X Men 2024: 681 wicks as of 03/30/2024

Cold War to several other pages: 58 wicks as of 04/13/2024

Char Clone to several other pages: 380 wicks as of 04/26/2024 Active TRS Thread

Removal

Most of the wicks need to be removed, save for special cases.

Unfortunate Implications: 2795 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Is now Flame Bait, therefore wicks are only allowed on either other Flame Bait pages or descriptions of other tropes to make a comparison to it. On YMMV pages, please first check if another Audience Reaction is more appropriate and move it there if possible. If not, see if the example, if valid and properly cited, is already on the Unfortunate Implications page. If not, please move it there. Invoked and in-universe examples are also allowed on work pages, given if another trope isn't more fitting. Check either the Mistaken for Index or Stereotype index for tropes that might potentially fit the example better. For everything else, delete it. Wick Cleaning for this page is tracked here.

The Hero: 16842 wicks (with 523 wicks at The Heroine) as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Now a supertrope and definition-only page. Move examples that fit a subtrope (listed on Hero Tropes) elsewhere if they fit, and remove ones that don't. While The Hero no longer allows examples itself, references to the term in the text of other examples are fine. Progress can be tracked at The Hero Cleaning

An Aesop: 8914 wicks (with 992 wicks at Aesop) as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Now a supertrope and definition-only page. Move examples that fit a subtrope (listed on Stock Aesops) elsewhere if they fit, and remove those that don't. While An Aesop no longer allows examples itself, references to the term in the text of other examples are fine. Progress is being checked at An Aesop Wick Cleaning.

Cleanup

Wicks need to be checked for misuse

Shared Universe cleanup: 2091 wicks, plus 1 at Shared World, as of 01/25/2024

This trope is defined as "A fictional universe constructed by multiple writers/creative teams working independently from each other." It is frequently misused as shorthand for any Crossover.

Aristocrats Are Evil cleanup: 3658 wicks as of 01/25/2024

"Aristocrat" must be shorthand for "evil" to qualify. Zero Context Examples should be moved to the discussion page, and "aversions" should be removed on sight.

Me's a Crowd cleanup: 2710 wicks as of 04/25/2024

Me's a Crowd is a plot where the main character duplicates themselves. Examples of self-duplication in general should be moved to Self-Duplication.

Implacable Man and The Juggernaut: 4932 (with 119 as Implacable Woman) and 3439 wicks (with 34 as Juggernaut) as of 01/25/2024

Frequently misused for each other. The Implacable Man is slowed by obstacles but finds a way to deal with them. The Juggernaut goes right through them as though they never existed in the first place.

Those Two Guys: 7767 wicks (with 643 additional as Those Two Girls) as of 01/25/2024

Trope is defined as a comedic duo serving as a Greek Chorus. Change misuse to one of the Duo Tropes (if it's not already on the page).

Nerd Glasses: 2265 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Examples involving a "nerd" wearing thick, coke-bottle glasses go to Opaque Nerd Glasses. Any other type of glasses can stay.

Suddenly Voiced: 1937 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Defined as being for a character being voice acted for the first time or voice acting suddenly appearing for a character who can already talk. Any wicks pertaining to The Voiceless or the like finally talking should be moved to Suddenly Speaking.

Action Girl cleanup: 22640 wicks (with 4 as Hot Chick with a Sword) as of 01/25/2024

Defined specifically as a female character who's strong and action-oriented, but frequently misused as anytime a girl acts badass. See if the misuse fits one of the subtropes, and if not, cut it.

Unfortunate Names: 1773 wicks (with 323 as Unfortunate Name and 5 as Embarrassing Name) as of 01/25/2024

Only applicable when it's pointed out in-universe how embarrassing/poor someone's name is. Entries merely stating someone's name or pointing out the innuendo in someone's name need to be removed.

Always Identical Twins: 1307 wicks (with 52 as Identical Twins) as of 01/25/2024

Redefined as a Trope in Aggregate, so only examples that aren't played straight or have more than one set of identical twins are valid. If it's just in reference to one set of twins (identical or fraternal), cut it.

Blue Is Heroic: 1843 wicks as of 01/25/2024

The trope was redefined as a Trope in Aggregate, with blue having to be a consistent, key part of the heroic character's design. All other examples must be removed. See Sandbox.Blue Is Heroic for cleaned namespaces.

People's Republic of Tyranny: 852 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Only applicable to dictatorships that adopt democratic-sounding names to masquerade as democracies. Examples that are about dictatorships without a democratic-sounding name should be moved to The Dictatorship.

Hate Sink: 9560 wicks as of 01/25/2024

This trope is defined as "Someone (often a villain) who's intended to be hated by the audience." Remove any examples that are already covered by their subtropes, and check examples for any misuse.

Five-Man Band: 2159 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Only applicable to teams of five characters. Examples should describe the team's dynamic, and should remain as single-bullet examples without supertrope-subtrope sorting. "Roles" like The Leader and The Lancer should be moved if used properly, and cut if they're misused/shoehorned in.

Actually Pretty Funny: 6378 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Only applies if a character finds a joke funny despite previously either being reluctant to admit it and/or denying it was funny, or if the joke they find funny is one that was insulting them. Since the trope is In-Universe Examples Only, only examples from in-universe characters are allowed.

It Was His Sled: 2900 wicks as of 01/25/2024

The work containing the spoiler in question must be at least five years old, so remove examples from works that were released more recently than that. In addition, examples must cover the Audience Reaction aspect (e.g., Everyone/the community knows this because...) instead of just listing the spoiler in question. Keep track of cleaned wicks in They Were His Wicks.

Knight of Cerebus: 6551 wicks, with 7 at Cerebus Knight as of 01/25/2024

Only applies to villains whose introduction causes a lasting Tone Shift that makes an initially lighthearted work significantly darker. If the Tone Shift is short-lived or only occurs in scenes featuring the villain, remove the example.

Unintentional Period Piece: 2939 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Examples are only valid if a work is full of things that make the work firmly dated to its era, such as fashion, topical references, societal attitudes, etc.; valid examples on Trivia/ subpages need to be moved to the corresponding YMMV/ subpages due to Unintentional Period Piece being reclassified as an Audience Reaction instead of Trivia. Examples that take place in Present Day without being particularly dated should be moved to the work's main page under Present Day. Examples that revolve entirely about the technology present in the work being dated should be moved within Trivia as an example of Technology Marches On. Works that take place in either an Alternate History or a completely fictional world do not count for either Unintentional Period Piece or Present Day and should be removed. In addition, since this is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages, per What Goes Where on the Wiki.

Role-Ending Misdemeanor: 1256 wicks, not including redirects (with 23 at Role-Ending Misdemeanour) as of 01/25/2024

While an example can cover either on-set or off-set behavior from a creator, they must have actually lost a role. In addition, at least two weeks must have passed before an example can be valid, so remove any examples that are more recent than that.

Humiliation Conga: 5290 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Only applicable to villains, Jerkasses, and other antagonists for whom humiliating events in quick succession would be cathartic. If the character does not fit into any of those categories, remove the example.

Understatement: 4614 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Has a long history of attracting potholes even after two previous cleanup efforts, and is now In-Universe Examples Only. Any wick which isn't an in-universe example should be removed.

Ship Sinking: 1883 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Only applies to scenes in-universe that are specific to the characters it is sinking, and the work gives some acknowledgement to the possibility of the two being a couple. If the example does not have both criteria, or is a YMMV audience reaction, remove it.

Never Live It Down: 3886 wicks as of 01/25/2024

A TRS thread decided that Real Life examples are no longer allowed. Therefore, all examples and potholes referring to the actions of real people should be removed. Some examples regarding anything that is not the actions of a fictional character might better fit or merge with examples of Overshadowed by Controversy instead. For music examples and examples related to individuals in mediums such as Stand-Up Comedy and Web Video, it's okay to say a musician or creator won't live it down if and only if it's something explicitly found within the content of their work. It has also been decided that the item will have a six-month waiting period, so remove any examples from moments more recent than that. Also, any examples or potholes made in the context of a character not living it down In-Universe should be moved to Once Done, Never Forgotten.

They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: 6197 wicks as of 01/25/2024

After a TRS thread was inconclusive on how to deal with the item, it was decided that a cleanup thread would be made to help rid it of prevalent misuse. While more specifics can be found in the thread, the general rule of thumb involving examples is that they should focus solely on screentime and exposure, not execution, and they shouldn't pitch or speculate on any hypothetical plot threads that do not exist in the work.

Ambiguously Brown: 4020 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Remove Real Life examples, characters that have a defined but fictional race, and examples that are just "actor has brown skin."

May–December Romance: 2891 wicks as of 01/25/2024

This trope is specifically for when the age gap between a couple is large, usually due to an elderly person being in a relationship with a younger person. Examples involving smaller age gaps belong under Age-Gap Romance.

Dead Artists Are Better: 380 wicks as of 01/25/2024

If an example is in-universe, leave it under Dead Artists Are Better. If it involves real life opinions about real life creators, move it to Posthumous Popularity Potential, which is YMMV.

Solo-Character Run: 119 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a limited amount of playable characters is imposed by a game mode instead of being a Self-Imposed Challenge (such as if a level only allows the player to use one character at a time), leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Low-Level Run: 160 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a lower level cap is imposed by a game mode instead of being a Self-Imposed Challenge (such as if a harder game mode prevents players from leveling up), leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Minimalist Run: 143 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a game mode limits the player's resources (such as reducing inventory space) rather than it being a Self-Imposed Challenge, leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

No Casualties Run: 81 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a game mode limits the amount of casualties rather than it being a Self-Imposed Challenge, leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Old Shame: 4562 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Has changed from a trivia item to a trope that is In-Universe Examples Only, expanded to be about anything in the past a character is ashamed of. Most examples will likely be moved to Creator Backlash if referring to a creator disliking their own work. If the creator has taken the extra steps to remove the work from circulation because of their backlash (i.e. close to the intended original definition of Old Shame), then it belongs in Bury Your Art. Other examples will better fit Banned Episode, Missing Episode, Costume Backlash, Disowned Adaptation or Distanced from Current Events for trivia examples or I Was Young and Needed the Money and Once Done, Never Forgotten for in-universe examples. Wick Cleaning for this page is tracked here.

Author's Saving Throw: 2267 wicks as of 01/25/2024

Now Trivia instead of YMMV, and requires Word of God and/or Word of Saint Paul confirmation that the changes were made due to audience complaints. Wicks without Word of God confirmation may better fit Win Back the Crowd, Character Rerailment, Improved Second Attempt, Salvaged Story, We Don't Suck Anymore, or Rescued from the Scrappy Heap instead.

Both Sides Have a Point: 2426 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

The definition was expanded so the two opposing sides can come to an agreement on their own instead of solely if a third party points it out. However, since the trope is In-Universe Examples Only, in-universe acknowledgement must be present in the work in at least one of those two forms instead of audiences coming to that conclusion on their own. Progress is being tracked here.

Plot Hole: 3005 wicks (including 94 at Plot Holes) as of 01/25/2024

Now a definition-only page. Links to numerous more specific tropes that some wicks could be moved to instead.

Would Hit a Girl: 6187 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Remove examples that do no fit the new definition of "A guy that has no problems with violence against women is treated as morally questionable at best or evil at worst in a work's narrative and other characters." Cleanup is being tracked using the Would Clean Wicks sandbox.

Stockholm Syndrome: 995 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Changed from a trope to a Useful Notes page. The old location now contains a disambiguation page which links both to UsefulNotes.Stockholm Syndrome and the trope A Match Made in Stockholm.

It Will Never Catch On: 1724 wicks as of 01/25/2024

The trope no longer allows real life examples. Therefore, any examples and potholes that are just about real life instances should either be turned/moved to And You Thought It Would Fail or removed.

Villain Has a Point: 4791 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

IUEO now.

Hell Is That Noise: 3429 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

IUEO now. Cleanup can be tracked at Sandbox.Hell Is That Wick Cleanup.

I Knew It!: 2479 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Moved from Trivia to YMMV. Cleanup is being tracked at Sandbox.I Cleaned It. If the use is In-Universe, check if it can be moved to Knew It All Along.

Will They or Won't They?: 2755 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Made Definition-Only. Cleanup is being tracked at Sandbox.Will They Clean Up. However, references to the Fan Speak term within the text of either descriptions or other examples are still allowed. Clean up wicks accordingly, replacing examples with one of the tropes listed on the page if possible.

Tyop on the Cover: 395 wicks, plus 11 at a redirect, as of 01/25/2024

Not a Trivia item, but was mistakenly placed in the Trivia index for almost exactly one year, so most wicks in the Trivia namespace should be moved back to the main work page. Inline wicks can stay.

Dark Magical Girl: 1459 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Limited to only examples that are Shadow Archetypes whose story arc/theming distort, subvert, or twist the ideas of The Power of Love and The Power of Friendship.

Mundane Utility: 7594 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Defined as the use of any special power used for mundane tasks (such as [but not limited to] housework, regardless of whether it's actually efficient or even useful for the task) instead of just superpowers, and expand to include the use of magical and/or high-tech objects for mundane tasks in addition to to special powers. Clean misuse.

The Beard: 972 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Redefine to match off-site usage (a queer character gets into a relationship in order to hide their sexuality). Cleanup tracked at Trimming The Beard.

Nintendo Hard: 5839 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Now YMMV, and with a requirement requiring examples to be at least a month old. Cleanup is being tracked at Sandbox.Nintendo Hard Wick Cleaning.

Abuse Mistake: 310 wicks as of 04/22/2024 Active TRS Thread

Defined as something innocuous mistaken as abuse. Move examples about abuse mistaken as something innocuous to Sandbox.Abuse Mistake Split. Progress can be tracked at Sandbox.Abuse Mistake Cleanup.

Administrivia / Wick Cleaning Projects aka: TRS Wick Cleaning

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