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Narrative
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alt title(s): Suspension Of Disbelief I should really just relax."
— Mystery Science Theater 3000 theme song
"Tell me one last thing," said Harry. "Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poet and author, called drama "that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith ..."
Any creative endeavor, certainly any written creative endeavor, is only successful to the extent that the audience offers this willing suspension as they read, listen, or watch.
An author's work, in other words, does not have to be realistic, only believable and internally consistent (see Magic A Is Magic A). When the author pushes the audience too far, the work becomes a Wall Banger. As far as science fiction is concerned, viewers are usually willing to go along with creative explanations unless the show tries to use real science, at which point it's fair game. Suspension of disbelief can be broken even in science fiction when a show breaks its own established laws.
Most action movies push this trope almost to the breaking point; for the sake of action, the Big Damn Heroes can do virtually anything, given enough Phlebotinum.
As always, the Rule Of Cool, Rule Of Cute, Rule Of Drama, Rule Of Funny, and Rule Of Scary override nearly all other considerations.
Compare Emotional Torque.
Incidentally this is one of the more controversial elements of, believe it or not, Professional Wrestling, and is heavily tied to Kayfabe.
See also:
—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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