NaNo 4328 / 50,000
Correct, and correct on the misuse.
Link to TRS threads in project mode here.
It clearly states the mad guy doesn't have to be a villain. Doesn't have much to do with villainy, in fact. It is about the (sometimes cloistered) daughter of an eccentric. And. it doesn't say anything at all about betrayal or The Hero. Not sure what article you read.
edited 28th Jan '16 4:43:53 PM by eyebones
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. — H.L. Mencken
This is a title.
Well then what's the trope about?
Just a character that's in some way related to another character?
The betraying part comes from High-Heel–Face Turn and Defecting for Love, which are both mentioned.
edited 28th Jan '16 8:24:02 PM by Eagal
You fell victim to one of the classic blunders!
Lost in Space
Don't be obtuse. MSBD is about the young, attractive, dubiously loyal daughter of a Mad Scientist. This character is usually in a position to betray her daddy once the heroes come along and give her the chance to see how evil or misguided he is.
edited 28th Jan '16 8:25:22 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
This is a title.
Not trying to be obtuse, just trying to get a handle on the trope.
And that description is basically what I thought it was in the first place, but eyebones disagrees
You fell victim to one of the classic blunders!
Lost in Space
He's right that it's not about a villain, necessarily. The part where she falls for The Hero and/or defects from her father is pretty important, though. It's essential to the pattern that makes up the trope.
edited 28th Jan '16 8:38:16 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
None of that is anywhere in the trope. Hasn't been since the last time it was yanked out after a bad edit. 4 years ago!
Beautiful daughter, eccentric father. That is the entire trope. No reason to deflate it.
I'll remove those distracting "also-see"s, since they are causing a problem. They define related tropes, not this one.
edited 28th Jan '16 10:09:07 PM by eyebones
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. — H.L. Mencken
No, the other one.
I read the betraying part as something that frequently happens, but isn't strictly necessary. The trope is in the contrast between the Mad Scientist and the beautiful daughter.
Check out my fanfiction!
Exactly what is Mad Scientist's Beautiful Daughter about? The description somewhat hazily suggests it's about a villain's daughter who betrays her father for the love of The Hero, but a bunch of the examples that I've come across are just "Character is related to a villain or otherwise vaguely shady person".
You fell victim to one of the classic blunders!