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KD Since: May, 2009
2nd Jul, 2021 10:13:56 AM

I'm kind of confused by the syntax, so let's try to scope this out. Be Careful What You Wish For is a series of events where a character wants something, gets it, and regrets it. It doesn't matter where they get it from.

A character who grants wishes that are asked for but often end up having downsides or unintended consequences is a Literal Genie. Sometimes they know that the unintended consequences will happen and just don't care because they have a Just Following Orders attitude. ("I just grant the wishes. It's your job to think them through.")

This is in contrast to the Benevolent Genie who would probably be nice enough to explain any flaws in the wish, and try their best to minimize collateral damage. And it's definitely in contrast to a Jackass Genie who would interpret the wish in the worst possible way.

If we're not really talking about literal wishes and literal genies, also consider Gone Horribly Right. For example, if you want some scientists to clone some gigantic dinosaurs for you, and they clone gigantic dinosaurs for you, and then the gigantic dinosaurs go on gigantic rampages.

If we're not even talking about that, I don't think there is going to be any trope that describes someone who gives you something you want. That describes everyone you could purchase a good or service from. Amazon.com gives me what I want. The dentist gives me what I want. The gas station pump gives me what I want. Where would it stop?

Edited by KD
MichaelKatsuro Since: Apr, 2011
2nd Jul, 2021 12:09:48 PM

I gotta say, I agree with the syntax being confusing.

GAP Since: May, 2011
4th Jul, 2021 03:42:44 AM

I guess I should had been clearer as I always have trouble putting my thoughts down in my posts. The Gone Horribly Right trope is actually close to what I was trying to think about at the time. The character wasn't a literal genie but the character does take the advice and criticism of his peers and teachers to heart and it ends up backfiring or working too well.

"Thanos is a happy guy! Just look at the smile in his face!"
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