History Main / MurderIsTheBestSolution

Related to AlwaysMurder, which states that murder is the most commonly investigated crime in fiction. Can be the starting point for CrimeAfterCrime. Compare StatingTheSimpleSolution or KillHimAlready, when someone else suggests murder as a ''more'' sensible alternative to, say, a DeathTrap. Characters who believe this will insist that it is BetterToKillThanFrighten and will constantly surprise/annoy/frighten the others who only wanted a scared obstacle. If the target is sent on a suicide mission, or if his death is arranged to occur by the hand of a mutual enemy, it's the UriahGambit. May require TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch in order for the perpetrator to get away with it (though probably not for long). And of course, a murder attempt can backfire by giving the target an even stronger reason to seek vengeance -- NiceJobBreakingItHerod. Contrast with ThouNotKillKill (where a character is adamant against killing) and CantDefaultToMurder (where a character is forced into a situation where murder is ''not'' the best solution). Not to be confused with DeathIsTheOnlyOption, or WhyDontYouJustShootHim, where the murder has already been decided, but the exact mechanism remains in dispute.

Related to AlwaysMurder, which states that murder is the most commonly investigated crime in fiction. Can be the starting point for CrimeAfterCrime. Compare StatingTheSimpleSolution or KillHimAlready, when someone else suggests murder as a ''more'' sensible alternative to, say, a DeathTrap. Characters who believe this will insist that it is BetterToKillThanFrighten and will constantly surprise/annoy/frighten the others who only wanted a scared obstacle. If the target is sent on a suicide mission, or if his death is arranged to occur by the hand of a mutual enemy, it's the UriahGambit. May require TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch in order for the perpetrator to get away with it (though probably not for long). And of course, a murder attempt can backfire by giving the target an even stronger reason to seek vengeance -- NiceJobBreakingItHerod. Not to be confused with DeathIsTheOnlyOption, or WhyDontYouJustShootHim, where the murder has already been decided, but the exact mechanism remains in dispute.

** [[VideoGame/Fallout1 1]], [[VideoGame/Fallout2 2]], and the aforementioned New Vegas are all notable for the myriad ways that a player can complete a quest, making any and all possible playstyles viable for the smart player. Typically, there is either a [[CombatDiplomacyStealth violent, diplomatic, or sneaky way]] to solve problems, often utilizing various skills to accomplish these. New Vegas even allowed groups that were hostile to each other put [[EnemyMine aside their differences]] to face a bigger threat, and most final bosses can be talked down. (The only ones that can't are Frank Horrigan and Father Elijah. You can sneak past the latter and let him lock himself in a bank vault, but you ''must'' fight the former.) ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' gives the player the option to talk down the final boss of the base game, Colonel Autumn, though doing so requires the player to keep the modified FEV rather than giving it to Elder Lyons, but of the four DLC campaigns aside from ''Broken Steel'', only one and a half have final bosses that can be talked down (General Jingwei from ''Operation: Anchorage'' can be talked into [[BetterToDieThanToBeKilled killing himself]], and in ''The Pitt'', Wernher can be talked down if you side with Ashur, but Ashur cannot be talked down if you side with Wernher). In ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', however, enemy factions ''must'' be destroyed in order to progress and bosses have to be killed.

* Joe Goldberg from ''Literature/{{You|2015}}'' uses murder to keep Beck with him.

* ''Film/ItsAWonderfulKnife2023'': Bernie bluntly states that to reset the timeline, killing Waters is the best way. This turns out to be true, though in truth it's self defense when he's killed, not murder.

* ''Blog/TextsFromSuperheroes'': [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Spider-Man]] [[http://66.media.tumblr.com/fc7c09f9d0db37af38e05a4df35f5603/tumblr_muu5paZsiQ1rvya9ro1_500.jpg asks]] Characters/{{The Punisher|FrankCastle}} for some advice on how to deal with a villain. He suggests to just kill him and get it over with.

** Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}} is known for suggesting this during X-Men strategy meetings.

** As is Characters/{{Deadpool|WadeWilson}}, during the few X-Men strategy meetings he's been allowed into. Also, during most romantic comedies.

** Issue #9: Moonie drops in on Characters/{{The Punisher|FrankCastle}} mowing down half a dozen thugs:

* In a real-life subversion of this trope, the FBI engaged in a program call COINTELPRO, a counter-intelligence program aimed at people like Martin Luther King Junior and The Black Panthers. Their methods, among others, included Legal Harassment: The FBI and police abused the legal system to harass dissidents and make them appear to be criminals. When these methods failed (they often did), they would then employ illegal force: The FBI conspired with local police departments to threaten dissidents; to conduct illegal break-ins in order to search dissident homes; and to commit vandalism, assaults, beatings, and assassinations. One such assassination was the death of Fred Hampton, leader of the Black Panther Party in Chicago. You can [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO read all about it]] on [[Website/{{Wikipedia}} the Other Wiki]].

** In "Song of the Younger World", Mordecai Hawkline threatens to arrange for Tanner Smith to be found dead if his daughter Amy ever sees him again. He later tries to shoot him in cold blood. Although he is unsuccessful, he kills Hoakie, who had tried to stop him, without a second thought.
** In "Love is Blind", Jack Haines overheard his wife Elaine talking to a man over the phone and arranging to meet him at the Mustang bar. Assuming that she is cheating on him, Jack drives to the Mustang and intends to shoot the man as soon as he sees him. [[spoiler:It turns out that Elaine was meeting Jack's best friend Taylor so that they could pick out new tires for his truck as an anniversary surprise.]]

** [[VideoGame/Fallout1 1]], [[VideoGame/Fallout2 2]], and the aforementioned New Vegas are all notable for the myriad ways that a player can complete a quest, making any and all possible playstyles viable for the smart player. Typically, there is either a [[CombatDiplomacyStealth violent, diplomatic, or sneaky way]] to solve problems, often utilizing various skills to accomplish these. New Vegas even allowed groups that were hostile to each other put [[EnemyMine aside their differences]] to face a bigger threat, and most final bosses can be talked down. In ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', however, enemy factions ''must'' be destroyed in order to progress and bosses have to be killed.

* ''Anime/MagicalFunTimeNow'' has the MagicalGirl protagonists [[spoiler:killing a prison guard who overheard their plan to escape]].

* As noted in the page quote, there comes a time when [[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins The Warden]] runs across a group of mages who've been driven mad by the trauma of watching demons rampage through their home and kill their friends. However, there is a slight hint of BlackComedy to it: not only do they discuss the idea as though it was some academic theorem, but if you stay hidden, they actually succeed in [[MutualKill all killing each other]], allowing you to bypass the fight with them you'd otherwise have to deal with.

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''

** ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} is known for suggesting this during X-Men strategy meetings.

** As is ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, during the few X-Men strategy meetings he's been allowed into. Also, during most romantic comedies.

** Issue #9: Moonie drops in on ComicBook/ThePunisher mowing down half a dozen thugs:

*''Literature/{{Clue}}''

* ''Literature/PerilAtEndHouse:'' [[spoiler:Nick kills her cousin Maggie for the Sefton fortune to save End House instead of just asking her for a gift or a loan of the money, even though the two of them are close and Maggie might have agreed to help Nick out financially.]]

-->'''Dev:''' So his solution to his disappointing family and financial woes? Murder.\\

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': In "Dread in the Air," [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Adam Taurus]] invokes this to justify [[spoiler:[[TheStarscream killing Sienna Khan and taking over the White Fang]] to Hazel. As he puts it, [[BigBad Salem]] was concerned over whether or not Sienna would willingly cooperate with them, and now she doesn't have to be.]]

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': [[spoiler:Vaarsuvius prevents Kubota from weaseling out of karma by killing him and scattering the ashes. Elan is mad at V due to their disregard for another human's life. Their subsequent argument is what sets V over the edge and eventually they end up leaving Elan and Durkon behind on the boat. They go even further into this when they not only kill the dragon threatening their family, but cast a spell that effectively murders everyone related to the dragon, and anyone related to anyone related to the dragon.]]

* ''Blog/TextsFromSuperheroes'': Franchise/SpiderMan [[http://66.media.tumblr.com/fc7c09f9d0db37af38e05a4df35f5603/tumblr_muu5paZsiQ1rvya9ro1_500.jpg asks]] ComicBook/ThePunisher for some advice on how to deal with a villain. He suggests to just kill him and get it over with.

* In the wise words of French Youtuber Creator/BobLennon, "When in doubt, Kill everyone!"

** Instances where [[AxCrazy Cartman]] states they have to kill Kyle include "South Park Is Gay" when he points out being associated with him is ruining their metrosexual reputation and "Toilet Paper" when he believes Kyle will expose the truth.

* A humorous variant on the previously mentioned ''Sarah Connor Chronicles'' example: Cameron discovers that James Ellison [[BerserkButton lied to the Connors]] about [[spoiler:Cromartie's corpse]]. She immediately decides to kill him, at which point Sarah tells her she ''can't'' kill him. Cameron's response?

* In ''LightNovel/ThePetGirlOfSakurasou'', [[CloudCuckooLander Mashiro]] suggests "[[MurderTheHypotenuse annihilating her]]" as a means for dealing with Nanami, and insists her plan is Plan C.

* In ''Film/TheFleshAndTheFiends'', Burke and Hare quickly decide that the best way to ensure a steady supply of cadavers for Dr. Knox is to murder {{Disposable Vagrant}}s rather than waiting for people to die naturally and then [[GraveRobbing digging up their graves]]. And they then decide that the best way to deal with anyone who discovers their scheme is to murder; in case even selling the body of their victim to Dr. Knox.

* ''Literature/TheWitchOfKnightcharm'': After learning that the newest students at an evil WizardSchool will have to complete a DeathCourse, and that only students who win their heats are guaranteed to actually become full students, one of the rookies asks if she can just kill everyone else in her heat and thus be the winner by default. This being set in Myth/TheScholomance, the answer is yes.

Related to AlwaysMurder, which states that murder is the most commonly investigated crime in fiction. Can be the starting point for CrimeAfterCrime. Compare StatingTheSimpleSolution or KillHimAlready, when someone else suggests murder as a ''more'' sensible alternative to, say, a DeathTrap. If the target is sent on a suicide mission, or if his death is arranged to occur by the hand of a mutual enemy, it's the UriahGambit. May require TheCoronerDothProtestTooMuch in order for the perpetrator to get away with it (though probably not for long). And of course, a murder attempt can backfire by giving the target an even stronger reason to seek vengeance -- NiceJobBreakingItHerod. Not to be confused with DeathIsTheOnlyOption, or WhyDontYouJustShootHim, where the murder has already been decided, but the exact mechanism remains in dispute.