History PlayingWith / ElephantInTheLivingRoom

* '''Justified''': Some issues are easier to deal with than others.

* '''Played For Drama''': Alice and Bob have a BigSecret, such as the knowledge that a friend is [[YourCheatingHeart cheating]].

* '''Played Straight''': AliceAndBob catch a mutual friend Carol in the act of adultery, and spend the episode avoiding any opportunity to talk to her about it.

* '''Justified''': Some issues are easier to deal with than others.
* '''Inverted''': Everyone knows ''something's'' wrong, but they can't figure out what.

** Alternatively, Alice tries to speak up, but Bob changes the subject or otherwise stops her.

** Alice and Bob are sitting on the sofa trying to get their minds off this conundrum, when someone riding an elephant literally comes crashing through the wall and [[StealthPun rides the elephant through the living room.]]

* '''Deconstructed''': Alice and Bob's worrying causes inability to concentrate at work, perform in bed, eat, sleep, etc. Not to mention, every article they read or TV program they watch [[ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere reminds them]] of the issue at hand.
* '''Reconstructed''': Alice and Bob are determined that even if it causes them anxiety and strains their friendship with Carol, it's simply ''none of their business''.

* '''Played For Laughs''': Alice and Bob have just found out that their friend picks their nose and make a big deal about it when they're alone.

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* '''Played Straight''': AliceAndBob catch a mutual friend in the act of adultery, and spend the episode wondering how/whether to tell their friend (or the spouse) what they saw.
* '''Exaggerated''': Alice and Bob's worrying causes inability to concentrate at work, perform in bed, eat, sleep, etc. Not to mention, every article they read or TV program they watch [[ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere reminds them]] of the issue at hand.

* '''Inverted''': Everyone knows something's wrong, but they can't figure out what.
* '''Subverted''': Alice and Bob just tell their friends what they know, awkwardness be damned.

* '''Deconstructed''': Skating around issues just tends to make them all the more difficult to face.
* '''Reconstructed''': Alice and Bob decide to just face the issue as diplomatically as possible, knowing it will be worse the longer they wait.

* '''Lampshaded''': See "Parodied." Also expect [[WomenAreWiser Alice]] to eventually turn to Bob and say, "We can't ignore this any longer."

* '''Invoked''': Alice and Bob discuss the issue amongst themselves: should they tell their errant friend (or the friend's spouse) what they know and risk drama, or keep mum about it and risk someone finding out that they know?

* '''Discussed''': "That is a problem..."
* '''Conversed''': "Yeah. How are they gonna tell them?"

* '''Subverted''': Alice and Bob ultimately decide to tell their friends what they know.

* '''Double Subverted''': But have second thoughts when one of them asks their cheating friend's spouse a TrialBalloonQuestion and hearing the answer.

* '''Parodied''': Alice and Bob are sitting on the sofa trying to get their minds off this conundrum, when someone riding an elephant literally comes crashing through the wall and [[StealthPun rides the elephant through the living room.]]

* '''Exaggerated''': Alice and Bob's worrying causes inability to concentrate at work, [[IfYouKnowWhatIMean perform]] in bed, eat, sleep, etc. Not to mention, every article they read or TV program they watch [[ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere reminds them]] of the issue at hand.

* '''Lampshaded''': See "Parodied." Also expect [[CloserToEarth Alice]] to eventually turn to Bob and say, "We can't ignore this any longer."

* '''Basic Trope''': An issue which is blatantly obvious, but no one wants to face it.

* '''Played For Drama''': Alice and Bob have a BigSecret, such as the knowledge that a friend is [[YourCheatingHeart cheating]].

* '''Deconstructed''': The elephant in the living room thrashes about, not allowing any peace.
* '''Reconstructed''': The elephant was just hungry.

* '''Enforced''': Alice starts to address it, but Bob purposely stops her.

* '''Enforced''': ???

* '''Inverted''':

** Alternatively, Alice and Bob's day-to-day activities feature an elephant in the background.