History TearJerker / DoctorStrange2016

Tearjerking moments in ''Film/DoctorStrange2016''.

** Before The Ancient One's death, Strange was about to pick up a scalpel (resorting to old habits) to operate on her; before he even gets to use it, he stops and puts it back as if he just thought, "Oh, yeah. My hands don't work anymore". What's worse is that he probably ''could've'' saved her if he was still a doctor.
* The final, heroic shot of Strange settling into his role as Master of the Sanctum is ruined when Stephen looks down at his hand... and it still shakes.
* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk again. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes back the magic and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor. Worse given this is led back to his helping of Strange in finding Kamar-Taj that would cause the events to unravel, Mordo wants to make sure NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished for Pangborn in return for bringing in Strange. Plus, Pangborn had resented Strange for previously denying his paralysis treatment, but nonetheless helps him despite given the opportunity to refuse, yet this is what Pangborn gets in return for swallowing his pride to do the right thing.

** During his outburst, Strange claims that they were "barely lovers". Not only is this contradicted by Christine initially supporting him after the accident, but the watch. A Jaeger-Le Coultre watch is going to leave a nice dent in your wallet, ''and'' it had a pretty personal inscription on the back. It's not the kind of gift you give to a mere fling. Strange was clearly aiming to hurt her, [[GoneHorriblyRight and he succeeded]]. Can you really blame her for leaving in the end?

* Christine's decision to let go of her romantic ties with Stephen even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer -- just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries. It's a rare thing in this universe that the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films). Then again, you can argue that with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Stephen's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]] -- which is another kind of sad in its own way.

* A mild one would be Christine's decision to let go of her romantic ties with Stephen even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer -- just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries. It's a rare thing in this universe that the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films). Then again, you can argue that with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Stephen's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]] -- which is another kind of sad in its own way.

* The final, heroic shot of Strange settling into his role as Master of the Sanctum takes a surprisingly bittersweet turn when Stephen looks down at his hand... and it still shakes.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk again. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes back the magic and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor. Worse given this is led back to his helping of Strange in finding Kamar-Taj that would cause the events to unravel, Mordo wants to make sure NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished for Pangborn in return for bringing in Strange. Plus, Pangborn had resented Strange for previously denying his paralysis treatment, but nonetheless helps him despite given the opportunity to refuse, yet this is what Pangborn gets in return.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk again. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes back the magic and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor. Worse given this is led back to his helping of Strange in finding Kamar-Taj that would cause the events to unravel, Mordo wants to make sure NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished for Pangborn in return for bringing in Strange.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk again. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes back the magic and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk again. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes his powers and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk. So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes his powers and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor.

** During his outburst Strange claims that they were "barely lovers". Not only is this contradicted by Christine initially supporting him after the accident, but the watch. A Jaeger-Le Coultre watch is going to leave a nice dent in your wallet, ''and'' it had a pretty personal inscription on the back. It's not the kind of gift you give to a mere fling. Strange was clearly aiming to hurt her, [[GoneHorriblyRight and he succeeded]]. Can you really blame her for leaving in the end?

* A mild one would be Christine's decision to let go of her romantic ties with Stephen even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer -- just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries. It's a rare thing in this universe that the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films). Then again, you can argue that [with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Steven's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]] -- which is another kind of sad in its own way.

* Kaecilius' MotiveRant is calm yet conveys how broken he still is over his family's death and how his faith in the Ancient One and Kamar-Taj is broken. The worst part is he wants Strange to join him and all others. He sincerely believes that he is TheHero in this story.
* A mild one would be Christine's decision to let go of her romantic ties with Steven even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer -- just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries. It's a rare thing in this universe that the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films). Then again, you can argue that [with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Steven's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]] -- which is another kind of sad in its own way.

** Most heartbreakingly, Stephen shoos away Christine (the only one who's stood behind him all this time) because of his overbearing sense of self-pity clouding him to the genuine sacrifices she's made. Then, when he finally found his way to Nepal (on a one-way ticket he's not even sure he'll get back from), he's mugged by thieves who'd deprive him of his last possession (the watch Christine gave him). If not for Mordo saving him, he could've been beaten to death there, and the watch still ends up broken in the struggle. Then... when his mouthing of to the Ancient One gets him a taste of her massive power, his begging for teaching gets him kicked out. Once again, if not for Mordo convincing the Ancient One to take him in, his story could have been a veritable DownerEnding.

** Most heartbreakingly Stephen shoos away Christine (the only one who's stood behind him all this time) because of his overbearing sense of self-pity clouding him to the genuine sacrifices she's made. Then, when he finally found his way to Nepal (on a one-way ticket he's not even sure he'll get back from), he's mugged by thieves who'd deprive him of his last possession (the watch Christine gave him). If not for Mordo saving him, he could've been beaten to death there, and the watch still ends up broken in the struggle. Then... when his mouthing of to the Ancient One gets him a taste of her massive power, his begging for teaching gets him kicked out. Once again, if not for Mordo convincing the Ancient One to take him in, his story could have been a veritable DownerEnding.

* The entirety of Stephen's life prior to becoming an apprentice of Kamar-Taj can be both seen as a well-deserved LaserGuidedKarma (for a haughty and self-obsessed narcissist) and a very vicious TraumaCongaLine that sees a misguided and TragicHero stomped so horribly by bad luck it's almost unfair. In order:

* Kaecillius's MotiveRant is calm yet conveys how broken he still is over his family's death and how his faith in the Ancient One and Kamar-Taj is broken. The worst part is he wants Strange to join him and all others. He sincerely believes that he is TheHero in this story.

[[caption-width-right:350:''"What...did they do?"'']]

* After the aforementioned mugging, Mordo returns the watch the thugs took, and Strange sees the face is shattered and the watch no longer runs. His expression is just heartbroken. Everything he's been through (see above) and ''this'' is the moment that he hits the DespairEventHorizon. It's later revealed why: [[spoiler: the watch was given to him by Christine, and the inscription reads "Time will tell how much I love you." Time did, indeed, tell that they didn't love each other enough to stick together through Strange's changes, but the fact that he's holding on to that watch is a HopeSpot... in time, maybe he can find a way to become the man deserving of her love.]]
* Strange's pleas to be let back into Kamar-Taj. [[spoiler:"Please don't shut me out. I have nowhere else to go."]]
* Look back up at how much Mordo was responsible for bringing back Strange from the brink to become a once more confident man (even relatively-better than he was before) -- as his mentor, ally and friend. In a way, Mordo saved Strange as much as the Ancient One and everyone else in Kamar-Taj. Now see [[spoiler:that relationship crumble by the tail-end of the film when he learns that the Ancient One bent her own teachings -- and then finding out that while Stephen shared his own discomfort about the Ancient One's double standards, Stephen goes out and breaks the rules anyway]]. Seeing the merciful and kind man who saved Strange [[spoiler:twisted into becoming his arch-nemesis (apart from Dormammu, who didn't even have to corrupt him this time)]] is quite hard to watch.

* A mild one would be Christine's decision to [[spoiler:let go of her romantic ties with Steven even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer -- just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries]]. It's a rare thing in this universe that [[spoiler:the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films)]]. Then again, you can argue that [[spoiler:with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Steven's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]] -- which is another kind of sad in its own way]].
* [[spoiler: The Ancient One's bittersweet discussion of her own mortality after hundreds of years of life, as she is talking to Dr. Strange in her astral form while nearing death.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''The Ancient One:''']] [[spoiler:We don't get to choose our time. Death is what gives life meaning. To know your days are numbered, your time is short. You'd think after all this time I'd be ready. But look at me: stretching one moment into a thousand just so I can watch the snow.]]
** Before [[spoiler:The Ancient One's death]], Strange was about to pick up a scalpel (resorting to old habits) to operate on her; before he even gets to use it, he stops and puts it back as if he just thought, "Oh, yeah. My hands don't work anymore". What's worse is that he probably ''could've'' saved her if he was still a doctor.

* The second post-credits scene takes us to Jonathan Pangborn, the man who used magic to make himself walk. [[spoiler:So Mordo, claiming there are too many sorcerers, takes his powers and leaves him crumpled on his workshop floor.]]

* Look back up at how much Mordo was responsible for bringing back Strange from the brink to become a once more confident man (even relatively-better than he was before) -- as his mentor, ally and friend. In a way, Mordo saved Strange as much as the Ancient One and everyone else in Kamar-Taj. Now see [[spoiler:that relationship crumble by the tail-end of the film when he learns that the Ancient One bent her own teachings--and then finding out that while Stephen shared his own discomfort about the Ancient One's double standards, Stephen goes out and breaks the rules anyway]]. Seeing the merciful and kind man who saved Strange [[spoiler:twisted into becoming his arch-nemesis (apart from Dormammu, who didn't even have to corrupt him this time)]] is quite hard to watch.

* After the aforementioned mugging, Mordo returns the watch the thugs took, and Strange sees the face is shattered and the watch no longer runs. His expression is just heartbroken. Everything he's been through (see above) and ''this'' is the moment that he hits the DespairEventHorizon. It's later revealed why: [[spoiler: the watch was given to him by Christine, and the inscription reads "Time will tell how much I love you." Time did, indeed, tell that they didn't love each other enough to stick together through Strange's changes, but the fact that he's holding on to that watch is a HopeSpot. . . in time, maybe he can find a way to become the man deserving of her love.]]
* Strange's pleas to be let back into Kamar-Taj. [[spoiler: "Please don't shut me out."]]
* Look back up at how much Mordo was responsible for bringing back Strange from the brink to become a once more confident man (even relatively-better than he was before)--as his mentor, ally and friend. In a way, Mordo saved Strange as much as the Ancient One and everyone else in Kamar-Taj. Now see [[spoiler:that relationship crumble by the tail-end of the film when he learns that the Ancient One bent her own teachings--and then finding out that while Stephen shared his own discomfort about the Ancient One's double standards, Stephen goes out and breaks the rules anyway]]. Seeing the merciful and kind man who saved Strange [[spoiler: twisted into becoming his arch-nemesis (apart from Dormammu, who didn't even have to corrupt him this time)]] is quite hard to watch.

* A mild one would be Christine's decision to [[spoiler:let go of her romantic ties with Steven even after they've reconciled his new role as a sorcerer--just immediately after they failed saving the Ancient One from dying from her injuries]]. It's a rare thing in this universe that [[spoiler:the romantic tie of the storyline was left dangling (after all, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner found happiness or closure in most of their films)]]. Then again, you can argue that [[spoiler:with them just coming to terms from failing to save a life and the long-term emotional trauma they had to endure with each other even before Steven's accident, [[TheOneThatGotAway it was never going to happen after all]]--which is another kind of sad in its own way]].

** Before [[spoiler: The Ancient One's death]], Strange was about to pick up a scalpel (resorting to old habits) to operate on her; before he even gets to use it, he stops and puts it back as if he just thought, "Oh, yeah. My hands don't work anymore". What's worse is that he probably ''could've'' saved her if he was still a doctor.
* The final, heroic shot of Strange settling into his role as Master of the Sanctum takes a surprisingly bittersweet turn when Stephen looks down at his hand... and it still shakes.

** Before [[spoiler: The Ancient One's death]], Strange was about to pick up a scalpel (resorting to old habits) to operate on her; before he even gets to use it, he stops and puts it back as if he just thought, "Oh, yeah. My hands don't work anymore". What's worse is that he probably ''could've'' save her if he was still a doctor.

** Before [[spoiler: The Ancient One's death]}, Strange was about to pick up a scalpel (resorting to old habits) to operate on [[spoiler: The Ancient One]]; before he even gets to use it, he stops and puts it back as if he just thought, "Oh, yeah. My hands don't work anymore". What's worse is that he probably ''could've'' [[spoiler: save The Ancient One]] if he was still a doctor.