Line #74 Main/CharacterDerailment


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6	[[quoteright:189:[[WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/s_flanderization_6275.png]]]]
7	[[caption-width-right:189:This engine [[VisualPun derailed]] in a whole new way. [[note]]Top: [[WesternAnimation/ThomasAndTheMagicRailroad 2000]], Bottom: [[WesternAnimation/CallingAllEngines 2005]]. No official HeelFaceTurn took place.[[/note]]]]
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9	->''"Pardon me, but do you mind if we assassinate your character just a little bit?"''
10	-->-- '''''Website/TheAgonyBooth''''', ''Film/StarTrekVITheUndiscoveredCountry''
11
12	When an established character becomes largely different, exhibiting behavior contrary to what has been previously shown. This is not a matter of [[CharacterDevelopment organic growth]]. Rather than gradually changing in response to events and experiences, a derailed character will exhibit shockingly unusual behavior that implies [[CreatorsPest malfeasance]] or incompetence on the part of the writers.
13
14	Note that organic growth does not necessarily mean 'benign growth', and it is perfectly possible for a previously good-natured character to end up embittered or depressed without falling victim to this trope. This is [[DownerEnding rare]] however, and often unpopular.
15
16	In published fiction, derailment is usually caused by an author having a certain story idea and needing to stretch the characters' personality to fit. In the worst cases, the author [[AuthorFilibuster may end up speaking]] ''for'' the character. In works with multiple authors, a new author may have a [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation wildly different interpretation]] of a character, causing him to write his version of the character instead of the one established by canon.
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18	Fans motivated by DieForOurShip will use Character Derailment in their {{fanfic}}s to remove the character from the OfficialCouple which is in the way of their {{OTP}} (or just because they dislike them).
19
20	In the rarest of cases, this can be an example of how Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad. Previously boring or irritating characters may actually be ''improved'' if they're drastically changed. A classic example is Kelly Bundy from ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'', whose transformation into TheBrainlessBeauty also coincided with the show's GrowingTheBeard. Since derailing characters tends to break audience's WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief, derailing characters tend to fare better as an emergency characterization device in times the audience's Willing Suspension Of Disbelief is already broken due to characters' behavior.
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22	Please check if examples fit better into subtropes before adding them here.
23
24	'''Specific types:'''
25	[[index]]
26	* AesopAmnesia
27	* AudienceAlienatingEra
28	* BadassDecay
29	* {{Chickification}} (an ActionGirl gets derailed into a DamselInDistress with nothing in-universe to justify this)
30	* ComedicSociopathy (for characters who [[SadistShow aren't supposed]] to [[KafkaKomedy act like this]])
31	* ConflictBall (when characters are derailed just for the sake of drama)
32	* DerailingLoveInterests (When the author gets Bob and Alice together by making Bob's girlfriend Cindy an utter bitch)
33	* EvilAllAlong (When poorly executed)
34	* FaceHeelTurn (When poorly executed)
35	* FauxAffablyEvil (When the character [[TookALevelInJerkass wasn't that much of a]] [[{{Jerkass}} jerkass to begin with]])
36	* {{Flanderization}}
37	* HeelFaceTurn (When poorly executed)
38	* HeelFaceReturn (When poorly executed)
39	* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor (if not conveyed properly and poorly executed)
40	* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope (if not conveyed properly)
41	* MessiahCreep (when unintentional or overdone)
42	* MonsterThreatExpiration
43	* MoralEventHorizon (when poorly executed)
44	* MotiveDecay
45	* NotAsYouKnowThem
46	* OutOfCharacterMoment
47	* PossessionSue
48	* SameCharacterButDifferent (when used as a {{handwave}} without explaining how/why they changed)
49	* StrangledByTheRedString
50	* SympatheticMurderBackstory (when handled badly)
51	* TookALevelInDumbass (there's rarely anything that can justify becoming less competent)
52	* TookALevelInJerkass
53	* {{Ukefication}} (a male character becomes weak and helpless to support a same-sex 'ship)
54	* VillainDecay
55	* {{Xenafication}}
56	* YouDontLookLikeYou
57	[[/index]]
58
59	If in {{Fan Fic}}s, it can involve CanonDefilement, DracoInLeatherPants or RonTheDeathEater (or some combination of the three). When the derailed character's characterization is fixed, it is CharacterRerailment.
60
61	Contrast CharacterizationMarchesOn (where a character changes because their previous characterization was only a "work in progress" as opposed to developed enough to derail), AdaptationPersonalityChange (when a different version of the character is changed rather than the original being derailed), and UltimateUniverse (where changing the characters is the very premise of the work to begin with, and do not count as examples, unless of course the example is about changes within the ultimate universe itself).
62
63	Contrast OOCIsSeriousBusiness for when exceptional cause them to act contrary to their normal characterization, and MomentOfWeakness for one-off moments where they regret failing to live up to their normal characterization. See also CharacterCheck (where a derailed character might briefly act like they used to).
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65	!!Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease You might be looking for StarDerailingRole in such case.
66	----
67	!!Example subpages:
68
69	[[index]]
70	* CharacterDerailment/AnimeAndManga
71	* CharacterDerailment/ComicBooks
72	** ''CharacterDerailment/TheDCU''
73	** ''CharacterDerailment/MarvelUniverse''
74	*** ''CharacterDerailment/XMen''
75	* CharacterDerailment/ComicStrips
76	* CharacterDerailment/FanWorks
77	* [[CharacterDerailment/{{Film}} Films]]
78	* CharacterDerailment/{{Literature}}
79	* CharacterDerailment/LiveActionTV
80	** ''CharacterDerailment/GameOfThrones''
81	* CharacterDerailment/ProfessionalWrestling
82	* CharacterDerailment/TabletopGames
83	* CharacterDerailment/VideoGames
84	* CharacterDerailment/{{Webcomics}}
85	* CharacterDerailment/WebOriginal
86	* CharacterDerailment/WesternAnimation
87	[[/index]]
88

Context Main / CharacterDerailment