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1->''"If you're sitting in your minivan, playing your computer animated films for your children in the back seat, is it the animation that's entertaining you as you drive and listen? No, it's the storytelling. That's why we put so much importance on the story. No amount of great animation will save a bad story."''
2-->-- '''Creator/JohnLasseter'''
3
4''Plots organize the action of an entire script. Most plots occupy a single {{episode|s}} or StoryArc. See also {{Plot}} for a basic definition.''
5
6See also {{Conflict}}, MasterPlots, PlotThreads, Literature/TheSevenBasicPlots, and ProppsFunctionsOfFolktales.
7----
8[[index]]
9!!Tropes
10[floatboxright:
11'''Categories:'''
12+ BeginningTropes
13+ CallToAdventure
14+ ClimacticTropes
15+ {{Crossover}}s
16+ EndingTropes
17+ {{Episodes}}
18+ FlashbacksAndChronology
19+ FormulaBreakingEpisode
20+ GoalsAndObjectivesIndex
21+ TheHerosJourney
22+ MistakenForIndex
23+ PilotEpisodeTropes
24+ PlotTwist
25+ RomanceArc
26+ RomanceNovelPlots
27+ {{Shapeshifting}}
28+ TimeTravelTropes
29+ TruthAndLies
30]
31[[foldercontrol]]
32
33[[folder:#-B]]
34* FifteenMinutesOfFame: Someone becomes famous for a short amount of time.
35* AbortionFalloutDrama: Plotline focusing on how getting an abortion affects the character and her relationships.
36* AbuseMistake: Something innocent is mistaken for abuse or vice-versa.
37* AccidentalAthlete: Someone discovers their athletic ability while doing something else.
38* AccidentalHero: A person performs a heroic action by complete accident.
39* AccidentalMarriage: Someone gets married accidentally.
40* AchillesInHisTent: A powerful team member quits, but returns to save the day just as the team needs their specific talents.
41* ActionHeroBabysitter: An ActionHero put in a position of responsibility for children. Typically PlayedForLaughs.
42* AdventureRebuff: One character tries to keep another character out of trouble by forbidding them to go on missions with him, which never works.
43* AdventuresInTheBible: Time travel to events from religion or mythology.
44* AgainstTheGrain: A character doesn't fulfil their expected role.
45* AllForNothing: A story's buildup gets its payoff. A later event renders it meaningless.
46* AllThatGlitters: Expected treasure turns out to be worthless.
47* AllUpToYou: An UnlikelyHero is the only one who can solve the problem.
48* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: The villains take over the hero's lair.
49* AlienInvasion: Aliens plan to invade a planet.
50* AllegoryAdventure: A creative work in which the characters, plot, or both parallel those in another creative work.
51* AlternateUniverse: Other worlds similar to ours, but with key differences.
52* AmateurFilmMakingPlot: Characters try to create a low budget film.
53* AmericaSavesTheDay: A world-wide problem is solved by the United States.
54* AmnesiaDanger: A character would be able to deal with this easily if they had their memories. Unfortunately, they don't.
55* AndNowYouMustMarryMe: The villain tries to force a protagonist to marry them.
56* AnimalAthleteLoophole: An animal plays sports since no rule bars it.
57* AnimalTesting: The controversial act of testing medicine on animals.
58* AnnoyingPatient: A sick character is really annoying to their caretaker.
59* AntagonistInMourning: The villain feels sorry for the hero's death.
60* AnticlimacticParent: A variant of TheReveal in which a character spends the episode getting the cast in an uproar about a parental visit.
61* AntiSchoolUniformsPlot: A group of students protest a newly installed rule requiring school uniforms.
62* ApopheniaPlot: A character misinteprets a series of events and thinks they see a conspiracy where none exists.
63* AppeaseTheVolcanoGod: A group try to throw a character into a volcano to appease the volcano god.
64* AprilFoolsPlot: An episode set on April Fools' Day.
65* AsinineAlternateActivity: A character isn't allowed to do something they want, with a boring alternative offered instead.
66* AssimilationPlot: A villain attempts to eliminate all differences between people.
67* AttackOfTheTownFestival: A town holding a festival is under attack.
68* AwkwardFirstSleepover: A socially awkward child, teen or adult attends their first sleepover.
69* AxesAtSchool: Someone brings a weapon to class.
70* TheBGrade: Someone gets upset over getting a grade that is slightly less than perfect.
71* BachelorAuction: A bunch of male characters get together for a "date auction", usually for charity. Occasionally {{gender flip}}ped.
72* BackToSchool: An adult character returns to school.
73* BadLuckCharm: A character finds an item that is deemed to give bad luck.
74* BadSamaritan: Someone takes in the hero and seems (at first) to be helping, but they have ulterior motives.
75* BadSanta: SantaClaus has either gone bad or has a villainous impostor or rival.
76* BadassInDistress: An ActionHero finds themself in the role of a DamselInDistress.
77* BandEpisode: The characters form a band or a musical group.
78* TheBardOnBoard: A work based on the plot of a Shakespeare play.
79* BatheHerAndBringHerToMe: The villain has the damsel cleaned up before... well, you know.
80* BatmanInMyBasement: A character hides out in someone's home. One resident has to keep the others from finding out.
81* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Someone makes a wish and finds out the hard way that their desire has its downsides.
82* BeYourself: Someone tries to change who they are to accomplish their goal or so that people will like them better. They learn in the end that they're fine just the way they are.
83* BeautyContest: A contest in which people are judged by their appearance and social grace.
84* BecomingTheCostume: People are turned into whatever they're dressed to be.
85* BecomingTheMask: A character becomes like the person they pretend to be.
86* BenchedHero: A hero is temporarily removed to keep things interesting.
87* BenevolentConspiracy: A secret plan is happening, but for noble reasons.
88* BetterIfNotBornPlot: Someone is shown what the world would be like if they never existed, and everyone's lives are ''enriched'' because of it.
89* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: A bizarre scene that comes out of nowhere, has no significance on the plot, and is never mentioned again after it ends.
90* TheBigRace: Characters participate in a race.
91* BirthdayPartyGoesWrong: A birthday party is getting ruined: the cake is burnt or dropped, the presents are horrible, the guests are annoying... and the birthday kid ends up unhappy on their special day. Unless his family and friends try to make it up for them and cheer them up.
92* BizarroEpisode: An episode that is weirder than the rest of the series.
93* BlackLikeMe: A character disguises themself as a member of a different social group and discovers how they are treated differently.
94* BodyCountCompetition: Characters compete to see who kills the most {{Mooks}}.
95* BodyHorror: A plot involving grotesque body structures.
96* BodySnatcher: A character's body is taken over by some foreign intelligence.
97* BodySurf: A character possesses multiple people in succession.
98* BottleEpisode: An episode that saves budget money by going easy on the number of characters, props, locations, etc. that can be used.
99* {{Brainwashed}}: Someone has used AppliedPhlebotinum to control the mind of another character.
100* BrainwashedAndCrazy: A brainwashed character is sent to hurt or kill their friends.
101* BraveTheRidePlot: An episode set at an amusement park where a character must get over their fear of a ride, usually a roller coaster.
102* TheBreakfastPlot: A group of characters gets stuck together (in what may or may not be detention) and end up bonding.
103* BreakingOutTheBoss: Members of a gang of criminals orchestrate a plan to free their incarcerated leader from prison.
104* BreakoutMookCharacter: A spin-off centering on a MascotMook.
105* TheBrideWithAPast: A bride is discovered to have been a stripper (or something similar) before becoming engaged.
106* BringHelpBack: A group in distress sends one of their own to get help for them.
107* BringItBackAlive: A character must capture a dangerous creature alive.
108* BringNewsBack: The characters must get information to the right people.
109* BrokenMasquerade: Someone discovers the truth behind a {{Masquerade}}.
110* BrokenPedestal: A person who idolized someone they saw as a hero starts hating their hero after discovering them to not truly be the flawless paragon of virtue they thought they were.
111* BrokenTreasure: A character's most prized possession is broken while they are away, and now the other characters have to fix it or replace it before the character gets back.
112* BrokenWinLossStreak: A streak of consecutive wins or losses is broken.
113* BroughtDownToBadass: A super-powered being loses their powers, but is still plenty strong and formidable without powers.
114* BroughtDownToNormal: A character with powers loses or is stripped of them, and must cope without them and/or get them back.
115* BruceWayneHeldHostage: A {{Superhero}} in their SecretIdentity is taken hostage and has to save the day without blowing their cover.
116* BulkBuyOnly: Character spends an entire episode trying to get something, only to have to buy massive amounts of it.
117* BuryMeNotOnTheLonePrairie: Someone has difficulty honoring the last requests of a deceased person.
118* BusmansHoliday: A character on vacation ends up having to do what they usually wind up doing.
119* ButICantBePregnant: A character turns out to be pregnant, despite this being thought impossible.
120[[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:C-D]]
123* CabinFever: Characters go crazy from being cooped up in an isolated area for an extended period with no outside contact.
124* CainAndAbel: Sibling rivalry turns into bitter, murderous hatred.
125* TheCakeIsALie: A promised reward turns out to be nothing but a lie.
126* CameBackWithAVengeance: A wronged innocent returns under an assumed name in order to take revenge on their former tormentors. Inspired by ''Literature/TheCountOfMonteCristo''.
127* CantGetAwayWithNuthin: Do something bad? Even once? You're gonna get it, pal.
128* CantGetInTroubleForNuthin: A character wants to get in trouble, but can't.
129* TheCaper: A group of protagonists organize an elaborate robbery.
130* CaperRationalization: The group of people doing The Caper have a good reason to steal.
131* TheCaptivityNarrative: A Puritan girl is captured by Natives and has to resist their culture. Discredited and forgotten these days.
132* CapturedSuperEntity: Experimenting on captive aliens.
133* CattleDrive: An old Western plot involving ranchers having to get cattle to market under dangerous conditions.
134* CaughtInTheBadPartOfTown: A character finds themselves in an unfamiliar and run down (and often dangerous) neighborhood.
135* CaughtUpInARobbery: A plot in which a work's main or supporting characters get wrapped up in a robbery that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs at their location.
136* CelebrityIsOverrated: Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.
137* CelebrityLie: Lying about being close to a celebrity.
138* CelebrityStar: An episode of a show makes the best possible use of its celebrity guest star.
139* ChainOfDeals: Someone has to make deals with a whole bunch of people in order to get what they want.
140* TheChainOfHarm: A character who was abused unleashes the same kind of abuse on someone else.
141* ChangingOfTheGuard: A sequel which features or focuses on different characters from the original work.
142* CharacterFocus: Focusing on one [[CharacterDevelopment character's development]] at a time.
143* CharityWorkplaceCalendar: Posing for a workplace calendar to raise money.
144* CharlieAndTheChocolateParody: A work is a WholePlotReference to ''Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory''.
145* TheChase: A plot centered on characters pursuing one another.
146* ChasedByAngryNatives: A character gets chased by angry native population.
147* CheerUpEpisode: One character is down in the dumps, and the other characters attempt to make them happier.
148* ChickenPoxEpisode: A character comes down with chicken pox (or a fantastic equivalent).
149* ChildhoodMemoryDemolitionTeam: A construction team that destroys a character's childhood memories when said character grows up.
150* ChildrenRaiseYou: CharacterDevelopment comes from looking after a kid.
151* CinderellaPlot: Plots inspired by or parodying ''Literature/{{Cinderella}}''.
152* CityInABottle: A city that is sealed away from the rest of the world.
153* ClassReunion: The graduating class of a school meet each other again at the school years later.
154* CleanUpTheTown: A new person comes to a rundown town, intending to reduce crime and make it a better place.
155* ClearMyName: Someone has to prove they're innocent of the crime they're accused of committing.
156* ClearTheirName: Someone else takes it upon them to prove the innocence of someone wrongly accused of a crime.
157* ClipShow: An episode that mostly consists of recycled footage from earlier episodes.
158* ClosedCircle: No way to get out. No way to get help. You're on your own.
159* CoaxThemOutOfTheCloset: A closeted character's peers try to get them to come out.
160* CodeSilver: A gunman takes hostages at a hospital, school, or other important place where the characters work.
161* ColdEquation: In a survival situation, can killing one to save others be a solution?
162* TheCollector: People version of CollectorOfTheStrange.
163* ColorMeBlack: A character is turned into a member of another race in order to teach them a lesson about racism.
164* ComicBooksAreReal: The characters in the ShowWithinAShow are actually real within the universe that watches it.
165* ComingOutStory: A gay or other queer character comes out and reveals their sexual orientation to their friends, family and associates.
166* CommonNonsenseJury: A wrong verdict is passed not because of ill intent, unfair rules, etc. The jury's just plain stupid.
167* CommunityThreateningConstruction: A planned construction site motivates residents to defend their home, which is subject for demolition.
168* CompromisingMemoirs: A memoir is written that contains details about a person that the person does not wish others to know.
169* TheCon: Scams used by criminals to illegally acquire money.
170* ConcertEpisode: Characters see a (usually rock) concert together.
171* ConsolationWorldRecord: Someone fails to break a record and gain recognition for it, but in doing so ends up unintentionally breaking a world record anyway.
172* TheConspiracy: A secret plot from a powerful figure or group is happening and the protagonists investigate it.
173* ContagiousPowers: Side characters gain superpowers so they can fight alongside TheHero.
174* ContaminationSituation: Characters are exposed to a potentially deadly pathogen that infects them.
175* ContractOnTheHitman: An assassin is marked for death by the very people for whom they work.
176* TheConvenientStoreNextDoor: A store is right next door to the place people want to rob.
177* CookingDuel: Two rivals compete over who can make better food.
178* CooperationGambit: Two enemies make a deal with each other without ending their conflict.
179* CorporateConspiracy: A corporation is conspiring with another group for an evil purpose.
180* CosmeticCatastrophe: A girl experiments with makeup for the first time, with negative consequences.
181* {{Costumer}}: An alternative reality episode that's an excuse to put the characters in period costume.
182* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: After the conflict is resolved, the characters point out that the problem wouldn't have happened in the first place if they had gone with another solution or explained things better to each other.
183* CounterZany: A Zany Scheme is countered by an even Zanier Scheme.
184* CourtroomEpisode: An episode revolves around someone being put on trial for their transgressions.
185* CrapsackWorld: The story takes place in a terrible location to live.
186* CrashCourseLanding: A character with no flying experience has to learn how to land a plane safely.
187* CreditCardPlot: A character gets a credit card and starts spending it irresponsibly.
188* CriminalConvention: Fan conventions for villains.
189* CriminalMindGames
190* CrossingTheDesert: The hero must cross a desert.
191* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: An idiot who can become awesome in situations.
192* CryingWolf: Pull too many deliberate false alarms and no one will believe you when you're trying to warn about real danger.
193* CryptidEpisode: The characters go and search for some kind of mysterious mythical creature.
194* CuckooNest: A character is convinced they're in an asylum and the events of the work were just hallucinations, making it (sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently) ambiguous as to what's real.
195* CulturalPersonalityMakeover: A character discovers something: a photo, a family record, etc., that reveals some long-lost ancestor or unknown relative belonged to some particular unusual culture.
196* CuttingTheKnot: Solving or bypassing a puzzle with brute force.
197* DangerWithADeadline: An enemy or obstacle is extremely dangerous, but only for a finite period of time. The plot comes from surviving or avoiding this danger.
198* DangerousDeviceDisposalDebacle: Because someone didn't dispose of a PlotDevice correctly, it can be freely utilized again for more plot.
199* DatePeepers: Two people go on a date and are spied on by people they know.
200* DayInTheLife: An episode that follows the characters around on their normal routine.
201* ADayInTheLimelight: A minor character is given focus for the current episode.
202* TheDayOfReckoning: The day when an EvilOverlord is destined to win.
203* DeadAlternateCounterpart: Character visits an alternate reality where their counterpart has died.
204* DeadPetSketch: Someone has to take care of someone else's pet while the someone else is away. The pet ends up dying.
205* ADeadlyAffair: An extramarital affair that leads to murder.
206* DeadlyGame: When the consequences of losing the game is death.
207* DeadlyGraduation: A character in an evil training program must battle their friend to the death as a final test.
208* DeadlyRoadTrip: Ending up in peril while on vacation.
209* DeadlyUpgrade: Character gets an enormous power boost, at the eventual cost of his/her life.
210* DealWithTheDevil: A crooked bargain with an evil person or entity for something one wants, with a bad price attached.
211* DeathInTheClouds: A murder happens on an airplane.
212* DeathIsASadThing: Children learn about death for the first time and are saddened by it.
213* DeathTakesAHoliday: For some reason, TheGrimReaper stops making people die.
214* DeclarationOfPersonalIndependence: Someone attempts to strike out on their own against their guardians' wishes.
215* DefeatingTheCheatingOpponent: The protagonist must beat their opponent fairly after the opponent has been caught cheating.
216* DefectorFromCommieLand: A character is in need of escape from a land where a dictatorial regime is ruling.
217* DelayedFamilyAcceptance: It's difficult for a character's family member(s) to come to terms with a revelation about that character.
218* {{Depower}}: A superpowered character loses their powers.
219* DescentIntoAddiction: A character gets involved with drugs or some other substance or experience and descends into addiction.
220* DesertedIsland: A small island that's completely uninhabited.
221* DespiteThePlan: The plan goes horribly wrong, but the heroes achieve their goal anyway.
222* DestructiveSaviour: When a hero causes massive destruction in the course of trying to save a place from a bad guy.
223* DeusExitMachina: The plot is prolonged by phasing out the most powerful character for a bit.
224* DieHardOnAnX: Bad guys have taken over a place and taken everyone hostage. The hero is in the place, and must save the day by kicking the bad guys' asses.
225* DiggingToChina: Someone tries to go to China by digging deep enough into the Earth.
226* DigitalPiracyIsEvil: A work makes it clear that they are against digital piracy.
227* DinnerWithTheBoss: A character's boss comes to their home for dinner.
228* DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery: A disabled person uses the excuse that being disabled means they can get away with being an asshole.
229* DivideAndConquer: When a villain gets his enemies fighting each other instead of him.
230* DividedWeFall: Dissension between the heroes gets in the way stopping the villain.
231* DocumentaryEpisode: A journalist makes a documentary about the characters and their occupation.
232* ADogAteMyHomework: A child who has failed to hand in their homework tells their teacher that a dog chewed it up.
233* DontCelebrateJustYet: The heroes defeat a villain but realize they still have to take care of something else that's occurring.
234* DontGoInTheWoods: Terrible things happen to those who wander into the forest.
235* DoomedMoralVictor: TheHero dies after making his LastStand.
236* DoorstopBaby: A baby left on someone's doorstep gets adopted by whomever lives in the house.
237* DorkHorseCandidate: An underdog character competes against a more popular opponent in an election.
238* DownTheRabbitHole: A character travels to a bizarro world in a plot structure of ''Literature/AliceInWonderland''.
239* TheDragonsComeBack: A (sub)plot revolving around dragons or similar apex predators returning from exile/extinction.
240* DreadedKidsTable: An older child longs to sit with the adults instead of the kids during a family meal.
241* DrivingQuestion: The core element of a plot is a mystery.
242* DrivingTest: A character has to get a driver's license.
243* DuelToTheDeath: Two characters, rivals or enemies, go ''mano a mano'', and only one will survive. Usually.
244* DuelsDecideEverything: All major conflicts in a work are settled by fair, one-on-one contests.
245[[/folder]]
246
247[[folder:E-F]]
248* EarPiercingPlot: A young character wants their ears pierced, but is either too scared to do it or is forbidden from doing so by their parents.
249* EasilyThwartedAlienInvasion: Alien invaders are easily defeated by the humans fighting against the invasion.
250* EastwardEndeavor
251* EggSitting: Children or teenagers are tasked with looking after eggs, bags of flour, or robots to determine whether they'd make responsible parents.
252* ElectionDayEpisode: Two or more characters run for an elective office.
253* {{Elseworld}}: A non-canon episode shows a reimagining or "What if" story of the regular continuity.
254* EmbarrassingRescue: A character finds being rescued embarrassing and [[UngratefulBastard is angry with the rescuer for helping them.]]
255* EmergencyImpersonation: A character who recently died or has been incapacitated is needed for something, so some other character has to impersonate and fill in for them.
256* EmergencyRefuelling: A character is forced to stop their vehicle in order to refuel the gas tank.
257* EmpireWithADarkSecret: A seemingly utopian government turns out to be up to ugly things behind the scenes.
258* EmptyQuiver: A nuke or other weapon of mass destruction has gone missing, and now the race is on to retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands.
259* EndOfAnAge: The story is set during the end of a particular era in the story's setting, such as the end of the medieval era or the end of the American West.
260* EnduranceDuel: A showdown to see who can last the longest doing dangerous activities.
261* EnemyMine: The hero and the villain reluctantly join forces to defeat a mutual enemy.
262* EpicRace: The characters have to proceed from a starting line to a finishing line under some set of rules over the course of an extended period of time.
263* EpiphanicPrison: A prison someone can't escape from unless they have an epiphany.
264* EquivalentExchange: Giving up something that is equal to what a character desires.
265* EscapeFromTheCrazyPlace: A character is trapped in a horror setting from which they must escape.
266* EverybodyMustGetStoned: Most or all of the cast gets exposed to some kind of substance that alters their behavior.
267* EverybodysDeadDave: A work where all but one character is dead.
268* EveryoneMeetsEveryone: The first episode shows the main cast coming together.
269* EverythingButTheGirl: A character can achieve or gain everything they want with the exception of their love interest's affections.
270* EvilPlan: The villain's plan to do something evil.
271* EvilTwin: A character has a twin who is evil.
272* EvilWillFail: The BigBad loses not just because the heroes were stronger, but because it is inherent to nature that evil will fail.
273* EvilerThanThou: A villain proves they're more evil than another villain.
274* TheEvilsOfFreeWill: Someone feels that eliminating free will is the only way to achieve utopia.
275* ExactWords: It's revealed that what a person said was intended in the exact phrasing and wasn't an idiom or figure of speech.
276* ExcusePlot: A plot that's just an excuse for the action happening.
277* ExperimentalArcheology: A character tries to prove that an ancient voyage actually occurred by doing it themselves.
278* ExtremeSportsPlot: A show or movie that has the characters doing extreme sports.
279* FailedAuditionPlot: A character fails their audition but learns to move forward and not give up.
280* FairestOfThemAll: A villain who will not stand for anyone being more beautiful than they are.
281* FairyTaleEpisode: The characters reenact a ([[FracturedFairyTale parody]] of a) famous fairy tale.
282* FakeRelationship: Two characters who aren't romantically interested in each other pretend to be a couple.
283* FakedRipVanWinkle: Someone is tricked into thinking that they've woken up in the future.
284* FalseCrucible: A character is put through a grueling test that turns out to be fake.
285* FalseUtopia: A "utopian" setting that turns out to be anything but, usually with a horrible secret involved.
286* FamilyDisunion: Family reunions are a source of major drama.
287* FantasticVoyagePlot: Curing a sick person by shrinking and entering their body to confront the germs.
288* FatalForcedMarch: Characters are forced to make a dangerous and likely-deadly journey on foot through hostile territory.
289* FaustianRebellion: Someone who made a DealWithTheDevil decides to show the Devil where he can stick it. Forcefully.
290* FauxAdventureStory: A story promises adventure, but doesn't deliver.
291* FauxtasticVoyage: Characters are promised a trip around the world, but is tricked and doesn't experience a real trip.
292* FavouritismFlipFlop: Changing your opinion on something just because someone else has a different opinion.
293* FawltyTowersPlot: A lie is told which must be propped up with more lies before everything cannot be sustained and goes crashing down.
294* FidelityTest: A character tests their spouse's faithfulness to them.
295* FieldTripToThePast: Someone learns history by experiencing it.
296* FightClubbing: People meet in secret to beat each other senseless.
297* FightDracula: Previously established heroes take on Count {{Dracula}} as their latest opponent.
298* FightToSurvive: Characters struggle to survive a perilous situation.
299* FightingForAHomeland: Group of people fight for ownership of a land to claim as their home.
300* TheFinalTemptation: A character is given a chance to abandon his difficult life for a better one, complete with imagery for the latter.
301* FindTheCure: A plot focused on finding a cure for something.
302* FindingJudas: A character willingly betrays the protagonists for benevolent reasons.
303* FirefightingEpisode: The characters become firefighters for the duration of one story.
304* FishOutOfTemporalWater: Someone is forced to adjust living outside of their original time period.
305* FlatlinePlotline: Characters make it so they [[DeathIsCheap die]] for a certain amount of time.
306* FleaEpisode: A character has fleas. Itchiness ensues.
307* FlowersForAlgernonSyndrome: The improvements you obtain will eventually be reverted, sometimes for the best.
308* FlowerFromTheMountaintop: A rare or precious flower that has to be retrieved through a difficult mountain expedition.
309* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted: A character becomes rich, but then ends up losing their wealth.
310* ForScience: Doing anything, no matter how unethical or bizarre, for the sake of scientific progress.
311* ForcedOutOfTheCloset: People who discover or assume a character is gay and in the closet decide that the best thing to do is to publicly reveal the person's secret against their wishes.
312* ForeignCorrespondent
313* ForgivenessRequiresDeath: In order to be forgiven for their crimes, the character must die.
314* ForgotTheCall: A character gets amnesia and forgets that they're an action hero.
315* ForgottenAnniversary: A character forgets the anniversary of their wedding or another significant event.
316* FormulaBreakingEpisode: An episode that departs from the work's usual formula.
317* FourthWallShutInStory: A creator gets trapped within their own creation.
318* FreakyFridayFlip: Two people get their brains switched and have to find a way to get their minds restored to the proper bodies.
319* FreeTheFrogs: Protesting against frogs being dissected in science class.
320* FrequentlyBrokenUnbreakableVow: Someone makes ThePromise or a HeroicVow, and is forced by some circumstance or another to break it. Repeatedly.
321* AFriendInNeed: A character proves their loyalty and friendship by helping their friend when it would be easier not to and other people would not blame them for not doing so.
322* FriendlyScheming: The protagonist finds out that everything that's been happening was all part of an elaborate scheme set up by their friends.
323* FrivolousLawsuit: Someone makes a lawsuit over a ridiculously petty slight.
324* FromBeyondTheFourthWall: A character receives help from the author or the viewer.
325* FromNewYorkToNowhere: A character moves from a big city to a small town.
326* FromNobodyToNightmare: An insignificant loser becomes the scariest villain alive.
327* FromZeroToHero: An insignificant person becomes a hero worthy of honor.
328* FullyAbsorbedFinale: A show that didn't end with a GrandFinale is given a final episode of sorts by having the story wrapped up in an episode of a spinoff or a show taking place in the same continuity.
329* FumblingTheGauntlet: A character's action against another character in an unfamiliar culture is construed as a challenge to a duel, lethal or not.
330* TheFunInFuneral: Wacky antics happen during a person's funeral.
331* FundraiserCarnival: The characters organize a carnival to raise money for a charity or other cause.
332[[/folder]]
333
334[[folder:G-I]]
335* GambitRoulette: A convoluted plan that hinges on unpredictable factors actually succeeds.
336* TheGameNeverStopped: The protagonists think the fake test has ended. It hasn't.
337* TheGamePlaysYou: A seemingly harmless game haunts or harms the people that play it.
338* GameShowAppearance: Characters appear on a real or fictitious game show.
339* GarageBand: A ragtag group of characters start their own band.
340* GarageSale: To earn money, the characters sell some of their old junk in a garage sale/yard sale/etc.
341* GarrulousGrowth: A sentient, talking protrusion that usually wants to take over the human body on which it grows.
342* GenderNormativeParentPlot: A boy has an interest in a "girlish" hobby, and his father pushes him to follow a "manly" one.
343* GenerationalSaga: A tale spanning multiple generations of the same family.
344* GenerationalTrauma: Conflict arises due to unresolved baggage passed down from generation to generation.
345* GenocideBackfire: An evil tyrant or regime seeks to wipe out a people because they fear they are a threat to their power. Unfortunately for them, someone manages to survive.
346* GetBackToTheFuture: Someone is sent to the past and has to find their way back.
347* GettingMyOwnRoomPlot: A child who has always shared a room with siblings finally gets their own room.
348* GettingReadyForBedPlot: An episode set late at night, where a character readies themselves for sleep... Or the point is ''getting'' a restless character to sleep.
349* GettingSickDeliberately: A character tries to get themselves sick so that they can get out of an obligation.
350* GhostShip: Creepy and/or haunted abandoned ships.
351* GhostStory: Stories about ghosts.
352* GirlsBehindBars: A female character is thrown into a women's prison, which is often played for titillation.
353* GirlsVsBoysPlot: Boys and girls battle for supremacy.
354* GivingRadioToTheRomans: Giving modern technology to people in the past.
355* GladiatorRevolt: Gladiators rebel against those that force them to fight.
356* GoAmongMadPeople: A sane person is committed to a mental institution, and needs to convince the staff that they're not crazy.
357* GodAndSatanAreBothJerks: Neither the forces of Hell nor the forces of Heaven have anything good in mind for humanity.
358* GodForADay: Status as a deity proves to be too much responsibility and absolute power corrupts.
359* GoingNative: A character adopts the customs and morality of a group which they were originally sent to infiltrate.
360* GoingToSeeTheElephant: A young character travels the world to go see something new and exotic, often learning life lessons along the way.
361* GoldFever: A group of characters fall prey to greed and turn on each other while on the hunt for gold or some other fabulous treasure.
362* GondorCallsForAid: The hero prepares for an epic battle by recruiting every friend, ally, enemy, and so on who is willing to help them in the fight.
363* GottaHaveItGonnaStealIt: Someone wants something trendy but isn't allowed/can't afford it, so they steal (or attempt to steal) it.
364* GovernmentConspiracy: A secret project run by a [[TheGovernment government]] organization, such as the military or an intelligence agency.
365* GrandFinale: The last episode of the series that serves to bring the show's story to a proper conclusion.
366* GrandTheftMe: Taking control of someone's body to make them do bad things.
367* GrassIsGreener: A character who longs to leave their terrible life behind to go somewhere they think is better.
368* GreatEscape: Someone has been thrown in prison, and must now make good their escape.
369* TheGreatRepair: Characters have to repair a vehicle of some kind in order to escape the place where they're trapped.
370* TheGreatestStoryNeverTold: A character does something heroic or awesome, but nobody hears about it.
371* GroundhogDayLoop: Someone ends up trapped in a loop where they experience the same day repeatedly.
372* GuardingThePortal: Heroes guard a dimensional portal to make sure nothing goes in or out.
373* GuessWhoImMarrying: A character's single parent has found someone. Unfortunately, that someone is anything but good for the character, and now they need to stop this!
374* GuiltyUntilSomeoneElseIsGuilty: A suspect can only be proven innocent by finding the true culprit.
375* GymClassRopeClimb: An activity in gym class that involves students having to climb up a rope hanging from the ceiling.
376* HalfwayPlotSwitch: Abandoning one plot in favor of another.
377* HandcuffedBriefcase: A briefcase is holding something so important, the person holding it has it handcuffed to their wrist.
378* HappyEndingMassage: A massage session turns into something quite a lot steamier than that.
379* HarbingerOfImpendingDoom: A character tries to warn everyone about something from which they barely escaped, but they just dither until it shows up anyway.
380* HastilyHiddenMacGuffin: A valuable stolen object, hidden to avoid detection by the authorities (or rival thieves, or whichever party is trying to take it), which the thieves then must scramble to get back.
381* HaveYouTriedNotBeingAMonster: The familial rejection in this one is supposed to be well-meaning (assuming the family loves the queer person), but it carries the implication that the queer person can and should change.
382* HeKnowsTooMuch: Killing someone for getting even a smidgen close to discovering a secret they can't be allowed to know.
383* HeadbuttingHeroes: Two heroes who are anything but on the best of terms with each other.
384* HellInvadesHeaven: TheLegionsOfHell invade Heaven itself.
385* HellOnEarth: TheLegionsOfHell invade the mortal realm.
386* HerCodeNameWasMarySue: Someone tells a story about themselves that depicts them as a ludicrously overpowered badass.
387* HeroForADay: A hero loses their powers, allowing someone else to take their place until their powers return.
388* HeroOnHiatus: The hero is temporarily taken out of action.
389* HeroesGoneFishing: The good guys take a break from heroics to do the same pastimes and activities normal people do.
390* HeroicRematch: After being defeated the first time, the hero is ready for Round Two against the villain.
391* HerosEvilPredecessor: Someone had the hero's mantle or powers before them, but they have since gone evil, and now the hero now has to deal with them.
392* HeroStageShow: The main character(s) must take younger siblings to a children's stage show.
393* HiccupHijinks: An episode centered on trying to get rid of hiccups.
394* HiredToHuntYourself: A person sent to hunt down TheMole actually ''is'' The Mole.
395* TheHollywoodFormula
396* TheHomewardJourney: The plot revolves around a character's journey to [[TheresNoPlaceLikeHome get back home]].
397* HorribleCampingTrip: Someone goes on a camping trip that ends badly.
398* HourglassPlot: Two characters on opposite ends of the moral or at least conflict spectrum change roles over the course, but are still opposed to each other.
399* HouseFire: A plot revolves around a character's house getting damaged/destroyed in a fire and dealing with the aftermath.
400* HouseInspection: A character must fix their house before an inspector comes.
401* HowDadMetMom: The story of how a character's parents met each other and fell in love.
402* HumanityOnTrial: An alien or supernatural race decides to put the human race on trial, with our continued existence on the line.
403* HuntingTheRogue: A rogue agent deserts from an organization they served and they're chased as a result.
404* HurryingHomeForTheHolidays: A character needs to get somewhere in time to celebrate a holiday.
405* HybridizationPlot: A large portion of the plot, or a character's motivation, focuses around creating a hybrid.
406* HyperlinkStory: Several unconnected and unrelated storylines gradually and slowly merge into a single overarching storyline
407* HypnoFool: A person is hypnotized and HilarityEnsues before it can be undone.
408* IAmWho: The protagonist discovers their heroic destiny which had been kept secret from them.
409* IWillFindYou: A character is searching for a loved one who has been kidnapped or has otherwise gone missing.
410* IWishItWereReal: Character's favorite toy/video game/show becomes real.
411* IdentityImpersonator: A superhero protects their secret identity by appearing in public with someone pretending to be their alter ego.
412* ImpossibleMission
413* InAnotherMansShoes: Characters are forced to experience life through another's perspective.
414* InDefenceOfStorytelling: A plot that affirms the importance of storytelling.
415* InMediasRes: The story doesn't start at the beginning; it's either in the middle or at the end.
416* InWithTheInCrowd: A character is invited into a popular, exclusive crowd - but they have to leave their friends behind.
417* InadequateInheritor: The potential heir is seen as unfit for the prospective inheritance.
418* IndyPloy: Rather than having a plan ready, the hero makes up a scheme as they go along.
419* IneptAptitudeTest: A student takes an aptitude test and doesn't get the result they wanted and/or expected.
420* TheInfiltration: A character must get "inside" a bad-guy organization and pass as a bad guy to accomplish a goal.
421* InnocenceLost: An innocent character is exposed to true evil, or the uglier side of the world, for the first time.
422* InnocentBystanderSeries: A series that focuses solely on citizens rather than the superheroes or villains.
423* TheInspectorIsComing: A place of business prepares for a visit from an inspector or critic.
424* InsideAComputerSystem: Characters go inside a virtual world contained within a computer.
425* InstantBookDeal: A character writes a book that immediately becomes published and an overnight success.
426* IntergenerationalFriendship: Friendship between two people who have a significant age gap.
427* InternetSafetyAesop: A character does something irresponsible on the internet and has to deal with the repercussions.
428* InterruptedCooldownHug: A character who has been given a CooldownHug is attacked by a TriggerHappy LeeroyJenkins.
429* IntoxicationEnsues: An otherwise straitlaced character accidentally ingests a drug, alcohol, or too much of their prescribed medication, and HilarityEnsues.
430* IntrepidFictioneer: Characters breach internal fourth walls to go on adventures in books, films, etc.
431* InventedIndividual: Somebody makes up an imaginary person and eventually has to give up the made-up person by "killing" them.
432* InvisibleMainCharacter: A story where the main character temporarily becomes invisible.
433* InvoluntaryCharityDonation: Stealing from a villain and donating it to charity.
434* IrritationIsTheSincerestFormOfFlattery: A character starts to imitate someone they admire.
435* ItsACostumePartyISwear: A character is tricked into showing up in costume at what they are led to believe is a costume party.
436* ItsAWonderfulPlot: Someone is shown what the world would be like if they never existed.
437* ItsPersonal: Something bad has happened to a loved one, and now the hero wants the villain responsible taken down more than ever!
438[[/folder]]
439
440[[folder:J-M]]
441* JackieRobinsonStory: Someone tries to be the first of their race or sex in a field occupied solely by white males.
442* JapaneseSpirit
443* JawsAttackParody: A shark (or any other dangerous creature) threatens a small-town community, parodying the film ''Film/{{Jaws}}''.
444* JekyllAndHyde: A good person who transforms into a villainous alter ego.
445* JigsawPuzzlePlot: A plot that's fed to the audience a little bit at a time.
446* JokerJury: The heroes' enemies put them on trial for the "crime" of always thwarting their evil schemes.
447* JourneyOfReclamation: A character seeks to regain something they lost.
448* JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind: A character enters the physical manifestation of someone's mind.
449* JudgmentOfSolomon: Two people claim to be the true owner of something, and the judge chooses to split it to decide the true owner.
450* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: A character goes evil very quickly after doing some warned-against but otherwise innocuous thing.
451* TheJungleOpera: A story that takes place in undiscovered or semidiscovered country in the present or "recent" past.
452* JuryOfTheDamned: A trial in which the jury is composed of the spirits of the ''worst'' people.
453* JustFineWithoutYou: A character leaves and everyone pretends that things are going fine without them.
454* JustOneExtraTicket: A character acquires an extra ticket to an event, and must choose which friend to invite and which to exclude.
455* JustSoStory: An often mythic story that explains why things are a certain way.
456* JustThinkOfThePotential: A character has a vision for the future and tries to share their vision with others.
457* KafkaKomedy: A story where the character's misfortune and misery are played for BlackComedy.
458* KangarooCourt: A trial that doesn't follow the proper procedure of determining whether someone is guilty or innocent of the crime they've been accused of committing.
459* KansasCityShuffle: A con where the mark figures out an obvious scam only to fall right into a different one.
460* KeystoneArmy: If one critical component is damaged, an entire army will instantly be destroyed.
461* KidsPlayMatchBreaker: The opposite of KidsPlayMatchmaker. The children of a single parent try to sabotage any new relationships.
462* KidsPlayMatchmaker: The children of single parents decide to try to get their parents together.
463* KidsVersusAdults: Conflict between adults and children.
464* KillMeNowOrForeverStayYourHand: The hero offers their antagonist a chance to kill them, knowing the other person isn't so far gone as to commit murder.
465* KilledToUpholdTheMasquerade: Someone is killed to prevent them from exposing the existence of supernatural beings.
466* KillingForATissueSample: Killing someone in order to use their dead body for scientific purposes.
467* KingmakerScenario: When a player cannot win, they decide which side does.
468* KudzuPlot: Many plot threads are started at once, and are not resolved for a long time, if at all.
469* LastFertileRegion: The last place to support life in an otherwise barren world.
470* LateToTheTragedy: Something bad has happened in the location, and the character arrives too late to prevent it.
471* LeaveYourQuestTest: The hero is tested by being tempted into abandoning their mission.
472* LedByTheOutsider: The hero becomes a leader of another group.
473* LegionOfDoom: Several of the hero's enemies team up in a plot to have their revenge against the hero.
474* LikeADuckTakesToWater: A character has knowledge that makes them able to adapt to another time/world.
475* LikeYouWereDying: A character radically changes their behavior because they're dying.
476* LiteralTransformativeExperience: A character undergoes a drastic transformation and sees their personality change as a result of their experiences.
477* LiveActionEscortMission: Where the heroes have to get someone (often a spoiled kid) from one place to another, and have to deal with his/her antics along the way.
478* LoanShark: You shouldn't have borrowed money from these guys, because they will do anything to make you pay them back - with interest!
479* LockedRoomMystery
480* LonelyAtTheTop: A character gets everything they want, but loses everything and everyone they loved in the process.
481* LongGame: A master plan that takes a long time to complete.
482* LostOrphanedRoyalty: An orphan turns out to be descended from royalty.
483* LostWeddingRing: The ring goes missing right before the wedding.
484* LotteryOfDoom: A lottery or other game that you really, really ''don't'' want to win.
485* LotusEaterMachine: Someone is trapped in a dream-like fantasy where everything's the way it should be to make the person happy and content.
486* LoveTriangle: Two people love the same person, and only one person can have them.
487* LowerDeckEpisode: Minor supporting characters shift into spotlight for one episode.
488* MacGuffinEscortMission: The good guys get the MacGuffin early, so the rest of the story is about them transporting it somewhere else without losing it.
489* MachoDisasterExpedition: Men and women go on a stereotypically male-oriented activity. The guys fail miserably due to arrogance and have to be saved by the women.
490* MadScienceFair: A ScienceFair held by [[MadScientist Mad Scientists]].
491* MaddenIntoMisanthropy: The annoyance of having to put up with certain people causes a person to develop a hatred of humanity.
492* MadeASlave: A character is sold or forced into slavery, and must escape, be rescued or learn to live with it.
493* TheMagicComesBack: In a setting where magic has vanished, the magic ends up returning.
494* TheMagicGoesAway: A story with magic in the setting ends with all the magic disappearing.
495* TheMagnificentSevenSamurai: A helpless community under attack hires heroes (usually seven) to protect them, a WholePlotReference to ''Film/SevenSamurai''.
496* MailOrderBride: "Ordering" a spouse over the Internet.
497* MaintainTheLie: Someone lies about their life and their friends have to help them keep the truth hidden.
498* MakeRoomForTheNewPlot: When one important plot element is abruptly resolved so that the characters can combat a more immediate, dangerous conflict instead.
499* MakeTheBearAngryAgain: Mother Russia has become the villain again.
500* MakeUpOrBreakUp: A couple has to choose whether to stay together or break up.
501* TheMakeover: Being transformed from ugly (or mundane) to beautiful.
502* MakingTheMasterpiece: A dramatized version of how a book, painting, movie, etc. came to be made.
503* MalignantPlotTumor: What seems to be a minor plot line at first ends up overtaking the others.
504* MallSanta: Someone dresses up as Santa Claus at the mall.
505* ManInTheIronMask: A character is held prisoner by another, even though the captive threatens the captor by his very existence.
506* ManVersusMachine: Conflict between humans and robots.
507* MandatoryUnretirement: A character is forced to do a job they have already given up.
508* ManufacturingVictims: A therapist gets their patients hooked on therapy to keep the money rolling in instead of actually helping them with their problems.
509* MasqueradeBall: A dance where a person can wear GorgeousPeriodDress and a mask to hide their identity.
510* MayTheFarceBeWithYou: The work parodies ''Franchise/StarWars''.
511* MesACrowd: When someone tries to clone themselves.
512* MeetYourEarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Characters in a LongRunner meet themselves the way they looked when the run first began.
513* MentalStory: A story that focuses on what's going on in someone's head.
514* TheMigration: A homeless group migrate to a new home.
515* MinorCrimeRevealsMajorPlot: Someone investigates a minor crime, but finds something much bigger going on behind it.
516* MissConception: Someone has inaccurate information on sex and how it works.
517* MissingStepsPlan: The only parts of the plan that were thought out were how to start the plan and the plan's intended result.
518* MissionFromGod: When someone believes their goals were given to them by orders from God.
519* MobDebt: A sympathetic person(s) owes money to a criminal entity.
520* MobySchtick: A WholePlotReference to ''Literature/MobyDick'' and its story of a monomaniacal captain hunting a whale.
521* MockGuffin: A MacGuffin that turns out to be worthless.
522* MocksteryTale: One or more characters try to solve a mystery but then the mystery turns out to be nonexistent, unimportant, or unsolvable and it turns into psychological horror or similar.
523* ModelScam: A woman is lured into a trap (usually involving rape) under the pretense of a model shoot.
524* MonsterIsAMommy: A frightening creature turns out to be a parent.
525* MonsterProtectionRacket: A monster or villain attacks so that someone they're in league with can profit from stopping them.
526* MoreThanMindControl: A character did something evil because of {{Brainwashing}} but they also did it willingly, if only slightly.
527* MovieMakingMess: Characters attempt to make their own movie, HilarityEnsues.
528* TheMovingExperience: A character thinks their best friend is moving to another town and struggles to say goodbye.
529* MovingTheGoalposts: Getting out of honoring one's part of an agreement by adding a last-minute specification to the deal.
530* {{Mundanization}}: Putting the cast of a (relatively) fantastical setting into a contemporary, "normal" one.
531* MusicalEpisode: An episode full of scenes where the characters sing songs.
532* MyBiologicalClockIsTicking: When a woman gets to be of a certain age, getting married and/or having babies right away becomes of utmost concern to her.
533* MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning: Villain lets themselves die so their plan may continue.
534[[/folder]]
535
536[[folder:N-P]]
537* NastyParty: A person or group of people are invited to a party or any other form of get-together. However, it's just an excuse to get them all together and kill them.
538* NeverBringAFriendToAnAudition: A character's family member or friend accidentally gets a role that they were auditioning for.
539* NeverLearnedToRead: A character is revealed to be illiterate and in many cases will try to overcome it.
540* NeverLendToAFriend: A character loans a friend some money, but the friend neglects to pay them back or the character constantly reminds their friend that they still owe them money.
541* NeverWinTheLottery: A character wins the lottery, or tricked into thinking they won the lottery.
542* NewAbilityAddiction: A character gets a new skill or piece of kit and has the urge to use it.
543* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: A character will spontaneously demonstrate new abilities whenever they're needed for the plot.
544* NewSuperPower: A character gains a new superpower.
545* NightmareOfNormality: A supernatural character is deluded into thinking that they're ordinary and must find a way to awaken from the illusion.
546* NitroExpress: Hauling unstable explosives over dangerous terrain. What could possibly go wrong?
547* NoAntagonist: The work has no antagonists.
548* NoDoubtTheYearsHaveChangedMe: A character is unrecognizable after being away for many years.
549* NoGuyWantsAnAmazon: Men don't want to be with women who can beat them up.
550* NoPlotNoProblem: Forsaking any plot or character development so that the game is purely about the gameplay itself.
551* NoSympathy: A character who doesn't feel pity or sorrow for other people's misfortunes.
552* NoahsStoryArc: Evacuating a large population of people and animals in order to survive an impending disaster.
553* NoirEpisode: Episode shot in the style of [[FilmNoir film noir]]. [[DeliberatelyMonochrome Black-and-white visuals]] and [[CharacterNarrator first-person narrations]] are usually mandatory.
554* NonProtagonistResolver: The conflict is not resolved by the protagonist, but by someone else instead.
555* NotHimself: A character isn't acting like they normally would, usually as a result of an EvilTwin, FreakyFridayFlip, or DemonicPossession.
556* NotJustATournament: A tournament with a sinister ulterior purpose.
557* NotSoForgottenBirthday: The other characters pretend to forget someone's birthday to ensure that they're surprised by the surprise party.
558* NotSoImaginaryFriend: What was assumed to be an imaginary friend turns out to be a real person.
559* OddlyCommonRarity: A person is supposed to be unique, but there are a lot of people who share many of the attributes and characteristics they have.
560* OffTheWagon: An alcoholic or drug addict tries to quit but then starts it up again.
561* OffToSeeTheWizard: Plots inspired by or parodying ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'', especially [[Film/TheWizardOfOz the 1939 film adaptation]].
562* AnOfferYouCantRefuse: An offer where the choices are, "Accept or die"
563* OlderHeroVsYoungerVillain: The hero is old or borderline old, while the villain is relatively young.
564* OnTheMoney: Characters in need of money find a contest, inheritance, or job offering the exact amount they need.
565* OneCrazyNight: Plans for a quiet peaceful night turns into a problem that keeps getting worse.
566* OneOfOurOwn
567* TheOneWhoMadeItOut: A character who managed to rise above their less-than-stellar origins and become a success.
568* TheOnlyOne: The hero has to solve the problem because no one else can do it.
569* OutOfGenreExperience: A temporary (and jarring) switch of genres.
570* ParanormalEpisode: The characters find themselves dealing with a paranormal/supernatural situation in an otherwise mundane setting.
571* ParentsForADay: A baby or something like it is raised, who leaves by the end of the episode.
572* ParodyEpisode: Comedic episode parodying something.
573* PassedOverInheritance: The deceased leaves his belongings, not to his closest family, but someone completely unexpected and usually not related.
574* PassedOverPromotion: A character isn't promoted upon opportunity, regardless of how qualified they may be.
575* PassionPlay: A re-telling of the story of [[Literature/TheFourGospels the Passion]] of [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} Jesus Christ]].
576* PassingTheTorch: The story ends with the hero choosing someone to continue their legacy.
577* PatiencePlot: One or more characters have to wait for something.
578* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil: When a character's morally shady friends influence him to lower his own moral standards.
579* PennyAmongDiamonds: A commoner (or poor person) is thrust into rich culture without becoming rich themselves.
580* PeopleZoo: An alien zoo containing humans and other intelligent life as part of the exhibits.
581* PerfectionIsAddictive: Once you experience complete, utter perfection, it's almost impossible to settle for anything less.
582* PetBabyWildAnimal: A younger character adopts an abandoned or orphaned baby wild animal and cares for it as a beloved pet.
583* PhysicalTherapyPlot: A character gets severely injured to the point of disability and begins physical therapy. The character tries to become mobile again by pushing themselves physically and mentally.
584* PickUpBabesWithBabes: A man takes care of someone else's child in order to attract women.
585* PictureDay: Students attempt to look nice the whole school day so they will look nice for their school photo.
586* {{Pilgrimage}}: A travel to HolyGround or for a holy purpose.
587* PirateBooty: Troves of gold and jewels plundered by pirates and buried in faraway places to await discovery.
588* PlagueOfGoodFortune: A character has an amazing series of good things happen to them despite not wanting it to.
589* PlayingBothSides: One organization or person plays two sides against one another.
590* PlayingCyrano: A character helps their friend impress their LoveInterest by feeding them words to say through an ear microphone.
591* PlayingSick: A character fakes having an illness to get out of some obligation.
592* PlotDetour: When the characters, against all logic, ignore the main plot to pursue something unimportant.
593* PlotCoupon: You need this many {{MacGuffin}}s to continue the storyline as it is.
594* PlotDrivingSecret: The entire plot of a work depends on no one knowing the truth.
595* PlotImmunity: Certain characters won't die or leave because they are needed for the plot.
596* PlotIncitingInfidelity: When the plot of a story is kickstarted by having the protagonist catch their partner cheating on them.
597* PlotLeveling
598* PlotLineCrossover: Two different plotlines become important to each other.
599* PlotTailoredToTheParty: Each protagonist has to overcome an obstacle specifically matched to their specialty.
600* PlotTriggeringDeath: A character's death at the outset of a story puts its main plot into motion.
601* PlotTriggeringBook: A character either discovers a book or is given one which kicks off the plot.
602* PlotTumor: A [[StoryArc storyline]] or [[NarrativeDevices plot device]] that begins to eclipse the entire work.
603* PoisonAndCureGambit: Manipulating someone into doing what you want by poisoning them and refusing to give them the antidote until they do as you say.
604* PoliceBrutalityGambit: Someone accuses the police of PoliceBrutality as part of a WoundedGazelleGambit.
605* PonyTale: A story about a girl and her horse.
606* PoorlyDisguisedPilot: An episode focuses on a different set of characters is a clear sign that the episode is intended to serve as a pilot for a potential spinoff series.
607* PornWithPlot: A work that showcases porn, but does have an interesting story to tell.
608* PornWithoutPlot: A work that exists to showcase porn instead of telling a story.
609* PortalBook: A book that can transport someone to the world of its story, or the location that is represented in it.
610* PossessiveParadise: A place that prevents you from leaving.
611* PostAdventureAdventure: A story is set up by previous events that could have been an epic story of their own.
612* PostRobberyTrauma: A character becomes paranoid after an encounter with crime.
613* PredatoryBusiness: A large corporate retailer arrives to drive out the pre-existing local competition out of business.
614* PrematureEmpowerment: A superpowered group want to induct a new member through SuperEmpowering.
615* {{Premiere}}: The first official episode of a series, which may or may not overlap with the {{pilot}} episode.
616* PreventTheWar: Heroes try to prevent a war from occurring.
617* PrideBeforeAFall: A character starts out as a insufferable jerk until something happens that causes them to become humble.
618* PrinceAndPauper: Two identical people from different backgrounds switch lives.
619* PrincessForADay: When a woman dresses up as an upper-class person.
620* ProdigalFamily: Estranged family members show up to complicate a character's life.
621* ProdigalHero: A character runs away from home, lives in exile, and returns home to save the day.
622* ProductDeliveryOrdeal: The story of a character aiming to deliver a large, heavy and/or fragile product to someone else.
623* ThePromPlot: A large or significant part of a story involves students attending a prom or adults chaperoning a prom with various hijinks ensuing.
624* PromWrecker: A character tries to ruin the school dance.
625* ThePromisedLand: The place that promises to be ''better'' than where we are. Where the GrassIsGreener.
626* PropertyLine: A character finds out that everything their neighbor owns falls on their property line and tries to claim it for themselves.
627* ProtagonistJourneyToVillain: The story is about how the protagonist ends up becoming evil.
628* ProtectThisHouse: The hero's home comes under attack.
629* PupatingPeril: A cocoon is discovered, and much fear is elicited over what will eventually emerge...
630* PursuingParentalPerils: A character decides to take up their dead parent's occupation.
631* PushPolling: Manipulating a poll's result to push an agenda.
632* PuttingTheBandBackTogether: A team which had previously (and permanently, it seemed) disbanded rallies together once more.
633* PuzzleThriller: A plot centered around uncovering roles to a game.
634* PygmalionPlot: A character falls in love with their own creation.
635* PygmalionSnapBack: A character who was [[PygmalionPlot changed by another character to fit their ideals]] reverts to their original self.
636[[/folder]]
637
638[[folder:Q-S]]
639* TheQueenWillBeWatching: Somebody very important will be in the audience at the ShowWithinAShow.
640* TheQuest: The character leaves home, voluntarily or not, on a big adventure to recover something or search for someone.
641* QuestForAWish: The characters go on an adventure to have a single wish granted.
642* QuestForIdentity: A character tries to rediscover who they are.
643* QuestForSex: A whole story focused on a man trying to get laid.
644* QuestForTheRest: A character who is thought to be the LastOfHisKind ventures off to search for others like him.
645* QuestToTheWest: A character's journey is associated with them heading west.
646* RaceAgainstTheClock: The heroes have to do something to stop the countdown, or else the consequences will be catastrophic.
647* RadioContest: A character tries to win a prize by calling a local radio station that is holding a contest.
648* RadishCure: Someone wants something forbidden, and then they're granted it in a way that puts them off of it forever.
649* RageAgainstTheHeavens: A character wants the gods to pay for what they've done.
650* RageWithinTheMachine: A character is loyally part of a party or division linked to the government, but begins to doubt if said party/division is right about their beliefs or policies.
651* RagsToRoyalty: A character is elevated (or restored) to nobility.
652* RailroadPlot: Something gets in the way of a big construction project, and this something must be destroyed to complete the project.
653* RampageFromANail: It turns out the beast was only attacking people because it had something painful stuck in a sensitive part of its body.
654* RandomEventsPlot: The circumstances that brought on the plot occurred for no reason.
655* RansackedRoom: A room is torn apart after the bad guys search for a MacGuffin.
656* RashomonStyle: Multiple versions of the same story told from the perspective of different characters.
657* RashPromise: A character swears to do something without much thought and must choose between keeping their word or suffering the consequences of their lack of foresight.
658* ReadTheFinePrint: A character signs a contract without reading the clauses in the fine print which is designed to screw them over.
659* ReadingIsCoolAesop: The story is about someone learning that reading doesn't have to be boring.
660* ARealManIsAKiller: A man discovers that he must kill something in order to prove his worth.
661* RealWorldEpisode: An episode has the fictional characters end up in real life.
662* Really17YearsOld: A minor pretends to be an adult.
663* RearWindowInvestigation: A character suspects another character of a crime and waits for that person to leave their home so they can sneak in and look for clues or evidence.
664* RearWindowWitness: A character is caught in a situation where they witness a crime (or what [[StabTheSalad he thinks]] is a crime) and is powerless to do anything to stop it.
665* ReassignmentBackfire: Someone's attempt to send another person somewhere out of the way backfires when they end up back in the way.
666* RebuiltPedestal: Someone loses their respect for a hero, but starts liking them again after their idol proves that being more flawed than their fan assumed does not mean they're a bad person.
667* RecapByAudit: The aftermath of an event reveals or sums up what happened.
668* RedemptionQuest: The villain goes on a quest to atone for their misdeeds.
669* RediscoveringRootsTrip: A ChildOfTwoWorlds returns to the motherland to connect with their roots.
670* RefusalOfTheSecondCall: The hero of the original is available to save the day again in the sequel, but refuses to help.
671* ReluctantRetiree: An elderly character who is perfectly capable, but gets forced to retire against their will anyway.
672* ReplacementPedestal: Someone loses their respect for a hero and finds somebody else to take their place as their role model.
673* RescueArc: A story arc centered around saving someone's life.
674* RescuedFromTheUnderworld: Rescuing someone who is trapped in the afterlife.
675* RestartTheWorld: The world is just too far gone, so the only way to save it is to destroy it and start over.
676* RestrictedRescueOperation: Someone is trying to help despite restrictions.
677* RevealingCoverup: Someone's attempt to hide something just makes it more obvious.
678* RevengeOfTheNerd: A unbelievably hot woman seduces the guy who made fun of her in school as a nerdy wallflower, then rejects and humiliates him.
679* RightfulKingReturns: The proper ruler comes back to fix everything after things have gone to hell in their absence.
680* RipVanWinkle: A character sleeps for several decades.
681* RiseAndFallGangsterArc: A story arc that depicts a gangster rising to, and then falling from, power.
682* RiseOfZitboy: A teenager freaks out over having acne.
683* RiverOfInsanity: Any river voyage or wilderness journey is a doomed expedition in which the characters alternately die, go mad, get lost, go native, or otherwise barely live to tell the tale.
684* RoadTripPlot: Everyone goes on a road trip. HilarityEnsues.
685* RoadTripRomance: Two characters traveling together eventually fall in love.
686* RoaringRampageOfRescue: The character stops at nothing to save their loved one, including mowing anyone in their path.
687* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: A character is pushed so far over the edge and goes completely ballistic on those that hurt them.
688* RobbingTheMobBank: A thief steals from another criminal, who tries to get the thief caught.
689* {{Robinsonade}}: The plot is about one or more characters living stranded away from civilization and having to live off the land.
690* RogueJuror: One juror's opinion goes against the others', and it's up to them to change their minds.
691* RoommateDrama: Characters share a room or house, and things go wrong.
692* RunForTheBorder: A criminal tries to escape the law by fleeing to another country.
693* SafetyWorst: Someone takes safety precautions to such an extent that they're impractical and/or no fun.
694* SatchelSwitcheroo: Two characters who own the same kind briefcase or any other container get it mixed up with one another.
695* SaveOurStudents: A teacher strives to improve the futures of students who attend a horrible school.
696* SaveThePrincess: An ExcusePlot for rescuing a princess that has been kidnapped.
697* SaveYourDeity: Saving a god from danger.
698* SavingChristmas: Someone has to prevent Christmas from being ruined for everyone who celebrates the holiday.
699* SavingTheOrphanage: The hero has to stop a heartless business exec who wants to destroy a local OrphanageOfLove.
700* ScareDare: A childhood dare consisting of waltzing into spookiness.
701* ScarecrowSolution: When a character can't fight something, they build something to scare it away.
702* ScarpiaUltimatum: Someone is blackmailed into having sex with a person who threatens to hurt someone they care about if they refuse.
703* ScarySurpriseParty: Something nasty happens to a character (kidnapped, in danger) but it turns out to be a surprise party.
704* ScavengerHunt: Characters play a game where they find a list of items before a set deadline.
705* SchoolForScheming: A school that is used as a cover for an elaborate plot-centric scheme.
706* SchrodingersButterfly: Stories where it's never completely clear whether everything is real or not.
707* ScienceIsUseless: When science isn't [[ScienceIsBad bad]] or [[ScienceIsWrong wrong]], it just simply isn't helpful.
708* ScoobyDooHoax: A monster is revealed to actually be a disguised criminal pretending to be one.
709* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: Deliberately defying rules because they go against doing what is clearly the right thing.
710* SeaAping: A child character buying a fictional counterpart of sea-monkeys, expecting the pets to have a civilization like they're advertised to.
711* SealTheBreach: Characters are at or travel to a place that has a breach, whether it is a hole in a dam or a gateway to Hell.
712* SeasonFinale: The final episode of the show's season.
713* SecretDiary: One character finds another character's secret diary and may be tempted to read it.
714* SecretPetPlot: A character adopts a pet and tries to hide it.
715* SecretRelationship: Characters are in a relationship that they don't want their friends and family to know about.
716* SelectiveEnforcement: A rule is only enforced at random, which can result in people not being punished for breaking it when they really should be and harshly punishing offenders who otherwise didn't do anything wrong.
717* SendInTheSearchTeam: Something has gone wrong at an unknown location, and a seach party is gathered to find out what happened.
718* SeparatedAtBirth: Two normally unrelated characters are revealed to be twin siblings raised apart from each other.
719* SerialKiller: There's a murderer on the loose, and people are dying one by one. Can the heroes stop the killer before they strike again?
720* SettlingTheFrontier: Standard Western plot involving people establishing a colony or settlement in a previously unknown land.
721* TheSevenWesternPlots: Westerns often revolve around stories involving railroads, ranches, empire building, cavalry and Indians, revenge, outlaws and lawmen.
722* SexAsRiteOfPassage: Characters set out to get themselves laid.
723* SexEqualsLove: Characters who are in a sexual relationship but not in love will fall in love eventually.
724* SexForServices: Trading sexual favors for non-sexual favors.
725* SexyManInstantHarem: A man who is TheCasanova will often attract women.
726* ShaggyDogStory: A story's buildup has no payoff.
727* TheShowMustGoOn: No matter what problems occur during a live performance, the characters do what they can to keep the show going.
728* ShowWithinAShow: A work of fiction that exists within the work of fiction.
729* SidekickGlassCeiling: The sidekick can never permanently become stronger than the hero.
730* TheSiege: The good guys must hold off an overwhelming enemy threat against impossible odds.
731* ASimplePlan: The characters come up with an easy straightforward plan, only for it to fall apart.
732* SinkOrSwimFatherhood: A character unexpectedly becomes a parent and must learn on the job.
733* SinkingShipScenario: Catastrophic damage a large vehicle forces the characters to struggle to survive.
734* SkippingSchool: A student decides not to go to school and goes off to do something else instead.
735* SleepLearning: Someone tries to learn information in their sleep.
736* SlowAndSteadyWinsTheRace: A character loses a race for most of the story, but wins at the end
737* SlumberPartyPloy: In order to do something or go somewhere they were prohibited from, kids lie to their parents that they are staying over at each others' houses.
738* SnipeHunt: A character is tricked into searching for a nonexistent thing.
739* SnowballingThreat: Must stop something urgently before it becomes too powerful.
740* SnowedIn: Snow is packed around your building, vehicle, etc., and you are stuck for a while.
741* TheSoCalledCoward: A character is passive and non-violent, making them branded a coward by everyone, only for something to happen that proves otherwise.
742* SoNearYetSoFar: You're already at your destination, but can't do what you need to.
743* SorcerersApprenticePlot: A young ward's attempts to be like his boss becomes too much for him to handle.
744* SouvenirLand: A disappointing, cheap ThemeParks that tries (and fails) to ride on the coattails of A-list parks like [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disneyland]].
745* SpeedDating: A character tries speed dating in order to meet someone.
746* SpellingBee: A competition where the characters try to spell words.
747* SplitAndReunion: A SplitPersonality gets separated. When it reunites, issues are resolved an teamwork has improved.
748* SplitTimelinesPlot: A story that switches between Alternate Timelines after depicting a single diverging event.
749* SpotTheImpostor: One character is seen with their impersonator, resulting in their friends having to figure out which is which.
750* StartMyOwn: A character is disgruntled with the way a certain group is run, so they decide to start their own.
751* StartOfDarkness: The moment in a villain's life where they started to become evil.
752* StoneSoup: Manipulating others via feigned eccentric behavior.
753* StormInATeacup: Failing to get a task done in time. PlotTwist: It wasn't necessary.
754* StorybookEpisode: The characters are cast as fairy tale archetypes.
755* StrangerInAStrangeSchool: An OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who winds up attending an ExtranormalInstitute.
756* StrangersOnATrainPlotMurder: Two people make a deal to commit each other's heinous crime/difficult task.
757* StumbledIntoThePlot: The protagonist is the one who finds the IncitingIncident instead of being [[TheChosenOne chosen]] or [[SummonEverymanHero summoned]].
758* StumblingUponTheLostWizard: The Protagonist(s) accidentally find a character of great importance when they become lost themselves.
759* SubvertedSuspicionAesop: It looks like the person who assumed the reformed guy hasn't changed was just being paranoid... But it turns out that they were right to question the villain claiming to be good.
760* SuccessionCrisis: The king dies and no one knows who will succeed him.
761* SuddenIntelligence: A character is abruptly given an IQ boost.
762* SuicideMission: A mission will almost certainly end in death for whoever accepts it.
763* SummonEverymanHero: An average person is brought into another for a wacky adventure.
764* SuperPowersForADay: A normal person temporarily gains special powers.
765* SuperheroEpisode: An episode where everyone becomes superheroes.
766* SuperheroOrigin: The story of how a superhero gained their powers and decided to fight crime.
767* SuspicionAesop: The protagonist suspects someone else is up to no good, only to be proven wrong, and learn a lesson about not jumping to conclusions.
768* SwearWordPlot: Characters start swearing excessively and get in trouble for it.
769[[/folder]]
770
771[[folder:T-Z]]
772* TagAlongActor: An actor researches the role of a special profession by shadowing their real life counterpart.
773* TagTeamSuicide: Two people kill themselves because a failure to communicate causes them both to think the other has died.
774* TakingOverHeaven: Attacking Heaven and taking charge of it.
775* TakingOverTheTown: The villains take over a town and steal from it.
776* TalentContest: Characters participate in an amateur talent contest.
777* TalkingYourWayOut: The hero is caught by the villains, but manages to use smooth talking to get away.
778* TalkShowAppearance: Protagonist(s) go on a talk show to resolve their issues, become fame or even to make a point. It never ends well.
779* TallTale: A story told so many times it now makes no sense at all.
780* TheTaxi: A taxi cab is used as a mode of transportation for characters.
781* TeacherStudentRomance: A student and a teacher get into a romantic or sexual relationship. Highly inadvisable in RealLife.
782* TeachHimAnger: A character who is normally the NiceGuy is taught by their friends to be more assertive.
783* TechnicianVersusPerformer: Two characters contrast each other because one is all about being accurate and the other just wants to have fun.
784* TenLittleMurderVictims: A group of people are stuck somewhere. One of them is a killer, the rest are potential victims.
785* TheirFirstTime: The first time two people had sex in their entire lives.
786* TheresNoPlaceLikeHome: A character's main goal is to go back home.
787* ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman: A character with not-so-useful powers is put in a situation where they'd actually be helpful.
788* ThrillerOnTheExpress: A crime/espionage/murder mystery story centered around a moving train setting.
789* ThroughTheEyesOfMadness: Crazy people see the world differently from normal people.
790* TimeToMove: The man of the house decides it's time to move and the rest of the family attempts to stop this.
791* TimeTravelEscape: Saving a dead person via time travel.
792* TimeTravelRomance: Romance between people from different time periods.
793* TitanomachyRoundTwo: Someone's trying to free the Titans of Greek Mythology to take out the Gods.
794* ToHellAndBack: Part of the hero's mission involves entering Hell or a similar place.
795* {{Tontine}}: A group of people make an agreement that the valuables they've found will go to the last surviving member of the group.
796* TooManyCooksSpoilTheSoup: Things will end in disaster if a project has too many people involved in working on it.
797* TooSmartForStrangers: The story is supposed to prevent children being kidnapped or molested by warning them about strangers.
798* TournamentArc: A plot arc consisting of characters fighting each other in a competition.
799* TrainJob: Boarding a train in order to steal from it.
800* TrainingAccident: A character undergoes special training only for something to [[GoneHorriblyWrong go horrible wrong]].
801* TrainingThePeacefulVillagers: TheHero trains a local village to fight back against an advancing army.
802* TheTrapParents: An orphan gains some parents that don't want them to hang around their friends.
803* TrappedInThePast: Someone accidentally ends up in the past without knowing how to come back.
804* TrappedInTVLand: Someone gets trapped inside a work of fiction.
805* TrappedWithMonsterPlot: Characters are in a ClosedCircle with something hunting them.
806* TreasureMap: A map leading to hidden treasure.
807* TrendAesop: A character learns a lesson about trying to fit in with the crowd.
808* TrickedIntoSigning: A character is tricked into signing an important document.
809* TroubleFollowsYouHome: A character makes it home after escaping trouble, only to find trouble waiting for them there.
810* TroubleFromThePast: A plot where future generations have to deal with the mess made by their civilization in the past.
811* TroublemakingNewPet: New pet is up to no good, blames their actions on the older.
812* ATrueStoryInMyUniverse: The events of a work are BasedOnATrueStory, or similar, [[InUniverse within the story itself]].
813* TrumanShowPlot: Someone discovers that their life was part of a film or television show without their knowledge.
814* TurnInYourBadge: A cop who has stepped over the line is ordered to turn in their badge and gun.
815* TurnedAgainstTheirMasters: Artificially derived beings turn against their creators.
816* TwelfthNightAdventure: A character becomes a WholesomeCrossdresser to integrate himself/herself into the setting.
817* TwinSwitch: Twins swap roles with each other, such as with a TwoTimerDate. HilarityEnsues if they are PolarOppositeTwins.
818* TwoTimerDate: A character schedules dates with two different people at the same time.
819* UnbelievableSourcePlot: A plot where the protagonist relies on a supernatural source of information to solve crimes.
820* UndercoverAsLovers: Two spies pose as lovers as they go undercover.
821* UniqueMomentRuined: A highly anticipated moment or event is ruined by something.
822* UnlockingTheTalent: A character has a skill that they never use and have to learn to use it to their advantage.
823* UnsettlingGenderReveal: Someone is disturbed by the revelation that a woman is actually a man in drag.
824* UntrustingCommunity: A whole town full of people who don't like you.
825* UnwantedGiftPlot: A character is given a gift they don't like, and now have to pretend they like it to not hurt the giver's feelings.
826* UnwantedGlassesPlot: A character discovers they need glasses, but refuses to wear them because they look uncool.
827* UnwantedHealing: A character has a terrible illness, but refuses to accept treatment for it.
828* UnwantedRescue: TheHero saves someone in trouble only to learn that they didn't want to be rescued.
829* UnwantedRevival: A resurrected person isn't happy that they've been brought back to life.
830* UnwittingTestSubject: A thinking subject (human, sapient animal, ect.) is part of a scientific experiment without their knowledge or consent.
831* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans: A situation where the goal of the BigBad is the creation of a better world for everyone as a whole, no matter what the cost.
832* VampireRefugee: Someone turned by a vampire decides to find and kill the vampire that bit them to reverse the transformation.
833* VanishingVillage: A location that only appears or is accessible for certain periods of time.
834* VerySpecialEpisode: An episode dedicating to dealing with a serious subject not usually brought up in other shows.
835* VignetteEpisode: An episode composed of several vignettes.
836* VillainBeatingArtifact: The villain is invincible to everything but a specific artifact.
837* VillainEpisode: An episode where the bad guy is the protagonist instead of the hero.
838* VisionsOfAnotherSelf: The same actors play different characters in the past and future vision scenes.
839* VisitByDivorcedDad: A divorced father visits his children.
840* WakeUpCall: Something occurs that forces a character to develop out of complacency, get their act together, learn a lesson, or some combination thereof.
841* WakeUpGoToSchoolSaveTheWorld: A KidHero has to juggle heroics and their personal life.
842* WarComesHome: When a war spreads to the hero's homeland, making it personal.
843* WarForFunAndProfit: Instigating a war for one's own material benefit.
844* WarFromAnotherWorld: When a world and its inhabitants unwillingly gets drawn into a war from elsewhere.
845* WasTooHardOnHim: A character feels sad and guilty over scolding or harshly punishing someone.
846* WaybackTrip: The protagonist/s have to fix a change in history but the change has happened for seemingly no reason.
847* WeNeedToGetProof: The heroes discover the bad guy is up to no good, but need to find a way for others to believe them.
848* WeWantOurIdiotBack: A formerly idiotic character becomes smart, and their peers want to change them back for one reason or another.
849* WeWantOurJerkBack: A mean character becomes nicer or leaves, resulting in everyone else deciding that things were better when the guy was still around or still a jerk.
850* WeWouldHaveToldYouBut: A character has to be kept in the dark about something in order for the plan to work out.
851* WellIntentionedReplacement: Replacing an important artifact after it has been destroyed or lost.
852* WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong: The dreaded words that, when spoken, will certainly lead to disaster.
853* WhatsInsidePlot: Characters try to figure out what is hidden inside a locked box or closet.
854* WhoWillTakeTheKids: Parents wonder who would look after the kids if something bad happened.
855* WhodunnitToMe: Someone who survives or is resurrected after an attempt to do them in tries to figure out who their murderer or would-be murderer was.
856* WholeEpisodeFlashback: Episode consisting mainly of one long {{flashback}} to past events.
857* WholePlotReference: An entire episode copies the plot of a well-known story.
858* WitchHunt: A search, often misguided, for a witch hidden among the community.
859* WorkingTheSameCase: Two teams who are investigating the same case.
860* WorkplaceHorror: A setting where unexpected horrors appear while trying do to a mundane job.
861* WorldLimitedToThePlot: A story that has no context in its setting.
862* WorldTour: The characters travel to well-known places around the world.
863* WorstWeddingEver: Someone's wedding turns disastrous.
864* WoundedGazelleGambit: Manipulating people by pretending to be injured.
865* WoundedGazelleWarcry: The weakest combatant rushes in harm's way to motivate the others into action.
866* WrongTimeTravelSavvy: Someone mistakenly thinks they know how time travel works.
867* XMustNotWin: Wanting to avoid letting a particular character be victorious provides fuel for the other character's persistence in fighting against them.
868* XanatosGambit: A plan for which all foreseeable outcomes benefit the creator — including ones that superficially appear to be failure.
869* XanatosSpeedChess: Quickly altering plans as needed.
870* YearningForANemesis: A character desires to find a nemesis.
871* YellowBrickRoad: The pathway a character has to travel along to get to their ultimate goal.
872* YouAlreadyChangedThePast: Someone attempts to prevent an atrocity from happening in the past, only to find in the end that the atrocity wouldn't have happened in the first place if they didn't go back in time to try and prevent it.
873* YouAreGrounded: A parent grounds their child.
874* YouCanKeepHer: A character is contacted by some kidnappers who are holding someone they should care about for ransom, but the character doesn't care.
875* YouGoGirl: A girl proves that she's as good as the boys in athletics.
876* YouHaveWaitedLongEnough: A character is forced to marry someone else when the one they love doesn't come right back to them.
877* YouKnowWhatYouDid: A character assumes the worst about someone without bothering to confirm it.
878* YouWakeUpInARoom: A character wakes up in an unfamiliar place at the beginning of the story.
879* YouWakeUpOnABeach: Someone wakes up on the beach with no recollection of how they got there.
880* YoyoPlotPoint: A premise-changing plot point is resolved and unresolved several times over the course of the work.
881* ZanyScheme: One or more characters tries to achieve some end — usually extricating themselves from trouble — by some kind of elaborate, unlikely plan.
882* ZanySchemeChicken: A ZanyScheme gets hatched and [[CounterZany countered]], and then someone else counters it, etc.
883[[/folder]]
884
885!!Series Plots (organize the actions of an entire series):
886* AlienAmongUs: An alien living with a bunch of humans and trying to keep their alienness secret.
887* BlitheSpirit: An unusual stranger who goes to a straight-laced land and teaches others to think differently about themselves.
888* ChangelingFantasy: A character's real parents are much more exciting than their other ones.
889* ComingOfAgeStory: A child or adolescent learns to be more mature.
890* FishOutOfWater: A character is placed in a situation completely unfamiliar to them.
891* GottaCatchEmAll: A character wants to pursue a collection.
892* GottaKillThemAll: A character wants to kill everyone on their list.
893* LimelightSeries: A series that stars old or obscure characters from the previous series.
894* RagsToRiches: A character goes from being poor or living modestly to being wealthy and successful.
895* RoleSwapPlot: An episode switches the roles of certain characters.
896* SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong: Altering the past to prevent bad things from ever occurring.
897* SternChase: The protagonist is being pursued and must stay in motion.
898* SystematicVillainTakedown: A group of villains is taken down one by one during the course of an arc or a story.
899* TakeYourChildToWorkDayPlot: An episode revolving around a parent taking their child to work. Hijinks usually ensue.
900* ThereCanBeOnlyOne: A group of characters have to kill each other until only one remains.
901* ToBeAMaster: The protagonist's main goal is to [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} be the very best, like no one ever was]].
902* VampireDetectiveSeries: Vampires who fight crime.
903* ViciousCycle: Bad events occur regularly.
904* VictoriousLoser: The protagonist loses everything around him/her, but the protagonist's spirit isn't broken and achieves his/her goal.
905* VictoryIsBoring: Achieving one's goal has the downside of no longer having the fun of trying to achieve it.
906* VillainousLegacy: The villain has inspired evil long after they passed away.
907* WalkingTheEarth: A character travels the earth, never returning home.
908* WarArc: A StoryArc that concerns two or more large-scale factions (city-sized at least) in conflict with one another.
909* WaterSourceTampering: Villains tamper with the water supply.
910* WhiteMansBurden: A well-to-do white character selflessly works to help an unfortunate person of color.
911* WithholdingTheCure: Someone prevents the cure for a disease from getting to the sick people for selfish reasons.
912* WrongTurnAtAlbuquerque: A single wrong turn lands the traveler in a place far from their original goal.
913* WunzaPlot: A plot with two characters who are very different and team up to accomplish a goal.
914* YouAreTheNewTrend: A character's distinctive look or mannerisms becomes the model for the latest hot trend.
915* YoungestChildWins: The youngest sibling has the best luck in life.
916* YouthIsWastedOnTheDumb: Children and teenagers can be pretty stupid.
917* ZombieApocalypse: The world ends via being overrun by the undead.

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