Line #21 PlayingWith/HostageForMacGuffin


1	'''Basic Trope''': The villain has captured one of the good guys, and demands that the other heroes give him the MacGuffin in exchange for their friend.
2	* '''Straight''': Alice is captured by the BigBad, but the BigBad tells Bob that he is willing to let her go if Bob just gives him the MacGuffin.
3	* '''Exaggerated''': The BigBad has captured all the heroes except Bob, and is willing to let them go if Bob gives him the multiple {{plot coupon}}s.
4	* '''Downplayed''': Alice is stuck in a neutral area in a war. The BigBad is willing to let the hero's side reclaim the area without a fight if he just hands over the MacGuffin.
5	* '''Justified''': TheHero is too good hearted to be bribed or blackmailed, but he would do anything to protect his friends.
6	* '''Inverted''':
7	** The BigBad has obtained the MacGuffin, but is willing to give it to the heroes in exchange for Alice.
8	** Bob calls the BigBad before the latter can call him and he threatens to activate the MacGuffin if the BigBad doesn't hands over Alice.
9	* '''Subverted''':
10	** The BigBad is about to capture Alice so he can get Bob to give him the MacGuffin in exchange for her safety, but Alice manages to get away...
11	** The "hostage" is [[BruceWayneHeldHostage Captain Awesome's]] SecretIdentity.
12	** Bob ''tries'' to give the BigBad the MacGuffin to save Alice, but it turns out that the ClingyMacGuffin has other ideas. It simply reappears in Bob's hand, takes over his body and prevents him from handing it over, etc.
13	* '''Double Subverted''': ... So he captures Carol who just conveniently showed up instead.
14	* '''Parodied''': The BigBad has Alice. Every single meeting after the capturing has the BigBad saying something along the lines of "you know, I might be willing to let a few things go if you hand over the MacGuffin" Each time.
15	* '''Zig Zagged''':
16	** The deal is struck, and the hostage exchange goes forward. But it turns out that "Alice" was just a IdenticalStranger, and the BigBad leaves cackling-until it turns out the Macguffin Bob offers [[FakinMacGuffin is also a fake.]] Both parties leave feeling rather foolish.
17	* '''Averted''':
18	** The BigBad captures Alice [[LuredIntoATrap as bait]] because he knows Bob won't give up the MacGuffin that easily.
19	** Bob brings [[FriendlySniper Charlie and Daniel]] to the meeting to ShootTheHostageTaker as it is the only way to assure her safety.
20	* '''Enforced''': ???
21	* '''Lampshaded''': "Let me guess, I have to give you the item if I want her back safely, right?"
22	** "You have my Macguffin, I have your girl. Let's talk ''business.''"
23	* '''Invoked''': Bob and the BigBad are both trying to find the MacGuffin, so the villain captures Alice and keeps her hostage so he will have a back-up plan just in case Bob happens to find the MacGuffin first.
24	* '''Exploited''': Alice is a DamselOutOfDistress and bob is a master con artist. Bob takes the chance to make a fake Macguffin while Alice waits for the right moment to strike. Eventually, [[OutGambitted Bob escapes with both macguffin and Alice in tow]].
25	* '''Defied''':
26	** Realising what the BigBad is about to do, Alice breaks free on her own before the BigBad can make his demands for the MacGuffin.
27	** Bob, refusing to give the BigBad the MacGuffin, tries to rescue Alice instead.
28	** Alternately, Bob refuses to give the BigBad the MacGuffin, while being well aware that this will lead to [[ShootTheDog Alice's death.]]
29	** Bob activates the MacGuffin before going to get Alice. The BigBad CantStopTheSignal, and what he has left is revenge... except that Bob's RoaringRampageOfRescue denies him that instead.
30	** Bob destroys the MacGuffin the first chance he gets. If it's destroyed, Alice won't be a kidnapping target, right?
31	** Bob hands over the MacGuffin to the authorities the first chance he gets -- authorities that the BigBad has no control over (as it's been amply shown). If the BigBad wants it, he can risk charging into police headquarters and getting the wrong end of a CopKillerManhunt on top of everything else he's dealing with.
32	** The BigBad refuses to deal with the myriad ways a HostageSituation can go wrong and decides it's better to just steal the damn thing from Bob.
33	** Bob tells the BigBad that he can kill Alice for all he cares, he will never obtain the MacGuffin, and hangs up.
34	* '''Discussed''':
35	-->'''Alice''': So Bob, If I was captured by the enemy... and they offered my life for the Macguffin... what would you do?
36	-->'''Bob''': [[BrutalHonesty I'd keep it, and tell them to go screw themselves.]]
37	-->'''Alice''': ''Excuse me?!!''
38	* '''Conversed''': ???
39	* PlayedForLaughs: [[TheFool Bob]] doesn't understands how these kind of situations work at all and he needs to have it explained to him, repeatedly, like a kindergarten student.
40	* '''Played For Drama''': The Macguffin is the only thing stopping the BigBad from taking over the world...but Alice is Bob's TrueLove, and he's not powerful enough to rescue her directly. Furthermore, even if he does hand over the trinket,[[YouSaidYouWouldLetThemGo it's highly likely that Alice will be kept hostage anyway,]] as "extra insurance." Even if the conclusions drawn are clear, Bob agonises [[ShootTheDog over the decision to keep the macguffin and leaved his loved one for dead.]]
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42	Back to HostageForMacGuffin
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44	%% Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:
45	%%
46	%%* '''Implied''': ???
47	%%* '''Deconstructed''': ???
48	%%* '''Reconstructed''': ???
49	%%* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': ???
50	%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???

Context PlayingWith / HostageForMacGuffin