Quotes / Third-Act Misunderstanding

Ensure you have reliable cellphone coverage to avoid a hilariously mistimed lost call leading to misunderstandings and a breakup that will take weeks to repair. Strangely, the thought of being better off without a woman who hysterically dumps you over a single phone call will not occur to you.

Should your visiting sister be desperately grief-stricken because her husband has been crushed under an alligator and all five of her quintuplet children have cancer, the closest you are allowed to come while consoling her is shouting advice from across the room. Any closer and your girlfriend will witness and somehow completely misread the situation.

— Luke McKinney explains the Genre Savvy way to deal with this trope, "The 5 Stages of a Successful Relationship (in a Romantic Comedy"

The Protagonist: Why do we have to fight right now? Like from a storytelling perspective?
I've never missed
Being one protagonist
You gave me so much character growth
Which is what the writers wished
Deuteragonist: I feel the same
Since the day I learned your name
I arced so hard 'cuz you changed my heart
And I...
Well, you get the gist...
Protagonist: I sure do buddy.
Both: But apparently more conflict
Is what this scene's demanding
And alas we're at our
Third Act Misunderstanding
But why?!
Three seconds ago we were fine
And now I gotta argue with you
So we can separate for one scene
But then we're gonna rendezvous
To move the plot forward on cue
Why say nope to a trope
That is so tried and true?
With you (with you)
With you (with you)
Protagonist: I'll see you in the next scene...

—Third Act Misunderstanding