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PlasmaPower Since: Jan, 2015
#26: Oct 28th 2019 at 10:08:45 PM

The Nintendo Direct page has Wham Episode entries I’m not too sure fit:

  • Wham Episode: Pretty much the definition of many episodes for one reason or another, with them being listed on the "Moment of Awesome" page over here. But the two biggest ones, filled to the brim with wham moment after wham moment, are:
    • The "Wii U Direct of January 2013". Considered the first big Direct, this was Nintendo's attempt at restoring faith in the Wii U, which had a disappointing launch a few months prior. The presentation announced the return of Virtual Console, new information about The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta 2, confirmation on the development of what would become Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8, and the reveals of what would become Yoshi's Woolly World, Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE, and Xenoblade Chronicles X, in addition to a HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
    • "Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014". Bookended with brand-new Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U news and character reveals, this Direct saw the announcement of amiibo, the return of Yoshi's Woolly World, Bayonetta 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles X with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Maker, and brand-new IP Splatoon. Oh, and a hint that a new Star Fox game was in development. All this interspersed with various Robot Chicken skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments

There don’t seem like Wham Episodes since there aren’t status quo changes at all. They’ve always been announcing games and all that fun stuff. Although maybe you guys interpret it differently.

Edited by PlasmaPower on Oct 28th 2019 at 2:12:49 PM

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WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#27: Oct 28th 2019 at 10:13:31 PM

[up] I agree, those are shoehorns.

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#28: Oct 29th 2019 at 3:03:06 PM

Just removed all the SpongeBob whams. Most of them are just "funny twist ending," and the only one I found worth keeping was the reveal in "Friend or Foe" that Mr. Krabs and Plankton used to be best friends (and this is brought up in other episodes like "The Other Patty").

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#29: Oct 30th 2019 at 12:58:58 PM

[up] Honestly, SpongeBob is so inconsequential and full of Negative Continuity that I don't see any point in listing examples of Wham Episodes, including "Friend or Foe". Maybe Wham Line and Wham Shot for individual episodes (i.e. NOT series-wide)...

Note that GainaxEnding.SpongeBob SquarePants is an existing page.

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WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#30: Oct 30th 2019 at 1:00:40 PM

[up] You're right; Whams necessarily effect the work's overarching plot— so there needs to be an overarching plot.

Anyway, I'll cut the Dad example for now and make a Shocking Moments example out of it instead, as it's too murky right now to decide if it does fit and I want to play it safe.

Edited by WarJay77 on Oct 30th 2019 at 4:01:28 AM

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#31: Dec 23rd 2019 at 11:19:47 PM

I'm 90% sure the following Wham Shot examples from Recap.Steven Universe Future S 1 E 7 Snow Day are all misuse (spoilers):

  • Wham Shot: Many small ones in rapid succession, but then again, it's because we haven't seen them in a LONG time!
    • First:
      Steven: HA!! Joke's on you! Pearl doesn't shapeshift!
      Pearl: [begins to glow, shapeshifts into Steven] The power of Steven Tag compels me!
    • Second, after avoiding the shape-shifted Crystal Gem trio, Steven jumps out of the side window of his house, hiding behind a snowbank:
      Steven: "*sigh* They can't hold those forms forever. I'll just wait until—" *WHANG* [The snow is violently knocked away, and a familiar-looking flail hangs over Steven's head, which pans up to a shape-shifted Sugilite standing on the lighthouse hill.]
    • Third, After avoiding Sugilite, Steven sees a shape-shifted Sardonyx holding onto a tree, throwing boulder-sized snowballs at him.
    • Fourth, Opal, shape-shifted as well, lands on the roof of the house, with Garnet in her bow!
    • Finally, after avoiding all of the previous fusions, Steven feels the quaking of giant footsteps, and looks back to see Alexandrite, who is shape-shifted as well!

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Primis Since: Nov, 2010
#32: Dec 24th 2019 at 7:05:55 PM

Paging ~CASC Hero

I removed this from WesternAnimation.The Forge because every single episode cannot be a Wham Episode:

  • Wham Episode:
    • Ep 1: When TOM confronts one of the intruders on the ship, he sees it's a bot that looks just like him. He's knocked out before he can get any answers and the Clydes are destroyed in trying to save him.
    • Ep 2: The ringleader turns out to be an alien (whom TOM dubs "Booger") wearing a suit who reveals that the Vindication is actually a warship that his kind had lost years ago and all the units on the station are droids created under his service. With the ship now back under his control, he plans to set out and conquer the universe. SARA manages to break TOM free and the first droid they comes across, SARA "frees" of his restrictive programming. He then begs TOM to help free the others which TOM reluctantly agrees to.
    • Ep 3: TOM and the unit they liberated manage to convince the the other workers to rebel and help them. But SARA finds out the warp core to the Vindication is compromised. What's more when the group reach the ship, they find themselves caught in an ambush by the aliens, lead by "Booger". Oh yeah and TOM loses another arm.
    • Ep 4: The biggest wham of the TIE so far. TOM and the others are caught in a ambush, with some not making it out alive. Realizing that there is no other way he can save them, TOM makes a Heroic Sacrifice, attacking the aliens to give the others enough time to board the Vindication and for Yellow TOM (who TOM dubs "TOM Jr.") to clone himself. They manage to board successfully but TOM is shot and killed by "Booger".
    • Ep 5: "Booger" commands the alien force to go after the Vindication, retrieve it, and kill the yellow TOM units. TOM Jr. commands the others to work on the compromised hyperdrive. Meanwhile, SARA manages to to backup TOM 5’s memories and transport them into a new body, dubbed T.O.M 6.0. TOM obsesses over his new arms for a while before they then form a plan to blow up the drop ships going after the Vindication, giving TOM Jr. and the other bots enough time to escape. But did we mention TOM has new arms?
    • Ep 6: Naturally the biggest one of the bunch. TOM engages Booger in a one-on-one, despite some difficulty he manages to win. The TOMS units manage to get the hyperdrive online and zip away. SARA prevents the other aliens from following and destroy their ships while they eject Booger off the Forge via an escape pod. While the duo win the day, they have no way to contact the Vindication meaning they won't see TOM Jr., Georgia and the TOM units for a long while and no one around their sector to come to their rescue. So for the time being they're stuck there. But hey least they have a space station under their command now.

They later readded a slightly reworked version:

  • Wham Episode
    • Ep 4: TOM and the others are caught in a ambush, with some not making it out alive. Realizing that there is no other way he can save them, TOM makes a Heroic Sacrifice, attacking the aliens to give the others enough time to board the Vindication and for Yellow TOM (who TOM dubs "TOM Jr.") to clone himself. They manage to board successfully but TOM is shot and killed by "Booger".
    • Ep 5: Sara manages to back up TOM's memories and fixes him up a new body. Bringing into introduction TOM 6.
    • Ep 6: TOM and Sara beat Booger and prevent his soldiers from going after the Vindication. But have to stay behind on The Forge to do so. Since they don't know if any ships will be in their area, they're stuck there for the time being.

These still aren't Wham Episodes, though.

A Wham Episode is supposed to be something that drastically alters the status quo of the series. TOM dies and / or loses his ship all the time in these events. This is the second time TOM has died, fifth if you count the times he just swapped bodies, and also the fourth time he's had to change ships.

The fact that the first bullet is "TOM died" and the second bullet is "TOM un-died" should highlight how meaningless it is.

WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#33: Dec 24th 2019 at 7:08:56 PM

Just a reminder that a lot of the Wham-Moments misuse can now be moved to Shocking Moments.

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CASCHero Since: Nov, 2015
#34: Dec 24th 2019 at 11:38:52 PM

Paging ~Primis

I have to disagree, yes that happens in the other Toonami Immersion Events, but they don't always happen (For reference The Intruder, The Intruder II, The Intruder III and The Forge are where major events happen. Lockdown, Trapped In Hyperspace, and Countdown are more just run of the mill adventures). I get the feeling you kinda blended them in together to not think of them as such anymore, Primis. Plus Toonami TIEs are more mini-series which rarely come out and what happens in their stories should still count toward WHAMs when they happen. I will concede not all of them are Whams and I did try to keep it down to the episodes where they do happen but it feels like were just arguing schematics at this rate. Also to put more context into Ep 5, TOM gets a new body. This does not happen very often in the series on screen. In fact the only other time it happened was in the original Intruder event after the blob alien "ate" him. Every other time, he just upgrades without fanfare off screen. Apparently you had to read online only material to figure out why he does. So I feel that is a very big deal.

Now if you want me to count The Forge as an "episode" then yeah I can.

Edited by CASCHero on Dec 25th 2019 at 9:03:50 AM

Primis Since: Nov, 2010
#35: Dec 29th 2019 at 12:07:08 PM

~CASC Hero — Sorry for taking so long to respond to this.

Plus Toonami TIEs are more mini-series which rarely come out and what happens in their stories should still count toward WHAMs when they happen.

Being prone to Sequel Gaps does not automatically make something a Wham Episode.

Also to put more context into Ep 5, TOM gets a new body. This does not happen very often in the series on screen. In fact the only other time it happened was in the original Intruder event after the blob alien "ate" him. Every other time, he just upgrades without fanfare off screen. Apparently you had to read online only material to figure out why he does. So I feel that is a very big deal.

Why does that distinction matter? TOM getting a new body is not a shocking thing anymore, sometimes they show how it happened, sometimes they don't.

2 -> 3 was shown in a webcomic, 4 was retconned to be a separate robot, so the only one they haven't shown the details of was 3 -> 5.

I'll say it again: A Wham Episode is supposed to be something that drastically alters the status quo of the series, not just "a surprising thing happened" (those belong on ShockingMoments.Toonami, as WarJay said).

How has the status quo been altered? TOM and SARA are still the hosts, and Toonami is still broadcasting from a ship in space.

The thing you need to realize is that Toonami doesn't have a lot of capability for WHAM Episodes. At the end of the day, all it is is a Framing Device for the Ad Bumpers of a programming block. That's it. It's impressive that they got any characterization out of the concept at all.

The only genuine WHAM moments I can think of, would be the introduction of TOM 1, since it completely altered Toonami's visual style, and the first Intruder event, specifically TOM 1's death, since it established the Toonami universe as an actual narrative world.

Edited by Primis on Dec 29th 2019 at 1:12:41 PM

CASCHero Since: Nov, 2015
#36: Dec 29th 2019 at 5:51:32 PM

~ Primis

Oy, okay I'll give you the similarities. But...

  • "The thing you need to realize is that Toonami doesn't have a lot of capability for WHAM Episodes. At the end of the day, all it is is a Framing Device for the Ad Bumpers of a programming block. That's it. It's impressive that they got any characterization out of the concept at all."

...With all due respect, that's bologna. It's still a story at the end of the day regardless, just because it's aired before the shows doesn't matter, the creators still took the time to make and tell it, with people cobbling them together to get the bigger picture. Near many fans of the block are always interested when they do these mini-series and claiming them as incidental is ludicrous even if they rarely come up and things go back to the characters just broadcasting. Thing still change up in spite of that and have been doing so since they started the TIEs which was in 2000, near twenty years (not counting it's cancellation). So that is not an argument, otherwise I wouldn't even bother making and editing the pages for the mini-series for them if they were just simply "Fancy Ad Bumpers" and defeats the whole purpose of giving tropes for it. If that's the case, why are you even arguing about if it has WHAMs if it's that small to you? You clearly know some of the lore around why TOM has his bodies and the previous mini-series and wouldn't be bringing this up for it.

That said, counter point, how is them losing the Clydes, the Vindication and not seeing Georgia again not a change to the status quo? The ship was the main hub for the block for three years (One on the desert planet before Intruder III, two out in space). Yes they're broadcasting from a new venue which doesn't change much, but there's no guarantee they'll see the ship again. SARA even said herself she broke off the tracking signal so they couldn't be followed, so even they don't know where the ship is going and what it's fate will be. Plus the Clydes were crew members that we saw week in and out and were in Countdown, the TIE before this (and were even a threat to TOM in that via the future he was sent into) and they were never repaired by the end of the TIE. So from an overall perspective in the context of the Toonami universe, that is a major change up, not just for them but the viewers. What's more, we don't even know what the TOMs they freed plan to even do with the ship or Georgia who again was pretty much a member until she inadvertently left with the TO Ms (and don't say "Oh she was a minor rarely seen character". No, the special had them clearly state they had to do something with her before they got sidelined, so it's a plot point), that's still up in the air until addressed and they haven't said in any way they'll use the Forge to make more bots to help them, so it's not a instant fix like changing bodies.

Again, for the sake of agreeing to disagreeing, I am willing to compromise and just see the overall special as one "episode" of the overall Toonami storyline to address the change for the WHAM example for the page. I still say TOM getting a new body is a change up regardless, but since it's considered a quick fix, willing to forgo it and just list my reasons above for the example to the trope.

Edited by CASCHero on Dec 29th 2019 at 9:37:12 AM

Primis Since: Nov, 2010
#37: Dec 30th 2019 at 11:38:08 AM

...With all due respect, that's bologna. It's still a story at the end of the day regardless, just because it's aired before the shows doesn't matter, the creators still took the time to make and tell it, with people cobbling them together to get the bigger picture. Near many fans of the block are always interested when they do these mini-series and claiming them as incidental is ludicrous even if they rarely come up and things go back to the characters just broadcasting. Thing still change up in spite of that and have been doing so since they started the TIEs which was in 2000, near twenty years (not counting it's cancellation). So that is not an argument, otherwise I wouldn't even bother making and editing the pages for the mini-series for them if they were just simply "Fancy Ad Bumpers" and defeats the whole purpose of giving tropes for it.

You are completely missing my point. I'm not saying Toonami doesn't have a story, I'm saying it doesn't shake up its status quo very often, if ever.

Toonami does not have many recurring characters or settings, everyone that isn't TOM or SARA shows up once and never again (barring the Intruder, who still only showed up twice). TOM and SARA will always be the hosts, and they will always be broadcasting from some ship. That is the status quo of Toonami, and it will never change, it can't change, because "plot" is not the focus of the Toonami branding.

If that's the case, why are you even arguing about if it has WHAMs if it's that small to you?

So, you're saying we should just let bad examples stay on pages for works that we don't care about?

That said, counter point, how is them losing the Clydes, the Vindication and not seeing Georgia again not a change to the status quo? The ship was the main hub for the block for three years (One on the desert planet before Intruder III, two out in space).

Because they immediately got a new ship right after that. A ship that can build anything. They will make new Clydes, they always make new Clydes.

Yes they're broadcasting from a new venue which doesn't change much, but there's no guarantee they'll see the ship again. SARA even said herself she broke off the tracking signal so they couldn't be followed, so even they don't know where the ship is going and what it's fate will be.

So? They never see the old ship again, ever.

Plus the Clydes were crew members that we saw week in and out and were in Countdown, the TIE before this (and were even a threat to TOM in that via the future he was sent into) and they were never repaired by the end of the TIE. So from an overall perspective in the context of the Toonami universe, that is a major change up, not just for them but the viewers.

The Clydes barely count as characters, and again, they will make more.

What's more, we don't even know what the TOMs they freed plan to even do with the ship

And we probably never will. Because Toonami does not care as much about its worldbuilding as you seem to think it does. The Intruder II is the only time they've revisited past plot points, and that was pure fanservice.

or Georgia who again was pretty much a member until she inadvertently left with the TOMs (and don't say "Oh she was a minor rarely seen character". No, the special had them clearly state they had to do something with her before they got sidelined, so it's a plot point),

A plot point... that went nowhere, and never will.

that's still up in the air until addressed and they haven't said in any way they'll use the Forge to make more bots to help them, so it's not a instant fix like changing bodies.

If you think the writers put TOM and SARA on a ship capable of building anything and are not going to have them use it, you're wrong (Of course, with Toonami's shoestring budget, it might be a while).

Edited by Primis on Dec 30th 2019 at 12:38:29 PM

WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#38: Dec 30th 2019 at 11:47:17 AM

I agree with Primis here, if the status quo is changed, that means the story dramatically changes from there. If the change doesn't stick, it may as well have never happened at all.

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WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#39: Jan 4th 2020 at 5:56:27 PM

So there's a line on TearJerker.Finding Dory that calls baby Dory asking her parents "What if I forget you?" a Wham Line, which I'm not sure fits. It happens too early in the film to really change the status quo or shock the audience in any way.

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Brainulator9 Short-Term Projects herald from US Since: Aug, 2018 Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
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#40: Jan 4th 2020 at 6:50:18 PM

[up] Cut.

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mightymewtron Angry babby from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
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#41: Jul 10th 2020 at 2:00:28 PM

Can we get a checkup on WhamEpisode.Bojack Horseman? It's a heavily continuity-driven show, but listing every episode in the season as a Wham Episode feels super forced, especially because some of the examples say the episode is also a Breather Episode, which should really disqualify it from being Wham.

And not as much a priority, but to help with my cleanup effort, WhamEpisode.The Nostalgia Critic could use an overview. It's a series that only brings in continuity every so often, and episodes that don't really change the status quo or affect any ongoing plot threads shouldn't be included.

Edited by mightymewtron on Jul 10th 2020 at 5:01:43 AM

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WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#42: Jul 10th 2020 at 2:01:51 PM

IMO, Wham Episode should have super high standards. If every episode "counts" none of them count. We should limit it to the ones that stand out from the norm.

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#43: Jul 10th 2020 at 2:03:55 PM

For what it's worth, Bojack absolutely has Wham Episodes, most famously "The Telescope" and the penultimate spot of each season. Just that some of these episodes do not fit those high standards.

I'll do a review since I'm a huge fan. Maybe will review the Nostalgia Critic examples too, but I haven't seen every episode so I'm unsure about that.

Edited by mightymewtron on Jul 10th 2020 at 5:04:17 AM

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WarJay77 Big Catch, Sparkle Edition (Troper Knight)
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#44: Jul 10th 2020 at 2:06:24 PM

Oh, I'm sure it does. It's just that when "most" episodes can fit the bill, the bar is raised.

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#45: Jul 10th 2020 at 2:33:25 PM

Here's a review of the Bojack Wham Episode page, as well as Wham Line just to save some time. (There's only one Wham Shot example and it's valid.) To save people from spoilers and clogging the post, I'll just list the episode titles for Wham Episode, but I'll copy/paste the Wham Line examples as they are. Most of them are valid anyway, though a few I would say are overshadowed by other wham lines (or a wham shot) in the same scene.

The major problem with this page is mistaking every episode that progresses the plot or that has a sad moment as a wham episode, which is absolutely ridiculous to do in a continuity-based series. This seems to have been more common in seasons one and two, possibly because the tone shift was still a surprise to many people so every serious episode felt like a whammy.

    Wham Episode 
  • "Zoes and Zeldas:" This marks the first instance of BoJack's crappy behavior being played for drama rather than comedy. Keep.
  • "Live Fast, Diane Nguyen:" While it's the first time we really get to see Diane's point of view, and thus offers a new perspective on her character, I think it's just a character development episode rather than a particularly heavy episode. Cut.
  • "Our A-Story is a D-Story:" It does change the status quo in that the name of the location is changed for almost the entire series, and it does provide the first real dramatic look at BoJack's relationship with Diane. It might stay, but it's not on the level as other episodes.
  • "Say Anything:" First big perspective shift is probably notable in changing the tone of the show, and it is a really sad episode, but not sure if it's Wham-worthy. Also the Overly Long Gag pothole needs to go regardless.
  • "The Telescope:" Definitely keep. It's got the Signature Scene of the show and solidified the show's reputation for realistic bittersweet drama. This should be the standard for other BoJack Wham Eps.
  • "Horse Majeure:" While it is a Wedding Episode it's pretty lowkey compared to other episodes.
  • "One Trick Pony:" The ending of the episode is kind of Wham, at least in that it's a big plot point, but the rest of the episode up to that point is pretty casual.
  • "Downer Ending:" Absolutely keep.
  • "Brand New Couch:" The beginning and ending of the episode hit hard but I'm uncertain if the entire episode does.
  • "Yesterdayland:" It's literally stated to be a Breather Episode in the entry so no.
  • "Still Broken:" Other than killing off a character famous for appearing in an actual Wham Episode, this episode kind of gets shrugged off in the fandom.
  • "After the Party:" Again, it can't be a Breather Episode and a Wham Episode.
  • "Chickens:" A major point of worldbuilding is introduced, but as an episode it's pretty meh. Most fans consider this a really forgettable episode outside of the Let's Meet the Meat point.
  • "Higher Love:" Again, it's stated as a Breather Episode. Cut.
  • "Hank After Dark:" It is pretty infamous as a Very Special Episode but I don't know how much of a Wham Episode it is. It's a big turn for Diane's character, but for the greater story arc I'm not sure.
  • "Let's Find Out:" Ehh. The latter half of the episode is pretty hard-hitting but for BoJack standards I don't really see it as wham.
  • "The Shot:" This might be a contender. It sends the plot in a new direction while also giving some sad development on BoJack but most of the episode is pretty standard in terms of tone. However I think the Wham Line example covers its impact better.
  • "Yes And:" Honestly this could fit. The moments with Wanda are pretty hard-hitting and the ending leads into a legitimate wham episode.
  • "Escape From LA:" Absolutely keep. However, the example could be rewritten to get rid of some Word Cruft.
  • "That's Too Much Man!:" Definite keeper.
  • "The Old Sugarman Place:" Yes, it's both a plot point episode and a big reveal on backstory.
  • "Ruthie:" Definite hard hitter both for the plot and emotionally.
  • "Time's Arrow:" Huge backstory reveal and plot reveal. Keep.
  • "BoJack the Feminist:" Yes, for the ending reveal.
  • "INT. SUB:" Maybe? It's also a Bizarro Episode but it also provides some real conflict for the plot.
  • "Head in the Clouds:" Yes, absolutely.
  • "The Showstopper:" Yes, absolutely.
  • "A Quick One While He's Away:" Yes, for the new perspective and the shocking ending.
  • "Xerox of a Xerox:" Yes, huge plot twist and reveals.
  • "The Horny Unicorn:" I'm going to say yes if only for the reveal of a major relationship being shattered.
  • "Angela:" Yes, changes the status quo.
  • "The View from Halfway Down:" Yes, massive stakes, hard-hitting episode, cited as one of the most hard-hitting episodes of the show.
  • "Nice While It Lasted:" It's a series finale but it does hit pretty hard at points. But compared to the previous episode, I'm unsure.

There are some I'm pondering being on this list that aren't like "The Dog Days Are Over" and "Free Churro" but since those are more character studies than plot-driving forces I would say they probably don't fit here.

    Wham Line 
  • Throughout the first season, BoJack tries to get in contact with a friend of his from back in his Horsin' Around days — Herb Kazazz, who he discovers through Sarah Lynn is dying of rectal cancer. Finally, in "Say Anything", he finally receives a phone call from Herb.
    BoJack: Holy shit. Herb! How the hell are you, buddy?
    Herb: Ruin any lives lately? I got your message, asshole. You got something to say to me, you come out to Malibu and say it to my face. I'll be alive tomorrow. After that, who knows? Keep, it's the first we hear from such an important character and carries a ton of weight.
  • In "The Telescope", BoJack finally works up the courage to apologise to Herb, at which point Herb outright rejects BoJack's apology, leading into his crushing "The Reason You Suck" Speech, and one of the first genuinely serious and heartbreaking moments on the show.
    BoJack: I'm sorry.
    Herb: Okay. I don't forgive you. Keep. This is a famous moment for how much of a shock it is, and how it establishes the bittersweet subversive nature of the show.
  • When BoJack finally receives a copy of his memoirs, penned by Diane: "One Trick Pony"
    • At the end of the same episode:
      BoJack: ...Maybe you're right.
      Diane: Really?
      BoJack: No. You're fired. Probably?
  • In "Downer Ending," BoJack wakes up in his bedroom after passing out for two days from a drug bender to find Diane sitting next to him. The two make amends and BoJack agrees to let Diane publish her book about him, and she kisses him passionately. Then Diane's eye explodes before she transforms into an Eldritch Abomination.
    BoJack: Oh shit, I'm still tripping. Probably"
  • In the same episode, BoJack settles down with Charlotte in Maine and spends the rest of his life happily married and raising a daughter. Then it turns out it was all just an indulgent dream. Even if you see the reveal coming, the delivery of the line is heartbreaking as BoJack is once again forced to confront reality.
    BoJack: What are you thinking about?
    Charlotte: Oh, just how nice things could have been if you had chosen this life.
    (Cue BoJack waking up in a parking lot to the sound of his cell phone ringing.) Definitely keep.
  • At the end of "The Shot":
    Turtletaub: Turns out you two knuckleheads snuck out last night and got that shot I told you not to get for the scene that's not in the movie any more. Silly me, I didn't like that. So I fired her ass. I'd say yeah, it's a big painful moment that ruins another relationship for BoJack.
  • Near the end of "Out to Sea", Princess Carolyn again mentions Jill Pill's desire to speak to BoJack about the play she's putting together.
    BoJack: Jill Pill?
    Carolyn: Ring any bells? Apparently she worked on your TV show.
    BoJack: Horsin' Around?
    Carolyn: No actually. The other TV show.
    BoJack: Other TV show...? Oh, shit! Jill... Probably? It hints at a whole new side of BoJack we never knew about.
  • The ending of "That's Too Much, Man!":
    BoJack: Right, Sarah Lynn? Sarah Lynn? ...Sarah Lynn? Yeah, that hits hard.
  • And just to drive it in even further, at the beginning of the season three finale, "That Went Well," via a newscast:
    Tom Jumbo-Grumbo: Again, for those just joining us, actress and pop star Sarah Lynn is dead at 31. I suppose, though the previous episode made it clear enough that this isn't as Wham in comparison.
  • In season 4, given her condition throughout the season, Beatrice's line at the end of "lovin' that cali lifestyle!":
    Beatrice: BoJack? Yep, a season's worth of buildup for this line.
  • Beatrice's mother in The Old Sugarman Place, providing an explanation for why Beatrice is the way she is today.
    Honey: Love does things to a person. Terrible things. Beatrice, promise me you'll never love anyone as much as I loved Crackerjack. It provides the Freudian Excuse but I'm unsure if it's really a hard-hitting line.
    • Preceding this was Joseph's setup.
      Joseph: What's broken in the heart can never be repaired, but the brain, well, we have all sorts of science for the brain. She's a brand-new woman now, and she'd like to meet you very much. I think if anything, Honey's lobotomy is more of a Wham Shot since it doesn't become clear what Joseph meant by this until we see it.
  • And the Season 4 finale provides a positive one.
    Hollyhock: I told you from the beginning that I have eight dads... but I've never had a brother.
  • There's also Diane's acceptance that her marriage might be beyond repair.
    Diane: Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter. Back to normal, right? You know, sometimes I feel like our marriage is like a magic eye poster. It's messy. And at first glance, it doesn't seem to make any sense. And it's hard to figure out. But sometimes, if you squint at it just right, everything lines up, and it's the most perfect, beautiful, amazing thing... *begins to cry* But I'm so tired of squinting... Yes, this is the line that makes things clear that things have to change for this couple.
  • In "Planned Obsolescence," Pickles and Mr. Peanutbutter are on a "non-date" and saying all the things they would never say on a regular date. The last thing Mr. Peanutbutter says before an awkward hush falls over them: "I still have feelings for Diane..." Keep.
  • In "INT. SUB," when Diane writes a Philbert script last-minute and BoJack has to read it in real time. He gradually recognizes the situation as oddly reminiscent of the incident with Penny, with two verbatim lines taken from his confession. The last line of the scene:
BoJack: I'll never forget that night on the...U.S.S. New Mexico. I'd say keep. That's when it becomes clear to BoJack she knows something.
  • Jameson spends much of "A Horse Walks into a Rehab" griping about her father and how he clearly prioritizes the "new baby" over her. Then BoJack gets to talk to Jameson's father, who is genuinely worried about her, and drops a detail that recontextualizes everything and makes BoJack go wide-eyed:
Jameson's dad: I thought she would change after she had her baby, but... I added this example. I think it counts as it totally recontexualizes the episode and informs BoJack's actions in the end of the episode.

Edited by mightymewtron on Jul 10th 2020 at 5:36:34 AM

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
HighCrate Since: Mar, 2015
#46: Aug 17th 2020 at 8:09:45 AM

[up] Crossposting that I've responded to the above at the BJH cleanup thread.

ccorb from A very hot place Since: May, 2020 Relationship Status: It's not my fault I'm not popular!
#47: Aug 17th 2020 at 8:52:00 AM

Can there be a Wham Episode in an Alternate History timeline? It would be like a real life Wham Episode, but on the other hand, maybe the audience would be wondering what if X happened in our timeline? Our lives would be different.

Rock'n'roll never dies!
mightymewtron Angry babby from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Angry babby
#48: Aug 17th 2020 at 9:08:25 AM

I think if the episode reveals something jarring and major about the characters that's consistent with the main timeline as well, or if the existence of the alternate timeline also suggests a major status quo change in the plot.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#49: Aug 23rd 2020 at 3:54:20 AM

Is this clean-up thread still only for ZCEs? Were the definition and scope issues with the Wham trope descriptions ever cleaned up?

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
PurpleEyedGuma Since: Apr, 2020
#50: Sep 2nd 2020 at 3:01:59 PM

HOOOOLD on a minute, lassies. Per the Spoiler Policy, quotes aren’t supposed to have spoiler tags. “Either the spoiler tag isn’t necessary, or the quote itself isn’t.” So all the tags on the Wham Line page shouldn’t be there.


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