So this is a place for people who are interested in helping out, or getting help with, wick checks. Maybe you just want people to double-check your work before you submit it to the TRS, or maybe you have a big project in mind and can't tackle it on your own. Either way, you've come to the right place!
Remember to check out How to Do a Wick Check for a run down. For the list of current and completed projects, see Wick Check Project.
Edited by Berrenta on Oct 2nd 2025 at 9:41:48 AM
Alright, I have a question.
Recently, there has been some concern in TRS about how, if at all, it is possible to check for complaining in threads.
Since the trope I am planning to take next, Extreme Sport Excuse Plot, has mainly that as an issue, I included the following section on my wick check:
Methodology for determining complaining: Due to concerns in recent TRS threads about how one would check for complaining, this section has been added to this wick check.
Complaining examples, at least in my mind, are when the examples uses language that bashes, criticizes, snarks, and mocks in an entry, or simply is there to criticize the work in question. Consider the following hypothetical examples:
- Correct: Alice and Bob's X-Treme Sports-A-Rama was poorly-received amongst the general public for having this type of plot, with the extreme sports being seen as taking precedence over other aspects of the plot.
- Incorrect: Alice and Bob's X-Treme Sports-A-Rama was a terrible movie because of this, with the extreme sports being liberally used instead of, you know, plot development.
The former describes the audience's reaction as neutrally as it can. The latter simply mocks the work in question, agreeing with the audience's reaction and whining about it. If examples in any way resemble the latter, they can probably go under "Complaining." If they look more like the former, they can go under "correct."
Is it necessary? Should it be included?
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper WallI finished Dueling Works Wick Check. Let me know if there's anything I got wrong.
Hi, I'm new here. I need help with making 10-15 more wicks from off-page. I have about 40 wicks from one-page. Mine got clocked for three days. So I'll appreciate it for your help. I'll add some files.
Edited by Bubblepig on Aug 27th 2021 at 7:52:20 AM
"CHICKEN JOCKEY!"
I think what you need is for all 50 wicks to be off-page. On-page wicks can help, but it's off-page wicks that TRS wants.
Ok I'll change my edit from 10-15, to about 50. I add files already. I'll tried to add some later. Update: You can now go to our sandbox and add some wicks from off-page in Looks Like This Wick Check Is Enjoying It.
Edited by Bubblepig on Aug 27th 2021 at 8:00:54 AM
"CHICKEN JOCKEY!"
Alright, I'll try to help a bit when I have some time. Keep in mind that I may have real life stuff today, so I cannot be as helpful as I normally am.
It's okay. Others will help me too. I already put two wicks and I'll add more. Also I'll be back hours later when I'm not busy.
I need company for my wick check page because I'm not sure if I got it right. Thanks.
"CHICKEN JOCKEY!"
You need at least 50, first off. Second, you might want to add notes in bold, explaining why the examples are misuse/fit other tropes better/etc.
I'll add 50 of them firsts. But the notes is a hard task. I'm not good at putting notes of why.
You don't always need notes- sometimes the placement is pretty self-explanatory. You just need notes for things that need more explanation.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper WallQuestion: do you think A Load Of Bull needs a wick check? I saw it being constantly misused for the definition that is covered by Brutish Bulls, and I believe it's better off sent into TRS for renaming due to the fact that the name "A Load Of Bull" is vague and makes it easy to attract misuse.
"Ever since the day I was born, I've never once uttered a lie! I'm a virtuous weakling! As pitiful as I am, nobody shows me any sympathy!"Mentioning Brutish Bulls earlier on, for why Load has usually violent minotaurs, would help?
Anvilicious Wick Check... How do things change now that Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped is a redirect to Anvilicious?
Edited by Malady on Aug 28th 2021 at 8:42:03 AM
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
I'm assuming that check is already finished (no edits on it since February), and I'd imagine nobody would want to do another one just because of a new redirect. I think it's fine the way it is.
Since I never got an answer, I reiterate: I've finished the Dueling Works Wick Check and I would really like to know if it provides enough evidence for a potential TRS thread.
I also finished up the Flanderization Wick Check a while back, too.
Alright, I think it's time this be done.
I am going to add the Hindsight tropes to the "tropes needing wick checks" section. The Hindsight tropes are misuse magnets that, due to the massive and unbelievable levels of misuse, have spawned one of the most toxic cleanup threads we have. I think it's time we finally drag the tropes to TRS to decide upon their fate. It's gonna be a big job, but one I am willing to take.
My question is, should I combine all of the wick checks into one page? I can't think of another way to bring these tropes over.
Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Aug 28th 2021 at 9:07:49 AM
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper WallAt the very least combine the big three. Heartwarming in Hindsight barely gets touched.
I'll take a look at your stuff in a second, Knapp.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
I think I will do that.
For the record, Hilarious in Hindsight needs 130 wicks checked, Harsher in Hindsight needs 100, "Funny Aneurysm" Moment needs 65, and Heartwarming in Hindsight needs 50.
It's a big job, but I'm willing to be the one at least to kick it off.
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper WallYeah, it's a job we can tackle as a community for sure.
Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
I've added them to the "tropes needing wick checks" section. Depending on my schedule, sometime in the near future I will start the wick check. I'm thinking I'll go from lowest wick count needed to highest wick count needed given that the four will be combined into one check. How does that sound?
So how are you sorting misuse here? Because the Hindsight tropes are so vague and so subjective that something an entire fandom has reported on can be cut as misuse because a few people don't think it's a strong connection, and vice versa too. What would we consider "correct usage" here?
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.![]()
I honestly don't know. If no one knows what correct use is, though, that's still cause for TRS right?
I guess... but it also means finding a solution is difficult, and we'd probably repeat the Were Still Relevant Dammit thread. (My only idea is to include citations — albeit not as restrictive as Unfortunate Implications, but just anybody offsite making such a connection.)
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.

I will start Loads And Loads Of Characters Wick Check at some point, based on a recent Trope Talk discussion. 84 wicks need checking. Just letting this thread know.
Edited by themayorofsimpleton on Aug 19th 2021 at 11:42:31 AM
Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall