The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at You Know, That Thing Where.
NESBoy
Since: Jan, 2001
7th Mar, 2011 01:35:13 AM
There is an article about the hero's reaction known as ""You!" Exclamation", but the actual subject of your question, concerning the identity of the villain, sounds more like "Commercial Break Cliffhanger".
Is this already a trope? The culprit or villian of the week is about to be revealed, the camera switches to the astonished faces of the heroes, who gasp in astonishment. They all say: "It's YOU!" or even just "You!" After the ad-break, the villian is revealed to be someone completely unexpected. Basically, everyone in the scene knows the identity of the Man of Mystery, but the AUDIENCE doesn't know. Usually because the shot has the villian standing with their back to the camera, or it's just their shadow, or their face is hidden etc etc. I'm sure I've seen this in every Saturday morning cartoon ever, but I can't find it.