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Example?
We can never truly eradicate the coronavirus, but we can suppress its threat like influenza
One example I can think of is in the comics, Thanos's motive for extinguishing half the universe is to "woo" Lady Death.
Also, in a more low-key example in Teen Titans, Robin as Red X steals things in order to win over Slade and learn more about him
Don't know if there's anything villain specific, but we do have tropes that fit the general motivation, such as "Well Done, Son" Guy, Slave to PR and "Well Done, Dad!" Guy.
Current Project: The Team
Thanos one seems to be Grand Romantic Gesture, villainous version.
Robin one... sounds close to If You're So Evil, Eat This Kitten!, but I'm not sure.
We can never truly eradicate the coronavirus, but we can suppress its threat like influenza
I think this is Love Makes You Evil. The Thanos one definitely is.
Edited by DracMonster
What's it called when a villain does villainous things in the hopes of pleasing or winning over someone?