Moving this previously commented out example here.
Padding: While plot wise, the Labyrinth was a giant detour that had nothing to do with the main quest, it lead to some very important moments of character development for the team, and the fight over the well was the catalyst for them finally starting to put aside their differences and become the True Companions they would eventually be.
Anything with character development is not Padding. This might be salvagable as some other trope example though.
Moving this previously commented out example here.
Anything with character development is not Padding. This might be salvagable as some other trope example though.