23. [OOMFH] TV Tropes: My favorite tropes list
trope: a conceptual figure of speech --> a storytelling shorthand for concepts that audiences can instantly understand (?)
The website, TV tropes (https://tvtropes.org/) is a website "that collects and documents descriptions and examples of plot conventions and devices, which it refers to as tropes, within many creative works." (According to Wikipedia)
Apparently, the word "trope" has taken on a broader definition throughout the years to the point where it could mean "anything to anyone". The definition of the word, "trope" has changed over the years (for many words this is a very common thing, a natural part of the way language evolves). Even if you haven't browsed through the website, you probably have heard some of its lexicon when you're discussing TV or movies with friends.
This is basically a website that catalogues genre fiction. Many people do not really like the fact that it kind of "categorizes" and "simplifies" concepts in film or TV to the point that it's just a little scribbled on notecard in a filing cabinet. Although, I feel like TV Tropes has its place. Writers do draw upon collective understanding of cliches, having a comprehensive resource that puts a name to those cliches is useful. The real failure I feel is when a person begins to believe that tropes are bad and subversion is good without further analysis. Many works of art are created as direct responses to other works of art with an express intent to interrogate the ideas of whatever they are responding to, usually through forms of subversion.
I once had a fit over categorizing everything on my post about Millennial and Gen Z generations... but I would never diss cataloguing. I love cataloguing things, it's great when everything is systematic and organized like that. TV Tropes a buffet of information and perspectives. That show, film, video game, musical, etc. that you've long been a fan of? TV Tropes is likely to provide many moments that you never thought about before.
Here's a list of my favorite TV Tropes that either make me laugh or what I think is really cool or relatable:
Celibate Hero There needs to be more emphasis on aromantic heroes just being themselves and doing their own thang.. man.... come on...
Deadpan Snarker Most of my friends are this trope honestly
Empathic Environment If done right...
Fire and Ice Love Triangle My favorite examples include: Fruits Basket (Yuki and Kyo and Tohru) and Miraculous (Ladybug and Chat Noir love square)
Fractured Fairytale I love a Shrek or a version of that movie haha
Interplay of Sex and Violence Watchmen (2009) and the Watchmen series (2019) are my favorites
Lighter and Softer When the tone shifts and the family friendly version of something is made, it cracks me up.
Obviously Evil This is sooo funny. Whenever I watch a movie with my dad and there's an obviously evil character, he likes to point out: "Oh wow, they turned on the villain music for this guy. He's for sure evil." with his words dripping with sarcasm.
Only Sane Man Heheheheh
Recursive Reality Dream within a dream within a dream within a dream...?
"The Reason You Suck" Speech I really like this take on this trope
Science Hero I absolutely love seeing a heroic character using science for the good of others. So refreshing.
Silly Rabbit, Cynicism Is for Losers! Honestly, being extremely cynical is not always better.
Got this idea because I recently watched a YouTube vid- Turning TV Tropes Into Characters by The Drawfee Show. Love these people. They're so skilled. The way they comment on their drawings and do little bits and fixes to their design is really lovely to see.
~ your favorite movie-goer,
<3 K