(no subject)

[katallison]

Just found via MetaFilter:

TV Tropes and Idioms. A very nice collection of stock plot devices, characters, narrative tropes, that recur in television (and, not coincidentally, in fanfiction as well).

"RedemptionInTheRain: A standard shot, usually done from above via a crane, that shows the character being gloriously and joyously rained on, obviously symbolic of a baptism and a new life/rebirth. Most noticeable in "The Shawshank Redemption", this trope has been aggressively adopted by TV and these days you can almost count on some character going through a life-changing event if it's overcast and a low pressure system is moving in.."

"Meanwhile Back At The: Refers to extremely bewildering cuts between different storylines, especially when they have nothing to do with each other, stepping on each other's tones. Relies on the context switching capabilities of hardy viewers of hour-long ensemble shows like The Love Boat: girl in wheelchair's first love on board ship, followed by Florence Henderson in a pink wig and then Barbi Benton's breasts."

Comments

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

It's coming along nicely, for something that was only started two days ago.

[theodosia.livejournal.com]

You do know these were put together by the Buffistas?

[katallison.livejournal.com]

Hah! I did not know this, but the prevalence of BtVS examples (to say nothing of the HoYay! entry) should've tipped me off. *g*

[ineke.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that the epitome of the Redemption In the Rain trope was Breakfast at Tiffany's... it was unashamed! It was gloriously, utterly cliched, and yet-- you know, it still did it for me. I cried continuously from the moment she lost the cat until the Moment of Redemption. And through most of the credits, too, actually. And it was good. Guilty pleasure, perhaps, but good.