Least Favorite Over-Used TV Show Plot

[Jester]

I've been marathoning TV series recently, and now am on the Star Trek: TNG episode Most Toys, where an alien collector takes Data captive as a part of his collection...which reminds me of an episode from both TMNT series, Futurama (which ironically is also the Star Trek episode.), ect. Heck...it has a TV Tropes (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheCollector) page.

I HATE COLLECTOR EPISODES!!!


Any type of TV episode that make you cringe? Clip shows? "The Prom"? "Juggling 2 different things/identities at the same time"?

[PAAATE]

Any trope can be well-made if you try. Can't think of anyone I hate right now... Well, clip shows of course, as long as it isn't a Community-clip show :P For anyone who didn't see that one, they had the regular flashbacks, except that everything in the flashbacks was all new material

[Sage Ninja]

someone loses their memory and ends up either being brain washed to be a bad guy, or falls in love or some how becomes romantically involved with someone other than their assigned love interest; somtimes a random person other times said love interst's sworn mortal enemy...

brain swapping. Somehow by some means a character ends up in the body of another person

evil clone/twin...

someone dies but isn't really dead (all evidence shows said person is dead even with a body) but this person shows up alive and well at some point.

[AT-Man]

someone loses their memory and ends up either being brain washed to be a bad guy, or falls in love or some how becomes romantically involved with someone other than their assigned love interest; somtimes a random person other times said love interst's sworn mortal enemy...

brain swapping. Somehow by some means a character ends up in the body of another person

evil clone/twin...

someone dies but isn't really dead (all evidence shows said person is dead even with a body) but this person shows up alive and well at some point.


You go girl! These sh**s are done to death. NO MORE AMNESIA/PERSONALITY SWITCH/LOOKALIKE EPISODES, PLEASE!

About someone apparently dying; I was really happy that 4Kids didn't kill Leatherhead. I was constantly fearing that he was gonna die when he appeared in an episode, and it seem like it in the end of the first episode he was in. I hate that "there's nothing for me anymore, I might as well sacrifice myself" thing, if it's a cool character like Leatherhead.

[Guitar_Raph]

someone loses their memory and ends up either being brain washed to be a bad guy, or falls in love or some how becomes romantically involved with someone other than their assigned love interest; somtimes a random person other times said love interst's sworn mortal enemy...

Most of any Sid & Marty Krofft series had an amnesia episode.

HR PUFNSTUF: Jimmy (Jack Wild) loses his memory. but at the end, it was Witchiepoo!
LIDSVILLE: Hoo Doo (Charles Nelson Reilly) turns from evil to good when he got conked in the head. If he had been that brain dead, he'd go out on a date with Brett Somers (Match Game joke).

[Raph's Girl]

Here you go folks. A couple months ago Doug Walker (the Nostalgia Critic) discussed this very topic in a vlog. This is his top 10 worst cliches.

http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/specials/30502-dougs-top-10-worst-cliches

One over-used plot that I actually kinda like as it CAN be good if used correctly is the Groundhog Day plot (repeating the same day/event over and over and trying to figure out WTF is going on). Some shows (IE: Stargate, TNG, and Xena) have used it quite good. Others, not so much.

[Spitfire]

The plot where the character is an expert but he has crazy theories and despite him always being right his peers fight him on it. Then in the end it turns out his crazy theory was correct and everyone apologizes only to make the same mistake again next episode.

That's actually a formula that I've seen used for entire TV series. House does and I suffered through some episodes of Lie To Me and that did it too. Normal TV sucks.

[ToTheNines]

....Clip show episodes....

*cringe*

[oldmanwinters]

I HATE COLLECTOR EPISODES!!!


Huh, are they really that overused? I guess I don't watch enough TV!

[Jester]

Huh, are they really that overused? I guess I don't watch enough TV!
I didn't think so, until I thought back to it after watching that episode of TNG. If it hadn't been for that episode, I wouldn't have noticed either. Just the fact that a well respected sci-fi show like Star Trek would do the "collector episode" made me a little sad.

[gobo]

Thank goodness TMNT didn't do a collector ep multiple times. ^_^

[RAM BAM]

Recycling is good, but not when it's clip shows.

[Jester]

Thank goodness TMNT didn't do a collector ep multiple times. ^_^
Not reading initial posts I see. :D

[ToTheNines]

I actually like both TMNT "collector" episodes lol.

[Jelly Bean]

the love/hate relationship. It's getting old and it's sooo shallow.

Also the plot where two people love each other but can't be together because it'll put a bulls eye on the person's forehead. Or they want to play the feild some more ect.

[gobo]

**** happens.

[RAM BAM]

Also reunion shows.

[Iroh]

Going back in time in order to make filler episodes instead of going forward with the story ticks me off. Naruto, Bleach, TMNT, etc. has been doing it since I can remember.:ohwell:

[jaymq]

flashback episodes. meh

[PAAATE]

Oh, I saw one yesterday that I absolutely hate, and there's no excuse for ever using it.

You know, when one of the main characters used to have a mentor, that we as an audience finds out about in just this episode where this mentor just happens to get killed. And then we're somehow supposed to relate to that characters sorrow. Which is kinda impossible, since WE never knew the killed mentor.

Thank God for Joss Whedon and other creators who have the guts to kill main characters. Now that's sorrow I can relate to as a viewer.

[gobo]

**** happens.
Yeah, really. Every show I've seen lately used this plot. It's getting tiresome. :roll:

[Sage Ninja]

tv cliches involving "death" that I hate; especially those involving main characters. Now before I get started I don't have any issue with the killing of main characters or death in general, infact I give props to writers who have the balls to off a main character--so long as they do in a such a way that is respectful to the character and the audiance.

1) A character is killed off. And lets say the character is an average guy/girl with quirks and personality flaws but is still a reletively nice character. But because this character dies now they're a saint! Suddely they are the best thing that ever lived and has almost God like status from the other characters, even though when this character was alive these same characters thought this character was a little annoying or even jerk at times. Resulting in the episodes that follow the death of this character to be a season long eulogy of with all the bad stuff left out.

Ok I know this actually happens in real life, someone dies and everyone act like they were the second coming of Jesus. But there are times when in scripted form it's gets pretty heavy handed and annoying.

2) No good reason for the death of a character other than maybe shock value. This is when a character dies for no reason other than to make veiwers go "OMG" :teek: but it has no pay off and in the end you are left wondering why it was done because it add anything to the story. This is so for the death of a character that comes out of the blue and there was no build up or thought put into it.

[Jester]

One death related one that bugs me is the one used in episodes that are considered great by fans of both series, but the "oh, it's an alternate reality, so we can kill all out main characters" trope bugs me a tad over used. I know TMNT and Gargoyles did it (it was also an alternate distopic future.)

[PAAATE]

2) No good reason for the death of a character other than maybe shock value. This is when a character dies for no reason other than to make veiwers go "OMG" :teek: but it has no pay off and in the end you are left wondering why it was done because it add anything to the story. This is so for the death of a character that comes out of the blue and there was no build up or thought put into it.

A character can die out of the blue, and it can still be meaningful ;)

[rufus]

Main character having a baby.

[AleXviD]

Main character sharing his deepest secret with the love of his life but in the end of the day she completely forgets it. Smallville did this kind of crap almost every third week.

[ilovebeingaturtle]

is it just me or does all zombie movies and shows, not make since? now lets think for a moment that if there was a possibility that zombies could in fact roam the earth. how is it that they would take it over? i mean we have been through countless wars were the enemy had long range, short range weapons, yet all the zombies have is speed(if its 28 days later) and or biting, so we can beat enemy's with weapons and a brain but not slow moving zombies? and why is it in any movie, show, they never take the right course of action. so what if it last 1 min i dont care but at least that one minute would be awesome zombie ass kicking! by the way if your wondering where this is coming from, im watching the walking dead. and it pissed me off when they passed up on military weapons and vehicles.

[Dirty Blond]

Mistaken identity.

[Sage Ninja]

ughhhhh! :x I just had come across one that just pissed me off! Ironically it is another one involving death. Killing off a character just to avoid putting two lovers together! This pisses me off to no end. I've been watching this series that had two charactrers that are "in love" but do to circumstances in the plot they couldn't be together. The creator ran the gamut on reasons why these two could not be together, while still tantalizing the fan base with how good the love is between these two characters, (you one of those "I love you, but can't be with you" type of scenarios). Well finally the creator went and did the stupidest thing by killing off the famale lead!

There was no need for that and it was only done to avoid the complication of actually putting these two together, while giving the fan base what they want in a round about way of having the male lead openly expressing his love (which is what the fan base wanted) for the female lead through mourning and grief over her death. Not only does it disrespect the the fan base I feel it disrespects the character that she could be killed off so easily, and it was only done to maintain the status quo. What makes it even more annoying is that the male lead is supposed to be one of those ultra unattainable guys that can't be in a relationaship with anyone ( keeping with the status quo), however, as soon as the female lead was killed off he starts having romantic tension for another female character. WTF? If the one of characteristics of the maind character is that he won't be with anyone why have one die to avoid this then turn around and have him do the one thing (have relationship with one) when it's been established he couldn't do that.

I think these types of scenarios are a load of croc. Having a greiving lover doesn't necessarily make the love between said lovers more deep or profound and often times can come off as a real cop out. Especially when it is done just avoid having them actually together. I would rather see two lovers actually together expressing their love than have one of them die while the other is left to feel miserable over it.

[SherlockJr]

Brain swapping. I can't think of a time I've ever seen it done well?

[ToTheNines]

Brain swapping. I can't think of a time I've ever seen it done well?

Justice League Unlimited did. "The Great Brain Robbery" was genius.

[AleXviD]

Brain swapping. I can't think of a time I've ever seen it done well?
Justice League Unlimited did. "The Great Brain Robbery" was genius.
- Aren't you going to wash your hands?
- No. 'Cuz I'm evil.
Priceless!

[NameGoesHere1066]

this isn't as common as it used to be but it does still happen, but I always get annoyed how the black guy/girl or the "minority" is always the first one to get nocked off in horror or thriller movie.

Or when the black person or minority is shown to be kind of stupid or ignorant in some way, you really hyping up that "urban" cultural stereotype. Or is for some reason an asshole.

I was watching Ally Mcbeal and the character Ling Woo (Lucy Liu) is this sexualized villian-esch bitch, and pure, innocent, blond, white girl Ally is the "good girl." :roll: How come white female characters always seem so much more "good" and "virginal" than their ethnic female counter-parts? I notice often times the ethnic females are always these sexualized "bad girls" that always seem to serve as a foil for the ever perfect (usually blond and blue eyed) white girl.

[Jelly Bean]

**** happens.

umm...huh? :-? Was that aimed at me? :blanksta:

[shuriken]

this isn't as common as it used to be but it does still happen, but I always get annoyed how the black guy/girl or the "minority" is always the first one to get nocked off in horror or thriller movie.

Or when the black person or minority is shown to be kind of stupid or ignorant in some way, you really hyping up that "urban" cultural stereotype. Or is for some reason an asshole.

I was watching Ally Mcbeal and the character Ling Woo (Lucy Liu) is this sexualized villian-esch bitch, and pure, innocent, blond, white girl Ally is the "good girl." :roll: How come white female characters always seem so much more "good" and "virginal" than their ethnic female counter-parts? I notice often times the ethnic females are always these sexualized "bad girls" that always seem to serve as a foil for the ever perfect (usually blond and blue eyed) white girl.
Yeah that did happen a lot didn't it? But the fact is that I guess America as a whole is so accustomed to seeing that and is comfortable with that. Although I really don't see as much T.V. as I used to. I hate clip shows about someone that has died/moved away/changed/missing. The only clip show i enjoyed was the Simpsons one.

[Redeemer]

Going back in time in order to make filler episodes instead of going forward with the story ticks me off. Naruto, Bleach, TMNT, etc. has been doing it since I can remember.:ohwell:

Amen I havent watched Naruto in awhile bc of **** like that

[Jelly Bean]

I have one I just encountered, when some one has amnesia and for some reason just because they lose their memory they become dumb. Like the act of not knowing why they are makes them stupid that they can't firgure out the difference between a dog or cat and something stupid like that. Or having amnesia completely changes their personality for some reason. This typically happens to passive people that suddenly become scarey and aggressive.

[Moonlight1102]

The beach episode. Just, the beach episode. This one is a case for anime (99.999999999999999999% of anime to be exact). There is literally no point other than FANSERVICE and annoying boob jokes. Yes we get it already, Natsumi is "hot" (notice I put quotations) in a bikini. Guess what folks? SHE'S 13.

Speaking of Natsumi, I want to point out something that brings the "bikini craze" in anime up to eleven. I recently watched an episode of the anime "Sgt. Frog" (Episode 175). It was basically a "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" episode with all the frogs shrunk down to the size of an ant. The episode then goes full creepy when the shrunken frogs are in the inflatable pool and all of sudden Natsumi and her friend strip down to their bikinis and proceed to get into the inflatable pool. We are then (unfortunately) treated to shots of the frogs getting squashed by the girls (including Giroro, the red frog, getting crushed under the ass of Natsumi). What the [frick] Japan?! Is there no limit to your creepiness? What I saw in that one episode was enough to make me sick. I haven't an anime since then because of that.

[CyberCubed]

I'll say an overused one now is lesbian storylines just for the sake of lesbian storylines.

I've seen too many shows just randomly turn a character into a lesbian, (who was straight all the time before), for no reason other than to boost ratings to see girls kiss.

We're not in the 90's anymore, seeing two women kiss on TV isn't shocking. I've become so desensitized to it that its basically the same as seeing a heterosexual kiss on TV now.

[Jelly Bean]

and yet you hardly ever see gay male stories in television, and if you do they aren't going at each other, but two lesbians and you can rest assured they are going to see several situations with them going at it. It's a messed up double standard.

A perfect example of this is Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer who was awkward and shy but obviously heterosexual throughout the series have a crush on Xander and then that dude Seth Green played and then BAM! Suddenly she is gay. I say that her relationship with that other witch girl was handled much better than other "girl suddenly turned lesbian story", since at least they showed development between them, but still.