When the protagonist’s plot fails at the last minute, but just when it seems that all hope is lost, it turns out that the failure of this plot was all part of the PLOTTIER PLOT OF SECONDARY CHARACTER, who knew all along that they couldn’t succeed unless Protagonist’s plan failed, or that this failure would open up an opportunity for an even greater success that they’d been cleverly working towards the entire time.
Often seen in heists and thrillers, but a surprising number of fantasy novels too, and even romances. I’m such a sucker for the secret mastermind reveal.
What about you, what’s your favorite trope?
by papercranium
1 Comment
The whole “We’ve got our backs to the wall… The odds of survival are so low that Vegas would sign the deed to the entire town over to the winner of that bet….. What’s this? The main character just pulled a magic solution out of their ass! We’re saved!!!!”
Basically everything Skippy does in the ExForce books. I just roll my eyes and grin.