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?
Found family. More specifically an adult taking in a child who’s never had anything good happen to them and finally treating them as a person, giving the child all the love and care they always deserved.
I don’t care if it’s played out, infantilizing, cliché or unrealistic. It makes me feel warm and nice and I like it, dammit.
Also yes I did recently read Les Misérables, how did you know?