Annoying Plot Conventions, Devices, Contrivances: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:26, 13 July 2006

Plot Devices that Make You Roll Your Eyes

a woman character is raped or is in danger of being raped -- the eternal rapability of female characters

"convenient" circumstances prevent a female character from going through with her decision to have an abortion (cf. Robin in V, whose alien hybrid fetus's invasive vascularisation made it impossible to remove without killing her; spontaneous miscarriages and so forth) -- therefore rendering women's reproductive choices inconsequent when that oh-so-controversial subject is broached

using female characters to voice misogynistic and/or patriarchal ideas because it would be "too obvious" to use male characters -- victim-blaming, in short

using evolutionary biology or the selfish gene theory as the primary reason a male and female character are drawn together sexually (Darwin's Radio by Bear), or why a female character cannot possibly resist the man's man that will make the best sire of her children (Lucifer's Hammer by Niven)

innocent and universally loveable female characters that do not develop a sex drive or sex appeal until they turn evil (Doppleganger Willow from earlier in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fred from Angel) - correlated with the amount of cleavage/leg shown.

alien women of ANY species will inevitably be irresistably attracted to the only mid-30s male on a particular starship (Star Trek, I'm looking at YOU) - even if it causes an interstellar incident
- related: females of alien species always have extremely large breasts, located in the exact same location as those of human females (i.e. they look exactly like human women except for a charming set of pointy ears, forhead ridges or swirly haircut that serves only to make them more exotic to the male characters)

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 * using evolutionary biology or the selfish gene theory as the primary reason a male and female character are drawn together sexually (''Darwin's Radio'' by Bear), or why a female character cannot possibly resist the man's man that will make the best sire of her children (''Lucifer's Hammer'' by Niven)
-* perky secretaries that are more competent than any of the male authority figures but who are happy to remain assistants, though it's the year 2500 and in space...
+* the competent female needs rescuing by the man
 * innocent and universally loveable female characters that do not develop a sex drive or sex appeal until they turn evil (Doppleganger Willow from earlier in [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]], Fred from [[Angel]]) - correlated with the amount of cleavage/leg shown.