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Thread: Favorite/least favorite plot device?

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    Senior Member dewyloony123's Avatar
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    Default Favorite/least favorite plot device?

    It seems we've been into talking about our favorite characters and most hated characters lately. In keeping with the zeitgeist, then, what are your favorite/least favorite plot devices, especially the ones that seem generally disliked/liked?

    For me, I've always had a soft spot for "hero stumbles into amazing experience/manual and becomes amazing." Yes, it looks like they're way too lucky and don't have to do any work, but luck comes to the prepared, right?

    On the other hand, I've always disliked the plot device of "being stupid" (e.g. Romeo not getting the letter from Juliet and deciding that means he should chug rat-poison). In the world of wuxia, the example that comes to mind would be Ah Zhu's death. That was stupid.

    EDIT: These plot devices can come from the novels or the adaptations--want to include everybody here, including those who haven't read the novels or translations
    Last edited by dewyloony123; 01-03-08 at 07:23 PM.
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    Moderator Ren Wo Xing's Avatar
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    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
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    A plot device I really hate is when a pair of female and male have to dress in their birthday suits in order to cure each other of a poison or study a martial arts technique (YG and XLN part was okay) but I'm talking about stuff when the pair does not mutually like each other and then because of it they most times feel obligated to develop a relationship.

    I don't understand how curing a poison or injury needs you to do that. It's so ridiculously stupid.

    An example of this is Treasure Raiders, where Xiao 11 Lang and 4 Niang had to sleep together? in order for him to cure her of a poison.

    Another is Vigilante Vagabond with Chen Long and Sonjia Kwok - same circumstance with Chen Long having to sleep with Sonjia Kwok's character. Thus impregnating her. Blah!
    Last edited by Suet Seung; 01-03-08 at 07:59 PM.
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    Senior Member dewyloony123's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Suet Seung View Post
    A plot device I really hate is when a pair of female and male have to dress in their birthday suits
    Yeah, I'd forgotten about those. Those are REALLY dumb!
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    Senior Member Ren Ying Ying's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Suet Seung View Post
    A plot device I really hate is when a pair of female and male have to dress in their birthday suits in order to cure each other of a poison or study a martial arts technique (YG and XLN part was okay) but I'm talking about stuff when the pair does not mutually like each other and then because of it they most times feel obligated to develop a relationship.

    I don't understand how curing a poison or injury needs you to do that. It's so ridiculously stupid.

    An example of this is Treasure Raiders, where Xiao 11 Lang and 4 Niang had to sleep together? in order for him to cure her of a poison.

    Another is Vigilante Vagabond with Chen Long and Sonjia Kwok - same circumstance with Chen Long having to sleep with Sonjia Kwok's character. Thus impregnating her. Blah!
    *nods*!

    seems like gu long has a soft spot for those though...where sex seems to be the cure of all poisons

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    Senior Member Guo Xiang's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ren Ying Ying View Post
    *nods*!

    seems like gu long has a soft spot for those though...where sex seems to be the cure of all poisons
    Most of his main characters seem to be sex gods anyway.

    I don't like the birthday suit plot device either, save for certain plot circumstances. It sounds more suitable for a romance/porn novel, not wuxia novel.
    Last edited by Guo Xiang; 01-04-08 at 04:55 AM.
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    Senior Member Ren Ying Ying's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Guo Xiang View Post
    Most of his main characters seem to be sex gods anyway.

    I don't like the birthday suit plot device either, save for certain plot circumstances. It sounds more suitable for a romance/porn novel, not wuxia novel.
    why, xx had much experience with those novels?

    though, i tend to be a sucker for the "romeo & juliet" plots tough...as overused the plot is.

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    Senior Member Guo Xiang's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ren Ying Ying View Post
    why, xx had much experience with those novels?
    Naah, it's the impression.
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    Senior Member sarakoth's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Guo Xiang View Post
    Naah, it's the impression.
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