![]() ![]() ![]() So what should you use instead of "Subverting Expectations" to set up big twists? I like to call it "Theme breaking". ![]() ![]() There'll always be people that won't like your work, there'll always be sub-groups of that who dislike it because it isn't what they wanted/expected from Sci-Fi/Fantasy/whatever. Others, naturally, had different expectations. See something like the Star Wars sequels - I didn't have my expectations subverted because from the first trailers I expected them not to fully roll with the "Kylo is just like Vader" theme. That's mostly because it's entirely subjective - expectations are something unique to each member of your audience, maybe groups of them but unless you're writing for 3 people that doesn't say anything. "Subverting expectations" is an almost useless metric to evaluate plot as well as use as aim. Imo it's not about "subverting expectations" but rather "breaking themes". Sure, it's technically possible but it would be a terrible use of subversion and ruin a perfectly good character moment. Not saying this ending in Return of the Jedi would be better but it would add a whole other dimension to Luke's character, as well as Vader's, and it would be subversive.Īn example of using subversion for the sake of it in this scene would be for a TIE fighter to come crashing in through the window, landing on the emperor, instantly killing him and crushing Vader as well as Luke jumps away to safety. If you point to evidence in the story that supports Luke's decision at that moment (realises his father can't be saved, gives into anger - feeding into a theme of no one is perfect yet can still resist "falling" to the dark side, kills the two most evil people in the galaxy for the greater good, etc) and you can justify the subversion's existence beyond simply being subversive for the sake of it. A subversion would be that Luke, partly giving in to his anger and partly realising that his father isn't redeemable in that moment (emphasis on that moment because it's not until Darth Vader sees that the emperor is about to kill his son does he redeem himself) and Luke decides to kill Vader and then marches over and kills the emperor - that would be a subversion of the common hero trope. The emperor then comes down and tells Luke to finish the job. That's not to say it needs to be predictable, but it at least needs to be logical.įor example, if LucasFilm decided to redo the original trilogy (god I hope they don't but bare with me) and retold the scene in Return of the Jedi where Luke cuts off Darth Vader's hand and has him pinned on the ground in submission. Do it because it's a natural progression of the story and the characters. The moment you betray character motivations and natural story progression for the sake of doing unexpected things, is the moment the reader will feel betrayed, and it will be painstakingly obvious you're subverting for the sake of subverting.įollow this simple rule and you'll be fine:ĭon't subvert for the sake of subverting. It makes sense that the heroes would try and seek out Thanos after the snap, it makes sense that Thanos would retire on a farm after he completes his goal, and it makes utter sense for him to destroy the stones once his goal was complete as he sees no use for them and has fulfilled his purpose. Thanos dying in the first 20 minutes of the movie is unexpected and subversive, but it feels like a natural progression of the characters and story. Subversion should be unexpected, but should also make sense not only from a logical standpoint, but also feel like a product of the natural progression of the story. Even though subversion by definition is about turning things on their head and doing the unexpected, whenever you subvert expectations, it needs to make sense from a logic and story standpoint, and make sense for the characters and their journey. ![]()
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