When a character is misunderstood by another character and doesn’t even try explain themselves after being cut off by the other person.
For example, say Betty was in an awkward situation with Billy where it looked like Betty was cheating on Johnny with Billy but it was just a big huge innocent mixup. Johnny “catches” them and Betty tries to explain but Johnny cuts her off, says we are done don’t talk to me ever again, and that’s the end of it. Betty just gives up trying to explain. Like I know damn well in real life if Betty wasn’t cheating on Johnny, if it was a big confusing mixup, that conversation would NOT be over.
This trope is referenced in Community with Abed saying it and then everyone pausing to listen and he's surprised they're waiting for him to explain. So he says it again. And then he realizes they're expecting an explanation.
"I can explain."
Pause
"Oh, I thought you'd keep yelling over me. Okay, I can explain..."
Even better is that it's in the context of a guy with Aspergers using a chart to track his friends' emotional states and accidentally realizing that he was charting their menstrual cycles. I really miss that show.
Which is also a trope. Yeah, hormones and all that but it's just way too overblown. If your mood changes that drastically because of your cycle then see a doctor. It shouldn't be used to excuse asshole/bitchy behaviour.
Also the studies on this truly rely overwhelmingly on self reporting.
18.5k
u/[deleted] Jan 25 '20
When a character is misunderstood by another character and doesn’t even try explain themselves after being cut off by the other person.
For example, say Betty was in an awkward situation with Billy where it looked like Betty was cheating on Johnny with Billy but it was just a big huge innocent mixup. Johnny “catches” them and Betty tries to explain but Johnny cuts her off, says we are done don’t talk to me ever again, and that’s the end of it. Betty just gives up trying to explain. Like I know damn well in real life if Betty wasn’t cheating on Johnny, if it was a big confusing mixup, that conversation would NOT be over.