rdfs:comment
| - In most fictional universes (and Real Life), things tend to function in a particular, expected way, and perform that function consistently. Phasers have settings, guns will go off when the trigger is pulled (and sometimes when it isn't), healing potions will heal, and cars will ignite as they fly through the air. But sometimes the plot calls for an item to operate in ways that weren't previously established. This effect is unexpected, or even inconsistent with its previous known functions. But it'll get you through to the next plot point, and that's all that counts.
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abstract
| - In most fictional universes (and Real Life), things tend to function in a particular, expected way, and perform that function consistently. Phasers have settings, guns will go off when the trigger is pulled (and sometimes when it isn't), healing potions will heal, and cars will ignite as they fly through the air. But sometimes the plot calls for an item to operate in ways that weren't previously established. This effect is unexpected, or even inconsistent with its previous known functions. But it'll get you through to the next plot point, and that's all that counts. When a writer attempts to explain the sudden change of behavior, he/she will frequently invoke Phlebotinum Breakdown, or Retcon the function into the item's repertoire. The way to tell, frequently, is watching to see whether this new old function appears again. If the change of function is not merely a handy means to an end, you may instead have Chekhov's Gun--particularly if the characters notice or should have noticed. My Car Hates Me is a vehicle-specific subtrope, as Context Sensitive Button is for control panels. Another classic subtrope is Magic Countdown for time bombs and other critical events that goes faster or slower depending on how much tension is needed. The superhero version is New Powers as the Plot Demands. Not to be confused with Magic Tool and Green Rocks, both of which are known from the outset to have multiple and possibly unknown functions or the Green Lantern Ring which explicitly can do just about anything if you know how to use it. This is about a specific "normal" item acting strangely, not all-purpose phlebotinum like Star Trek's "reverse shield polarity" and "deflector pulse" or Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver. Examples of Plot-Sensitive Items include:
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