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** Subverted in that Benedick briefly waits for Beatrice to wake up after he dresses, and hesitates at the door before he goes, implying that he's at least open to the possibility of staying. Justified in that Beatrice is pretending to be asleep--''she's'' the one who doesn't want him to stay.
to:
** Subverted Played with in that Benedick it's ''Beatrice'' who doesn't want him to stay, pretending to be asleep so he'll leave. Benedick, for his part, briefly waits for Beatrice her to wake up after he dresses, dresses and hesitates at the door before he goes, implying that he's at least open to the possibility of staying. Justified in that Beatrice is pretending to be asleep--''she's'' the one who doesn't want him to stay.staying.
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** Subverted in that Benedick briefly waits for Beatrice to wake up after he dresses, and hesitates at the door before he goes, implying that he's at least open to the possibility of staying. Justified in that Beatrice is pretending to be asleep--''she's'' the one who doesn't want him to stay.
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Deleted line(s) 11 (click to see context) :
* DreamTeam: The cast is clearly something of a real life example for Joss Whedon. Almost all of the principal cast are stars from other productions of his.
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Armor Piercing Slap is no longer a trope
Deleted line(s) 7 (click to see context) :
* ArmorPiercingSlap: Benedick delivers one to Claudio, challenging him to a duel to defend Hero's honor.
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''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Riki Lindhome, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
to:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Riki Lindhome, Creator/FranKranz, Creator/RikiLindhome, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
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Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/Riki Lindhome, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
to:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/Riki Riki Lindhome, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
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Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
to:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/Riki Lindhome, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
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Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Alexis Denisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
to:
''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Alexis Denisof, Creator/AlexisDenisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
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* ActorAllusion: Many long-term Whedon fans are {{squee}}ing over the opportunity for the [[{{Series/Angel}} Fred/Wesley]] romance to finally have a happy ending. Joss himself didn't realize the connection until numerous critics started pointing it out upon the film's release.
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* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Mostly because shooting in B&W considerably decreases the time required to light and set up a shot, which is useful when you only have 12 days for rehearsals and principal photography. \\
\\
At least one critic commented that shooting in black and white gave the movie the feel of such classic relationship comedies as ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' and ''Film/AdamsRib'', which suited the performances of Alexis Denisoff and Creator/AmyAcker who demonstrated a Tracy/Hepburn level of on-screen chemistry.
\\
At least one critic commented that shooting in black and white gave the movie the feel of such classic relationship comedies as ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' and ''Film/AdamsRib'', which suited the performances of Alexis Denisoff and Creator/AmyAcker who demonstrated a Tracy/Hepburn level of on-screen chemistry.
to:
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Mostly because shooting in B&W considerably decreases the time required to light and set up a shot, which is useful when you only have 12 days for rehearsals and principal photography. \\
\\
At least one critic commented that shooting in black and white gave the movie the feel of such classic relationship comedies as ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' and ''Film/AdamsRib'', which suited the performances of Alexis Denisoff Denisof and Creator/AmyAcker who demonstrated a Tracy/Hepburn level of on-screen chemistry.
\\
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* AdaptedOut: Leonato's brother Antonio. Whedon was hesitant but ultimately cut him since he really serves no purpose in the plot.
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Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
** At the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
to:
** At [[invoked]]At the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
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Changed line(s) 15,19 (click to see context) from:
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Benedick trying to hide while eavesdropping about Beatrice's love for him.
** And one in the foreground a few minutes later as Beatrice eavesdrops about Benedick's love for her.
** Also, during the party, Benedick carries on a conversation without noticing that his marshmallow has caught fire.
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro, NathanFillion and Tom Lenk acted as if they had locked themselves out of their car. This was originally not even on-camera, but when the crew found themselves cracking up at the two, Whedon insisted that it was filmed and added in.
** Also, at the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
** And one in the foreground a few minutes later as Beatrice eavesdrops about Benedick's love for her.
** Also, during the party, Benedick carries on a conversation without noticing that his marshmallow has caught fire.
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro, NathanFillion and Tom Lenk acted as if they had locked themselves out of their car. This was originally not even on-camera, but when the crew found themselves cracking up at the two, Whedon insisted that it was filmed and added in.
** Also, at the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
to:
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: FunnyBackgroundEvent:
** Benedick trying to hide while eavesdropping about Beatrice's love for him.
**And one in the foreground a few minutes later as Beatrice eavesdrops eavesdropping about Benedick's love for her.
**Also, during During the party, Benedick carries on a conversation without noticing that his marshmallow has caught fire.
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro,NathanFillion Creator/NathanFillion and Tom Lenk acted as if they had locked themselves out of their car. This was originally not even on-camera, but when the crew found themselves cracking up at the two, Whedon insisted that it was filmed and added in.
**Also, at At the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
** Benedick trying to hide while eavesdropping about Beatrice's love for him.
**
**
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro,
**
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
* StandardFemaleGrabArea: After Conrade gives her "You are an ass!" rant to Dogberry, one of the watchmen restrains her by lightly grabbing her shoulders. Granted she seemed more interested in slapping and screaming at Dogberry than escaping, but that doesn't really explain why touching her shoulders was enough to stop her from doing that. Lampshaded in the DVD commentary, when the cast wonder how that constitutes "restraining" her.
to:
* StandardFemaleGrabArea: After Conrade gives her "You are an ass!" rant to Dogberry, one of the watchmen restrains her by lightly grabbing her shoulders. Granted she seemed more interested in slapping and screaming at Dogberry than escaping, but that doesn't really explain why touching her shoulders was enough to stop her from doing that. Lampshaded in the DVD commentary, when the cast wonder how that constitutes "restraining" her.her.
----
----
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Changed line(s) 30 (click to see context) from:
** Actually, it seems like a mafia war would be the most likely out of the three settings proposed above. Legitimate corporate executives don't generally haul around their defeated opposite number in handcuffs or carry firearms in their suitcases, and spies or federal agents wouldn't bring arrested convicts into their homes or let high-profile photographers take pictures of them. The mafia theory can also be supported by the film noir-ish black and white and the characters' Italian names.
to:
** Actually, it seems like a mafia war would be the most likely out of the three settings proposed above. Legitimate corporate executives don't generally haul around their defeated opposite number in handcuffs or carry firearms in their suitcases, and spies or federal agents wouldn't bring arrested convicts into their homes or let high-profile photographers take pictures of them. The mafia theory can also be supported by the film noir-ish black and white and white, the characters' Italian names.names, and the fact that half of the male cast are named Don something-or-another.
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Work titles are not displayed in bold.
Changed line(s) 2 (click to see context) from:
'''''Much Ado About Nothing''''' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Alexis Denisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
to:
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* FourthDateMarriage: Averted by insinuation, as both the prologue scene with Benedick and Beatrice shows that those two obviously have a romantic history with each other. Also, more subtly for Hero and Claudio, as seen with Claudio's speech (that is usually cut out for time of many productions) to Don Pedro about having feelings for her before going to war, and Leonato silently teases Hero about Claudio in their first scene together shows that she obviously reciprocated his feelings back then too.
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[[quoteright:270:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/muchado.jpg]]
'''''Much Ado About Nothing''''' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Alexis Denisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
----
!!Tropes:
* ArmorPiercingSlap: Benedick delivers one to Claudio, challenging him to a duel to defend Hero's honor.
* AttendingYourOwnFuneral: Hero watches the funeral set up to fool Claudio. In his commentary, Whedon explains that this was added as an attempt to make it more palatable that Hero would forgive him, as she gets to see how truly repentant he is for what he did to her.
* BrickJoke: Benedick had written a poem on a scrap of paper - and tossed it over a wall. This comes back to haunt him later.
* CallForward: Boracchio is seen seducing and making out with Margaret in the background of quite a few scenes, which would explain why she agreed to have sex with him in Hero's clothes later. Also, when Don John tells Claudio that Don Pedro is wooing Hero for himself, Claudio immediately believes him and is extremely distraught until Don Pedro sets him straight. This scene establishes exactly how gullible and impetuous Claudio is and makes his later betrayal of Hero more believable.
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Mostly because shooting in B&W considerably decreases the time required to light and set up a shot, which is useful when you only have 12 days for rehearsals and principal photography. \\
\\
At least one critic commented that shooting in black and white gave the movie the feel of such classic relationship comedies as ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' and ''Film/AdamsRib'', which suited the performances of Alexis Denisoff and Creator/AmyAcker who demonstrated a Tracy/Hepburn level of on-screen chemistry.
* DreamTeam: The cast is clearly something of a real life example for Joss Whedon. Almost all of the principal cast are stars from other productions of his.
* {{Flashback}}: The text implies a past love between Benedick and Beatrice (Beatrice says, "Marry, once before he won [my heart] of me with false dice"). Flashback scenes show that she and Benedick once slept together, only for things to fall apart. This helps explain why they constantly engage in a "skirmish of wit" whenever they meet, while proclaiming their intentions never to be married. It also makes their inevitable LoveEpiphany more believable.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Benedick trying to hide while eavesdropping about Beatrice's love for him.
** And one in the foreground a few minutes later as Beatrice eavesdrops about Benedick's love for her.
** Also, during the party, Benedick carries on a conversation without noticing that his marshmallow has caught fire.
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro, NathanFillion and Tom Lenk acted as if they had locked themselves out of their car. This was originally not even on-camera, but when the crew found themselves cracking up at the two, Whedon insisted that it was filmed and added in.
** Also, at the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
* GenderFlip: Both Conrade and the Sexton are women in this version. In the former's case, Whedon states outright on the commentary that it was purely so he could make Don John's initial conversation with Conrade more interesting by having them discussing their EvilPlan in the middle of sex.
* GlassesPull: Dogberry and Verges are constantly putting on sunglasses under the mistaken belief that it makes them look cool.
* HandshakeSubstitute: When they have proof that Benedick's finally realized his feelings for Beatrice (they see him gazing lovingly at her photo) Don Pedro and Claudio fist-bump each other.
* HardDrinkingPartyGirl: It seems like ''everyone'' is slightly drunk for the whole movie. This could cross over into TruthInTelevision; Creator/JossWhedon and several of the cast members have all implied that every time you see a character with a drink in their hand, the liquid in the glass isn't exactly water, if you know what we mean.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Benedick dresses as one at the masquerade ball, which was chosen because Denisof had already shaved for the film's second half. It also may serve as {{Foreshadowing}} for his attempts to eavesdrop on the ZanyScheme.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: When Claudio and Hero are about to get married, Benedick sees that Claudio is angry and tries to subtly pacify him. When it becomes apparent that that isn't happening, Benedick heads straight to the bar for a drink. Whedon explains on the commentary that this was to justify his not speaking up as the argument gets nastier.
* KickTheDog: After Don John ruins Hero at the wedding, he hangs back to steal the cupcakes meant for the reception.
* LampshadeHanging: Rather than cut or alter Claudio's [[ValuesDissonance controversial]] "I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope" line when accepting his 'mystery bride' at the second wedding, Whedon instead has a black female guest standing right behind him who visibly glares at this point. Doubles as a FunnyBackgroundEvent / [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Moment]].
* NotStayingForBreakfast: The film opens with Benedick doing this to Beatrice.
* SettingUpdate: Moved to the modern day, with the implication (by costuming) that the soldiers are spies (or, as at least one reviewer suggested, that the war the men are returning from is a corporate war or even a mafia war). This allows for clever use of a smart phone as a way to relay action, but also serves to highlight [[ValuesDissonance the nasty sexual politics of the original play]]. This being Joss Whedon, one could suspect that was partly the point.
** Actually, it seems like a mafia war would be the most likely out of the three settings proposed above. Legitimate corporate executives don't generally haul around their defeated opposite number in handcuffs or carry firearms in their suitcases, and spies or federal agents wouldn't bring arrested convicts into their homes or let high-profile photographers take pictures of them. The mafia theory can also be supported by the film noir-ish black and white and the characters' Italian names.
** Creator/ClarkGregg once stated outright that it was a mafia war in an interview that also included Creator/JossWhedon, and Whedon said nothing to contradict it. Make of that what you will.
* {{Sexposition}}: As described above, Don John's "plain-dealing villain" speech is turned into this.
* SmallNameBigEgo: Dogberry takes his job as the supervisor to a squad of rent-a-cops with comical seriousness and pomposity. Although the behavior of Filion's Dogberry appears to be mostly driven by his insecurity developed from having to hang around ''legitimately'' cool characters all day.
* SpitTake: Hero does one when Don Pedro suggests that Benedick and Beatrice would make a good match.
* StandardFemaleGrabArea: After Conrade gives her "You are an ass!" rant to Dogberry, one of the watchmen restrains her by lightly grabbing her shoulders. Granted she seemed more interested in slapping and screaming at Dogberry than escaping, but that doesn't really explain why touching her shoulders was enough to stop her from doing that. Lampshaded in the DVD commentary, when the cast wonder how that constitutes "restraining" her.
'''''Much Ado About Nothing''''' is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Creator/JossWhedon, from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's [[Theatre/MuchAdoAboutNothing play of the same name]]. The film stars Creator/AmyAcker, Alexis Denisof, Creator/NathanFillion, Creator/ClarkGregg, Creator/ReedDiamond, Fran Kranz, Creator/SeanMaher, and Jillian Morgese.
----
!!Tropes:
* ArmorPiercingSlap: Benedick delivers one to Claudio, challenging him to a duel to defend Hero's honor.
* AttendingYourOwnFuneral: Hero watches the funeral set up to fool Claudio. In his commentary, Whedon explains that this was added as an attempt to make it more palatable that Hero would forgive him, as she gets to see how truly repentant he is for what he did to her.
* BrickJoke: Benedick had written a poem on a scrap of paper - and tossed it over a wall. This comes back to haunt him later.
* CallForward: Boracchio is seen seducing and making out with Margaret in the background of quite a few scenes, which would explain why she agreed to have sex with him in Hero's clothes later. Also, when Don John tells Claudio that Don Pedro is wooing Hero for himself, Claudio immediately believes him and is extremely distraught until Don Pedro sets him straight. This scene establishes exactly how gullible and impetuous Claudio is and makes his later betrayal of Hero more believable.
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Mostly because shooting in B&W considerably decreases the time required to light and set up a shot, which is useful when you only have 12 days for rehearsals and principal photography. \\
\\
At least one critic commented that shooting in black and white gave the movie the feel of such classic relationship comedies as ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' and ''Film/AdamsRib'', which suited the performances of Alexis Denisoff and Creator/AmyAcker who demonstrated a Tracy/Hepburn level of on-screen chemistry.
* DreamTeam: The cast is clearly something of a real life example for Joss Whedon. Almost all of the principal cast are stars from other productions of his.
* {{Flashback}}: The text implies a past love between Benedick and Beatrice (Beatrice says, "Marry, once before he won [my heart] of me with false dice"). Flashback scenes show that she and Benedick once slept together, only for things to fall apart. This helps explain why they constantly engage in a "skirmish of wit" whenever they meet, while proclaiming their intentions never to be married. It also makes their inevitable LoveEpiphany more believable.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: Benedick trying to hide while eavesdropping about Beatrice's love for him.
** And one in the foreground a few minutes later as Beatrice eavesdrops about Benedick's love for her.
** Also, during the party, Benedick carries on a conversation without noticing that his marshmallow has caught fire.
** When filming the scene where Dogberry and Verges hand Borachio and Conrad to Don Pedro, NathanFillion and Tom Lenk acted as if they had locked themselves out of their car. This was originally not even on-camera, but when the crew found themselves cracking up at the two, Whedon insisted that it was filmed and added in.
** Also, at the second wedding, Claudio says he will marry the disguised Hero [[ValuesDissonance "were she an Ethiope"]]. A black woman is standing behind him looking unamused as he says this line, and behind her Benedick screws up his face in embarrassment after Claudio says it.
* GenderFlip: Both Conrade and the Sexton are women in this version. In the former's case, Whedon states outright on the commentary that it was purely so he could make Don John's initial conversation with Conrade more interesting by having them discussing their EvilPlan in the middle of sex.
* GlassesPull: Dogberry and Verges are constantly putting on sunglasses under the mistaken belief that it makes them look cool.
* HandshakeSubstitute: When they have proof that Benedick's finally realized his feelings for Beatrice (they see him gazing lovingly at her photo) Don Pedro and Claudio fist-bump each other.
* HardDrinkingPartyGirl: It seems like ''everyone'' is slightly drunk for the whole movie. This could cross over into TruthInTelevision; Creator/JossWhedon and several of the cast members have all implied that every time you see a character with a drink in their hand, the liquid in the glass isn't exactly water, if you know what we mean.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Benedick dresses as one at the masquerade ball, which was chosen because Denisof had already shaved for the film's second half. It also may serve as {{Foreshadowing}} for his attempts to eavesdrop on the ZanyScheme.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: When Claudio and Hero are about to get married, Benedick sees that Claudio is angry and tries to subtly pacify him. When it becomes apparent that that isn't happening, Benedick heads straight to the bar for a drink. Whedon explains on the commentary that this was to justify his not speaking up as the argument gets nastier.
* KickTheDog: After Don John ruins Hero at the wedding, he hangs back to steal the cupcakes meant for the reception.
* LampshadeHanging: Rather than cut or alter Claudio's [[ValuesDissonance controversial]] "I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope" line when accepting his 'mystery bride' at the second wedding, Whedon instead has a black female guest standing right behind him who visibly glares at this point. Doubles as a FunnyBackgroundEvent / [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments Moment]].
* NotStayingForBreakfast: The film opens with Benedick doing this to Beatrice.
* SettingUpdate: Moved to the modern day, with the implication (by costuming) that the soldiers are spies (or, as at least one reviewer suggested, that the war the men are returning from is a corporate war or even a mafia war). This allows for clever use of a smart phone as a way to relay action, but also serves to highlight [[ValuesDissonance the nasty sexual politics of the original play]]. This being Joss Whedon, one could suspect that was partly the point.
** Actually, it seems like a mafia war would be the most likely out of the three settings proposed above. Legitimate corporate executives don't generally haul around their defeated opposite number in handcuffs or carry firearms in their suitcases, and spies or federal agents wouldn't bring arrested convicts into their homes or let high-profile photographers take pictures of them. The mafia theory can also be supported by the film noir-ish black and white and the characters' Italian names.
** Creator/ClarkGregg once stated outright that it was a mafia war in an interview that also included Creator/JossWhedon, and Whedon said nothing to contradict it. Make of that what you will.
* {{Sexposition}}: As described above, Don John's "plain-dealing villain" speech is turned into this.
* SmallNameBigEgo: Dogberry takes his job as the supervisor to a squad of rent-a-cops with comical seriousness and pomposity. Although the behavior of Filion's Dogberry appears to be mostly driven by his insecurity developed from having to hang around ''legitimately'' cool characters all day.
* SpitTake: Hero does one when Don Pedro suggests that Benedick and Beatrice would make a good match.
* StandardFemaleGrabArea: After Conrade gives her "You are an ass!" rant to Dogberry, one of the watchmen restrains her by lightly grabbing her shoulders. Granted she seemed more interested in slapping and screaming at Dogberry than escaping, but that doesn't really explain why touching her shoulders was enough to stop her from doing that. Lampshaded in the DVD commentary, when the cast wonder how that constitutes "restraining" her.
