History Main / IdiotPlot

!This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16647591370.24333200 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.

It is important to note that this is [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools not always a bad thing]], and is sometimes the entire point of the story. Part of what can make a drama so dramatic or a tragedy so tragic is that the characters truly could have avoided it if they had acted rationally instead of irrationally. (If the characters come to realize this InUniverse, by the way, that's a CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot.) Likewise, this is frequently PlayedForLaughs in a comedy or satire, either to laugh at the antics of the idiots or make a point about the idiocy in society. This is also very justifiable if most of the cast is not in a position where they can make rational or informed decisions, such as if they're [[ThereAreNoAdults young]], [[BookDumb poorly educated]], or [[DysfunctionJunction under stress]]. And sometimes it's just a case of RealityIsUnrealistic; many real-world problems, viewed from a distance with plenty of hindsight and no time pressure to solve the issue ''now'', can seem like Idiot Plots themselves, but the rub is that people at the center of the problem may not have those advantages. Additionally, one thing to take into account is that [[FourthWallMyopia we are viewers, for the characters, this is reality]]. That said, calling real life people idiots is easy FlameBait so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease

[[noreallife]]

!!Example subpages:

[[index]]
* IdiotPlot/AnimeAndManga
* IdiotPlot/ComicBooks
* IdiotPlot/FanWorks
* [[IdiotPlot/AnimatedFilms Films — Animation]]
* [[IdiotPlot/LiveActionFilms Films — Live-Action]]
* IdiotPlot/{{Literature}}
* IdiotPlot/LiveActionTV
** ''IdiotPlot/GameOfThrones''
* IdiotPlot/{{Theatre}}
* IdiotPlot/VideoGames
* IdiotPlot/WebAnimation
* IdiotPlot/{{Webcomics}}
* IdiotPlot/WesternAnimation
[[/index]]

!!Other examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Asian Animation]]
* Episode 49 of ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf: Joys of Seasons'', about Wolffy inventing a sewing robot and using it to help him capture the goats, has its plot started by Wolffy carrying Wolnie's laundry on a bamboo stick that's too long to fit through a doorway when held vertically with ends of the stick on the left and right. Instead of orienting the bamboo stick so that it can fit through the doorway, he ''rips it in half'' and destroys Wolnie's outfit in the process, leading to him inventing the aforementioned robot to sew it back together.
* The ''Animation/SimpleSamosa'' episode "Doctor D" has Dhokla so excited about his first visit to a foreign country, namely France, that he messages Samosa, Jalebi, and Vada on it on social media to the point of spamming them. The three decide to handle the situation by... blocking Dhokla, a ''very'' idiotic and out-of-character idea since they're best friends with him. As a result, Dhokla comes back as a celebrity named Doctor D and completely ignores Samosa and the others, a driving plot point of the episode. Thankfully, Samosa, Jalebi, and Vada find Dhokla at one of his concerts as Doctor D and they apologize to each other for being so ignorant, but ''sheesh''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* Newspaper comic ''Watch Your Head'' has a long-running subplot about HandsomeLech Quincy's impending marriage to his pregnant girlfriend Erika. Whenever Quincy is in focus, we hear about preparations and get evidence that the less-than-brilliant Quincy sees no reason to give up his womanizing ways. After about a year of this, the entire thing comes crashing down at the altar when local {{Jerkass}} Omar points out that the bride ''has been allegedly pregnant for over a year and has not even gained an ounce of weight in that time!''
* ''ComicStrip/NineChickweedLane'' is only able to work as well as it does because all the major players are imbeciles; we start with the incompetent fool OSS colonel who set everyone up to fail and end with the idiots who kowtow to his deception, bullying and idiocy.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* ''VisualNovel/{{Nicole}}'' has the plot for its mystery section. Nicole suddenly gets texts on her phone of the kidnapper, who makes it obvious that ''she'' will be his next victim. The entire following mystery plot could be avoided, if Nicole had just gone to the police and shown them the texts, leading to her being protected by them and the kidnapper likely being caught. [[TooDumbToLive Instead, Nicole decides to keep looking into the kidnapping cases, on her own, without telling anyone what she's doing, or where she's going, which includes the kidnapper's hideout or even telling anyone that she is being targeted]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Reportedly, one of the reasons the author of ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' entry [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3333 SCP-3333]] has some CreatorBacklash issues with it is that so much of the story occurs because the Foundation researchers present seem to be very bad at noticing the obvious signs that [[KillAndReplace their agents are being compromised]]. The key point is in the second expedition, where a five-man task force is sent up to investigate the place, then proceed to [[LetsSplitUpGang split up]] into three groups (do the math, that means one of them lacked a partner). Then all of them have their cameras and microphones shut off at various points while suspicious noises are heard, with four of them being off at one point simultaneously, and when they check back in, they're using the wrong callsigns and describing something that isn't showing up on-camera. None of this arouses any real suspicion in the staff that the task force can no longer be relied on--rather than put the task force through some tests to make sure they haven't been compromised in some fashion, they go so far as to let the force's leader watch the third expedition.
[[/folder]]

----

It is important to note that this is [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools not always a bad thing]], and is sometimes the entire point of the story. Part of what can make a drama so dramatic or a tragedy so tragic is that the characters truly could have avoided it if they had acted rationally instead of irrationally. (If the characters come to realize this InUniverse, by the way, that's a CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot.) Likewise, this is frequently PlayedForLaughs in a comedy or satire, either to laugh at the antics of the idiots or make a point about the idiocy in society. This is also very justifiable if most of the cast is not in a position where they can make rational or informed decisions, such as if they're [[ThereAreNoAdults young]], [[BookDumb poorly educated]], or [[DysfunctionJunction under stress]]. And sometimes it's just a case of RealityIsUnrealistic; many real-world problems, viewed from a distance with plenty of hindsight and no time pressure to solve the issue ''now'', can seem like Idiot Plots themselves, but the rub is that people at the center of the problem may not have those advantages. That said, calling real life people idiots is easy FlameBait so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease

* Reportedly, one of the reasons the author of ''Website/SCPFoundation'' entry [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3333 SCP-3333]] has some CreatorBacklash issues with it is that so much of the story occurs because the Foundation researchers present seem to be very bad at noticing the obvious signs that [[KillAndReplace their agents are being compromised]]. The key point is in the second expedition, where a five-man task force is sent up to investigate the place, then proceed to [[LetsSplitUpGang split up]] into three groups (do the math, that means one of them lacked a partner). Then all of them have their cameras and microphones shut off at various points while suspicious noises are heard, with four of them being off at one point simultaneously, and when they check back in, they're using the wrong callsigns and describing something that isn't showing up on-camera. None of this arouses any real suspicion in the staff that the task force can no longer be relied on--rather than put the task force through some tests to make sure they haven't been compromised in some fashion, they go so far as to let the force's leader watch the third expedition.

!!Example Subpages:

!!Other Examples:

* ''IdiotPlot/GameOfThrones''

* Reportedly, one of the reasons the author of ''Website/SCPFoundation'' entry [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3333 SCP-3333]] has some CreatorBacklash issues with it is that so much of the story occurs because the Foundation researchers present seem to be very bad at noticing the obvious signs that an AssimilationPlot is occurring. The key point is in the second expedition, where a five-man task force is sent up to investigate the place, then proceed to [[LetsSplitUpGang split up]] into three groups (do the math, that means one of them lacked a partner). Then all of them have their cameras and microphones shut off at various points while suspicious noises are heard, with four of them being off at one point simultaneously, and when they check back in, they're using the wrong callsigns and describing something that isn't showing up on-camera. None of this arouses any real suspicion in the staff that the task force can no longer be relied on--rather than put the task force through some tests to make sure they haven't been compromised in some fashion, they go so far as to let the force's leader watch the third expedition.

* Reportedly, one of the reasons the author of ''Website/SCPFoundation'' entry [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-3333 SCP-3333]] has some CreatorBacklash issues with it is that so much of the story occurs because the Foundation agents present seem to be very bad at noticing the obvious signs that an AssimilationPlot is occurring. The key point is in the second expedition, where a five-man task force is sent up to investigate the place, then proceed to [[LetsSplitUpGang split up]] into three groups (do the math, that means one of them lacked a partner). Then four of them have their cameras and microphones shut off, at one point simultaneously, and when they check back in, they're using the wrong callsigns and describing something that isn't showing up on-camera. None of this arouses any real suspicion in the staff that the task force can no longer be relied on--rather than put the task force through some tests to make sure they haven't been compromised in some fashion, they go so far as to let the force's leader watch the third expedition.

Originated by SF author Creator/JamesBlish and [[TropeCodifier popularized by]] film critic Creator/RogerEbert during his review of the remake of ''Narrow Margin'', this trope is a term for a {{Plot}} that hangs together only because the main characters behave like idiots. A single intelligent move or question by any of the characters, and all problems would be resolved. It's not so bad if the characters are ''supposed'' to be [[TheDitz acting like idiots]], but it's ''very'' bad if the Idiot Plot depends on a character picking up the IdiotBall for the plot to work.

Even worse than that is the "Second-Order Idiot Plot", in which the plot can only function if the world population [[IdiotBall suddenly loses about 50 IQ points.]] In fact, author Creator/DamonKnight [[Website/TurkeyCityLexicon originally coined the term]] "second-order idiot plot" to refer to a science fiction story that features a fictional society that can ''only'' exist if everyone living there is an idiot.

Originated by SF author Creator/JamesBlish and [[TropeCodifier popularized by]] film critic Creator/RogerEbert during his review of the remake of ''Narrow Margin'', this trope is a term for a {{Plot}} that hangs together only because the main characters behave like idiots. [[JustEatGilligan A single intelligent move or question by any of the characters, and all problems would be resolved]]. It's not so bad if the characters are ''supposed'' to be [[TheDitz acting like idiots]], but it's ''very'' bad if the Idiot Plot depends on a character picking up the IdiotBall for the plot to work.

Compare StatingTheSimpleSolution, when a character looks like an idiot for using a complicated solution instead of a mundane and low-effort one. See also FourthWallMyopia - when the audience fails to recognise the difference between themselves and the characters. ''You'' may have seen the ObviouslyEvil person twirling their mustache at the camera, but the ''characters'' who get fooled did ''not''.

Compare StatingTheSimpleSolution, when a character looks like an idiot for using a complicated solution instead of a mundane and low-effort one.

* IdiotPlot/WebComics

-->-- '''The Narrator''', ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'', "Nasty Patty"

-->-- '''Creator/RogerEbert''' in his [[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19900921/REVIEWS/9210302/1023 review]] of ''Narrow Margin'' (1990)

Originated by SF author Creator/JamesBlish and [[TropeCodifier popularized by]] film critic Creator/RogerEbert during his review of the remake of ''Narrow Margin'', this trope is a term for a {{Plot}} that hangs together only because the main characters behave like idiots. [[JustEatGilligan A single intelligent move or question by any of the characters, and all problems would be resolved]]. It's not so bad if the characters are ''supposed'' to be [[TheDitz acting like idiots]], but it's ''very'' bad if the Idiot Plot depends on a character [[PlotInducedStupidity suddenly acting stupid enough]] for the Plot to work.

!!Examples

* IdiotPlot/ComicStrips
* IdiotPlot/FanFiction
* IdiotPlot/AnimatedFilm
* IdiotPlot/LiveActionFilm

Even worse than that is "second-order idiot plot", in which the plot can only function if the world population [[IdiotBall suddenly loses about 50 IQ points.]] In fact, author Creator/DamonKnight [[Website/TurkeyCityLexicon originally coined the term]] "second-order idiot plot" to refer to a science fiction story that features a fictional society that can ''only'' exist if everyone living there is an idiot.

* Episode 49 of ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf: Joys of Seasons'', about Wolffy inventing a sewing robot and using it to help him capture the goats, has its plot started by Wolffy carrying Wolnie's laundry on a bamboo stick that's too long to fit through a doorway when held vertically with ends of the stick on the left and right. Instead of orienting the bamboo stick so that it can fit through the doorway, he ''rips it in half'' and destroys Wolnie's outfit in the process.

It is important to note that this is [[TropesAreTools not always a bad thing]], and is sometimes the entire point of the story. Part of what can make a drama so dramatic or a tragedy so tragic is that the characters truly could have avoided it if they had acted rationally instead of irrationally. (If the characters come to realize this InUniverse, by the way, that's a CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot.) Likewise, this is frequently PlayedForLaughs in a comedy or satire, either to laugh at the antics of the idiots or make a point about the idiocy in society. This is also very justifiable if most of the cast is not in a position where they can make rational or informed decisions, such as if they're [[ThereAreNoAdults young]], [[BookDumb poorly educated]], or [[DysfunctionJunction under stress]]. And sometimes it's just a case of RealityIsUnrealistic; many real-world problems, viewed from a distance with plenty of hindsight and no time pressure to solve the issue ''now'', can seem like Idiot Plots themselves, but the rub is that people at the center of the problem may not have those advantages. That said, calling real life people idiots is easy FlameBait so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease

It is important to note that this is [[TropesAreTools not always a bad thing]], and is sometimes the entire point of the story. Part of what can make a drama so dramatic or a tragedy so tragic is that the characters truly could have avoided it if they had acted rationally instead of irrationally. (If the characters come to realize this InUniverse, by the way, that's a CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot.) Likewise, this is frequently PlayedForLaughs in a comedy or satire, either to laugh at the antics of the idiots or make a point about the idiocy in society. This is also very justifiable if most of the cast is not in a position where they can make rational or informed decisions, such as if they're [[ThereAreNoAdults young]], [[BookDumb poorly educated]], or [[DysfunctionJunction under stress]]. And sometimes it's just a case of RealityIsUnrealistic; many real-world problems, viewed from a distance with plenty of hindsight and no time pressure to solve the issue NOW, can seem like Idiot Plots themselves. That said, calling real life people idiots is easy FlameBait so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease