History Main / Reconstruction

** The status quo itself is deconstructed. When Jonas Jr. tries to kill The Monarch while the latter is attacking him, it's quickly pointed out that killing a supervillain leads to escalation from the Guild. On the other hand, it's revealed that keeping to the status quo keeps supervillains placated and not committing real crimes. So while the OSI is pretty ineffectual at dealing with the Guild, it keeps an army of supervillains from wreaking havoc.

* This is the entire purpose to ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated''. The series takes a comically cynical approach to the ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' mythos, but it doesn't outright [[AffectionateParody parody]] or [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruct]] the elements. While the kids are, realistically, treated as a nuisance by the law and their parents constantly question why they're obsessed with solving mysteries, the kids still get the job done and solve mysteries because they love it and love hanging around with each other.
** Case in point, at the end of Episode 11, the gang breaks up under the weight of the group's relationship issues. A straight deconstruction would probably end there - Mystery Inc. is a group of teenagers in high school investigating crimes in their home town, so eventually they have to grow up and find real jobs. However, Mystery Inc. gets back together by the end of the next episode, realizing that solving these mysteries really is what they were meant to do, and the team begins repairing their bonds - the reconstruction is that the Scooby Gang would have personality clashes, just like any group of friends, but acknowledging these clashes and finding ways to cope with them strengthens the group. (A straight parody, on the other hand, probably wouldn't even bring up these issues in the first place.)

* The women of [[Wrestling/{{WWENXT}} NXT]] went a long way towards reconstructing women's wrestling in WWE. After years of {{Chickification}} and emphasis on {{Fanservice}}, the women were allowed to wrestle. The women had the talent and tenacity of the stars of the 80s, combined with the glamour and character of the Divas of the Attitude Era.

* Music/SufjanStevens' yearly ''Songs For Christmas'' [=EP=]s were a personal reconstruction of Christmas Music for Sufjan: his attempt to capture the sublime melancholy of Christmas music at its best, and to come to terms with the {{Glurge}} of the holiday season. (Sufjan had previously dismissed Christmas itself as a social construct.)

* Rappers like Music/FiftyCent, Boyz n da Hood, et al were supposed to be a reconstruction of hardcore hip-hop in the mainstream, but it never really caught on, likely because of the lack of mainstream media support. However, "fiddy" [[LighterAndSofter defied]] this with radio-friendly songs like "In da Club", "Candy Shop" etc.

* ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'':
** After decades of superheroes becoming "serious" DarkerAndEdgier {{Anti Hero}}es who are full of angst over having powers and are somewhat grounded in reality, the eponymous ''Series/TheFlash2014'' rebuilds the type of superheroes who functions on GoodFeelsGood basis. He is also a hero despite his tragic backstory, not because of it, lives in a fantastical setting, and isn't afraid to get a little silly along the way. The Silver Age FriendlyEnemy relationship with his RoguesGallery also shows up, mostly with Leonard Snart/Captain Cold, and made more plausible in that The Flash recognizes a lot of them as having redeeming qualities and is trying to protect them from themselves. At the same time, it doesn't shy away from the fact that some of the villains (such as [[Characters/TheFlashEobardThawne Reverse-Flash]] and especially [[Characters/TheFlashHunterZolomon Zoom]]) are brutal monsters who can and do kill dozens of people with no issues.
** The Earth-2 AlternateSelf of [[ComicBook/BlackCanary Dinah Laurel Lance]] reconstructs the BackupTwin and AntiHeroSubstitute concepts. She's originally an EvilDoppelganger who is forced to do a DeadpersonImpersonation of her DeadAlternateCounterpart out of necessity. Most of her late doppelgänger's friends detest her and she scoffs at the idea of being turned into a ReplacementGoldfish. However, living the life of her late counterpart and interacting with these people helps her regain her diminishing humanity and ultimately makes her a better person without her losing her own identity.

* The entire series of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' acts as an AffectionateParody and reconstruction of the UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks. Funnily enough, it was not only wedged on [[WesternAnimation/TheBatman both]] [[WesternAnimation/BewareTheBatman sides]] by DarkerAndEdgier animated adaptations of the character, but also between the last two films of ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy''.

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'' reconstructs the typical action cartoon premise of a bodysnatcher being loose among the main cast. Unlike in most depictions, there is no obvious audio-visual cue to indicate that someone is possessed, i.e. glowing eyes, changed voice, etc., which the audience can see but for some reason the characters can't. Also, the possessing villain can switch bodies instantly, again with no visible cue, and with the former victim unaware that they were previously possessed. Therefore, often the audience is as much in the dark as the cast, making for a very tense episode that is essentially a kid-friendly version of ''Film/TheThing1982''.

* The ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueS1E18And19Legends Legends]]" is both an AffectionateParody and reconstruction of UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks. In it, a few members of the league travel to an AlternateUniverse and meet the Justice Guild of America, [[CaptainErsatz ersatz]] versions of the [[ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica JSA]]. The episode points out the racism and sexism prevalent in the Golden Age, and the Flash mocks the Guild's cheesy "let justice prevail!" catchphrase, but at the end of the story [[spoiler:the Guild helps defeat the villain, knowing that they'll fade from existence when they do, and when they yell "Let justice prevail!" ''that'' time, it's completely awesome.]] The episode was in dedication to Gardner Fox, a rather influential comic writer, so it wasn't just reconstruction; it was an {{Homage}} to the man.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' reconstructs the SecretIdentity. While Peter's double life as Spider-Man puts strains on his relationships with the people he cares about, as Captain Stacy has noted, keeping his identity secret is only way he can keep them safe from the supervillains and other criminals his fights.
* ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' as a whole is a reconstruction for the modern version of Superman from the Post-Crisis comics. While there are many deconstructed elements within the series and a lot of things where [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome surprisingly realistic outcomes]] that were previously hand-waved during the silver age of comic books then being deconstructed during the bronze to dark age of comic books, the series overall is firmly on the ideal side of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism with Superman being more down to earth and normal yet still being the BigGood everyone expects him to be. In spite of the darker moments in some of the episodes, there is always an underlying theme of optimism, idealism, and hope.

* According to WordOfGod, [[Characters/GravityFallsDipperPines Dipper Pines]] from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' is a reconstruction of the smart kid archetype in kids media. Past ones were InsufferableGenius types who spoke in {{Technobabble}} to the point of parody. Dipper is smart, but is also insecure, empathic and more like the child he is rather than a miniadult.

** The series is a reconstruction of the entire history of mecha, starting with TheSeventies era of SuperRobot anime with Kamina as the voice of the seventies; then came Nia and TheEighties "''RealRobot''" style storyline of TheEmpire vs. the Rebels and TheNineties with the whole Evangelion deconstruction-type era with Rossiu leading the way, before culminating in the post-''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' era, re-embracing victory through [[HotBlooded hot-bloodedness]] and the RuleOfCool, even if the final conclusion is that it should be used responsibly.

* ''Series/TheCosbyShow'': The show's patriarch Cliff Huxtable was a reconstruction of the StandardFiftiesFather for TheEighties, created in response to what Creator/BillCosby saw as the awful father figures (especially Black fathers) in the sitcoms and {{Blaxploitation}} films of TheSeventies.

* In the wake of such incidents as the steroids scandal, numerous sudden deaths of wrestlers under fifty, and the Wrestling/ChrisBenoit MurderSuicide, the Wrestling/{{WWE}} started trying to distance itself from the dark and gritty Wrestling/AttitudeEra and clean up its image, moving back to the cartoonish and family-friendly programming of TheEighties and [[TheNineties Early 90s]]; banning blading, pushing squeaky-clean stars like Wrestling/{{Rey Mysterio|Jr}} and Wrestling/JohnCena, and forbidding moves like chairshots to the head or piledrivers to make wrestling safer. The movement has been pretty controversial among fans, and it's debatable how much success they've had, but they're making a lot of money off it so they're unlikely to stop any time soon.

JustForFun/NotToBeConfusedWith the [[FreewareGames Freeware RPG]] ''Videogame/TheReconstruction'', season six of WebAnimation/RedVsBlue, or, for that matter, with [[TheGildedAge the Reconstruction Era]] after UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar.

* ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'' serves as this to TwoFistedTales and RaygunGothic in general, alongside some elements of AffectionateParody. Humanity invented the technology to travel cheaply and quickly between planets in the early 20th century, finding the many of the other planets of the solar system to be populated and perfect for Literature/JohnCarterOfMars-style adventures. Unfortunately, we brought our prejudices with us and everyone from ThoseWackyNazis to the DirtyCommunists to the Brits and Americans are involved in some level of imperialism throughout the Solar System, and the game not only starts in [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII 1938]], but also lies in the shadow of [[HigherTechSpecies the Europans]] and their threats to disintegrate humanity, and with some [[PsychicPowers pyschics]] aware of a threat which [[EldritchAbomination may make them all look small in comparison]]. But nonetheless the setting is optimistic, with some legitimately progressive organizations such as the Rocket Rangers, a fully desegregated special forces organization, and the contact with other life in the solar system has legitimately helped many people become more accepting. As well, once you drop a group of PC's into the mix, they will rapidly turn the tide toward the forces of good if given half a chance, from fighting the [[HumongousMecha Mecha]]-[[StupidJetPackHitler Nazis]] to prevent them from claiming [[AdventurerArchaeologist Ancient]] [[ArchaeologicalArmsRace Martian relics]], thwarting an attempted Soviet takeover of Venus, or helping the beings of the Jovian system stand a fighting chance under the shadow of the Europans. And you'll [[DefiedTrope never]] [[IWantMyJetpack be in want for a jetpack]].

* ''Literature/TheFirstDwarfKing'' could be seen as this for [[HighFantasy the High Fantasy]] genre. A lot of the old tropes are there -- there are [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarves]], [[ElvesVsDwarves elves fighting dwarves]], and dwarves wielding axes and [[DropTheHammer warhammers]]. Yet upon inspection, it becomes apparent that the novel [[JustifiedTrope is providing good reasons for why these tropes exist]], and is ultimately [[{{Troperiffic}} all about having fun with them]].

In a way, this is a response to SeinfeldIsUnfunny; taking something nowadays considered to be "old hat", and making it "new hat" again.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', after the first two and a half or so seasons, has slowly evolved from being a DeconstructorFleet to gradually reconstructing several of the tropes it has taken great pain to tear down.

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!

[[caption-width-right:153:[-[[http://www.cracked.com/article_18741_the-evolution-fictional-characters-by-medium-5Bcomic5D.html By Winston Rowntree ]] of ''Webcomic/{{Subnormality}}''.-] ]]

This is where Reconstruction comes in. A Reconstruction acknowledges the flaws and assumptions of a trope that has undergone {{Deconstruction}}, so it either modifies the trope in a way that ''resembles'' the original and still work in reality, or finds a solution for the trope to become useful again. Or in other words, if you view a Deconstruction as a critique of a trope, then a Reconstruction is a critique of the Deconstruction. So instead, PrincessClassic is not being married into a fairy-tale monarchy, but into a post-Napoleonic 19th- or 20th-century one -- a constitutional monarchy in {{Ruritania}}, with the scenery and regalia but without the power and corruption (or at least with the Princess taking a meaningful stand against it if it is present), so she won't end up like Marie Antoinette.

** In between the jokes though are serious stories about why [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids idealism]] and [[LighterAndSofter optimism]] are important in comic books. There's segments on how Franchise/{{Superman}} is still relevant today, why Franchise/{{Batman}} is really revered (hint: it's not about the gadgets), and why Franchise/SpiderMan could perhaps be one of the most amazing heroes ever for the HeroicSacrifice he does more than any of the other two mentioned ever would. It's practically a reconstruction of understanding on why we loved these favorite heroes in the first place.

* According to WordOfGod, Dipper Pines from ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' is a reconstruction of the smart kid archetype in kids media. Past ones were InsufferableGenius types who spoke in {{Technobabble}} to the point of parody. Dipper is smart, but is also insecure, empathic and more like the child he is rather than a miniadult.

** The Monarch's obsession with opposing Rusty Venture for reasons neither man properly remembers is treated as ridiculous and self defeating at first, but as the series goes on, it turns out that The Manach being [[TheLastDJ one of the few villains in the game out of geniune hatred isntead of playing politics]] makes him much more capable, determined and threatening than those who initally pushed him aside.

** Related, All Might's CatchPhrase is "Everything is all right--''I am here!''" What initially appears to be a silly and kind of tone-deaf {{Pollyanna}} turns out to be a very calculated HopeBringer. In a practice rescue, Deku freaks out and says things look bad, only for the judge to berate him for scaring the victims. They ''need'' someone telling them everything will be all right.

* The SpeculativeBiology worldbuilding project ''WebOriginal/HamstersParadise'' has an interesting Reconstruction on the concept of an AlwaysChaoticEvil race with its first sapient species, the Harmsters. While generally viewed as unlikely that an ''entire species'' of sapient beings would all be inherently evil, ''Hamster's Paradise'' justifies it with BizarreAlienPsychology: the Harmsters are descended from a predator that eats its prey alive, and thus LovesTheSoundOfScreaming as it subconsiously meant food and survival, and they happen to be an ExplosiveBreeder that allows them to [[WeHaveReserves recoup losses in a few months]] and explains their lack of valuing the lives of their fellows. They also had this behavior reinforced by the [[NatureIsNotNice inherent violence in nature]] fueling their belief that all life exists solely to destroy other life, and thus have no qualms [[GuiltFreeExterminationWar killing and eradicating one another]] as it's simply "the natural order of things".

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternTheAnimatedSeries'' reconstructs the typical action cartoon premise of a bodyswitcher being loose among the main cast. Unlike in most depictions, there is no obvious audio-visual cue to indicate that someone is possessed, i.e. glowing eyes, changed voice, etc., which the audience can see but for some reason the characters can't. Also, the possessing villain can switch bodies instantly, again with no visible cue, and with the former victim unaware that they were previously possessed. Therefore, often the audience is as much in the dark as the cast, making for a very tense episode that is essentially a kid-friendly version of ''Film/TheThing1982''.

** ''Literature/{{Summerland}}'' reconstructs adolescent HighFantasy like ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' by giving it a fresh setting - in this case, a fantasy-world based on American culture and folklore.