History Main / RescueReversal

** Happened again in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. Luke arrived at Cloud City to save his friends from Vader, only for them to escape without his help. In fact, ''they'' end up saving him! Basically, the only reason for Luke to be there was for the ItWasHisSled [[TheReveal reveal]].[[note]]Of course, he also brought Artoo with him, who was able to reactivate the ''Falcon's'' hyperdrive when they were about to be captured again, so that's something[[/note]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Hunka Hunka Burns In Love", when Mr. Burns' girlfriend Gloria is held captive by Snake in a cabin that catches on fire, Burns heroically rushes to the door to break it down and get her out. She ends up being the one to carry ''him'' out.

[[folder: Anime And Manga ]]

** Happened again in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. Luke arrived at Cloud City to save his friends from Vader, only for them to escape without his help. In fact, ''they'' end up saving him! Basically, the only reason for Luke to be there was for the ItWasHisSled [[TheReveal reveal]].

[[folder: Literature ]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

[[folder: Theater ]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants''. This happened in the episode where the title character first meets Sandy Cheeks. He sees her being attacked by a giant clam and tries to save her, but he winds up getting eaten by the clam instead, prompting Sandy to beat the clam into submission and save him.

[[folder: Film ]]

* In ''Film/ANewHope'', immediately after Luke and Han Solo free Leia, she has to help them find a way out. ZigZagged since Luke (with help from [=C3P0=] and [=R2D2=]) then has to rescue them from her rescue.
* Happened again in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. Luke arrived at Cloud City to save his friends from Vader, only for them to escape without his help. In fact, ''they'' end up saving him! Basically, the only reason for Luke to be there was for the ItWasHisSled [[TheReveal reveal]].

* A small-scale example occurs in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie''. Hot Rod proclaims to Arcee that things are dangerous so she'd better stick close to him. Cue her pulling him out of the way of a blaster shot and saying [[ActionGirl he'd better stick close to her]].

In cases like these, the character in question is likely to be [[TuxedoAndMartini a super spy]], an ActionGirl, a GuileHero, or similar character type. While villainous examples will include TheDragon, ClassyCatBurglar, or more likely, the LoveableRogue, who's dashing, daring, and infuriatingly clever. Whoever they may be, they're perfectly capable of getting themselves out of a bind, given the right opportunity. And they'll usually meet up with their would-be rescuers in time for [[CasualDangerDialog some witty banter]] about [[TheCavalryArrivesLate "what took them so long?"]], after saving their bacon.

* In ''Discworld/TheLightFantastic'', Cohen the Barbarian launches an UnwantedRescue of an entirely voluntary VirginSacrifice, but when he attempts to swing the girl over his shoulder, his back goes out. Much to her own surprise she finds herself having to carry him away from the druids' circle.

* ''Series/{{Arrow}}'': In "Blind Spot" Brother Blood [[spoiler:actually [[TheDragon Officer Daily]] [[IdentityImpersonator wearing his mask]]]] kidnaps Laurel. Oliver shows up to save her, but Blood gains the upper-hand in their fight. Right as he's about to kill Oliver Laurel guns him down.

* In ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': In the third Sigma Fortress stage, in the end, Zero (who infiltrated earlier) had been captured by Vile. X has to fight Vile to go pass him, but he can't hurt Vile while he's in his [[MiniMecha Ride Armor]], and after a short while Vile grabs X with his Ride Armor's arm. Zero, seeing X in danger, breaks free of his restrains and then destroys Vile's mech in a DesperationAttack, giving X a fighting chance.

* ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'': The crux of the first film's plot (''"Tenchi in Love"'') has Tenchi and the girls travel back in time, to the year 1973, to protect [[spoiler: Tenchi's mother]], [[OrdinaryHighschoolStudent Achika]], from the interdimensional entity known as [[EldritchAbomination K.A.I.N.]] Except ''she'' ends up saving ''them''... [[HolyShitQuotient by killing KAIN, herself]], during the film's climax.

[[RescueArc Rescue Arcs]] are common in fiction, usually involving TheHero, or TheProtagonist, charging in to save [[AFriendInNeed their captured comrade.]] Though the hostage can just as easily be [[LoveInterest a loved one]], [[TagAlongKid some snot-nosed kid]], or worst of all, TheLoad. The success of the rescue attempt mainly depends on the setting and [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism type of story]] we're dealing with.

* Done tragically in ''Manga/OnePiece'': Luffy finally manages to rescue Ace in Marineford, and they're running away to Whitebeard's ship. Then Akainu insults WB in front of Ace, which provokes the latter into attacking him. He knocks Ace aside, and goes after Luffy with a magma fist... then Ace TookTheBullet for his brother. Result: Ace dies.

* Done tragically in ''OnePiece'': Luffy finally manages to rescue Ace in Marineford, and they're running away to Whitebeard's ship. Then Akainu insults WB in front of Ace, which provokes the latter into attacking him. He knocks Ace aside, and goes after Luffy with a magma fist... then Ace TookTheBullet for his brother. Result: Ace dies.

** And the Okino Island chapters had her friends try to protect her from being captured by [[BadassGrandpa Ouken]] [[BigBad Yamato.]] But in the end, she succeeded where they couldn't [[http://www.mangatown.com/manga/maken_ki/c053/21.html by defeating Ouken herself.]]

!Examples

After all, that's not how television works. Hostages aren't supposed to save themselves; much less, the people trying to save them!

* In the ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Superman's Pal", Superman flies into Metallo's trap trying to rescue [[ComicBook/JimmyOlsen Jimmy]] and Jimmy winds up having to save him.

* In ''MegaManX'': In the third Sigma Fortress stage, in the end, Zero (who infiltrated earlier) had been captured by Vile. X has to fight Vile to go pass him, but he can't hurt Vile while he's in his [[MiniMecha Ride Armor]], and after a short while Vile grabs X with his Ride Armor's arm. Zero, seeing X in danger, breaks free of his restrains and then destroys Vile's mech in a DesperationAttack, giving X a fighting chance.

But this instance is a special case: because the hostage doesn't need saving. In fact, [[BigDamnHeroes those guys that're on their way]] are the ones that're gonna need help... just as soon as our [[{{badass}} "hostage"]] finishes picking the lock to their holding cell and mops the floor with their guards, who're probably just as stunned as the audience is at that moment.

** In chapter 14, Akaya [[http://www.mangatown.com/manga/maken_ki/c014/22.html abducted Himegami]] to coerce Haruko, Azuki, Inaho, and Takeru into a 4-on-4 battle with the Venus Unit to assess the Maken-ki's level of ability. But when it seemed he had [[spoiler: [[http://www.mangatown.com/manga/maken_ki/c023/31.html fatally shot Takeru]]]], Himegami became so enraged that [[http://www.mangatown.com/manga/maken_ki/c023/34.html she freed herself]] and was prepared to reduce Akaya to ashes.
** Near the end of episode 10 (season 2), Takaki gets captured and used as leverage against her new "boyfriend"[[note]]'''In context:''' Takaki had [[IDidntMeanToTurnYouOn fallen in love with Azuki]], who had disguised herself as a boy, after bumping into her. So Yuuka and the others thought it'd be a good idea for Azuki to go on a pretend date with Takaki, beliving it would help her face her fear of men[[/note]], so they could get even with him by [[DirtyCoward making it so he couldn't fight back.]] Takaki's forced to watch as he takes a beating for her, until one of their Maken attacks shreds his shirt, [[SamusIsAGirl revealing a pair of breasts.]] At that point, she realized it was Azuki, shook off her binds, and unleashed Habaya on them to save her.

When implemented, it can be the reason for an UnwantedRescue. Or, it can lead to [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike complaining about the rescue attempt]], now that they have to deal with the [[StopHelpingMe unwanted complication of saving their friends]], while still trying to get the job done.

** Happened again in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. Luke arrived at Cloud City to save his friends from Vader, only for them to escape without his help. In fact, ''they'' end up saving him! Basically, the only reason for Luke to be there was for the ItWasHisSled [[TheReveal reveal]].

[[AC:AnimeAndManga]]
* Done tragically in ''OnePiece'': Luffy finally manages to rescue Ace in Marineford, and they're running away to Whitebeard's ship. Then Akainu insults WB in front of Ace, which provokes the latter into attacking him. He knocks Ace aside, and goes after Luffy with a magma fist... then Ace TookTheBullet for his brother. Result: Ace dies.
* In ''Anime/FinalFantasyTheSpiritsWithin'', Captain Gray's unit extracts Dr. Aki Ross from Phantom-infested territory, but when they get back to base, they realize that Gray was infected by a Phantom, so Aki performs an emergency surgery to save him in turn.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* In ''Film/EverAfter'', the prince attempts to rescue Danielle after she is sold as a slave. She meets him on the road out of the castle, carrying the sword she used to rescue herself.
* In the 2004 FilmOfTheBook of ''Literature/AroundTheWorldInEightyDays'', Fog tries to pull Passepartout out of the way of a falling pillar, the latter instead pushes him out of the way when it takes too long.
* ''Film/SpiderMan2'': Peter dashes into a burning building (without his powers) to save a girl who's trapped inside. After he finds her, he doubles back, but the floor collapses beneath him, leaving him hanging on for dear life. After hoisting the girl up, she returns the favor and pulls him up. The two then escape the building.

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* Played with in ''Literature/ABrothersPrice''. The rescued character ''does'' need help, initially, but eventually, rescuee and rescuer work together against the villains.
* This happens in the first book of the ''Franchise/{{Mistborn}}'' series, when Vin is captured and [[NonActionGuy Elend]] tries to rescue her and predictably gets into trouble, lucky for him one of Vin's other friends already broke her out and she got her stuff back and saved his butt.
* In ''Discworld/TheLightFantastic'', Cohen the Barbarian launches an UnwantedRescue of an entirely voluntary VirginSacrifice, but when he attempts to swing the girl over his shoulder, his back goes out. Much to her own surprise she finds herself having to carry him away from the druids' circle.

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* In ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperman'' episode "[[Recap/TheAdventuresOfSupermanS2E6TheDefeatOfSuperman The Defeat of Superman]]", Superman gets locked in a room with Kryptonite while trying to rescue Lois and Jimmy. Jimmy neutralizes the radiation by shoving the Kryptonite into a lead pipe and stomping its ends closed.
-->'''Jimmy''': For once, we had to save him.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "The Name of the Doctor" Clara saves the Doctor by [[spoiler:leaping into the Doctor's history to rescue him from the Great Intelligence, which also leaped in to erase the Doctor from history]]. When she gets lost, the Doctor sends her a plot trinket to keep her sane until he can find her in there and pull her out, rescuing her.
-->How many times have you saved me, Clara? Just this once, just for the hell of it, let me save you.

[[AC:Theater]]

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* In ''MegaManX'': In the third Sigma Fortress stage, in the end, Zero (who infiltrated earlier) had been captured by Vile. X has to fight Vile to go pass him, but he can't hurt Vile while he's in his [[MiniMecha Ride Armor]], and after a short while Vile grabs X with his Ride Armor's arm. Zero, seeing X in danger, breaks free of his restrains and then destroys Vile's mech in a DesperationAttack, giving X a fighting chance.
* During the final battle with Kaptain K. Rool in ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest'', just as it seems that Kaptain K. Rool is about to finish off Diddy and/or Dixie after being knocked out by them a third time, Donkey Kong (whom the two have been trying to rescue) [[Main/BigDamnHeroes breaks free from his ropes and delivers the final hit to Kaptain K. Rool]], punching him out of his helicopter [[Main/DisneyVillainDeath and sending him falling thousands of feet below, into the swamp]].

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants''. This happened in the episode where the title character first meets Sandy Cheeks. He sees her being attacked by a giant clam and tries to save her, but he winds up getting eaten by the clam instead, prompting Sandy to beat the clam into submission and save him.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Superman's Pal", Superman flies into Metallo's trap trying to rescue [[ComicBook/JimmyOlsen Jimmy]] and Jimmy winds up having to save him.
* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'', Leo tries to save Splinter when the latter almost falls while climbing a fragile pipe. Leo reaches him and pulls him up, but the pipe is rapidly buckling beneath them, so Splinter pulls a grappling hook out of his robes and uses it to get both of them to safety. He could have saved himself at any time, but he wanted Leo to confront his fear of heights, and to teach him AnAesop about focusing his mind to avoid distractions.