History Main / StatusQuoIsGod

* ShooOutTheNewGuy: A new character joins the main cast but is then promptly written out. However, this is often due to the negative reception of the character.

* BaitTheDog: Sometimes, when a villain showing its likeable side would modify the status quo, the writers would make that disappear, but not always.

* BaitTheDog: Sometimes, when a villain showing its good side would modify the status quo, the writers would make that disappear, but not always.

* BaitTheDog: Sometimes, the reason for a [[{{Villains}} villain]]'s good side disappearing is because having the evil side disappearing would modify the status quo, but not always the reason why.

* BaitTheDog: Sometimes, the reason for a [[{{Villains}} villain]]'s good side disappearing is because having the evil side disappearing would modify the status quo, but not always.

* ShaggyDogStory: When the character's actions are rendered moot at the end. Sometimes done to maintain the status quo, but other times it's just played for drama or as a joke.

* DoTheyKnowItsChristmasTime: A character learns to be nicer on Christmas, but turns mean again once Christmas is over so as not to disturb the status quo.

NegativeContinuity is what happens when this trope is taken UpToEleven--not only does nothing ever change, it doesn't even require an explanation InUniverse, the world just resets at the end of every episode. See also, AlternateUniverseReedRichardsIsAwesome, in which characters get a glimpse of an alternative universe where things have, in fact, changed.

Status Quo Is God can easily collide with HappilyEverAfter. Sometimes, a story simply can't have an ending that is both happy and maintains the status quo--thus, these two powerful tropes are in conflict with each other. When this conflict occurs, it's likely that the status quo will be maintained, and the ending will be less happy than it might have been if not for Status Quo Is God. For example, if a main character gains a boyfriend/girlfriend at the beginning of the episode, it is almost certain that they will break up by the end, for [[ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies one reason]] or [[MinorFlawMajorBreakup another]]. (On the other hand, if the entire ''series'' is due to end and the creators feel confident that they'll never do a sequel, they may decide to break this trope with a GrandFinale that permanently fixes everything.)

->''"Looks like everything's back the way it was! Which is the only way it should ever be."''

* VillainousPlanInertia: You've defeated the villain, and expect NoOntologicalInertia to take care of his plan/missiles/evil empire... But wait! Everything's still proceeding... um... according to plan! Oh, well. This just means the heroes are still on the clock for a little bit longer....

* TrueLoveIsBoring: If the status quo of the character forces him/her to remain single or without a couple.

* AgelessBirthdayEpisode: A character has a birthday, but his or her age doesn't change.

* ComicBookTime: Time stands still in-universe, despite the long progression of time in the real world. Gets extra confusing when real years and events are mentioned; see OriginsMarchOn below.

!! Not quite a sub-trope but often overlaps with it:

Related to JustEatGilligan and UnConfession. For the opposite, in which a work changes dramatically over the course of its run, see NothingIsTheSameAnymore.

* IronButtMonkey: When a ButtMonkey is exposed to extreme physical abuse, yet [[NighInvulnerability it never dies or gets hurt at all]]. Very common in {{Slapstick}} comedies.

* TheyKilledKennyAgain: A comedic sub-trope of "Death is Cheap" and "Negative Continuity". Sometimes done to maintain the status quo but other times it's played purely for BlackComedy.

* OriginsMarchOn: While the basics of a character's OriginStory stay intact, the details are updated for various reasons.

* ShooOutTheNewGuy: A new character joins the main cast but is then promptly written out. However, this is often due to the negaive reception of the character.