Basic Trope: A relatively lighthearted episode meant to relieve tension from an intense Story Arc.
- Straight: After several episodes chronicling an intense, tiring, loss-filled battle against Emperor Evulz, the next one is Alice, Bob, and friends going to the beach. The episode is overall very lighthearted and fun, a stark contrast to the previous ones.
- Exaggerated: The intense Story Arc is followed by a Breather Season.
- Downplayed: The episode right after the battle shows the aftermath, so it's still gritty, but there's little to no action, some comic relief, and shows a lot of the characters recovering.
- Justified:
- Bob's asthma kicked in during the fight, and a getaway to somewhere with cleaner air was suggested.
- Fighting Evulz was exhausting and stressful, so the heroes need some downtime.
- Inverted: In an otherwise lighthearted show, the stakes are suddenly upped and the overall episode tone is darker.
- Subverted:
- Innocuously Important Episode.
- The first half of the episode shows the cast relaxing on the beach... and then Emperor Evulz's minions attacks them. The battle isn't over yet.
- Double Subverted: ...That was all part of the play the cast is watching of their adventures, still lounging on the sand and relaxing.
- Parodied: The Five-Man Band is fighting Emperor Evulz. Suddenly, Alice yells "STOP!" They all story in the middle of the battle to rest, only to get in the exact same positions and continue fighting in the next episode.
- Zig Zagged: The episode's tone varies between lighthearted and serious.
- Averted: No lighthearted episode occurs after a grueling story arc.
- Enforced:
- The writers fear Too Bleak, Stopped Caring so they write in a lighthearted episode to break the tension.
- The beach is close by, so little budget has to be used for this episode's scenery.
- Lampshaded: "Nice break from all the battle, huh?"
- Invoked: The cast deliberately decide to vacation somewhere to reward themselves for a grueling battle.
- Exploited: Emperor Evulz uses the Breather Episode to prepare for their next clash in the one after.
- Defied: No lighthearted breaks for Alice, Bob, and friends! There's still much to be done in the aftermath of the battle, so they get right to it.
- Discussed: "In TV shows they usually do something fun after something intense. Anyone up for a beach trip?."
- Conversed: "Oh, it's that inexplicably relaxed episode the creators throw in to make everyone feel better after the battle."
- Implied: While the next episode in the series continues the intense Story Arc, Alice and Bob make several references to a short vacation to the beach that the group evidently took following the previous episode.
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