Fighteer
Lost in Space
from The Time Vortex
(Time Abyss)
Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#2: Jul 16th 2018 at 3:48:21 AM
Please use Trope Finder for this sort of inquiry.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Total posts: 2
It is a very common trope in entertainment media and stories that the hero/protagonist will mindlessly gun down countless minions, but he or she is suddenly struck with conscience when confronting the boss.
Philosophically this is the equivalent of killing all the Nazi concentration camp guards no questions asked, but having a deep conversation and end up sparing Adolf Hitler.
Mercy and consideration of life is only reserved for those in the narrative who are often the most responsible for the problems experienced and the source of all the evil and destruction and death.
One clear example I can think of is in Fallout 4. The Triggermen and Skinny Malone quests. Just to enter inside a vault in order to rescue a character you are made to kill what must have been dozens of Triggermen. Just to be able make a speech check with Skinny himself at the very end in order to solve the quest "peacefully".
Mind you this is the the figure who is most responsible and the brains for his capture.
Is there an official trope or page of this concept?
Edited by IcyHotRoad on Jul 16th 2018 at 1:53:19 AM