Trope Corner: Aw, Look They Really Do Love Each Other
So this is the first Trope Corner post! I wanted to call the series Trope Talk or Trope Time but there’s already a YouTube series and a podcast with those names, and I didn’t want to create any confusion. Honestly, this will just be a short little post where I pick a trope and talk about it, if I’ve used it, and any books, shows or movies that are good examples for it. This is mostly just a place for me to gush and hear your thoughts on the trope!
The trope today is “Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other” which is one of my favorite tropes! TV Tropes defines it as: “when a couple/potential couple — who spend the entirety of the show yelling at each other, insulting one another, stabbing each other in the back, etc. — have a moment when they reveal that, deep down, they really care for one another. Awwww.”
The TV Tropes page mentions that often this trope is used when one half of the couple defends the other by saying “No one insults my boyfriend but me!” or some variation of that. Now, this trope doesn’t justify poor writing. If someone throws in this line when the couple shows no indication they care, then it doesn’t work. The audience has to have a reason to believe it.
Of course, this isn’t restricted just to romantic relationships. This trope can be used in any relationship. However, as someone who loves the enemies to lovers, or rivals to lovers, this specific trope is great in developing those relationships.
I am a big fan of slow burn relationships both as a reader and writer. I love the build up especially when it involves the couple in question starting off in a rocky place. A slow burn relies on specific but gradual changes that the reader is looking for as the potential couple moves closer to the relationship. The “Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other” trope can be really effective, especially when it’s a can’t miss it moment. It can work as a gradual understated thing, but I am a big fan of identifiable moments as a way to track changes especially from an organizational standpoint as a writer.
It was only a matter of time before I brought up my favorite Jane Austen novel. Emma. Yes, I know I’m the weird one, I could write a whole essay about Emma, but I digress. Emma and Mr. Knightley fall under this trope. Without spoiling too much of a centuries old book, they spend a lot of time disagreeing and arguing but ultimately care about the other’s opinion and friendship.
I also have to mention a very famous couple, Ron and Hermione. I believe we all have probably heard of them at the very least. Ron and Hermione often argue and bicker with each other but when it comes to other characters like Draco or Snape they rush to each other’s defense.
One of my favorite examples is from the CW show The Vampire Diaries. (Don’t yell at me, it’s a massive guilty pleasure of mine.) I would argue that Damon and Bonnie’s friendship hits this trope. In the beginning of the show, Damon and Bonnie don’t care for each other, but (spoilers ahead) in the fourth season, Damon stays behind on the island to look for Bonnie rather than return to Mystic Falls. The show acknowledges this during a conversation between Matt and Elena where Elena says she doesn’t think Damon hates Bonnie at all like he pretends to.
I tend to see this trope play out less with specific dialogue but more as a general dynamic. I really only see the specific line “No one insults my so and so except for me” in comedic situations. My personal preference is using it as a growing dynamic than a one off comedic bit.
All this to say I love it when a couple, potential couple, friends, or siblings bicker, but when it comes down to it, they would do anything for the other. I’m not sure when, but I can guarantee you will see this trope in my work at some point. It’s a great trope and its execution can be so satisfying as a reader or viewer.
Do you love this trope? Do you hate it? Let me know! Give me your favorite example of this trope below. Or, if you’ve got a favorite trope you want to hear me talk about, put it below!
If you’re interested in reading more about the trope, here’s the TV Trope page.