5 Timeless TV Tropes That Will Never Lose Their Charm

Fictional worlds are often inspired by, or even based on, real events. But even the most grounded stories need to be constructed in a way that keeps audiences glued to books and screens. That's where the many tropes and clichés that tug at our heartstrings come in handy.

Some of these tricks are so overused that they become predictable and boring, but others tap into our psyche and remain irresistible even after countless repetitions. Here are five TV and streaming plot arcs that never fail to elicit genuine emotion from us, no matter how many times they appear. Shorunners, take note!

Hyper-Realistic Detectives

The polished and methodical detective of old crime dramas has long given way to the more chaotic, traumatized mess of a protagonist, who lives off junk food and harbors self-loathing. These flawed yet essentially good characters are so relatable, viewers can't get enough of them.

Sherlock Holmes was probably the earliest example of this trope, but a stellar modern illustration is Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses. He's unkempt, a bit revolting, and utterly miserable - and we absolutely adore him for it.

So Serious, It's Hilarious

Another brilliant character archetype that elevates any sitcom or comedy is the one so deadpan serious that it generates endless laughs.

Andre Braugher’s Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a prime example. His robotic, no-nonsense demeanor makes every line he delivers a comedic gem. Similarly, Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation and Brett Goldstein’s Roy Kent from Ted Lasso masterfully embody this trope. Haven’t we just listed all your favorite characters?

Dark Horse

Let's be honest, the story of an underestimated underdog rising to greatness never gets old. This trope shines in police procedurals like The Last Detective, where a disrespected cop proves his worth when it matters most. But it’s not limited to crime dramas.

Think of Yoda, the quirky little alien who turns out to be a powerful Jedi Master. Or Gandalf, the frail old man who’s actually a mighty wizard. And who can forget Galahad teaching hooligans that ‘manners maketh man’? This twist never gets old.

From Baddie To Darling

One of the most irresistible character arcs is when someone starts off loathed by the audience but ends up being beloved. As the show unfolds, we dive into their backstory and witness a redemption journey that wins our hearts.

For example, remember Howard Hamlin from Better Call Saul, Jaime Lannister from Game of Thrones, Cousin Richie from The Bear, or Steve Harrington from Stranger Things. These transformations still warm your heart, right?

Good At Being Horrible

It's always fun to witness talented actors pretend to be terrible on a filming set, making rookie mistakes like mouthing others' lines, freezing on camera, or delivering wooden performances.

Jennifer Lawrence nails this in The Hunger Games series. When Katniss is asked to shoot propaganda videos, she hilariously comes off as stiff and unnatural. The most recent example is Will Ferrell in the fourth season of The Boys. He plays the version of himself that is so horrible at acting that every line comes out overdone. The scene is just a riot of laughter.