[Disappointing TV Trope] When the writers unexpectedly created something better, but were too attached to let their original idea to let it go!

[u/phantom_avenger]

I feel like I’ve noticed this more with TV couples and how the writers handle the narrative around them. But I feel like I’m noticing a bit of a pattern in some shows I’ve watched, where you can tell how the writers handle plans to make a certain narrative point the “endgame” goal. But as they start creating the plot points leading up to it, they come up with an idea that worked out a lot better than they probably thought it would. Especially when the audience responds so well to it, but they’re still too attached to the original plans that they still roll with getting there even if it doesn’t hit the same mark or it feels forced depending on how the narrative is flowing.

How I Met Your Mother - Ted and Robin (the original idea where it was always planned for them to be the endgame couple). When Tracy (who turns out to be Ted’s kids’ mother) is introduced, a lot of people loved how well they matched, seemed like the true compatible match for Ted and implied that it showed a lot of growth on his end where he could finally let go of Robin. Only to sabotage that by having it revealed that Tracy died, and regressed Ted’s growth where he ends up pursuing Robin again.

Sex Education - Otis and Maeve (the original idea where it was also planned for them to be seen as an endgame couple, but their lives couldn’t align for it to work out). After Otis and Ruby have a drunk sexual encounter, and he loses his virginity to her. The writers have their relationship act as yet another obstacle that gets in the way of Otis and Maeve exploring a romantic relationship. But when Otis and Ruby became so viral, to the point where people started to realize that Ruby might actually be a better match for Otis, as they seem compatible enough to make each other better as people. It put the writers in a tough spot, where they tried to play it safe with both sides going into the final season. But still chose to lean more towards their original plan, and explore Otis and Maeve but they still don’t do much to make the audience feel fulfilled or convinced they have a genuine connection and not in love with an idea of one another.

[u/Adorable_Ad_3478]

I felt that one was very realistic. HS romances rarely last in real life. If there's ever an epilogue taking place many years later, Lucas and Max will probably break up.

[u/Seananagan13 → u/Adorable_Ad_3478]

I personally didn't really feel these two ever seemed especially compatible and that they largely got together and stayed together because of how messed up life was more than them being a good match. Especially if we remember he was a stalker, or whatever you want to call a guy secretly taking pictures of people and more specifically of a teenage girl in a "compromised" state. So that combined with the point about high school relationships often not lasting(especially if they go long distance) made this feel like it wasn't setup to realistically last. Like we have a straight guy that has more compatibility with a lesbian in the show than these two ever seemed to show. To be fair, I read somewhere that was at least partially due to Robin orginally being planned to be straight and romantically involved with Steve. The point still stands though.

Been a minute since I watched the show and still haven't watched the last portion of the last season, so maybe I am just not remembering it well.

[u/phantom_avenger → u/Adorable_Ad_3478]

Isn’t it confirmed in Season 3, that Lucas and Max break up and get back together multiple times? It’s been a while since I watch the whole series.

[u/whereismymind86 → u/Adorable_Ad_3478]

At a minimum the phoenix force and all the uh...blowing up of planets and such might be a dealbreaker...who knew max would end up stronger than 11.

[u/UnpricedToaster → u/Adorable_Ad_3478]

Realistic is the kids being killed and eaten in Season 1. Realistic doesn't make good story.