Would you like some Deus Ex Machina with that?

What's your take on Deus Ex Machina? For those who don't know what it is it's a device used within a story where the intervention of SOMETHING, be it an object, person, or event solves a dilemma or a situation that would've otherwise gone wrong if not for DEM.

Do you like it? Hate it? Is the story ruined when you see it coming? Could you care less if you saw it coming anyway? Do you think it's just a popular cop-out device? Do you know of any works that contain DEM? Do you know any works that DON'T contain DEM? Were those stories good? Bad? Were there some works (manga, anime, movies, etc) that you wished contained DEM or not contain DEM? Do you think it's essential to have in a story? Why or why not?

This is an open discussion on just your opinion of Deus Ex Machina.

Well Maybe DEMs are overplayed but, I mean it is a cliche for a reason. It's used because the main population approves of the plot direction and it's an easy way to introduce new concepts/characters to the story. Me I could care less for them because I care mostly about the main storyline itself. However if it affects a potentially thrilling conclusion to an awesome movie/story I will get MAD.

I didn't really get what you meant at first but Wikipedia cleared that up. Anyway, wouldn't that be like Dragonball Z syndrome, but yeah I'm really to into it, there should be time taken to solve all problem not just "THIS IS IMPORTANT, WHAT ARE WE GONNA-oh wait it's over...fuck that was easy."

And here I was thinking that we'd be talking about the series.

OT: I think that in comedies it's fine, but in serious shows, they're way too overused and should just stop.

For an in depth explanation

Interesting, I've forgotten to think about what DEM introduces... I've always only been concerned about how it changes the plot line. Good post, I'm thinking now.



Same here. Ideally , if the writer/author were to write a logical scheme out of his/her dilemma without the use of DEM it could make the difference between an awesome work and a bad one, eh?

I'm drawing some pretty neat conclusions in my head right now, MORE POSTS. MORE!

Well, Gurren Lagann is awesome for how much it uses DEM, but Bleach...it's a Xanatos Roulette topped with some whipped DEM

Oooh don't forget filler. Lot's of fattening, artery hardening filler.

(filler: it's like the splenda of anime except it tastes like shi- oh wait it IS SPLENDA.)

Not a real big fan of DEM, seems a little cheap and (at times) insulting to the audience. Honestly, I prefer Checkov's Gun. Nice little bit of foreshadowing that may or may not be expected.

I'm starting to notice crappy writing on television and movies much more often lately. i think it goes with/comes from the declining education of the american public. not only the audiance, but the writers and producers as well, seem not to care if the story doesn't make sense. as long as it's not too complicated, and has a happy ending, that's good enough.


a variation i saw a lot on that old perry mason show. there would always be a main suspect, with a couple possible others who could be guilty. in the end, it would be a previously unseen, unmentioned character from out of nowhere with some half assed motives. another is the show, the closer. frequently they will be stumped on something, then there will be a random unrelated item/event/statement that will cause an epiphany that solves the case.

My understanding of DEM is that they are character of devices that helps the protagonist, saving his ass or helping him in what he does (revenge)

Best example I know for this is Abba Faria of Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, where he save Edmond from despair and also giving him the means to return to society and get what he wants (revenge.) In a way, they are awesome, and I like the aspect that somehow in real life we also have people that helps us be who we are. The sad part is that they tend to die/leave/leave then be killed/commit suicide/sacrifice themselves for the protagonist.

The plot device that really annoys me is another form of D.E.M., but in the opposite direction. instead of helping the protagonist, it is used to hold them back.

i speak of the foil. that character whose sole purpose is to hold the protagonist back. think cops vs. sherlock. or in disaster movies, the alternate authority that convinces the powers that be to ignore the protagonists warnings of imminent
doom. it is usually forced and obvious(to me anyway), but an easy way to draw out a story or build audiance support for the hero.

I think DEMs are usually good with hammy characters. DEMs that appear for the sake of being an asspull that's never addressed again are stupid.

Agreed. Filler characters that appear in the story for the sole sake of plot advancement really annoy me.

I.E For those who used to watch or may still be watching Heroes, season 2 I think, remember that guy who could make black holes? He showed up for 2 episodes and then killed himself for some bullshit reason after that.

The movie Adaptation referenced Deus Ex Machina in a very cool way. The main character is a screenwriter, and he is told by a "master" screenwriter that DEMs are awful and should never be used. Then, a DEM appears in the person's own life, which kind of throws your mind for a loop.

That's what's funny about Deus Ex Machina. They can make a story crappy, but they can happen in real life in an even hokier way than in a movie or TV show. Your car can break down, and your friend can just happen to drive by five minutes later and give you a ride to work, keeping you from getting fired.

Lord of the Flies has a very excellent and satirical use of deux ex machina at the end.