Yi-Kuan Cheng, Week 11: No, I’M Gambling with my Grade.
Quarter 3, Week 11: No, I’M Gambling with my Grade.
Take a look at when this blog was posted. That’s right, “Thursday, February 17th, 2022.” For those of you mathematically challenged like myself, you may notice that Thursday, February 17th is indeed after February 16th at 10 P.M. Is this simply the result of my habits of procrastination and laziness that worsen day by day? Of course not. This is, as many other blog posts of this cohort have been, pushing the limits of a student’s power.
All jokes and masterful satire aside, I have indeed forgotten to publish my blog post, but as old people say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And while this blog may never be able to achieve full points, I will make use of this err on my part and create a fun and topical blog post. This week I will talk about one of my favorite cliches in almost all forms of media these days: the power of the “Late Entrance.”
I think I can say with little to no lashback that the portal scene from Avengers: Endgame is far and away one of the most epic and well done reveals in all of cinema history. But I don’t want to be just another person writing another blog about Avengers: Endgame; that feels almost like a cliche in of itself. So instead, I will talk about a scene that probably not a single other soul in the blog has seen: the climax of the Entertainment District Arc in the hit anime Demon Slayer. In said scene, the main character is about to defeat the main villain of the arc. However, this villain’s gimmick is that they are unable to be killed unless their counterpart twin is also defeated. As the fight wears on, any progress our protagonist makes seems to be for naught as we, the audience, know in the back of our heads that it doesn’t matter if our protagonist wins here. However, rising from the rubbles of the buildings they were crushed under (don’t ask me how they didn’t die; it was genuinely just plot armor), our protagonist’s allies take on the villain’s counterpart. This time when the fight resumes, the air of the battle is completely different; we viewers feel hope for a chance at victory. So when the protagonists deal the final blow, the satisfaction is like none other.
The key to the “late entrance” is that it leaves audiences in a spot of hopelessness. However, when well executed, the authors can reintroduce a factor forgotten and provide a solution to a hopeless situation. This type of Deus Ex Machina, while overdone, feels so much more gratifying and structurally sound than a random new mechanic or factor being introduced. Perhaps others might not like this strategy of storytelling as much as I do (and I will admit I am a sucker for cliches), but it is undeniable that this is the perfect setup for the coolest scenes in all of movies, shows, or even books.
Take a look at when this blog was posted. That’s right, “Thursday, February 17th, 2022.” For those of you mathematically challenged like myself, you may notice that Thursday, February 17th is indeed after February 16th at 10 P.M. Is this simply the result of my habits of procrastination and laziness that worsen day by day? Of course not. This is, as many other blog posts of this cohort have been, pushing the limits of a student’s power.
All jokes and masterful satire aside, I have indeed forgotten to publish my blog post, but as old people say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And while this blog may never be able to achieve full points, I will make use of this err on my part and create a fun and topical blog post. This week I will talk about one of my favorite cliches in almost all forms of media these days: the power of the “Late Entrance.”
I think I can say with little to no lashback that the portal scene from Avengers: Endgame is far and away one of the most epic and well done reveals in all of cinema history. But I don’t want to be just another person writing another blog about Avengers: Endgame; that feels almost like a cliche in of itself. So instead, I will talk about a scene that probably not a single other soul in the blog has seen: the climax of the Entertainment District Arc in the hit anime Demon Slayer. In said scene, the main character is about to defeat the main villain of the arc. However, this villain’s gimmick is that they are unable to be killed unless their counterpart twin is also defeated. As the fight wears on, any progress our protagonist makes seems to be for naught as we, the audience, know in the back of our heads that it doesn’t matter if our protagonist wins here. However, rising from the rubbles of the buildings they were crushed under (don’t ask me how they didn’t die; it was genuinely just plot armor), our protagonist’s allies take on the villain’s counterpart. This time when the fight resumes, the air of the battle is completely different; we viewers feel hope for a chance at victory. So when the protagonists deal the final blow, the satisfaction is like none other.
The key to the “late entrance” is that it leaves audiences in a spot of hopelessness. However, when well executed, the authors can reintroduce a factor forgotten and provide a solution to a hopeless situation. This type of Deus Ex Machina, while overdone, feels so much more gratifying and structurally sound than a random new mechanic or factor being introduced. Perhaps others might not like this strategy of storytelling as much as I do (and I will admit I am a sucker for cliches), but it is undeniable that this is the perfect setup for the coolest scenes in all of movies, shows, or even books.
(Image Source: Discover Magazine)
Hi Yi-Kuan,
ReplyDeleteMan. I've really set something off this time, haven't I. Your reasoning regarding "late entrances" in TV shows and movies is somewhat sound; however, I find that these have become so overused to the point where audience members readily anticipate the usage of ever-so-convenient plot armour. Sure, to some it can be satisfying to see the culmination of build-up center around a single, death-defying moment. To others, however, it just seems like lazy, uncreative writing. At what point does it become anticlimactic? In the slim chance you see this comment, feel free to leave your thoughts. That being said, I think it is quite debatable that the "perfect setup" isn't always so perfect; likewise, the tried and true method isn't always as great as we imagine it to be.
Sincerely,
Sean Wang
It's been a long long time since I watched anime, and I always put off watching demon slayer because the art just was not my style. However, I do see your point with the late entrance cliche. I can't think of an example at the top of my head, but somehow the mention of this cliche makes me think of My Hero Academia and more specifically "All Might." He's the anchor of the show, at least for the first half, whenever he shows up the game is over. And the anime itself milks the late entrance aspect as his injury often means that he can't be at every situation impromptu. I would say All Might's name in the My Hero Academia universe is power, and the effect of his late entrance is the demonstration of his influence canonically.
ReplyDeleteHi Yi Kuan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post, and it's interesting to see how many people from our blog cohort have succumbed to this topic of writing. I think it's pretty cool how you were able to turn your mistake into a topic by relating it to a movie scene. Although it is a cliche that you didn't want to discuss further, I agree that the portal scene from Endgame effectively used the "late entrance" to make the scene captivating. I was surprised enough by Black Panther's arrival, but from Dr. Strange to Spiderman entering, the late entrance was utilized in a magnificent way.
Hi Yi-Kuan,
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog post was a very creative take on a not so convenient situation. I agree that late entrances are great story telling devices which make epic moments in film.
I actually watched the Demon Slayer episode you write about, and I loved it precisely because of the late entrance. When it looked like Tanjiro was finished and the story is over, Zenitsu and Inosuke rise up and help him claim victory! Because of tense moments like these with great payoffs, Demon Slayer is one of my favorite shows.
Sincerely,
Krish
Hi Yi-Kuan,
ReplyDelete"Late Entrances" are a popular cliché in popular media that can be found everywhere. It builds tension and anticipation in the watcher/reader, resulting in overwhelming relief when the hero arrives to save the day. Subversions of this cliché are equally entertaining, with scenes where the expected "late entrance" never arrives, whether it is because of a smart villain or a lack of plot armor. The subversion only works because of the popularity of the original cliché but is extremely difficult to be properly utilized in a way that builds the story. The rare gems that do, however, do so so well that they astound with the beauty of the scenes. Perhaps it is human nature to desire the opposite of something after it rises in popularity, the contradictory pairing of neophilia and neophobia present in every person.
Sincerely,
Raymond Yu
Hi Yi-Kuan
ReplyDeleteAs I am writing thing blog comment, my mother is watching Cinema Sins, in which the guy speaking almost always mentions Ex Machina. Anyways, I believe the late entrance is usually not done correctly. Generally, we as viewers, know more than what we are supposed to. For example, if a character is about to die, we know that they are the main characters and something is bound to happen to make sure that they are alive (sometimes this is not true since bad endings do exist and endings where the main characters die ie Shakespeare). It just feels to me that late entrances are mostly predictable. I do agree that when done correctly, late entrances are incredibly powerful and are able to control the viewers emotions.
Hey Yi-Kuan, after reading my other fellow bloggers' posts, it is very clear now that we are all slowly tipping over the edge of insanity (Sean's post almost sent me over). But if what I've heard about AP Lit is true, then I guess I can't complain too much, despite how much I may want to. I do agree that there is tremendous power in the late entrance. As this comment will be the last for this evening, I felt like your blog really tied everyone else's together. As much as I don't like how these blogs have felt like busy work throughout the year, I do appreciate the fact that we have this outlet to vent and suffer together. Thanks for sharing, and I hope Ms. Benedetti has some kindness in her heart to spare our grades.
ReplyDeleteHi Yi-Kuan,
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I saw the title of your blog post. How did you manage to forget lmao?
Well jokes aside, I can't really think of a late entrance I've seen (I may have seen one but I can't remember). To be honest though, thinking about a moment where let's say a villain destroyed a whole town and then the hero shows up. That would be the most hilarious moment ever because of the fact that the hero showed up way after they should have. Seems like "late entrances" can be used for comedy or for suspense.
Sincerely,
Vivan Waghela
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Yi-Kuan!
ReplyDeleteI liked the reminiscent title of your blog post. Our blog cohort has certainly had a lot of fun with the prospect of going beyond cookie-cutter requirements. I think it perfectly justifies turning your blog in late. As for your discussion of "late entrances," I totally agree that they add a lot of excitement to shows and books. The feeling that all hope is lost but being surprised last minute is such a thrilling feeling and draws me into anything I am reading or watching. As for the topic of Marvel, I started watching the movies! I am trying to watch all of them before the end of the school year and I am on Iron Man 3 as of now. I'll let you know what I think once I am done and then I can actually understand more about Endgame:)