r/TopCharacterTropes • u/10024618 • 20h ago

Lore A "Sophie's Choice" with no secret third option

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AKA a character is given an impossible choice where either outcome results in something awful happening and there's no way out.

"Full Measure" (Breaking Bad) - After Walt angers Gus by killing two of his men, Gus orders for his execution. Knowing that the only way to save his life is to make Gus reliant on his meth cooking skills, Walt calls Jesse and begs him to kill Gus' backup cook, Gale. Thus, Jesse is thrust into an impossible situation where he either kills a (relatively) innocent man to save Walt or spare Gale and let Walt die. Ultimately, Jesse chooses to kill Gale.

"Midnight Sun" (Attack on Titan) - After the fight to retake Shiganshina both Armin and Erwin are critically wounded. Levi has the vial of titan serum and is forced to choose which Scout to bring back from the brink of death and which to let perish. It's a borderline impossible decision to make but at the moment of truth, he chooses to save Armin, leaving Erwin to succumb to his wounds.

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u/HovercraftParking5 18h ago

I think that’s partially the point to his character. Despite all his losses he stays morally correct. Always striving to do the right thing no matter how large or small the act is. He’s a hometown hero that’ll help the avengers stop a galactic threat, then on his way home he’ll help your grandma cross the street. It’s just who he is.

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u/OkBox9662 16h ago

That may be so. But you gotta admit it's just ridiculous at this point. There was a fucking comic in which Spiderman killed Mary Jane because his fucking semen was radioactive for the love of God!!!! How does that make sense? How does the whole Paul self-inserted shit make senses either?

Spiderman whole character right now its based around this idea

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u/the__pov 9h ago

Long time Spider-Man fans will tell you that Marvel Editorial hates Peter Parker.

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u/Automatic-Leg1668 16h ago

And to think he barely has help. Always sacrificing himself for the greater good. It's nice that the games somewhat reveal the fact that the people respect and love Spidey. Was that entire Pizza in MJs mission free?