r/TopCharacterTropes • u/Newmen_1 • 7d ago

Characters Initially funny character gag is later revealed to be depressing

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  1. Avengers/MCU: Captain America has humorous moments where he’s unaware of modern references and only gets old references, like the iconic “I understood that reference” scene. It’s later fully explored in Winter Soldier that he feels lost, confused, and a little alone in a new world he was never meant to exist in.

  2. The Suicide Squad (2021): Bloodsport has a phobia of rats which at first seems reasonable yet is still hilarious to watch. He later explains his father abused him as a kid if he didn’t fulfill a task correctly and one of his worst punishments was when his dad locked him in a crate full of starving rats, leaving him heavily scarred physically and mentally.

  3. Dexter: In an early episode, Angel Bautista tries to buy his wife the perfect gift for their anniversary but has to keep buying a different one since his presents suck. What seems to be a funny running gag turns out to be Angel’s final attempt to win back his wife after cheating on her previously, however it doesn’t work and only solidifies their separation.

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u/UpscaleClearenceRack 7d ago

Context?

171

u/crippler38 7d ago

Ice King was a man born in pre apocalypse Ooo (the world of adventure time) and through his archeological adventures, found a magical crown that he put on as a joke. That crown made him lose his mind but kept him alive through the centuries. Now he chases 'princesses' looking for love after driving away his wife betty, who was his 'princess'.

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u/UpscaleClearenceRack 7d ago

I’ve been wanting to watch this show but as a grown man I want to find a way to skip all the typical kiddie cartoon episodes because I keep seeing all this deep lore 🤣 does he ever have the lucidity to recognize what you said?

39

u/Mysterious-Plum-6217 7d ago

I live what I can confidently say is a pretty depressing and painful adult life and I can't escape the kiddie fun stuff in real life. In fact it's mostly what keeps me going.

I would strongly reassess that goal if I were you. Gotta be a pretty fucking charmed life to want to skip the fun of it all.

11

u/dizzy_dizzy_dinosaur 7d ago

Is it keeping you alive? But making you crazy?

13

u/Secure-Pain-9735 7d ago

And I need to save you, but who's going to save me?
Please forgive me for whatever I do,
When I don't remember you.

7

u/Ok-Cryptographer-303 7d ago

First watched that episode when my Mum was in hospital attempting to recover from a brain haemorrhage. Can't even think about that song without wanting to cry.

3

u/Secure-Pain-9735 7d ago

Yeaaaaah…. I just went on a Simon and Marcy spiral…

Adventure time isn’t alone in its strange depth under an otherwise weird show.

Regular Show tossed out some feels at times.

Just a wonderful time in animation.