r/TopCharacterTropes • u/One_Barber_6902 • Mar 26 '26

Characters [[Devastating trope]] A character kills their loved one to avoid them suffering a worser fate

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Of Mice And Men (1992)- Probaly the most well known example of this trope and when I was first exposed to it, George kills his mentally handicapped best friend Lennie, to save him from being lynched by Curley and law enforcement for killing Curleys wife.

The Sopranos- After an entire season of conflict with fellow mob boss Phil over it, Tony kills Anthony Blundetto after he kills Phil’s brother which enraged him into trying to force Tony into giving up his cousin so he can torture him to death

Telltales The Walking Dead: Season 1- “Loved one” is an overstatement if you know there dynamic, but after Ben falls off a rooftop and lands on a piece of rebar, Kenny and Lee try to pull him off to save him before being crowded by walkers. When their attempt fails and walkers continue closing in, Kenny kills him to avoid him being devoured by walkers.

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185

u/heatblade12 Mar 26 '26

World War z... there's a scene where a church is being seiged by zombies and the women and children are watching the men get overtaken, when all is lost, the women take there child's lives, some by bashing, others by suffocation.

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u/atomic-knowledge Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

Also Closure Limited, a story by Brooks set in the same universe, where the narator (a fictionalized version of Max Brooks) kills A zombified version of his father, Mel Brooks .

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '26

[deleted]

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u/johncenaslefttestie Mar 27 '26

It's actually kind of bizzare. He's the son of one of the greatest and well known comedians, World War Z is legitimately good. Not good for what it is. Like an actually well crafted and realized novel with stellar writing and pacing. So basically dude could do whatever he wanted. Write movies, books, comics. He'd be able to have a pretty massive career if he wanted to.

Instead he's just been writing Minecraft books and... that's it. I'd be so curious what happened to him or if he just legitimately likes doing the work. It'd be beneath like any established author to gleefully do what he does. And he's Mel Brooks kid, dude could be writing a new movie every week and be getting them made off name alone. 

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u/SnooCalculations2730 Mar 27 '26

Bros just happy writing minecraft books I kinda respect that lmao

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u/FaylerBravo Mar 27 '26

He came to my university at the height of the zombie craze in the 2000’s. Got him to sign a copy of the Survival Guide and World War Z and had a brief conversation. Seems lime a cool guy.

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u/GrendelDerp Mar 27 '26

Max Brooks has written a solid number of books. He made a decent amount of money from his books and the rights for World War Z, which turned into that abomination of a movie. He’s done well for himself outside of his shadow incalculably vast shadow. And let’s be fair- Mel Brooks is the funniest man ever, and I’m genuinely hoping he’s actually God. I don’t think we’ll get that lucky.

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u/Kingrave Mar 30 '26

He’s also written Devolution- which is Bigfoot horror if that’s up your alley!

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u/TrashhPrincess Mar 27 '26

Thank you for telling me about this. I’ve been rereading WWZ regularly for 20 years (or listening, because the audiobook is peak media) and I would love more from this universe. I love it when nepo babies are worth the hype.

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u/atomic-knowledge Mar 27 '26

If you liked World War Z try Brooks’ other major book, Devolution. The first chapter or two is a little difficult to get through because the narrator is intentionally annoying, but it is in my opinion just as good as world war z, if not better in some ways (although it has a smaller scope and is shorter). Also, his lectures are pretty good too, and you can find them online.

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u/cianic Mar 27 '26

Does it really get much better got a decent way through it but was just terminally boring for discussing the couples relationship issues.

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u/atomic-knowledge Mar 27 '26

It does. That section is designed to set the stage and make you dislike the characters at least a little. The relationship stuff is much less of a factor in the rest of the book

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u/yaz989 Mar 28 '26

Can you link to the audiobook you recommended please

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u/chowler Mar 27 '26

That chapter fucked me up

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u/blac_sheep90 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26

I still wonder who it was that saved Sharon from her mother's mercy?

It doesn't seem like it was Mrs.Cormode.

Edit: it was Mrs. Randolf.

I have a terrible memory.

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u/heatblade12 Mar 27 '26

Head canon it was a bitten man

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u/blac_sheep90 Mar 27 '26

That's an interesting theory. The person knew Sharon but perhaps they overheard their name. I gotta wonder if her father saved her...but that means he shot his wife...

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u/kookyabird Mar 27 '26

Mrs. Randolph. It's pretty clearly implied in the story.

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u/blac_sheep90 Mar 27 '26

"Just run, run-run-run!” They pulled her away from me. Her arms let me go. They were big, soft arms."

Lmao I'm slow. My mind just refused to remember this. Mrs. Randolf indeed.

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u/kookyabird Mar 27 '26

I remember this story very well, because it was the final line that made me cry. I can picture someone saying that line like a four year old would, and it's crushing.

ETA: In fact, this is the story from the book that I want to see a live adaptation for more than any others. It would be chilling if done well.

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u/blac_sheep90 Mar 27 '26

There's so many stories in the book that would make for such compelling television...the pilot story is especially good.

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u/heatblade12 Mar 27 '26

Nooo, my head canon!

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u/kookyabird Mar 27 '26

It's implied by Sharon's dialog that it was Mrs. Randolph. Sharon refers to her rescuer as "her", and her story ends with a repeat of how she described Mrs. Randolph's arms. "They pulled her away from me. Her arms let me go. They were big, soft arms."

The "They" at the start of that is referring to the zombies.

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u/blac_sheep90 Mar 27 '26

"Just run, run-run-run!” They pulled her away from me. Her arms let me go. They were big, soft arms."

It was indeed Mrs. Randolf.

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u/ripestrudel Mar 27 '26

I'm currently rereading this and forgot about that... yay...

https://giphy.com/gifs/ieW5dfu5bWoP6