Maybe A Trope, Maybe Not

 I’ve been thinking a lot about tropes and how they’re used in literature and cinematically. And there is one thing that does annoy me, but it’s probably less of a trope and more of a pet peeve. And that’s a delay in the action so the protagonist can express a deep seated concern about a person, situation, or their feelings.

I’ve been watching Star Trek Discovery and find the thing that irks me the most is when one of the characters stops, at the height of a crisis to talk with someone about whatever. I’m like: Come on already. People are in immediate peril, the ship or something is about to blowup, everyone is about to be captured or die, and you take your time to discuss a eureka moment or a newfound understanding of something? Especially when there are mere seconds remaining and the time it takes to talk about it is longer that the time you’ve got? Just save the day and discuss it later. Geez.

As I said, it’s probably not a trope per se, but it is an annoying plot device. The progression of the action is being determined by external forces and the hero is having an existential experience. Antagonists don’t seem to be hindered by this affliction.