This forum seems a bit strict on what discussion threads can be here without being about a TV show, so sorry if this isn't allowed. So, what do you think is the most cliche plot device?

For me, it's how they kill off certain characters. Namely, ones who are secondary characters, but still play some kind of important role in the show.

What always seems to happen is, that character plays a VERY important role in the episode before he/she dies, and during. Then, when they do die, it seems so dramatic and sad.

An example is Tweener from Prison Break and Charlie from Fringe.

Wait...Charlie dies? D:

I'd have to say various romances in the storyline.

The computer/blind dating in several sitcoms. Or even better, being trapped in a freezer/elevator/basement/etc.

JOHN ABRUZZI NOOOOOO
KUTNER NOOOOO
BRAD BELLICK NOOOOO

I hate it when they kill of such promising characters.

quote ZL

The same *bleep*ing couple going on and off back and forth with their damn relationship. I'M LOOKING AT YOU FRIENDS AND SCRUBS!!!

The Ross/Rachel thing became a running gag for most of the seasons after that, though.

THEY WERE ON A BREAK.

I find that lose ends are pretty cliche. Lost and Heroes are big offenders of using lose ends that mean nothing at the time but they find some way to make them mean something.

Killing off main characters is quite stale now for the most part, but it definitely depends on how it's done. If it makes sense with the story and the emotion, then it's great. But if it's just done for shock or a surprise, it's pointless. For the most part I think 24 started this trend when they killed Jack Bauer's wife in the first season finale. Nowadays, every drama on TV always has some season finale ending where a main character is killed and/or "looks like they could be dead."

Also shows that rely on pointless cliffhangers at the end of every episode, but then it's quickly resolved within the first few minutes of the next episode.

The sudden fact that something very big and important is there, but somehow no one noticed it before.

quote Echo

Also shows that rely on pointless cliffhangers at the end of every episode, but then it's quickly resolved within the first few minutes of the next episode.

Not really, it could be an unexplored plot line in an episode and it never gets addressed till way later in the season or sometimes in another season. An example of this was the unexplained polar bear and black smoke monster in lost or the eclipse in Heroes. Also House having those hallucinations after he got shot that we now see as him being mentally unstable.

I know, I was more referring to cliffhangers that end every single episode of the season. Shows that rely on a cliffhanger to end the episode in hopes that will keep the audience interested to come back next week. Good television shouldn't have to rely on that. Cliffhangers are great when they're executed well, any plot device can be if they're executed properly.