The Modern Misfiring of Chekhov's Gun | Trope Notes

Chekhov has a gun, but audiences have the internet, want to guess which is more powerful? Chekhov's Gun as a concept, is solid, but like many things in modern day writing, it suffers greatly at the hands of the internet because audiences have access to a little bit of everything all of the time, and thus, are very aware of Chekhov's Gun. And this simple awareness causes the concept to fail, resulting in stories that are predictable at best and scorned at worst. So I'm going to take a swing at exploring this modern dilemma.
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Timecards:
00:00:00 Cold Open
00:00:30 Intro
00:00:53 Origins and Context
00:03:21 A Modern Misfiring
00:06:06 The Benefits of Chekhov’s Guns
00:10:06 Easy Methods for Hiding Guns
00:12:35 Complicated Methods for Hiding Guns
00:15:32 Conclusion

[@CloudKitten]

I couldn't think of all that many methods for hiding guns or subverting them, so if you think of something I missed or have one you really love, drop a comment!

[@ashwinarun9649]

You have the deepest writer advice videos. If you get enough writers as fans, that itself will get you a lot of readers from that pool. If you don't consistently post videos. KZbin algorithm will unbless you. Whatever the consistency- whether it's one video a week or one video or month.... Stay consistent in it I miss your videos. Your videos are like a Bible to me and many others

[@5Gburn]

My reaction to your coming-up-on-two-years' absence: Rose to Jack: "Come back...come back!"

[@CloudKitten]

I am working on ramping back up, and comments like this help keep me motivated. So thank you

[@JoshuaGoudreau]

I'm so glad I started watching your videos. You are one of the most engaging and fun writing advice channels without sacrificing the actual informational parts

[@PartridgeQuill]

Welcome back! Glad to see you making videos again!

[@CloudKitten]

Same. Hopefully I can keep it up this time around lol

[@Sailortwilight]

I'm so glad that you're back again!!!

[@CloudKitten]

Same! now if I could just stay back that would be good lol

[@DyeBlue]

I love your videos! They are interesting, fun and seem very thoroughly researched 😄. This one made me think about literature in general, and also about some potential twists and red herrings I could carefully thread into my WIP. Thank you!

[@EvoluteCreator]

I'm so happy I found your channel! I love it! And you're very underrated

[@CloudKitten]

Aww thank you!

[@tropetrinitytrilogy8533]

I've seen videos about Chekhov's Gun before, but never one about concealing it from the savvy reader/viewer. This was great! I hope you're doing well!

[@CloudKitten]

Thank you! I am well, though just moved and got a new puppy, so things are pretty hectic lol

[@tropetrinitytrilogy8533]

@@CloudKitten ooh! What does your puppy look like? Also I'm moving soon too so I can relate lol

[@CloudKitten]

PS: I know that no one is ready to process Inside, so forgive me my transgressions. But I couldn't not reference it

[@theothercomicguy]

Very much enjoyed this, thank you 👍

[@ashwinarun9649]

If you don't consistently post videos. KZbin algorithm will unbless you. Whatever the consistency- whether it's one video a week or one video or month.... Stay consistent in it

[@AntonWongVideo]

ok, I can see that you're really progressing and getting better at making videos! those meme moments!

[@CloudKitten]

Thabk you! Trope notes tend to be easier to meme than some other topics, but I'm working on getting a better eye for it. I've been 'studying' meme compilations in my procrastination time.

[@JennJarrett]

the internet song references had me cackling! Great video! my muse is stirring!

[@CloudKitten]

I saw the opportunity and it would have been criminal to not seize it.

[@sonoio869]

I dont know, i think that principle still holds up, even though not making the set up so sbvoius is absolutely better, the worst stories i have aver seen were the ones that made stuff up out of nowhere because they tried to be quirky and wanting to "subvert our expectations" and when they didn't shot the gun it always comes up as a waste of time for an unfanny joke for me

[@CloudKitten]

I agree that obvious setups definitely still require payoffs. I think we just need to get more clever with hiding them because audiences are getting too good at predicting outcomes.

[@sonoio869]

@@CloudKitten absolutely, i said that because i would rather see a story that has everything played out to the audience and that makes sense rather than the exact opposite 😊

[@brittvaughn9447]

Just found your channel and love the vids. Lemme just say, starting this video now, that it'll be a pure tragedy if you don't mention Arcane in this context. Of course, I think Arcane should be mentioned in every context, so there's that. 😅 They just did such an amazing job of creating those guns and then having them go off with their natural consequences.

[@brittvaughn9447]

YES! 💨

[@CloudKitten]

I wish I could have mentioned Arcane WAY more, but I didn't want spoilers to get too out of hand. I could probably do an entire video on just the Chekhov's guns in Arcane though. That show is truly a master-class in everything from writing to visuals

[@MWinklerBooks]

YAY! I missed your videos! this was fun to watch. I'm half asleep though, so I'll have to watch it again to make any meaningful comments on the actual content.... so..... um, bye 😅

[@CloudKitten]

Hey that gives me an extra view so don't mind. Also this one is pretty fast paced so a second viewing is probably beneficial anyways. Thank you so much for stopping by and being the first viewer and commenter

[@MWinklerBooks]

Anytime 😁 I just watched it again, but your mentioning the video about how to make readers cry intrigued me, so now I'm watchign that and taking notes.🤩 As for this video, I love the cutaway for revealing secrets. Actually made me laugh out loud. So perfect. Chekhov's Guns are like a mini game we play with the audience/reader. When I'm consuming content, I'm always trying to guess which details are actual CGs. When they're obvious, the game is to figure out when they'll be fired as soon as possible. As a writer... yeah, it's so hard to get them in there so they're not obvious but have the right payoff. Thanks for all the examples. I took notes and will definitely be refering to them as I work on finishing this series. ❤❤

[@bilalkhares4932]

I really don't mind not being surprised

[@CloudKitten]

I think it really varies genre to genre and story to story. Not being surprised isn't an issue so long as the story is providing well in other areas. But predictability lends itself to forgettability and is something writers need to be cautious of.

[@thebraxtonater8466]

Hey Megan! I hope you are well!

[@blaiseandthebambina]

Hey girl. Where have you been? We miss you and your great content. Everything ok?!?

[@CloudKitten]

Thank you for asking

[@animanya394]

The word choice in this video is just bizarre… But more importantly: that’s not what Chekhov’s gun means! You would know this, if you cared to read even a Wikipedia article. Then you would know that a) the first gun he was talking about was a specific monologue in a specific play, b) he was only, only and only referring to plays, he never used the word “chapter”, only “play” and “stage”, and c) he repeated it throughout his career so talking about “just three lines” is maddeningly incorrect. That’s just the most glaring mistakes. Terrible video.

[@thebraxtonater8466]

But it applies to books too. My editor mentioned it in the comments of my end of the copy edits. If something is stated it’s going to happen therefore it must. Or something like that.

[@a.j.torres3131]

Oooh thank you for the new vid Megan ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

[@CloudKitten]

And thank you for the view and colorful comment

[@a.j.torres3131]

@@CloudKitten You're very welcome 😘