deus ex machina
Improbable narrative intervention
Deus ex machina is a plot device where an unexpected power, event, or character suddenly appears to resolve an otherwise impossible situation.
The term comes from ancient Greek theater, where gods were literally lowered onto stage by crane to sort out human messes.
Now it usually carries criticism—the救olution feels contrived rather than earned: The ending relies on a deus ex machina that undermines everything that came before.
Story's final unraveling
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- conclusionEnd or deduction
twist ending · revelation · reversal · third act · plot device · turnabout
Logical flaw in narrative
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- implausibleUnlikely to be true
- unconvincingNot able to persuade
- artificialMade, not natural
unearned · unjustified · arbitrary · convenient · cop-out · hand-waved · inorganic · cheat
One who rescues another
- rescueSave from harm
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
- intercessionActing on another's behalf
last-minute save · providential · cavalry · white knight · nick of time
Lifter or wader
- Greek tragedyClassical dramatic form featuring downfall
- EuripidesGreek tragic dramatist
- chorusSingers performing together
- MedeaMythical infanticidal sorceress
Worshipped supernatural being
- providenceDivine protective care
- miracleSupernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- fatePredetermined course of events
destiny · heavens · celestial · higher power · apotheosis
denouement
Story's final unraveling
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- finaleConcluding part of performance
conclusion · twist ending · revelation · reversal · third act · plot device · turnabout
plot hole
Logical flaw in narrative
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- implausibleUnlikely to be true
- unconvincingNot able to persuade
artificial · unearned · unjustified · arbitrary · convenient · cop-out · hand-waved · inorganic · cheat · asspull
savior
One who rescues another
- rescueSave from harm
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
intercession · last-minute save · providential · cavalry · white knight · nick of time
crane
Lifter or wader
- Greek tragedyClassical dramatic form featuring downfall
- EuripidesGreek tragic dramatist
- chorusSingers performing together
deity
Worshipped supernatural being
- providenceDivine protective care
- miracleSupernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
fate · destiny · heavens · celestial · higher power · apotheosis
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- dramaTV drama, acting, television drama, drama school, playwright
- literary elementsplot, character, setting, theme, narrator
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- entertainment clicheshappy ending, cliffhanger, plot twist, love triangle, damsel in distress
- plot devicesMacGuffin, red herring, plot twist, flashback, foreshadowing
deus ex machinaChekhov's gun
Narrative necessity principle
foreshadowing · logical consequence · bread crumbs · dramatic irony
machine, divine, mechanic, machinery, mechanical, mechanism, atheism, machines, mechanics