retconned
Changed the backstory
Retconned means retroactively altered in continuity—when established facts in a fictional narrative are changed or reinterpreted by later installments.
From "retroactive continuity," the term originated in comics but applies to any serialized fiction: The sequel retconned the hero's death by revealing it was a clone.
Also used figuratively for revising personal or institutional history: He retconned his résumé to hide the gap year.
Accepted authoritative works
- timelineOrdered display of events
- universeComplete system or domain
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
mythos · prequel · sequel · multiverse · worldbuilding · franchise · crossover · episodes
Changed from before
- modifiedChanged in some way
- amendedChanged to improve
- rewrittenComposed anew
- reworkedAltered after initial attempt
overhauled · changed · updated · corrected · revised · transformed · tweaked · redesigned
Sudden narrative redirection
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
backstory reveal · character motivation · secret past · unreliable narrator · plot hole · explanation · justification · reframing
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- wikiUser-editable web pages
- debateFormal argument on issues
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- backlashStrong negative reaction
acceptance · explanation · theory · speculation · fan reaction · community response
canon
Accepted authoritative works
- timelineOrdered display of events
- universeComplete system or domain
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
lore · mythos · prequel · sequel · multiverse · worldbuilding · franchise · crossover · episodes · arc
altered
Changed from before
reworked · overhauled · changed · updated · corrected · revised · transformed · tweaked · redesigned · restructured
plot twist
Sudden narrative redirection
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
exposition · backstory reveal · character motivation · secret past · unreliable narrator · plot hole · explanation · justification · reframing · reinterpretation
headcanon
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- wikiUser-editable web pages
- debateFormal argument on issues
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
backlash · acceptance · explanation · theory · speculation · fan reaction · community response
retconnedoriginal
First or inventive
canonical · unchanged · unaltered · authentic · established
retconnedcanon
Accepted authoritative works
preserved · maintained · upheld · consistent · continuous
retconnedplanned
Decided on beforehand
foreshadowed · intentional · premeditated · set up · seeded