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The Wallet: Dues Ex Machina or Chekhov's Gun

posted 12 years ago by omoxus
20 replies | jump to latest

Which one? Can it even be argued either way?

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] TheLionKingKong 12 years ago

Not a Deus Ex Machina because it didn't come out of nowhere. I don't know about Chekhov's Gun either, but I think it's similar. I think the right term is "set-up and pay-off" or "plant" (as in it was planted (by the screenwriter)).

[–] mikeyg24 11 years ago

I agree with Crystobal I don't think it's either. In fact by definition of both terms it's neither. Quite frankly I'm fairly certain the OP has no idea what either expression means.

Your's sincerely, General Joseph Liebgott

[–] theCurlyone 11 years ago

I think you're an idiot.

To the OP - there are elements of both, yet, as a whole, neither. It's more akin to Chekov's gun. Finding the wallet was obviously a hint of an event to come, however, it was the opposite of a lethal weapon.

I think it's a joke

[–] SpiltPersonality 11 years ago

It fits Checkov's Gun. How does it not fit Checkov's Gun?

It was a narrative that was put in early scenes and required in later scenes. Checkov stated that you should remove everything that isn't relevant to the story, and so the wallet was left IN the story and is therefore relevant.

SpiltPersonality

[–] Cakez3 12 years ago

I would say Chekhov's Gun. I mean, there's some element of Deus Ex Machina in there, but if one were to define it as one of the other, it would most definitely be Chekhov's Gun imo

[–] kinsayder 11 years ago

I'd call it Screenwriter's Monkey Wrench. Drop it clunkily into the plot in an early scene, wait till everyone has forgotten about it, then produce it with a flourish later when your script gets all clogged up in the bathroom.

[–] IMDB_Vits 11 years ago

The latter. A deus ex machina would be something that solves the MAIN conflict.

[–] transmentalist 11 years ago

I say it's the latter.

Letty gave Alonzo the idea to use Smiley to kill Jake (it satisfies his warped sense of justice; Jake's rescue gets rewarded by his murder by Letty's own cousins).

The connection is direct, not coincidental.

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

I don't think it's either.

It's a giant coincidence that he finds himself in the rape victim's cousin's bath tub, when the pink purse is pulled out, but it does work for me.

And I have to admit I was on the edge of my seat wondering just what would happen.

[–] Arkoth 11 years ago

Chekhov's Gun, definitely.

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[–] Kareiyasu 11 years ago

Its both. Chekhovs Gun because its used to foreshadow, and a Deus Ex Machina because it saves Jake.

"One gay beer for my friend, because he's gay, and one normal beer for me, because I'm normal"

[–] crissttigaldames 10 years ago

It is not a Deus Ex Machina.

"The Love you take is equal to the Love you make" The Beatles.