Crutch Plot

A Crutch Plot is a story formula that would be what the writers fall back on when they're fresh out of new ideas for their franchise, hence the name Crutch Plot. Even though the term "crutch plot" is used mainly for TV shows, it can be applied to other forms of fiction as well. One category of Crutch Plot would contain stories that are similar to each other in the basic, general way of how they're played out.

An example of a Crutch Plot is one in which Guy is on his job, then Hugo drops by to take him away to do something he well knows he shouldn't. Guy repetitively turns the offer down to insure that he doesn't get fired, but Hugo persists as long as he does. Eventually, Hugo brings up a point that makes it sound like Guy can't be fired, so then Guy goes off with Hugo and does that thing. Later, something bad happens to the both of them as punishment for their wrong actions: Guy for leaving his job and Hugo for tempting Guy to do so. At the end of the story, Guy and Hugo both "learn" that what they did is wrong and see to it that they never repeat their action. That is, of course, until the next Crutch Plot story rolls into town, then they'll go through the same routine again.