This video was sponsored by World  Anvil! The perfect tool for broadening  
This video was sponsored by World  Anvil! The perfect tool for broadening  

your horizons and questioning the moral  character of your spiky-pauldron’d boss.
your horizons and questioning the moral  character of your spiky-pauldron’d boss.

Far be it from me to generalize off an incomplete  dataset unless it's Friday or I'm sleepy or the  
Far be it from me to generalize off an incomplete  dataset unless it's Friday or I'm sleepy or the  

sun rose in the morning, but as a rule, most  fiction is pretty upfront about who the good guys  
sun rose in the morning, but as a rule, most  fiction is pretty upfront about who the good guys  

and bad guys are. Moral gray areas and surprise  twist villain reveals are the exception, not the  
and bad guys are. Moral gray areas and surprise  twist villain reveals are the exception, not the  

rule. Characters will slyly glower for nobody's  benefit but the camera just so the audience knows  
rule. Characters will slyly glower for nobody's  benefit but the camera just so the audience knows  

they can't be trusted. Musical stings and dialogue  patterns will clue us in on who's dangerous and  
they can't be trusted. Musical stings and dialogue  patterns will clue us in on who's dangerous and  

bad versus who's a quippy fun-loving hero. In  real life you can't judge a book by its cover,  
bad versus who's a quippy fun-loving hero. In  real life you can't judge a book by its cover,  

but in fiction that is what the cover is there  for, and most stories will focus on showing a  
but in fiction that is what the cover is there  for, and most stories will focus on showing a  

character's fundamental gimmick pretty quickly  so the audience is familiar with them and knows  
character's fundamental gimmick pretty quickly  so the audience is familiar with them and knows  

what to expect going forward. And sometimes that  means the bad guys are spooky baritones in long  
what to expect going forward. And sometimes that  means the bad guys are spooky baritones in long  

black capes and ominous face-concealing  masks while the heroes are a delightful  
black capes and ominous face-concealing  masks while the heroes are a delightful  

cadre of beautiful young people with personal  morals as pristine as their winning smiles. 
cadre of beautiful young people with personal  morals as pristine as their winning smiles. 

But sometimes that's just what the characters  think is happening. In some stories the true  
But sometimes that's just what the characters  think is happening. In some stories the true  

morality of the situation is being purposefully  obfuscated - typically reversed. The hero will  
morality of the situation is being purposefully  obfuscated - typically reversed. The hero will  

be under the strong and heartfelt impression  that their culture, society, organization,  
be under the strong and heartfelt impression  that their culture, society, organization,  

friend group, training facility, etc are the  go-getting paragon heroes while their enemies  
friend group, training facility, etc are the  go-getting paragon heroes while their enemies  

are the nasty and corrupt minions of evil they  must morally oppose. But the audience is usually  
are the nasty and corrupt minions of evil they  must morally oppose. But the audience is usually  

informed fairly quickly that all is not as  it seems - perhaps our hero's boss wears a  
informed fairly quickly that all is not as  it seems - perhaps our hero's boss wears a  

suspiciously dark outfit, or the enemy leader is a  beautiful young person, or the name of the hero's  
suspiciously dark outfit, or the enemy leader is a  beautiful young person, or the name of the hero's  

organization is something subtly ominous like  "The Empire" or "KittenSquishers Incorporated."  
organization is something subtly ominous like  "The Empire" or "KittenSquishers Incorporated."  

Whatever the specifics, the audience is clued  in pretty quickly that our optimistic hero may  
Whatever the specifics, the audience is clued  in pretty quickly that our optimistic hero may  

be being misled, and typically early in the first  act - right where you'd put the Inciting Incident,  
be being misled, and typically early in the first  act - right where you'd put the Inciting Incident,  

in fact - the hero will become suspicious of the  same. Somehow, something slips through - maybe a  
in fact - the hero will become suspicious of the  same. Somehow, something slips through - maybe a  

suspiciously beautiful enemy agent who seems  to be making some weirdly reasonable points,  
suspiciously beautiful enemy agent who seems  to be making some weirdly reasonable points,  

or a quick glimpse at the outside world calls into  question the stories our hero's been told about  
or a quick glimpse at the outside world calls into  question the stories our hero's been told about  

the way things work, or the hero's boss calls  everyone in for a powerpoint presentation about  
the way things work, or the hero's boss calls  everyone in for a powerpoint presentation about  

how they're on track to become the first empire  run solely on the renewable energy provided by  
how they're on track to become the first empire  run solely on the renewable energy provided by  

orphan souls. Whatever the trigger, something  causes our hero to question their hitherto  
orphan souls. Whatever the trigger, something  causes our hero to question their hitherto  

ironclad black-and-white worldview. Something  makes our hero wonder… are we the baddies? 
ironclad black-and-white worldview. Something  makes our hero wonder… are we the baddies? 

Now despite the villainy inherent in this  reveal, this is actually a startlingly common  
Now despite the villainy inherent in this  reveal, this is actually a startlingly common  

heroic origin story, and more startlingly, it  almost always happens to total paragons. See,  
heroic origin story, and more startlingly, it  almost always happens to total paragons. See,  

most evil empires and similar organizations are  pretty unsubtle about their evil machinations  
most evil empires and similar organizations are  pretty unsubtle about their evil machinations  

at the top levels, but for the purposes of PR and  maintaining order in the rank-and-file and stuff,  
at the top levels, but for the purposes of PR and  maintaining order in the rank-and-file and stuff,  

they usually have a veneer of propaganda reframing  the stuff they do as good, or at least necessary,  
they usually have a veneer of propaganda reframing  the stuff they do as good, or at least necessary,  

or failing all of that, harmless fun. The empire  isn't evil, it's just keeping things organized.  
or failing all of that, harmless fun. The empire  isn't evil, it's just keeping things organized.  

Everyone loves organization! So some people  working for KittenSquishers Incorporated can  
Everyone loves organization! So some people  working for KittenSquishers Incorporated can  

see the writing on the wall, read between the  lines and know they're doing bad stuff and are  
see the writing on the wall, read between the  lines and know they're doing bad stuff and are  

tacitly on board with that, but this paradigm will  also attract the kind of big-hearted paragons who  
tacitly on board with that, but this paradigm will  also attract the kind of big-hearted paragons who  

are really excited to uphold the stated ideals  KittenSquishers Incorporated highlights in all  
are really excited to uphold the stated ideals  KittenSquishers Incorporated highlights in all  

their onboarding seminars. The danger, of  course, is that these characters are very  
their onboarding seminars. The danger, of  course, is that these characters are very  

quick to pivot as soon as they learn what  actually goes down at KittenSquishers HQ,  
quick to pivot as soon as they learn what  actually goes down at KittenSquishers HQ,  

as they were taking all their propaganda at  100% face value rather than seeing things from a  
as they were taking all their propaganda at  100% face value rather than seeing things from a  

broader and potentially more nuanced perspective.  Often all it takes is a field trip or a single  
broader and potentially more nuanced perspective.  Often all it takes is a field trip or a single  

conversation with a suspiciously beautiful rebel  to show these guys the error of their ways,  
conversation with a suspiciously beautiful rebel  to show these guys the error of their ways,  

and suddenly they have a whole new black and white  worldview to uncritically absorb! This trope is  
and suddenly they have a whole new black and white  worldview to uncritically absorb! This trope is  

most frequently a way to add a little exciting  spice to the "evil empire heroic rebels" stock  
most frequently a way to add a little exciting  spice to the "evil empire heroic rebels" stock  

narrative, since it lets you pull protagonists  from both sides of the conflict without having  
narrative, since it lets you pull protagonists  from both sides of the conflict without having  

to get all morally complicated in the process. But beyond the very basic black-and-white  
to get all morally complicated in the process. But beyond the very basic black-and-white  

morality, this trope actually explores a  very interesting space about propaganda and  
morality, this trope actually explores a  very interesting space about propaganda and  

perspective. The heroes at the center of these  stories often have extremely limited worldviews  
perspective. The heroes at the center of these  stories often have extremely limited worldviews  

before their surprise revelation. Frequently  they've been raised their whole lives in this  
before their surprise revelation. Frequently  they've been raised their whole lives in this  

propagandistic environment and have zero access to  competing perspectives or even anyone outside that  
propagandistic environment and have zero access to  competing perspectives or even anyone outside that  

environment. Often they have a mentor and/or  parental figure who's been guiding them as  
environment. Often they have a mentor and/or  parental figure who's been guiding them as  

they grew, preparing them for greatness and a  promotion to KittenSquisher upper management.  
they grew, preparing them for greatness and a  promotion to KittenSquisher upper management.  

With a limited view of the world at large being  actively curated by someone with power over them,  
With a limited view of the world at large being  actively curated by someone with power over them,  

it's no wonder that these characters have a  completely circumstantial perspective on morality.  
it's no wonder that these characters have a  completely circumstantial perspective on morality.  

The minute they're given brief, unfiltered  access to the world outside that bubble,  
The minute they're given brief, unfiltered  access to the world outside that bubble,  

they start to realize how narrow their slice  of reality really is. Often this drives these  
they start to realize how narrow their slice  of reality really is. Often this drives these  

characters to take a more active interest in the  sides of KittenSquisher operations they don't  
characters to take a more active interest in the  sides of KittenSquisher operations they don't  

normally deal with, to try and determine for the  first time whether or not what they've been told  
normally deal with, to try and determine for the  first time whether or not what they've been told  

is good is actually good. And because these  characters are typically passionate paragons,  
is good is actually good. And because these  characters are typically passionate paragons,  

as soon as they've seen enough, they usually bail  very quickly to join the Heroic Rebels instead,  
as soon as they've seen enough, they usually bail  very quickly to join the Heroic Rebels instead,  

often pursued by very angry former bosses  and mentors and occasionally by other future  
often pursued by very angry former bosses  and mentors and occasionally by other future  

heroes beginning to question their role  in the KittenSquisher corporate ladder. 
heroes beginning to question their role  in the KittenSquisher corporate ladder. 

There are a few key ingredients that  make this trope what it is. As discussed,  
There are a few key ingredients that  make this trope what it is. As discussed,  

our hero must initially be lacking in perspective  so the revelation is suitably dramatic, but it's  
our hero must initially be lacking in perspective  so the revelation is suitably dramatic, but it's  

also important that they're not in charge.  They're following someone's lead rather than  
also important that they're not in charge.  They're following someone's lead rather than  

determining their own life trajectory, and their  motivation typically aligns with whatever their  
determining their own life trajectory, and their  motivation typically aligns with whatever their  

boss's stated motivation is - helping people,  bringing order, saving the world, something  
boss's stated motivation is - helping people,  bringing order, saving the world, something  

equally vague and generally positive - but their  boss's actual motivation is just something that  
equally vague and generally positive - but their  boss's actual motivation is just something that  

can be dressed up pretty to look like that stated  motivation. World domination, for instance, does  
can be dressed up pretty to look like that stated  motivation. World domination, for instance, does  

all three of those things from a certain point  of view, but our hero is typically much less  
all three of those things from a certain point  of view, but our hero is typically much less  

onboard with that. This disconnect between their  boss's true motivation and their own motivation is  
onboard with that. This disconnect between their  boss's true motivation and their own motivation is  

what causes the schism once they realize they're  not actually on the same page. If, in contrast,  
what causes the schism once they realize they're  not actually on the same page. If, in contrast,  

the character is in total control over their own  life and is making all their own choices for all  
the character is in total control over their own  life and is making all their own choices for all  

their own reasons - and then realizes what they're  doing makes them the baddie - this is a rather  
their own reasons - and then realizes what they're  doing makes them the baddie - this is a rather  

different trope that usually kicks off a villain  redemption arc for them - unless they immediately  
different trope that usually kicks off a villain  redemption arc for them - unless they immediately  

die or something, which also happens a lot, more  on that later. Actually that's a risk for all the  
die or something, which also happens a lot, more  on that later. Actually that's a risk for all the  

characters in this category, as villains will  often default to killing minions who stop being  
characters in this category, as villains will  often default to killing minions who stop being  

useful, and "defecting from Team Bad Guy after  reading the fine print on the user agreement" is  
useful, and "defecting from Team Bad Guy after  reading the fine print on the user agreement" is  

a pretty definitive "stopping being useful."  Recently enlightened heroes trying to break  
a pretty definitive "stopping being useful."  Recently enlightened heroes trying to break  

away from KittenSquishers Incorporated might find  themselves having to fight their way out through  
away from KittenSquishers Incorporated might find  themselves having to fight their way out through  

former bosses and coworkers, and non-protagonist  minions that figure out their bosses are actually  
former bosses and coworkers, and non-protagonist  minions that figure out their bosses are actually  

evil are often immediately killed by said  boss just to prove how evil they are. 
evil are often immediately killed by said  boss just to prove how evil they are. 

It is also important that these characters  have some sort of code. It doesn't have to  
It is also important that these characters  have some sort of code. It doesn't have to  

be a specifically moral code, they just need some  kind of personal standard - a line that they don't  
be a specifically moral code, they just need some  kind of personal standard - a line that they don't  

want to cross. KittenSquishers Incorporated's  positive façade tends to slip when a minion  
want to cross. KittenSquishers Incorporated's  positive façade tends to slip when a minion  

doesn't immediately follow orders, and a character  being pushed to do something that completely  
doesn't immediately follow orders, and a character  being pushed to do something that completely  

crosses their personal line is often a pretty  revelatory moment for a hero who's hitherto only  
crosses their personal line is often a pretty  revelatory moment for a hero who's hitherto only  

seen the fluffy positive side of KittenSquisher's  marketing. It's pretty common for these characters  
seen the fluffy positive side of KittenSquisher's  marketing. It's pretty common for these characters  

to have a chill, casual no killing policy they  might be encouraged to sidestep For The Greater  
to have a chill, casual no killing policy they  might be encouraged to sidestep For The Greater  

Good, or the character might see their bosses or  coworkers doing something they consider personally  
Good, or the character might see their bosses or  coworkers doing something they consider personally  

super dishonorable, like sacrificing their allies  or torturing their enemies or dabbling in evil  
super dishonorable, like sacrificing their allies  or torturing their enemies or dabbling in evil  

sorcery or whatever. Whatever it is, it's not  what they signed up for, and it makes them start  
sorcery or whatever. Whatever it is, it's not  what they signed up for, and it makes them start  

to reconsider their loyalty to KittenSquishers  Incorporated's brand. In fact, this can lead to  
to reconsider their loyalty to KittenSquishers  Incorporated's brand. In fact, this can lead to  

our intrepid protagonist getting themselves into  very serious trouble very quickly if they assume,  
our intrepid protagonist getting themselves into  very serious trouble very quickly if they assume,  

perhaps reasonably, that the bad stuff they just  witnessed that made them question their entire  
perhaps reasonably, that the bad stuff they just  witnessed that made them question their entire  

worldview must be happening without the knowledge  and consent of their beloved boss who they love  
worldview must be happening without the knowledge  and consent of their beloved boss who they love  

and trust and would certainly never condone any  sort of nastiness on account of how dedicated to  
and trust and would certainly never condone any  sort of nastiness on account of how dedicated to  

world peace they are. Thus, it makes perfect  sense for our paragon POV character to march  
world peace they are. Thus, it makes perfect  sense for our paragon POV character to march  

up to their trusted mentor and tell them about  these terrible kitten-mulching rumors they've  
up to their trusted mentor and tell them about  these terrible kitten-mulching rumors they've  

heard about and they can't possibly be true  can they, while of course from the boss's  
heard about and they can't possibly be true  can they, while of course from the boss's  

perspective their most enthusiastic and talented  evil minion just marched up and said "hey boss,  
perspective their most enthusiastic and talented  evil minion just marched up and said "hey boss,  

are we evil? if you give me an answer I don't like  I might fight you about it," which is the sort of  
are we evil? if you give me an answer I don't like  I might fight you about it," which is the sort of  

thing an evil emperor might reasonably be expected  to respond to with, say, stabbing, or a dungeon,  
thing an evil emperor might reasonably be expected  to respond to with, say, stabbing, or a dungeon,  

or ominously asking if they told anyone about  this before coming while slowly reaching for the  
or ominously asking if they told anyone about  this before coming while slowly reaching for the  

trapdoor button under their desk. Paragon heroes  are often also very trusting, which is usually why  
trapdoor button under their desk. Paragon heroes  are often also very trusting, which is usually why  

evil bosses like them so much, but it can make  the process of defection a lot less fun for the  
evil bosses like them so much, but it can make  the process of defection a lot less fun for the  

hero than if they'd had the wherewithal to  be sneaky about their investigative process. 
hero than if they'd had the wherewithal to  be sneaky about their investigative process. 

This trope also comes with a lot of fun  accessories, mostly from the "evil former  
This trope also comes with a lot of fun  accessories, mostly from the "evil former  

friend" line. As a formerly loyal KittenSquisher  employee, our newly rebellious hero will have  
friend" line. As a formerly loyal KittenSquisher  employee, our newly rebellious hero will have  

plenty of friends and allies back at KS HQ who  are probably reacting to their defection in all  
plenty of friends and allies back at KS HQ who  are probably reacting to their defection in all  

sorts of exciting ways. Some may feel personally  betrayed that their buddy chose a moral code over  
sorts of exciting ways. Some may feel personally  betrayed that their buddy chose a moral code over  

hanging out with them more, others may choose  their loyalty to their friend over their place  
hanging out with them more, others may choose  their loyalty to their friend over their place  

in the company and defect right along with them.  If the hero has an evil mentor of some kind,  
in the company and defect right along with them.  If the hero has an evil mentor of some kind,  

they can very easily become the main villain's  right-hand bad guy, the evil lancer that has an  
they can very easily become the main villain's  right-hand bad guy, the evil lancer that has an  

actual personal connection to the protagonist  rather than just an idealogical one. In other  
actual personal connection to the protagonist  rather than just an idealogical one. In other  

cases, the evil mentor is the boss, and a formerly  parental relationship becomes a full-blown  
cases, the evil mentor is the boss, and a formerly  parental relationship becomes a full-blown  

arch-nemesis situation. An evil former bestie can  also get promoted to Main Villain status this way.  
arch-nemesis situation. An evil former bestie can  also get promoted to Main Villain status this way.  

On the flip side, though, a hero's former mentor  might turn out to have actually been a secret  
On the flip side, though, a hero's former mentor  might turn out to have actually been a secret  

good guy the whole time who was rooting for  them to defect and subtly encouraging their  
good guy the whole time who was rooting for  them to defect and subtly encouraging their  

more heroic impulses. Our hero might also find  kindred spirits in other former KittenSquisher  
more heroic impulses. Our hero might also find  kindred spirits in other former KittenSquisher  

employees who defected earlier and acquire some  nice tasty validation that they're not alone in  
employees who defected earlier and acquire some  nice tasty validation that they're not alone in  

their unorthodox career trajectory. Plus this is  an easy conflict-driver among the protagonists,  
their unorthodox career trajectory. Plus this is  an easy conflict-driver among the protagonists,  

as heroic rebels can be expected to be justifiably  suspicious of this shiny new defector from the bad  
as heroic rebels can be expected to be justifiably  suspicious of this shiny new defector from the bad  

guys no matter how earnest and heroic they appear. Now this is definitely the stock way for this  
guys no matter how earnest and heroic they appear. Now this is definitely the stock way for this  

trope to play out, but there's plenty  of room for variation. For one thing,  
trope to play out, but there's plenty  of room for variation. For one thing,  

sometimes the character is less of a 100% paragon  and is instead a little more okay with doing  
sometimes the character is less of a 100% paragon  and is instead a little more okay with doing  

stuff they think is morally iffy. This can slow  down the side-switching process significantly,  
stuff they think is morally iffy. This can slow  down the side-switching process significantly,  

as even as their horizons broaden, they might have  a personal priority they think is more important  
as even as their horizons broaden, they might have  a personal priority they think is more important  

than doing what they're beginning to think would  be actually good. Similarly, sometimes a character  
than doing what they're beginning to think would  be actually good. Similarly, sometimes a character  

will only realize they're one of the baddies when  they're actively mid-atrocity and have already  
will only realize they're one of the baddies when  they're actively mid-atrocity and have already  

done some really terrible things and this'll kick  off a personal arc about trying to atone for what  
done some really terrible things and this'll kick  off a personal arc about trying to atone for what  

they did, rather than immediately pivoting  to Team Unproblematic Faves without issue.  
they did, rather than immediately pivoting  to Team Unproblematic Faves without issue.  

This is a much less common backstory for main  heroes because it produces characters with very  
This is a much less common backstory for main  heroes because it produces characters with very  

complex moral pasts who might be better slated for  emotionally fraught redemption arcs than for wacky  
complex moral pasts who might be better slated for  emotionally fraught redemption arcs than for wacky  

fun protagonist adventures. These characters  also might consider themselves fundamentally  
fun protagonist adventures. These characters  also might consider themselves fundamentally  

irredeemable and instead of trying to seek some  kind of personal unproblematic-en-ing will focus  
irredeemable and instead of trying to seek some  kind of personal unproblematic-en-ing will focus  

on trying to make up for the damage they did by  making the world a better place overall, often by  
on trying to make up for the damage they did by  making the world a better place overall, often by  

going out of their way to stop anyone else trying  to do the same thing or to more broadly make it  
going out of their way to stop anyone else trying  to do the same thing or to more broadly make it  

so it can't happen again. While this backstory is  fairly uncommon for main characters, it's actually  
so it can't happen again. While this backstory is  fairly uncommon for main characters, it's actually  

surprisingly common for mentors, who are allowed  to have more morally complex characters because of  
surprisingly common for mentors, who are allowed  to have more morally complex characters because of  

their complex and varied pasts and also typically  being more than two decades old. These characters  
their complex and varied pasts and also typically  being more than two decades old. These characters  

maybe were full-blown villains in their youth,  but had some form of personal revelation about  
maybe were full-blown villains in their youth,  but had some form of personal revelation about  

their bad-ness and pivoted to uncomplicated  heroism to support the new generation of heroes  
their bad-ness and pivoted to uncomplicated  heroism to support the new generation of heroes  

and keep them from making the same mistakes. And, as briefly mentioned, sometimes full-blown  
and keep them from making the same mistakes. And, as briefly mentioned, sometimes full-blown  

main villains will have this sort of  realization, usually very close to the  
main villains will have this sort of  realization, usually very close to the  

end of the story and right before either  dying or being redeemed - but not always.  
end of the story and right before either  dying or being redeemed - but not always.  

Sometimes when a character realizes they're the  bad guy, instead of flipping to be more heroic,  
Sometimes when a character realizes they're the  bad guy, instead of flipping to be more heroic,  

this actually causes them to double down. There's  something liberating about concluding you're an  
this actually causes them to double down. There's  something liberating about concluding you're an  

irredeemable monster - it lets you do all the  things you think an irredeemable monster would  
irredeemable monster - it lets you do all the  things you think an irredeemable monster would  

do without feeling any worse than you already  do. While some villains will recognize the scope  
do without feeling any worse than you already  do. While some villains will recognize the scope  

of their own evil in a sudden crushing moment  of personal revelation and immediately remove  
of their own evil in a sudden crushing moment  of personal revelation and immediately remove  

themselves from the story about it, other villains  will finally get the memo that they're the main  
themselves from the story about it, other villains  will finally get the memo that they're the main  

villain and decide to start owning it, sacrificing  whatever pretenses or personal codes they were  
villain and decide to start owning it, sacrificing  whatever pretenses or personal codes they were  

worried about back when they were still the hero  of their own story. This is bad in a lot of ways,  
worried about back when they were still the hero  of their own story. This is bad in a lot of ways,  

as it usually leads to the newly enthused villain  stacking up a lot of really bad stuff on their  
as it usually leads to the newly enthused villain  stacking up a lot of really bad stuff on their  

ledger very quickly with no regard to actual  moral impact, and if this character is supposed  
ledger very quickly with no regard to actual  moral impact, and if this character is supposed  

to get a redemption arc somewhere down the line,  this can make that whole process a lot harder to  
to get a redemption arc somewhere down the line,  this can make that whole process a lot harder to  

sell. But even if this villain is just a villain  and there's no redemption arc on the horizon,  
sell. But even if this villain is just a villain  and there's no redemption arc on the horizon,  

this still usually leads to a significant  escalation in villainy and the corresponding  
this still usually leads to a significant  escalation in villainy and the corresponding  

damage done by it. A villain who previously had a  personal code or a not-particularly-evil life goal  
damage done by it. A villain who previously had a  personal code or a not-particularly-evil life goal  

has now concluded that the actions they formerly  thought were justifiable or heroic were actually  
has now concluded that the actions they formerly  thought were justifiable or heroic were actually  

evil, and instead of ratcheting back on the evil  they've decided to crank it up. As a side note,  
evil, and instead of ratcheting back on the evil  they've decided to crank it up. As a side note,  

this can make the bad guy both more dangerous  and less interesting, as instead of having a  
this can make the bad guy both more dangerous  and less interesting, as instead of having a  

complex motivation or an intriguingly skewed  worldview that casts their own terribleness as  
complex motivation or an intriguingly skewed  worldview that casts their own terribleness as  

misunderstood heroism, they're just evil out of a  sense of obligation to stay consistent. Pure Evil  
misunderstood heroism, they're just evil out of a  sense of obligation to stay consistent. Pure Evil  

can be a joy to watch, but these guys are usually  kinda bad at it because they're demonstrably not  
can be a joy to watch, but these guys are usually  kinda bad at it because they're demonstrably not  

particularly self-aware considering how long it  took them to figure out they were the bad guy,  
particularly self-aware considering how long it  took them to figure out they were the bad guy,  

and a Pure Evil Villain is at their most fun when  they're both self-aware and gleeful about their  
and a Pure Evil Villain is at their most fun when  they're both self-aware and gleeful about their  

evilness. There's a hint of angstiness about these  villains that can make them interesting in their  
evilness. There's a hint of angstiness about these  villains that can make them interesting in their  

own way, but also almost… frustrating. A villain  who realizes they're the villain and then decides  
own way, but also almost… frustrating. A villain  who realizes they're the villain and then decides  

to villain even harder is so close to figuring  out what might actually be good for them, but as a  
to villain even harder is so close to figuring  out what might actually be good for them, but as a  

general rule, the mindset of "I am an irredeemable  monster whose best hope is to burn the world down  
general rule, the mindset of "I am an irredeemable  monster whose best hope is to burn the world down  

right along with me" is not healthy. Pure Evil  villains who are fully self-aware the whole time  
right along with me" is not healthy. Pure Evil  villains who are fully self-aware the whole time  

often seem to be remarkably well-adjusted and are  thoroughly loving life, evil not out of obligation  
often seem to be remarkably well-adjusted and are  thoroughly loving life, evil not out of obligation  

but because of their passion for the field - but  these villains-turned-worse-villains are usually  
but because of their passion for the field - but  these villains-turned-worse-villains are usually  

visibly spiralling in a very self-destructive  way, digging themselves deeper because they  
visibly spiralling in a very self-destructive  way, digging themselves deeper because they  

saw they'd already unknowingly dug themselves  a hole and concluded the only way to go from  
saw they'd already unknowingly dug themselves  a hole and concluded the only way to go from  

there was further down. It can be quite painful to  watch, and the audience might want them to try the  
there was further down. It can be quite painful to  watch, and the audience might want them to try the  

self-awareness thing one more time just to realize  that doing all this is bad for them, actually. And  
self-awareness thing one more time just to realize  that doing all this is bad for them, actually. And  

this can be a very interesting character for an  author to explore. Villains motivated by spite  
this can be a very interesting character for an  author to explore. Villains motivated by spite  

and self-loathing are a lot spicier than villains  motivated by malice and the joys of crime-doing  
and self-loathing are a lot spicier than villains  motivated by malice and the joys of crime-doing  

and often engender audience sympathy even while  they're at their absolute worst as the audience  
and often engender audience sympathy even while  they're at their absolute worst as the audience  

roots for them to knock it off and maybe take  a nap or something. They can be kind of tough  
roots for them to knock it off and maybe take  a nap or something. They can be kind of tough  

to handle after their en-shittening arcs, though,  as a lot of audiences tend to write these guys off  
to handle after their en-shittening arcs, though,  as a lot of audiences tend to write these guys off  

as "fully irredeemable" shortly after they start  doing bad stuff on purpose, and often don't take  
as "fully irredeemable" shortly after they start  doing bad stuff on purpose, and often don't take  

too kindly to these characters doing anything  other than getting worse and/or dying, but  
too kindly to these characters doing anything  other than getting worse and/or dying, but  

personally I can't be mad at any story that says  it's never too late to stop digging. If redemption  
personally I can't be mad at any story that says  it's never too late to stop digging. If redemption  

arcs are only for characters who haven't really  done anything too bad, they're… not really  
arcs are only for characters who haven't really  done anything too bad, they're… not really  

redemption arcs. They're self-indulgent angst  arcs. Exploring a character who gains perspective,  
redemption arcs. They're self-indulgent angst  arcs. Exploring a character who gains perspective,  

realizes they were doing bad stuff, and then  handles that revelation extremely poorly can be  
realizes they were doing bad stuff, and then  handles that revelation extremely poorly can be  

very interesting. Just look at the half-million  thinkpieces on why Zuko is the coolest,  
very interesting. Just look at the half-million  thinkpieces on why Zuko is the coolest,  

including the one you're watching right now. On some level, this trope is all about how one  
including the one you're watching right now. On some level, this trope is all about how one  

handles the realization that they've unknowingly  caused harm. Some will immediately pivot to the  
handles the realization that they've unknowingly  caused harm. Some will immediately pivot to the  

new thing they think is right with unwavering  confidence and defend it just as enthusiastically  
new thing they think is right with unwavering  confidence and defend it just as enthusiastically  

as they did the bad stuff. Others will stick with  the bad stuff for some personal reason - a sense  
as they did the bad stuff. Others will stick with  the bad stuff for some personal reason - a sense  

of duty or obligation or a bone-deep desire to  protect someone else just as mired in it. Some  
of duty or obligation or a bone-deep desire to  protect someone else just as mired in it. Some  

will fall for the sunk cost fallacy and double  down on the badness, weighing themselves down with  
will fall for the sunk cost fallacy and double  down on the badness, weighing themselves down with  

a newfound sense of irredeemability and an almost  liberating sense that they now have no choice but  
a newfound sense of irredeemability and an almost  liberating sense that they now have no choice but  

to be terrible because it's too late for them  to be anything else. Others will turn and take a  
to be terrible because it's too late for them  to be anything else. Others will turn and take a  

stand against the system they've hitherto served  even if they know it'll go very badly for them,  
stand against the system they've hitherto served  even if they know it'll go very badly for them,  

because the principle of the thing is  most important than their own well-being.  
because the principle of the thing is  most important than their own well-being.  

Unsurprisingly, in fiction as in reality, the  question "how should we act when we realize  
Unsurprisingly, in fiction as in reality, the  question "how should we act when we realize  

we've done something bad" is a complicated one  with a lot of different answers - and it is very  
we've done something bad" is a complicated one  with a lot of different answers - and it is very  

rich in drama. So… yeah.!
rich in drama. So… yeah.!

And thanks again to World Anvil  for sponsoring this video! 
And thanks again to World Anvil  for sponsoring this video! 

As you may know, World Anvil is a browser-based  writing and worldbuilding tool designed to make  
As you may know, World Anvil is a browser-based  writing and worldbuilding tool designed to make  

the process easier for writers and creators of  all stripes. For your basic worldbuilding toolbox  
the process easier for writers and creators of  all stripes. For your basic worldbuilding toolbox  

it’s got all the old favorites - custom wikis  for characters and events, plot story timelines  
it’s got all the old favorites - custom wikis  for characters and events, plot story timelines  

you can link to maps to show how your story  changes over time, a customizable calendar,  
you can link to maps to show how your story  changes over time, a customizable calendar,  

family trees, all that good stuff. On the  writing side of things they’ve got a word  
family trees, all that good stuff. On the  writing side of things they’ve got a word  

processor with a scrivener-like layout so you  can keep all your notes close by while you do  
processor with a scrivener-like layout so you  can keep all your notes close by while you do  

your writing. You can also keep your world private  if you’d like, but if you’re ready to show it off  
your writing. You can also keep your world private  if you’d like, but if you’re ready to show it off  

and start building your audience you can make it  public and let people follow along as your work! 
and start building your audience you can make it  public and let people follow along as your work! 

World Anvil is constantly updating with new  features, so if all that sounds interesting,  
World Anvil is constantly updating with new  features, so if all that sounds interesting,  

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check out the link in the description for  more details, and if you decide you wanna  

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get an annual membership, you can get 40%  off with the promo code OVERLYSARCASTIC!