The Worst Cliches in Philippine Dramas: Overused Tropes That Need to Retire

Worst Cliches in Philippine Dramas

Introduction:

Philippine dramas, known as teleseryes,  where drama reigns supreme and emotions run higher than the humidity. The classic recipe for a hit show: a dash of a “compelling” storyline, a pinch of “talented” actors, and a heaping spoonful of clichés and overused tropes. In this article, we will dive into the overused and exhausted clichés in Philippine dramas that are as predictable as the sun rising in the east. Let’s face it, we need some new and creative storytelling before we all fall asleep in front of our TV screens.

1. Amnesia

Teleseryes have ensnared the hearts of countless viewers, leaving them hopelessly addicted to the drama and intrigue. But let’s admit it, teleseryes are becoming more and more predictable nowadays that the young people are starting to watch Kdrama instead where there are more originality and compelling plot. Number one to the overused trope in Teleseryes is the good old amnesia trope – because who needs character development and plot when you can just conveniently forget everything? It’s like watching a never-ending loop of a hamster running on a wheel – predictable, repetitive, and just plain exhausting. Get ready to say “amnesia who?” because we’re about to shake up Philippine dramas with some new and exciting storytelling techniques. It’s time to give the amnesia trope a break and let our creativity run wild!

Lack of Originality

Well, it seems like the writers of Philippine dramas have a serious case of amnesia themselves because they keep forgetting to come up with new plotlines! Oh great, another character with amnesia! How original. I can’t wait to see how they piece together their past… again. Oh boy, they really went all out with the storyline, didn’t they? And don’t even get me started on the creative potential—it’s like they’re trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Stagnant Character Development

Well, if you’re looking for a way to hit a pause on personal growth, just get yourself a good old case of amnesia! It looks like the amnesia trope is the ultimate reset button for characters. Say goodbye to character development, coz we’re hitting the amnesia switch and starting from scratch. Well, if the story moves any slower, we’ll need to bring in a sloth to narrate it.

Unrealistic Portrayal of Amnesia (So, apparently, in Philippine dramas, amnesia is just like a bad case of forgetfulness after a wild night out. Who needs medical accuracy when you can have a convenient plot device?)

The classic case of selective amnesia – characters only forget what’s convenient for the plot and remember everything else at the most opportune moments. Looks like someone’s got a bone to pick with the oversimplification of amnesia. Don’t worry, we won’t forget to take your concerns seriously. Well, if you want your story to be legit, you better make sure your amnesia game is on point. Otherwise, your readers might call you out on your BS.

Overdependence on Romance

The classic amnesia plotline: nothing says “I love you” like forgetting who you are and causing chaos in your relationship. In the typical amnesia plot twist, the main character conveniently forgets their significant other, remembers they are still in a relationship with their evil ex (selective amnesia) and then magically remembers them just in time for a happy ending. Can’t we have a little more creativity instead of relying on amnesia to create romantic tension? It’s like the writers are saying, “I can’t think of anything else, so let’s just erase their memory and see what happens.” Let’s give these characters a chance to grow beyond their love lives, shall we?

Missed Opportunities for Alternative Storylines

Well, if I had a peso for every time a Philippine drama used the amnesia plot, I’d have enough money to produce my own show with a more creative storyline. Wow, there are more themes and conflicts out there than a Kardashian family reunion! Why stick to the same old amnesia plot? Let’s venture into unexplored lands and give the audience something to really remember!

The amnesia trope has become an overused cliché in Philippine dramas, dampening the potential for creativity and fresh storytelling. It’s like the writers are stuck in a memory loop and can’t come up with anything new. Time to shake things up, folks! By finally putting this cliche to rest, writers and producers can give their brains a workout and come up with fresh, exciting storylines that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Plus, we won’t have to suffer through the same tired tropes over and over again. It’s a win-win! Philippine dramas! It’s time to ditch the amnesia plotline and get creative. Let’s blow our audience’s minds with some fresh and unexpected storytelling.

2. Rich vs. Poor Love Story

The classic tale of “rich vs. poor”. It’s like a never-ending game of financial tug-of-war, but with more sappy romance and less actual rope. Another story about rich people’s problems. In this article, we will dive into why the tired old tale of rich vs. poor lovers in Philippine dramas is as stale as week-old pandesal, and why it’s high time for a fresh and realistic approach to storytelling. 

Lack of Originality

Ah, the classic tale of the wealthy versus the poor—a plotline so overused in Philippine dramas that it’s practically begging for a makeover. The old story of a rich person falling for someone who doesn’t have as much money. Cue the dramatic music and societal disapproval! If I hear the same story one more time, I might just fall asleep and wake up in an alternate universe where originality reigns supreme.

Simplistic Portrayal of Class Differences

In many instances, the rich vs. poor love story oversimplifies the complexities of socioeconomic divisions. It’s almost as if life were a Disney movie, and we could solve all our problems with a catchy tune and a happy ending. The reality is a bit more complicated than that. Ah, yes, because we all know that having money automatically turns you into a villainous snob, and being poor makes you a saintly beacon of morality. It’s like the ultimate superhero origin story, but with less spandex and more class warfare. Sorry to break it to you, but life isn’t just black and white, my friend. Your binary narrative is so outdated, it’s practically prehistoric. Let’s embrace the diversity and nuances within each group, shall we?

Limitations on Character Development

The rich vs. poor love story tends to constrain character development by forcing characters into predetermined roles and conflicts. Yawn, the classic tale of the rich person needing to “find themselves” and the poor person being the hero who inspires change. Well, looks like these characters need to start taking some multivitamins for growth because they’re not getting any taller!

Reinforcement of Social Hierarchies

By constantly emphasizing the divide between the rich and the poor, the rich vs. poor love story inadvertently reinforces social hierarchies.  Well, because falling in love with a billionaire is the only way to stick it to the man and break down those pesky socioeconomic barriers. Let’s face it, there are more ways to tackle class differences and spread social justice than just through cheesy love stories. Exploring alternative narratives can help promote a more inclusive and progressive understanding of societal issues.

Missed Opportunities for Diverse Storylines

Can’t we have a love story where the rich person is actually a secret superhero and the poor person is a genius inventor? Let’s mix it up a bit! There are so many juicy tales out there that have nothing to do with money or status! We’re talking BFFs, big dreams, and major career wins. By broadening the scope of storytelling, Philippine dramas can engage audiences with a wider range of themes and characters that reflect the complexities of real-life relationships.

While the rich vs. poor love story has been a longstanding trope in Philippine dramas, it has become tired and predictable. It’s time to ditch the old boring rich vs. poor love story and spice things up with some diverse and multifaceted relationship drama. Let’s get wild and explore the crazy world of social interactions!

3. Love Triangles

Teleseryes, have trapped viewers for ages with their over-the-top and melodramatic plots. Ah, the good old love triangle. It’s like the avocado toast of romantic plots – overhyped and overdone. I can’t wait to see who our protagonist will choose between the two equally bland love interests. It’s not like we’ve seen this a million times before. In this section, we will dive into the depths of why love triangles are the ultimate eye-rolling, groan-inducing, “not this again” cliché in Philippine dramas.

Stagnant Character Development (again!)

Love triangles – the Bermuda Triangle of character growth. Looks like the main character is having a hard time choosing between two lovers.  Come on, let’s give them some personality and goals beyond just being a pawn in someone else’s game.

Lack of Realistic Relationship Dynamics

The classic love triangle – where one lucky person gets to choose between the “perfect” option and the “not-so-perfect” option (sorry second lead!). Real relationships are complicated and multifaceted, and reducing them to a binary choice diminishes their authenticity and fails to capture the intricacies of genuine human connections. It’s just not gonna work, honey.

Predictable and Repetitive Plotlines

Love triangles have become so prevalent in Philippine dramas that they have become predictable and repetitive. It’s like watching the same movie over and over again but with different actors and a slightly tweaked plot. Viewers can often anticipate the trajectory of the storyline, knowing that the central character will waver between the two love interests, causing unnecessary emotional turmoil and prolonging the resolution.  Looks like someone’s been hitting the thesaurus a little too hard. This repetitiveness dilutes the impact of the narrative and fails to engage audiences on a deeper level.

Undermining of Other Storylines

The focus on love triangles in Philippine dramas often overshadows other compelling storylines and conflicts. Here we go again with the lovey-dovey talk. Don’t get me wrong, relationships are great and all, but let’s not forget about the other important things in life like personal growth, friendship, family drama, and all the messed up stuff happening in society. Trust me, there’s more to life than just finding your soulmate. If Philippine dramas spice things up by adding unexpected twists and turns, we will start watching them too and not just K-dramas!

Unrealistic Portrayal of Love

Why have love triangles? Because loving just one person is too mainstream. Love triangles perpetuate an unrealistic notion that one person can be equally and intensely in love with two individuals simultaneously. Oh boy, watching too many rom-coms can really mess with your head! You start expecting grand gestures and perfect partners, but in reality, you’re lucky if your significant other remembers to put the toilet seat down. Let’s not perpetuate these unrealistic expectations. A more grounded and authentic exploration of love can provide a more relatable and meaningful representation.

Love triangles have become an exhausting cliché in Philippine dramas, contributing to predictable storylines, stagnant character development, and an oversimplification of relationships. Because who needs character development and complex relationships when you can just have three people awkwardly vying for each other’s affection? By ditching this old and worn-out cliche, writers and producers can unlock a whole new world of creative and wild storytelling that explores the complexities of human emotions and experiences. Paalam to the same old love triangle! Let’s spice things up with stories that make us question everything we thought we knew about love, relationships, and personal growth. Bring on the twists and turns!

4. Evil Scheming Relatives

Another recurring cliché: the conniving family member as the villain. It’s been done more times than a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat – and about as surprising. The classic tale of evil stepmothers, envious siblings, and scheming titas. How refreshing and original! Said no one ever. Get ready to roll your eyes as we dive into the tired and overused trope of evil relatives in Philippine dramas. It’s time to spice things up and come up with some fresh and creative ways to make our villains more interesting.

Lack of Originality

The portrayal of evil scheming relatives has been overused in Philippine dramas, resulting in a lack of originality. The classic character tropes of envy, greed, and revenge. Well, looks like we have some villains who need to spice up their game and stop being so predictable. Come on, bad guys, throw us a curveball once in a while! Otherwise, we’re stuck with the same old storylines and that’s just boring.

One-Dimensional Characters

Those evil scheming relatives sure are as shallow as a kiddie pool on a hot summer day. They have no backstory and their motivations are just plain meh. Well, it seems like these villains are stuck in a one-dimensional world where their only goal is to ruin the day for the good guys. They really need to branch out and explore some hobbies or something. Maybe take up knitting or join a book club? Just saying. Creating bad guys with more layers than an onion can make the story as juicy as a ripe peach.

Repetitive Storylines

The reliance on evil scheming relatives leads to repetitive storylines that lack innovation. The classic tale of scheming villains and their never-ending game of trickery and backstabbing. This repetitiveness can lead to viewer fatigue and diminish the overall impact of the storyline.

Missed Opportunities for Empathy

It seems like Philippine dramas have a knack for turning every family gathering into a scene from a horror movie. Instead of exploring the intricate family dynamics and the possibility of empathy, they prefer to paint relatives as villains straight out of a comic book. Wait, maybe they are? Remember the Tita who said you got fat? But oh well. Real-life relationships are like onions, they have layers. Even the most dysfunctional family can make you cry, just like chopping onions. By diving headfirst into the tangled web of these relationships, writers and producers can whip up some juicy and relatable storylines that’ll have viewers hooked like a fish on a line.

Lack of Innovation

The prevalence of evil scheming relatives reflects a lack of innovation in storytelling – because nothing says “original plot” like a villainous aunt or uncle. Philippine dramas have the potential to explore a wide range of compelling conflicts and antagonists that extend beyond the tired cliché of familial betrayal.

The portrayal of evil scheming relatives as antagonists have become a tired cliché in Philippine dramas, resulting in predictable storylines, one-dimensional characters, and missed opportunities for complex portrayals. It’s like they’re all following the same boring script. Can’t we mix it up a bit and give these villains some depth? Or maybe even make them likable? Just a thought. By ditching this tired old cliché, writers, and producers can finally break free from the shackles of predictability, create characters with more depth than Adele’s rolling, and hook viewers with stories so fresh and exciting, they’ll forget they’re binge-watching in their pajamas.

5. Convenient Coincidences

One cliché that often frustrates audiences is the overuse of convenient coincidences – the ultimate shortcut to a lazy writer’s heart and the ultimate eye-roll inducer for the audience.  Writers were like, “Hey, let’s throw in a random coincidence and see if anyone notices!” Well, guess what, writers? We notice. Get ready to roll your eyes as we delve into the cringe-worthy world of convenient coincidences in Philippine dramas. We’ll also discuss how cutting down on these eye-rolling moments can actually make teleseryes better.

Unrealistic Plot Development

Convenient coincidences often lead to unrealistic plot developments. The good ol’ “coincidence saves the day” cliché. Because who needs logical plot progression when you can just rely on the universe to magically align in your favor? These contrived events undermine the authenticity of the narrative, making it difficult for viewers to fully invest in the story and connect with the characters.

Lack of Tension and Conflict

Convenient coincidences diminish the tension and conflict that drive engaging storytelling. It’s like watching a movie without popcorn – just not the same. Well, if everything falls into place effortlessly, then where’s the fun in that? It’s like playing a video game on the easiest level – sure, you’ll win, but where’s the sense of accomplishment? Bring on the struggle and challenge, I say! Let’s make those characters work for their happy ending. I mean, come on, what’s wrong with a little bit of luck, right? Who doesn’t love a good deus ex machina to solve all their problems? But hey, I guess if you want your characters to actually work for their happy ending and learn some valuable life lessons along the way, that’s cool too.

Predictability and Lack of Surprise

Repetitive use of convenient coincidences makes storylines predictable and lacking in surprises. It’s like watching a magic show where you know exactly how the trick is going to end. Yawn. Instead of engaging viewers with unexpected twists and turns, the reliance on coincidences can leave them feeling unchallenged and disconnected from the narrative.

Diminished Character Agency

Convenient coincidences rob characters of their agency and personal growth. Well, if everything in a story happens by pure luck and not because of the character’s actions or decisions, it’s like watching a game of pinball – you never know where the ball will go next! Looks like our characters have become mere puppets in the hands of fate- or the writers. They’re just sitting there, waiting for good things to happen to them. Don’t even get me started on how unrelatable they are now. Who wants to root for a character that just sits around waiting for life to happen? Not me, that’s for sure!

Missed Opportunities for Creative Problem-Solving

By relying on convenient coincidences, Philippine dramas miss opportunities for creative problem-solving and alternative plot developments. I mean, why bother with creative problem-solving and alternative plot developments when you can just rely on good old-fashioned luck? Who needs depth and complexity when you can just have explosions and car chases?

Convenient coincidences have become a frustrating cliché in Philippine dramas, undermining believability, diminishing tension, and depriving characters of agency. It’s like the universe is their personal assistant, making sure they never have to work too hard for their happy ending. It’s enough to make you roll your eyes so hard they get stuck in the back of your head. Let’s keep it real, folks. We want to be fully immersed in the story, not rolling our eyes at some ridiculous twist. If you want to keep your audience on the edge of their seats and make them remember your show forever, just throw in some crazy plot twists, juicy drama, and characters that are more real than your ex’s excuses.

Conclusion

While Philippine dramas continue to entertain audiences, they frequently fall back on tired clichés and overused tropes.  By pointing out these flaws, writers, and producers can give CPR to the industry. Well, let’s face it, we’re all tired of the same old boring stories that we can predict from a mile away. Give us something new and exciting that captures the messiness of real life! It’s high time for Philippine dramas to level up and ditch the tired old formula of love triangles and amnesia plot twists. Let’s get creative and give our audiences something they’ve never seen before!