The original post: /r/television by /u/AporiaParadox on 2026-04-24 11:49:16+00:00.
We all know about Deus Ex Machina, moments when the main characters are about to lose, but the plot requires they win anyway so ass pulls and contrivances happen to save them. But the bad guys also often benefit from this, the Diabolus Ex Machina. This is especially common when the bad guy is an overarching villain of a season/series, so they aren’t allowed to truly lose until the season/series finale.
In Game of Thrones for example, Euron Greyjoy somehow builds a massive fleet out of nowhere even though the Iron Islands have no wood, then somehow manages to ambush Daenerys and kill one of her dragons from an absurd distance.
So what other instances are there of the bad guy only winning/getting away because plot?