Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure is one of many TV Tropes used in BT Productions.
Basic Info[]
This is when, just before the third act and when things are at their worst, the protagonist is abandoned by his/her best friend. A staple of buddy pictures, where the friendship drives the plot.
Basic Plot[]
It's been a long, hard road for the protagonist. They've fought their way through rising complications, twists and turns, and unexpected outcomes, yet are the furthest from achieving their goal since the story began. Good thing they have their best buddy to help them when all other lights have failed. Or not. Apparently the stresses involved with The Quest have taken their toll on the relationship, stretching it to the point of breaking. And then one last thing, one straw to break the camel's back, perturbs the protagonist, and in a moment of rashness, he lets loose a barrage of atomic Jerkassery on his best buddy. Unfortunately the best buddy, the calm head and stalwart that promised to stick by the hero through thick and thin, he's got his breaking point, too, and the protagonist's last action just crossed the line. The best buddy abandons the protagonist, leaving them with nothing by way of support—and just at the worst possible time to boot. That is because the Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure is always set to go off right before the protagonist has to face his biggest challenge in The Climax. Expect a change of heart and a last minute save by the best buddy in the climax, thus reinforcing The Power of Friendship.
Examples[]
- Random Drama Journeys: Sky has had a love-hate relationship with Necrozma, to the point she made it her last resort buddy. But then Sky ditches Necrozma before catching her sixth Pokemon (partly because she can never bring herself to like Necrozma). This is somewhat downplayed as Sky's abandonment doesn't come at the worst time, but it does bite her when she faces off against Sugar to become Champion. The plot is still played straight when Necrozma comes in for the save by becoming Ultra Necrozma (and thus making Sky actually like Necrozma for what it is).