Literary Necessititus (or Filling Plotholes not Potholes)

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What is Literary Necessititus you ask? 

This is the phrase K and I use to explain some of the more ridiculous plot devices used in movies and TV shows to keep the story moving. We enjoy pointing out such far-fetched plot devices, especially in Hallmark mystery movies. 

Why the Hallmark movies? Because the writers of those movies often have no clue as to how something would be handled in the real world and resort to bizarre happenstance to explain why what happened did happen where it happened and when it happened just when the right person was there to see it happen. 

Hallmark isn't the only regular employer of Literary Necessititus. Most cop and detective shows, as well as medical shows, use it a lot. 

You'll know you're seeing it in action when you find yourself thinking or saying, "That would never happen that way in real life." 

Watch for it. Give yourself a pat on the back when you catch them at it.

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