Situations 53&54
ODD COUPLE AND FISH OUT OF WATER
“Chaos and Order are not enemies, only opposites.”
–RICHARD GARRIOTT
Odd Couple
Odd means deviating from what is ordinary, usual, or expected.
This situation requires a Hero, a close Opposite Hero, and an Event that brings them together.
Two characters that are completely different in almost every way are forced to work together to achieve a common goal. Their differing styles and opinions cause much of the obstacles they face in the story and place their goal in jeopardy until they learn to work together and accept the other’s way of being and working. Think about:
• the two buddy cops who can’t stand working together but are forced to do so by the captain; one is soft, caring, and educated; the other is hard, tough, and street-smart
• the tough outdoorsman and city girl who fall in love and try to make it work
• the neat freak who has to live with the sloppy dirt-a-holic after his divorce (The Odd Couple television series)
These characters can differ in many ways, such as:
• occupation
• history and upbringing
• education
• philosophy
• hobbies
• morals
• goals and aspirations
• ways of living
• social interactions with others
• class or social standing
• money and culture
THE HERO
The Hero likes things done a certain way. Whatever the focus of the story is, the Hero knows a definite way to go about reaching his goal and he doesn’t want to deviate from his way at all. He may not know any other way and therefore feels uncomfortable if someone forces him to do things another way. His pride could be at stake as well as his self-esteem if he has to admit he doesn’t know how to do it another way.
He takes a “my way or the highway” approach to the job at hand, but that won’t work. If he wants to reach the goal he will have to learn to let go a little and work in a team.
He may genuinely feel his way is the right way and not want to change because he believes his way will save the day. He will then want to convince or change his partner, which only makes matters worse.
OPPOSITE HERO
The Opposite Hero feels the exact same way as the Hero. She knows her way is the right way and she wants to convince or change the Hero. She will also have to learn to work in a team to get the job done.
Both the Hero and the Opposite Hero may get frustrated and try to use guilt, manipulation, or any other psychological game to change the other, but in the end it doesn’t work too well and may only be temporary. Sooner or later, the one who tried to change will get very angry and lash out.
THE EVENT
The Event is something that happens that forces the two Heroes to be together in some way. There must be a compelling reason for both Heroes to be involved with this event so neither Hero can just walk away. Something about this event connects them—they have the same boss, live in the same apartment building, know the same man who needs help—anything at all can connect them.
Perhaps they are forced to work together on a project or they will be fired. Or think of As Good As It Gets and how the artistic gay man and his obnoxious, obsessive-compulsive, older neighbor are forced to interact and help each other out. Or think of the television show The Odd Couple and how Oscar is forced to take in his friend when his wife kicks him out on the street.
Whether Odd Couple is used as plot, subplot, or incident, the elements of the beginning, middle, and end are the same:
BEGINNING: A Hero meets an Opposite Hero and they clash.
• Are both equally unhappy with the situation? Or is one eager to work with the other at first?
• In what way are they opposites?
• Is either willing to try to change at this point? Or do they clash right away?
• Will anyone else get involved to try to help them?
• What Event makes them work together? It can’t be easy for them to just walk away from each other.
MIDDLE: The Hero and Opposite Hero create their own obstacles toward reaching their goal.
• How will you use their opposing force against them? How will you turn it into Conflict that puts the goal in jeopardy?
• Will they find a way to work together or fight the whole time?
• Can an intermediary help them work things out?
• Do any other characters come to help? Are they like the Hero or the Opposite Hero?
END: The Hero and Opposite Hero manage to work together for once and reach the goal.
• Did one of them concede and do it the other one’s way? Or did they both work together?
• What brought about this change?
• Did one character grow from being around the other? Did both of them grow?
• What did they learn from this?
• Would they work together again?
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
–M.SCOTT PECK
Fish Out of Water
A Fish Out of Water is a misfit who is unable to adjust to his environment or circumstances or is considered to be disturbingly different from others.
In this situation, the Hero is in conflict with an opposing Situation. She doesn’t fit in where she is pushed to go, or at least feels that way. This could either be a simple issue of self-esteem for her, with everyone else thinking she fits in just fine, or she really could be out of her element. Why should she fit in? She should be allowed to be herself.
Whatever the reason, the Hero is in a situation that feels extremely uncomfortable for her. She may not know how to act, what to say, how to dress, who to talk to, and what is or is not acceptable where she is.
Her secondary goal may be to get out of the situation as quickly as possible, but she probably has to be there to get something that will lead her to her goal. She could be seeking information or trying to make a contact. Something very important awaits her within the situation or she wouldn’t be going there at all.
She could snap under the pressure depending upon her personality and defensiveness, especially if someone makes fun of her.
Whether Fish Out of Water is used as plot, subplot, or incident, the elements of the beginning, middle, and end are the same:
BEGINNING: The Hero finds out she has to go somewhere she absolutely does not want to go.
• What compels her to go? Will it bring her closer to her goal?
• Why doesn’t she feel like she’ll fit in?
• Can she bring anyone with her for support?
• Will others make fun of her?
• How does she get herself excited to go?
MIDDLE: The Hero goes and feels completely out of place.
• Where does the Event take place? Can you change the place to make it more awkward for her?
• Is she able to fit in a little bit?
• Is it funny to see her in this situation?
• Does she get in little jabs at people without them realizing she is putting them down?
• Does she blow her cover?
• Will she be able to go back?
END: The Hero gets through the Event and finds the information that leads her to her goal.
• Does she receive help to get to her goal? Or does she do it all by herself?
• Does she embrace her differences?
• Does she have a newfound respect for the place or people she didn’t fit in with?
• How has she changed from this?
• Are there any other places she wants to go now to see if she can fit in?
• Has she gotten a sense of humor from going through this?
EXAMPLES
Romancing the Stone, ROBERT ZEMECKIS
ODD COUPLE AS SUBPLOT— A girl from the big city meets a reckless soldier of fortune while lost in the jungle.
48 Hrs., WALTER HILL
ODD COUPLE AS SUBPLOT— A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wisecracking criminal temporarily paroled to him in order to track down a killer.
Miss Congeniality, DONALD PETRIE
FISH OUT OF WATER AS PLOT— A tomboyish FBI agent goes undercover in the Miss United States beauty pageant to prevent a group from bombing the event.
Coyote Ugly, DAVID MCNALLY
FISH OUT OF WATER AS INCIDENT— A shy, small-town girl in her early twenties goes to New York City to pursue a dream of becoming a songwriter. She gets a job at a nightclub called Coyote Ugly where she struggles to fit in.