The Release ARC
The Release Arc is where the PROT has unprocessed trauma and they’ve created a homeostasis where things are “just OK” or and they’re surviving “FINE!” They may have lost someone, got betrayed/abandoned, or hurt someone in the past and they’re now self-flagellating or punishing themselves inside this cage. And that’s what it really is: self-imprisonment. That is, until, a catalyst comes along to yank them out of their current existence. The catalyst can be a new character (who reminds them of their past hurt), or someone from their past who represents their past hurt, like a ghost that haunts them.
This PROG is usually one where the quest is a reflection of their past hurt, where they’re forced to face that past hurt, and/or the new character in their life reminds them of their past hurt and in saving them, they are in a way getting a “second chance” to make things right (or at least process and heal their trauma).
The Release Arc is most often a POSITIVE ARC that teaches us to let go of resentment, shame, grief, past failures.
The Emotional Arc
- STS: Things are fine! It’s not perfect, but I’m coping. What?! I’m not in denial!
- DSR: [x forces change] I can’t deal with this right now! I’m too busy! No time! Not my problem!
- BWO: OK. FINE. I’ll fix this quickly and then go back to my old normal.
- PNR: Goddammit, I can’t just fix X. I also have to fix Y. And OMG… who am I?
- AIL: I tried to do good, tried to change, but it’s too much! I regret trying!
- CMX: Actually, no. I can grow and accept myself, own my past, stop hiding. I can fix this.
alt. CMX: We rarely see stories where PROT doesn’t let go. Villains and ANTGs might not. OR… we’re talking about FLAT ARC characters who change just a little bit, or have a devastating epiphany, only to fall back to status quo again as it’s a serialized, licensed IP. (Don Draper, Batman, House MD)
The Stakes
- Losing control over well-constructed homeostasis even though it’s imperfect or even toxic.
- Having to face a traumatic past, face ghosts
- Having to face a past failure or wrong where you hurt someone you cared about
The Triangle(s)
- PROT: The Denialist using unhealthy coping mechanism:
- ASSHOLE/BITCH: keep people away. You can’t trust them.
- HUSTLER: con people before they con you first.
- MAVERICK: fuck the man, don’t follow rules, and ALWAYS do your own thing. Rebel.
- ANAL-RETENTIVE: follow the letter of the law because that’s how you protect yourself.
- LONER/HERMIT/FUGITIVE: always be running, keep away from people. Keep head down.
- A Mission/Project or New Person that shakes them loose
- Current friends/family they harm inside the homeostasis but put up with them.
Media
Film & TV
- Up (2009)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Last of Us S1 (2023)