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Phlebotinumnote or "phlebotinium" in the Commonwealth countries or scenarium is the versatile substance that may be rubbed on anything to cause an effect needed by a plot. Examples include but are not limited to:nanotechnology, magic crystal emanations, pixie dust, andGreen Rocks.
In essence, it is plot fuel. Without it, the story would grind to an abrupt halt. It's the science that powers theFTL drive on the starship so the characters can get somewhere, it's the magic that hatches theEgg MacGuffin so the protagonist can save an endangered species, it's the strange things unknown to science or magic that do basically anythingexcept those limits and dangers required by the plot. The reader does not know how Phlebotinum would work and the creators hope nobody cares. In essence, it's a plot device that abstracts away the problem of hard science.
According toJoss Whedon, during the DVD commentary for the pilot episode ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, the term "phlebotinum" originates fromBuffy writer (andAngel co-creator) David Greenwalt's sudden outburst: "Don't touch the phlebotinum!" apropos of nothing.fun factWhether or not he had the etymological connection in mind, "phlebotomy" is the drawing of blood, coincidentally appropriate in context.
If the phlebotinum in question is simply a physical substance with unusual/extreme properties you are almost certainly dealing with the elementUnobtainium.
Msgr.Ronald Knox discourages this in rule 4 of his rules for aFair-Play Whodunnit, albeit in the context of poisons. Though he acknowledges that there may be as-of-yet unknown poisons with unexpected properties, those mustnever come into the story unless they are discovered and identified.
A.K.A. Handwavium, Contrivium, or Convenium. CompareAuthor Powers,Hand Wave,Theory of Narrative Causality,MacGuffin,Deus ex Machina, andA Wizard Did It. ContrastMisapplied Phlebotinum andReed Richards Is Useless, andMinovsky Physics for when it's actually examined in scientific detail with clearly defined limits and uses. Not to be confused withPhlebotomy.
Applied Phlebotinum is among theTropes of Legend.
Using a special pill given to him by his leader to become a giant, Cron, the stranger from the planet Zod, not only breaks out of a cage, but is able to carry out his mission of conquering the planet.
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Miracle-Gro Monster
Using a special pill given to him by his leader to become a giant, Cron, the stranger from the planet Zod, not only breaks out of a cage, but is able to carry out his mission of conquering the planet.
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