Rules of Drama (probably first of an ongoing series)

[kilroy]

#282: The deus ex machina that you use to save a major character should never, ever be in the form of healing tears. (this rule brought to you by Smallville)

#283: When establishing that a female character is a fighter, her introductory sequence will invariably involve her winning a fight. To maintain this illusion, the female character must continue to win fights without being rescued by other characters or deus ex machinas, and without taking crippling or fatal wounds. (also Smallville)