It’s not over until it’s over.
Description:
The Hero comes back to life.
Examples:
Star Wars:(see next stage,167 – The Cavalry Arrives)
The Matrix: Neo’s heart starts beating again.
Harry Potter: Harry stands up and faces Quirrell again.
Sideways: Miles’s car starts and the friends can escape from the attack.
Dodgeball: The ADAA Rule Book saves the good guys again. It’s Continuation Rule 113-D, sir. We are about to witness the greatest happening in sports: Sudden-death Dodgeball!
Related:
163 – The Hero’s Death
176 – Resurrection of the Villain
167 – The Cavalry Arrives
The Hero receives help from an unexpected ally.
Description:
This stage marks the return of a human Elixir—someone we met before but who we almost forgot. This character (usually the False Enemy, more rarely the Reluctant Aid or the Oblivious Innocent) saves the Hero from certain death.
This stage poses a challenge for authors, because this help has to be both foreshadowed (to avoiddeus-ex-machina)and unexpected (so it creates surprise).
Examples:
Star Wars: Han attacks Vader, who loses control of his fighter.
The Matrix: This happens later on, when Neo has already won the final battle against the Agents. Tank guides Neo to the closest hardline phone. Only then will Morpheus be able to trigger the EMP to kill the Squids that are destroying the Nebuchadnezzar.
Harry Potter:InThe Sorcerer’s Stonethere is no Cavalry—Harry deals with Quirrell alone. InThe Deathly Hallows,the Cavalry is Neville; he decapitates Nagini, the last of Voldemort’s horcruxes, just when the murderous serpent is about to kill Ron and Hermione.
Sideways: Miles presses the answering machine’s play button and hears, “Hello, Miles—it’s Maya.” She is The Cavalry, who “saves” Miles with her call.
Dodgeball: The Referee is The Cavalry here. White protests, but the referee’s judgment is final.
Related:
081 – The False Enemy
144 – The Reluctant Aid
187 – Ally Is Fine
168 – Second Declaration of Love
They are one step closer to that kiss.
Description:
The attraction is clear now. However, the lovers cannot come together yet, because of the ticking clock.
This is another step in the romantic subplot, which concludes in stage185 – Consummation of Love.
Examples:
Star Wars: (Not applicable, because the love story between Han and Leia develops across several movies).
The Matrix:See166 – The Hero’s Resurrection.
Harry Potter: (Not applicable. Since the characters are children, yet, the romantic subplots develop across several movies).
Sideways: Miles is the one doing the love declaration, albeit a sad one: He leaves a sincere farewell message for Maya before going back to Los Angeles: “This has been a big deal for me… I really like you, Maya.”
Dodgeball: This happens when Kate is eliminated. When she leaves the playing field, she stretches out her hand and touches Peter’s. White Goodman, jealous, hits her in the face with a ball.
Related:
124 – First Declaration of Love
185 – Consummation of Love
169 – Third Encouragement
The Hero gets encouragement to go ahead and finish it.
Description:
Someone (usually the Goddess, but not necessarily) either gives a word of encouragement to the Hero, or calls the Hero to action.
Examples:
Star Wars: Han says, “You’re all clear, kid. Now let’s blow this thing and go home.”
The Matrix: Trinity orders Neo, “Now, get up!”
Harry Potter:Before getting killed by Voldemort inThe Deathly Hallows, Harry’s parents appear to him and say, “We will be with you, always.”
Sideways: Maya’s message tells Miles to let her know if he plans to get back to Buellton sometime, encouraging him to return and see her.
Dodgeball: Kate leaves the field with her face hurting from White’s last illegal shot. She tells Peter, “Kick his ass.”
Related:
079 – First Encouragement
141 – Second Encouragement
170 – Right Words at the Right Time (2)
The words that caused the Hero’s first epiphany resonate again.
Description:
Weapons, talismans, and swords: Those are just objects that help the Hero’s quest; the real key to victory is the Hero’s enlightenment, and the Right Words are the vessel.
Examples:
Star Wars: Obi-Wan’s voice returns: “Let go, Luke. Trust the Force.”
The Matrix: Neo remembers the words “There is no spoon.” The Matrix is an illusion, so he doesn’t have to be bound by it.
Sideways:“The day you open a ‘61 Cheval Blanc, that’s the special occasion,” Maya once told Miles. He opens the bottle. Life itself is a special occasion, isn’t it?
Dodgeball: Patches’s apparition on the scarf tells Peter, “Listen up, crotch stain. Remember your training and trust your instincts. I believe in you.”
Bonus Examples:
The Lord of The Rings: The Right Words are Gandalf’s: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Frodo didn’t choose to be the Ring Bearer, but he decides to take the Ring to Mordor and destroy it.
Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility,” says Uncle Ben, words that resonate in Peter Parker’s mind, inspiring him to become a superhero.
Related:
061 – First Epiphany
097 – Right Words at the Right Time (1)
119 – Second Epiphany
142 – Third Epiphany
171 – The Hero Lets Go
The Weakness is transcended.
Description:
Reality forced the Hero to assume his true self. The Hero must stop fighting the weakness and simply transcend it, taking a leap of faith.
Examples:
Star Wars: This will be over in seconds. The Death Star starts its firing sequence. Taking such shot without a targeting computer is impossible, but Luke advances toward the exhaust port at full speed, anyway.
The Matrix:How can Neo be dead if he is The One? Answer: He can’t. The Oracle told him, “Temet Nosce” (“know thyself”), and now he realizes that his weakness is imaginary. He stands up and faces the Agents again.
Harry Potter: Harry embodies virtues, mainly courage and loyalty; he doesn’t have Weaknesses, per se. He, like Frodo Baggins, just keeps going.
Sideways:Miles becomes a better man bybeing a better man (a role that transcends that of the wedding). Defeatism, depression, and touchiness—all has to be left behind.
Dodgeball: Peter’s indolence took him nowhere in life; it is clear now that not deciding anything is a decision, too—and not the best one.
Related:
026 – The Hero’s Weakness
172 – The Hero’s Verbal Attack
The Hero undermines the Villain’s self-confidence.
Description:
Words have power; they are weapons targeted to the mind.
Another psychological attack happens, but this time, the Hero is the one taking the offensive. The Hero says something that throws the Villain off balance.
Examples:
Star Wars: This happens when Luke hears a joyous scream through the communicator: “Yahoo!” Then Han destroys Vader’s wingmen and throws Vader’s ship off orbit.
The Matrix: The Agents empty their clips at Neo. He says, “No,” and the bullets stop in midair, right in front of him, under the astonished looks of the Agents.
Harry Potter: InThe Deathly Hallows, Harry grabs Voldemort by the neck and tells him, face to face, “Come on, Tom. Let’s end this the way we started it: Together.” Vol
demort screams in anger and horror as Harry drags him down the abyss. By calling him “Tom,” Harry breaks the fear that the name “Voldemort” inspires, and also reminds the Villain that, deep down, he is just Tom—a scared little boy.
Sideways: The Wedding. The words are the priest’s, who is pronouncing the marriage. Miles and Jack peek at each other and smile. Their old selves are defeated, and they both emerge from the ceremony as new men.
Dodgeball: Peter tells White, “You look awful fat in those pants.” White Goodman’s obesity complex comes back with a vengeance.
Related:
073 – The Hero’s Determination
174 – The Hero Is Unstoppable
173 – Emergence of the Sword
The Hero launches the final attack.
Description:
The Sword symbolizes the power to defeat evil. The Hero brandish this weapon and advances to finish the battle.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke feels the Force. Not even Vader can stop him now. He is ready to shoot.
The Matrix: Neo takes one bullet and lets it fall to the floor. The other bullets fall as well. He can change the Matrix as he sees fit.
Harry Potter: Harry grabs Quirrell’s face. The dark wizard starts turning to ash from head to toe.
Sideways: Miles’s “sword” is his newfound self-confidence. He decides to go for Maya.
Dodgeball: Peter’s “sword” is a beautiful silver dodgeball, ready to be shot.
Related:
056 – Presentation of the First Sword
146 – Sword Upgrade
174 – The Hero Is Unstoppable
Apotheosis approaches—and your body knows it.
Description:
You can feel it in your stomach: The Hero is going to win. You can see the serenity and determination.
In movies, this feeling is almost subliminally transmitted by music. In a novel, it has to be done with text—or better yet, with subtext.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke uses the Force and fires the explosive charges into the exhaust port.
The Matrix: Neo sees everything around him constructed in the Matrix’s code. Smith attacks furiously, but Neo easily controls him with one hand, without even looking at the Agent.
Harry Potter:InThe Sorcerer’s Stone, Quirrell’s whole body crumbles as he continues walking toward Harry. InThe Deathly Hallows,the Elder Wand leaves Voldemort’s hand and flies to Harry’s. The Dark Lord is on his knees.
Sideways: Miles drives to Maya’s home, while we still hear her voice in the background.
Dodgeball: Peter rubs his fingers, his senses at maximum alert. He stands serene and confident. The world disappears.
Related:
073 – The Hero’s Determination
172 – The Hero’s Verbal Attack
175 – The Villain “Dies”
It’s the Villain’s turn to go down.
The Villain is dead. For sure. Right?
Description:
Because the death of the Villain is the most cathartic stage, it usually happens twice. This is the first of those times.
The Villain’s death provides satisfaction to the audience, but also leaves them wondering if the Villain is really gone (hint: he’s not).
Examples:
Star Wars: Vader’s ship was shot out of the sky. What happened to him?
The Matrix: With one kick, Neo sends Smith flying across the hall. Neo wins the fight, but is Smith dead?
Harry Potter: Quirrell disintegrates on the floor, but what happened to Voldemort?
Sideways: (Not applicable).
Dodgeball: Peter’s shot catches White in the stomach, sending him flying backward across the field. Peter wins the tournament. White is done, right?
Related:
177 – Apotheosis
176 – Resurrection of the Villain
This guy doesn’t know the word “quit”.
Description:
The Villain may have lost the Boon, the battle, the girl, everything—but he’s not done yet. The Villain comes back to life and launches a last, desperate, furious attack.
Examples:
Star Wars: Vader is not dead; he regains control of his ship.
The Matrix: Smith stands up. His sunglasses are gone (a symbol of his defeat). But he is not done yet.
Harry Potter: Voldemort’s dark spirit flies through Harry’s body, as if he wanted to kill the boy. Harry falls backward, unconscious.
Sideways: (Not applicable).
Dodgeball: “What are you so happy about, La Fleur? None of this matters,” says White with scorn. “You signed your gym over to me last night, remember? You lost. I won. Suck failure, freaks.”
Related:
175 – The Villain “Dies”
177 – Apotheosis
177 – Apotheosis
The Villain is gone, this time for good.
Description:
The Villain finally dies, is imprisoned, is ridiculed, or simply escapes, should you need this Villain for your next novel.
The final battle is over, and the Hero acquires the Ultimate Boon.
Examples:
Star Wars: The explosive charges detonate and the Death Star is destroyed in a magnificent explosion. Vader escapes.
The Matrix: Neo enters Smith’s body and destroys him from the inside in a magnificent explosion.
Harry Potter: InThe Deathly Hallows, Voldemort is destroyed in a magnificent explosion.
Sideways: Miles knocks on Maya’s door; such is the apotheosis in this story. It’s so simple and powerful that the movie ends right here, a second before Miles’s definitive triumph happens (i.e., Maya opening that door, which we never get to see). Extraordinary.
Dodgeball:Personnel from the Las Vegas casino make their way among the public and present Peter with his winnings: Five million dollars. He bet the bribe money, which allows him to buy the controlling stock of Globo Gym, and consequently Average Joe’s, too. Peter tells White, “You’re fired, pal.” White explodes in a fit of rage and has to be escorted out of the arena.
Related:
179 – Master of Two Worlds
178 – Lieutenants Vanish
After their boss is out, the dark side’s lieutenants run away.
Description:
Fighting to the last man is a mark of Heroism—something the antagonist doesn’t have. The Villain’s lieutenants run for the hills.
This is an additional catharsis. It reinforces the previous one (the death of the Villain) and underlines the light side’s victory.
Examples:
Star Wars: The Empire has lost, and the remainder of the Imperial fleet gets disbanded.
The Matrix: After Smith explodes, Agents Brown and Jones look at each other in disbelief. Then they run away.
Harry Potter:inThe Deathly Hallows, after Voldemort dies, the Death Eaters run away scared.
Sideways: (Not applicable).
Dodgeball: The rest of the Purples Cobras follow White out of the field, trying to calm him down.
179 – Master of Two Worlds
The Hero’s highest moment of glory.
Description:
The Hero defeated the Villain (a symbol of the Adventure World) and defeated the Hero’s own defective self (a symbol of the Ordinary World). The Hero has transcended death, and a supernatural aura surrounds the Hero.
Here is evident that the Hero acquired the Boon; however, usually there is another reward that goes beyond the expected winnings.
Note that nothing is said in this stage: The Hero just shines.
Examples:
Star Wars: Luke exhales, relieved, in his cockpit. He achieved victory as a pilot of the Rebellion. But he also started his path as a Jedi. There are two literal worlds here: Yavin and the Death Star, and Luke won in both of them.
The Matrix: Neo inhales and exhales, and the Matrix curves around him. There are two worlds here: The real world and the simulated world, and Neo mastere
d both of them.
Harry Potter: Harry saves both worlds: The magic world and the muggle world. He is now also the owner of the Deathly Hallows (the Invisibility Cloak, the Resurrection Stone, and the Alder Wand), and the most powerful wizard ever.
Sideways: Miles won in both the world of friendship (in relation to Jack) and the world of love (in relation to Maya). But more than anything, he triumphed over himself.
Dodgeball: Peter won both in the sports world and in the business world: He won the tournament and the $50,000. But he also won the five million dollars, the girl, and the girl’s girl (please, spare me the explanation).
180 – Celebration
The order in the world is restored.
Description:
In some stories, the ordeal is so intense that an all-out party would feel out of place. However, there is always at least a subtle hint of celebration—a smile, a physical show of relief, something.
In any case, this stage shows whatever is left of the winning team, and also remembers those who were lost.
Examples:
Star Wars: The Rebellion wins. People in the Rebel base cheer and hug.
The Matrix: Humanity wins. There is no cheering (too many have died). Celebration symbolism: Fireworks-like sparks all around them, in the ship.
Harry Potter: InThe Deathly Hallows, Hogwarts wins. There is no cheering (too many have been lost). Celebration symbolism: Mrs. Weasley’s satisfied smile after she vaporizes the evil witch Bellatrix Lestrange.
Sideways: Jack and Miles lived the adventure of their lives and succeeded in securing true love. Celebration symbolism: The wedding.
Dodgeball: Average Joe’s wins. Everyone cheers and hugs at the stadium.
181 – Atonement
The Hero has made peace with the fatherly figure.
Description:
The Hero has redeemed the father by avenging him or honoring him. More importantly, the Hero transcended the father.
The Ultimate Hero's Journey Page 14