What is the term called when

[triska]

at the end of the story it is revealed that it was just a dream or a 'simulation'?

Theres a specific term...(it might be a literary term)

 

[mobobuff]

deus ex machina?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
deus ex machina?

hmm i think that means when something miraculous happens to save the character/story...

 

[FoBoT]

bullcrap
stories like that are sooooo lame
those writers can just stay on strike forever if that is all they can think up

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mobobuff
deus ex machina?

hmm i think that means when something miraculous happens to save the character/story...

yep.

but hmm, I don't know what the OP is looking for. I've seen that story setup a lot, but what they call it I don't know.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
bullcrap
stories like that are sooooo lame
those writers can just stay on strike forever if that is all they can think up

Agreed. It's just a cop-out used when writers paint themselves into a corner and can't think of a way out.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
bullcrap
stories like that are sooooo lame
those writers can just stay on strike forever if that is all they can think up

agreed.
deus ex machina and whatever the plot device the OP is looking for are both lame and act an as easy way out for the writer.

 

[her209]

Someone just watched Family Guy and/or American Dad.

 

[Tiamat]

complete bullshit thats what they are called. Lame because writer got writer's block.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Dallas ex machina?

fixed

But seriously, deus ex machina is the term you are looking for (or perhaps retroactive continuity if you mean specifically to make future events plausible).