Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Stolen Good, Returned Better

 Stolen Good, Returned Better
type
FeatureClass
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
label
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
page
StolenGoodReturnedBetter
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
comment
Bob has stolen something from Alice. And That's Terrible. Bob then proceeds to upgrade, repair, or otherwise improve his stolen goods. But somehow — whether by Bob returning it, Alice stealing it back, or a random coincidence — Alice gets her stuff back. While she might have been unhappy about the theft, she's pleasantly surprised at Bob's improvements.
See also Honest Axe.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
fetched
2023-09-25T23:02:03Z
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
parsed
2023-09-25T23:02:03Z
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to BavarianFireDrill: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to InvertedTrope: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to NPC: Not an Item - UNKNOWN
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to PlayedForLaughs: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to TrueCompanions: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingComment
Dropped link to UrbanLegends: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingUnknown
NPC
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_223c2a48
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_223c2a48
comment
A strange variation in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: if you hurl a rusty sword or shield at an inhaling octorok, then when the octorok spits the sword or shield out, it'll no longer be rusty; it'll be good as new.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_223c2a48
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_223c2a48
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_223c2a48
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_22f49cdf
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_22f49cdf
comment
An episode of Castle has a variation involving a squatter: He breaks into people's apartments while they're on vacation so he can live there for a while, but always leaves the place exactly as he found it except for general repairs about the place and an appreciative bottle of wine in the fridge.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_22f49cdf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_22f49cdf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Castle
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_22f49cdf
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_2e2efbf9
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_2e2efbf9
comment
In Back to the Future, Marty McFly steals a kid's scooter, ripping off the handles so it's just the board. When he gives it back, it's the world's first skateboard.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_2e2efbf9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_2e2efbf9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Back to the Future
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_2e2efbf9
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3012f6ec
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3012f6ec
comment
In Touhou Journal, Marisa borrows Reimu's Rubik Cube, and in a fit of irritation, breaks it. Desperate, she hands it to Nitori to fix it, who modifies the cube to make it insanely more difficult. Reimu is visibly giddy at the new addition.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3012f6ec
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3012f6ec
featureConfidence
1.0
 Touhou Journal (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3012f6ec
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_30940081
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_30940081
comment
In Grand Theft Auto V, one of the properties you can buy as Franklin (and only Franklin) is an auto repair shop that will let you get all your vehicle customizations free of charge. However, this deal only applies to Franklin, so if you want to upgrade the other character's vehicles without paying for them, you have to invoke this trope.
When Michael's family leaves, Jimmy takes his car and some of his cash. Much later in the game, Jimmy returns the car with a few modifications.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_30940081
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_30940081
featureConfidence
1.0
 Grand Theft Auto V (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_30940081
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_33dd1d90
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_33dd1d90
comment
At the end of Half-Life 2, the Citadel's automated Confiscating Field takes and disintegrated all of Gordon's weapons...just to accidentally power up the Gravity Gun when it tries to destroy it, turning it into the weapon Gordon cleans up the entire Citadel with.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_33dd1d90
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_33dd1d90
featureConfidence
1.0
 Half-Life 2 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_33dd1d90
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3fbd173e
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3fbd173e
comment
In Freefall, Sam steals his neighbor's truck, claiming it to be "borrowing" — he did intend to return it, after all. Florence works on it for a while before returning it. It runs a bit better afterward.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3fbd173e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3fbd173e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Freefall (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_3fbd173e
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_418dd5fa
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_418dd5fa
comment
In Earthquake Weather, fugitive Cody steals a car, picking one that's a few decades old because it's easier to hotwire. She does some work on it while it's in her hands, so when the owner eventually gets it back it's in better condition than it was when she stole it.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_418dd5fa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_418dd5fa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Earthquake Weather
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_418dd5fa
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_41b0198a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_41b0198a
comment
Harry Dresden of The Dresden Files once said that he got a note from a prospective carjacker offering to steal him something better. This is because his Blue Beetle is The Alleged Car; Harry can't drive anything more modern because of his magic, which shorts out anything that was invented after the integrated circuit.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_41b0198a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_41b0198a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Dresden Files
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_41b0198a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_59965292
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_59965292
comment
In the Wyatt novels by Garry Disher, whenever Wyatt steals a car, he always leaves it in a parking lot with a full tank of petrol.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_59965292
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_59965292
featureConfidence
1.0
 Wyatt
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_59965292
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5c897f4a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5c897f4a
comment
Schlock Mercenary: Captain Kaepu finds himself with a bunch of "uninvited guests" on his shipnote He's aware that some of the more xenophobic members of his homeworld might hold him responsible for them being there, until the happy later realization that they didn't give him a choice, and in reassuring him they just want to "borrow" some of his ship's equipment;
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5c897f4a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5c897f4a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Schlock Mercenary (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5c897f4a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5fa33285
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5fa33285
comment
Feedle in The Goblins of Labyrinth makes sure to have Gurdy the Burnisher polish up the goods he steals, and returns them to their owner with a poetic little note. Even if he murdered their owner in cold blood.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5fa33285
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5fa33285
featureConfidence
1.0
 Labyrinth
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_5fa33285
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6c1d09b2
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6c1d09b2
comment
In Fallout 2, your car may be stolen in Reno, but if you find it in the chop shop, the guys who stole it will helpfully return it to you better than before.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6c1d09b2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6c1d09b2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fallout 2 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6c1d09b2
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6e22084b
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6e22084b
comment
In an episode of Michael Bentine's Potty Time, a thief steals Nelson's Column, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. It turns out the thief was actually having them cleaned as a gift to the governments of the United Kingdom, France and the USA and returned them in 'as-new' condition.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6e22084b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6e22084b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Michael Bentine's Potty Time
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_6e22084b
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_72e68fc6
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_72e68fc6
comment
The first victim of Case 5 of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice, Archie Buff, was an Adventurer Archaeologist-cum-Phantom Thief who stole many valuable historical artifacts. However, he was motivated purely by academic interest, and would return them once his studies were complete, often having restored them in the process.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_72e68fc6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_72e68fc6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice (Visual Novel)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_72e68fc6
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_73d7930f
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_73d7930f
comment
In an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Nog "borrows" General Martok's supply of bloodwine to complete a trade for needed starship parts. Martok is understandably pissed, but is mollified when he gets back bloodwine of a much finer vintage.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_73d7930f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_73d7930f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_73d7930f
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_77be988d
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_77be988d
comment
In Thief of Time, Lobsang steals a witches' broom to get to Ankh-Morpork in time to do something about the Glass Clock. At the end of the book he uses the time-altering powers of the Time Monks to make the broom newer than it was before returning it.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_77be988d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_77be988d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Thief of Time
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_77be988d
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_78a1bf5a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_78a1bf5a
comment
In Dragon Quest V, your sword can be "stolen" by a creepy old lady who lives in one of the dungeons of the game and offers to let you and your new bride spend the night. While your wife does have doubts as to whether or not it's a good idea to take up the old hermit on her offer, doing so results in a special cutscene. You wake up in the middle of the night unable to move due to a magical spell, and you and your wife hear ominous grinding sounds from the next room. It turns out the old woman had used magic on you to ensure you have a good nights sleep and spent hours sharpening your sword.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_78a1bf5a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_78a1bf5a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dragon Quest V (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_78a1bf5a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_7f8a38b6
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_7f8a38b6
comment
This happens to pretty much all the Gundams in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (except for Heavyarms). OZ recovers Wing and Sandrock after they self-destruct, and when they're stolen back, they're in much better condition (Wing has an explanation, Sandrock not so much). Deathscythe and Shenlong get badly damaged and captured in space, but the Gundam Engineers (who have been captured by OZ) upgrade them in secret before handing them back to the boys.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_7f8a38b6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_7f8a38b6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_7f8a38b6
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_85a3d596
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_85a3d596
comment
A variant where something is stolen but replaced with something at least arguably better is done in The Sandlot. One day while his stepfather is away on business, Smalls is playing baseball with his friends and they lose the ball. Desperately wanting to keep playing, Smalls goes into his stepfather's bedroom and grabs a ball kept there, which was autographed by none other than Babe Ruth. Smalls, being a Naïve Newcomer to the game of baseball, doesn't realize who Babe Ruth is or the value in the ball when it too inevitably gets lost in the yard of a neighbor with a notorious (and huge) dog. All his friends go through enormous lengths to try to retrieve the ball, but it winds up destroyed. Fortunately, the owner of the house is kind enough to give Smalls his ball signed by not only Babe Ruth but the entire Yankees team to replace it, which does a lot to placate his stepfather when the business trip is over.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_85a3d596
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_85a3d596
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Sandlot
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_85a3d596
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_87e00d8e
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_87e00d8e
comment
In Teen Titans (2003), the Hive takes over the Titans' (filthy) Tower. By the time the Titans retake it, the Hive have cleaned it up and alphabetized their CDs. Beast Boy and Cyborg are appalled since now they can't find anything, and they were saving that blue mold.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_87e00d8e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_87e00d8e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Teen Titans (2003)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_87e00d8e
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8bbda387
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8bbda387
comment
In The Rocketeer, Cliff and Peevey don't steal the rocket from Howard Hughes, but Peevey's reverse engineering improves its acceleration. He also designs a helmet that improves flight—which greatly impresses Hughes.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8bbda387
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8bbda387
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Rocketeer
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8bbda387
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8ce66152
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8ce66152
comment
The Emperor's Soul: This is mentioned as one of a Forger's core tactics: make a Forgery that's slightly better than the original, and people are far less likely to notice (or speak up when they notice the difference).
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8ce66152
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8ce66152
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Emperor's Soul
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8ce66152
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8d4118c1
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8d4118c1
comment
In Batman '66: The Lost Episode (based off an unproduced script written by none other than Harlan Ellison), Two-Face steals a nearly complete set of ancient Chinese plates from a museum, only to return the set with the missing piece when his coin comes good-heads up.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8d4118c1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8d4118c1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Batman '66 (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8d4118c1
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f06307a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f06307a
comment
In A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Episode 22, "Night of the Boogey Biker" (the first episode of Season 3), Scooby and the gang try to find out who stole Red Herring's aunt's bike. They discovered that Red took it to add a sidecar to it as a gift for her.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f06307a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f06307a
featureConfidence
1.0
 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f06307a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f4ee60f
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f4ee60f
comment
Back to the Future
In Back to the Future, Marty McFly steals a kid's scooter, ripping off the handles so it's just the board. When he gives it back, it's the world's first skateboard.
He does something similar in the future of Back to the Future Part II, ganking a Barbie-branded hoverboard from a little girl. When he goes to return it, she lets him keep it because she found Griff's high-end, rocket-propelled "Pit Bull" instead.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f4ee60f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f4ee60f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Back to the Future (Franchise)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_8f4ee60f
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9888e7c2
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9888e7c2
comment
Dan Vs.: In "Dan vs. Dan", when Dan finally gets his life and apartment back from the imposter, he's thankful that the Fake Dan cleaned up the place. A quick cut to ten minutes later, and the apartment is somehow just as messy as before.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9888e7c2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9888e7c2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dan Vs.
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9888e7c2
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9b4ab849
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9b4ab849
comment
The Lupin III movie Lupin III: Operation: Return the Treasure had a past rival of Lupin named Mark. Mark left a video will for Lupin, asking him to return some of the things he had stolen. For almost everything Mark asks Lupin to return, he left a replica, probably to prevent his targets from noticing the theft before he got away. The replicas Mark left after his thefts were good enough to fool most folks, but imagine how thrilled his former targets are to get the real things back! Poor Zenigata, however, is VERY confused at first.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9b4ab849
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9b4ab849
featureConfidence
1.0
 Lupin III
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9b4ab849
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9e61f125
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9e61f125
comment
In Card Force Infection, not long after Maxwell takes Fletcher's entire deck for winning their first duel, the deck is returned with several powerful new cards added, including a rare Tier X card. This turns out to be a prelude to recruiting Fletcher for the Peppermint Knights.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9e61f125
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9e61f125
featureConfidence
1.0
 Card Force Infection
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_9e61f125
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a0ae46f
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a0ae46f
comment
This happens to Woody in Toy Story 2. Not only does his arm get sewn up, but the antique toy detailer makes sure he looks absolutely brand new.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a0ae46f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a0ae46f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Toy Story 2
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a0ae46f
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a183d57f
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a183d57f
comment
Futurama:
In "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings", Fry switches hands with the Robot Devil, but is eventually forced to switch them back.
Played for Laughs in Bender's Big Score: Bender swaps Leela's engagement ring with a fake, but after examining the stolen ring, he realizes that the replacement he made is actually more valuable. He shrugs it off, considering it his gift to Leela.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a183d57f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a183d57f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Futurama
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a183d57f
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a4a6b86a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a4a6b86a
comment
In Code Geass, after Kallen and her Guren are captured by Britannia, they strap a crapload of high-tech upgrades onto it only for her to break out and steal it right back. Rakshata, its creator, is surprisingly not happy about the Britannian's modifications, probably because they came from her principal scientific rival.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a4a6b86a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a4a6b86a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Code Geass
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a4a6b86a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a871ddb5
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a871ddb5
comment
In the Judy Moody book Judy Moody Gets Famous, Judy steals all the broken and damaged dolls from a hospital waiting room/playroom, fixes them up using her personal collection of doll parts, and returns them cleaned up, dressed in miniature hospital gowns, and wearing casts. An article is later published in the newspaper that features the hospital thanking the "Phantom Doll Doctor" for their help.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a871ddb5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a871ddb5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Judy Moody
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a871ddb5
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a9e903e0
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a9e903e0
comment
In Shadows of the Servants, a dark creature snatches a voodoo doll from you, tearing its neck in the process. The same doll turns up later in another room, and removing its now-loosened head reveals a key you need.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a9e903e0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a9e903e0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Last Half of Darkness (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_a9e903e0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b1058237
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b1058237
comment
In Victory of Eagles, a group of dragons leaves their breeding ground with the intent to join the regular army. Their regular food arrives more or less continuously at the breeding grounds, and so they can't put together a proper supply train to take with them...so they "requisition" cows and sheep from farmers as they go. Laurence, who is trying to track this group down, has to deal with a number of irate farmers...and then he meets a farmer who's been found by the dragons' drovers, following along with the dragons' original herd of food animals, and is quite happy with the better-fed and healthier replacement cows he's been given.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b1058237
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b1058237
featureConfidence
1.0
 Temeraire
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b1058237
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b24f49ab
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b24f49ab
comment
He does something similar in the future of Back to the Future Part II, ganking a Barbie-branded hoverboard from a little girl. When he goes to return it, she lets him keep it because she found Griff's high-end, rocket-propelled "Pit Bull" instead.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b24f49ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b24f49ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 Back to the Future Part II
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b24f49ab
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b5f1850a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b5f1850a
comment
Subverted in Stand and Deliver, when teacher Escalante thinks his crappy old Beetle has been stolen by students at his school. They have actually taken it to fix it up.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b5f1850a
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b5f1850a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Stand and Deliver
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b5f1850a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b712435c
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b712435c
comment
A variant occurs in Leverage. The team is hired by a charity who discovers that their investment broker has stolen from them and gone into hiding. When they find him, they discover he's actually a pretty decent guy and he had stolen the money because he knew he could quadruple it if he used tricks and back-channels.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b712435c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b712435c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Leverage
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_b712435c
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_bcdcf629
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_bcdcf629
comment
In Transformers: Animated, the Headmaster steals Sentinel Prime's body and, while he has his hands on it, upgrades it.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_bcdcf629
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_bcdcf629
featureConfidence
1.0
 Transformers: Animated
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_bcdcf629
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c0c57462
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c0c57462
comment
In Chrono Trigger, Dalton steals the Epoch. But when the heroes steal it back, it can fly.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c0c57462
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c0c57462
featureConfidence
1.0
 Chrono Trigger (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c0c57462
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c9d6c480
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c9d6c480
comment
Hercule Poirot: Hickory Dickory Dock:
A variation in that a "kleptomaniac" has stolen a number of small objects from the students staying in a hostel. When she confesses, the thief admits that she destroyed most of what she stole, but she gives those she stole from enough money so they can buy new things. The students are pleased, both because she was generous in estimating how much their things were worth, and because most of them would rather have had the money anyway.
And inverted when a diamond ring is stolen then found, because the diamond was replaced by a cubic zirconium.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c9d6c480
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c9d6c480
featureConfidence
1.0
 HerculePoirot
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_c9d6c480
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ccf2d1b1
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ccf2d1b1
comment
In Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure, the elusive Phantom R is infamously known for stealing from famous art galleries (usually the Louvre), but the biggest mystery rivaling his true identity is why he bothers to return an art piece he recently stole. It's later revealed that as Raphael, he came up with the Phantom R persona after finding out that his missing father had a secret vault in their apartment which is full of famous artwork. The reason for this was because Raphael's father was an expert in forgery who made perfect replications of said artwork which he would later steal and swap for sale on the black market to pay for Raphael's medical bills meaning that most of the artwork currently being displayed publicly are actually fakes. As Phantom R years later, Raphael planned to steal back the forgeries and return the true articles in their place.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ccf2d1b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ccf2d1b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ccf2d1b1
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_cd81de4
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_cd81de4
comment
In Quest for Glory IV, Tanya is kidnapped and turned into a vampire... and then the vampire who turned her teaches her to read and write. After you restore Tanya to life and return her to her parents, Yuri and Bella, Bella says that while she may never forgive the woman who kidnapped Tanya, she can appreciate what Tanya learned while she was away.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_cd81de4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_cd81de4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Quest for Glory IV (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_cd81de4
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d217e378
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d217e378
comment
A variant appears in Professor Layton and the Unwound Future. His car isn't stolen, exactly, but Don Paolo has taken the Laytonmobile and given it some modifications. These modifications are useful to the point of being necessary for Layton to rescue his adopted daughter, who has been kidnapped by the Big Bad. Allegedly, this is the specific reason that Don Paolo did what he did.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d217e378
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d217e378
featureConfidence
1.0
 Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d217e378
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d2cd3b5e
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d2cd3b5e
comment
In Nomine: This is the modus operandi of Kyriotates, angels who manifest by possessing human bodies. (And animals, and in some cases plants and machines.) They suffer dissonance if they leave the host in a worse condition than when they "borrowed" it, so they'd rather be safe than sorry and put in some extra effort; this only applies to living hosts, however; Kyriotates capable of possessing machines or other inanimate objects don't inherently need to worry about the state they leave these things in. Their demonic counterparts, the Shedim, couldn't care less about their host and take pleasure in corrupting it.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d2cd3b5e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d2cd3b5e
featureConfidence
1.0
 In Nomine (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_d2cd3b5e
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_dd8198f3
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_dd8198f3
comment
An episode of Las Vegas has Mike borrow his boss Big Ed's convertible to take on a date. While out, the car gets stolen by Mike's date, and Mike tracks it down to a chop shop. When they tell the man in charge whose car it is, he apologizes, has it put back together, detailed, and returned, except the radio favorites which Ed yelled at Mike about.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_dd8198f3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_dd8198f3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Las Vegas
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_dd8198f3
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e3876b26
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e3876b26
comment
Digimon Frontier: In episode 15, the Digidestined's D-tectors are stolen by Toucanmon. Two episodes later, they find them in the hands of a Datamon on the Autumn Leaf Fair. Tommy/Tomoki is able to win them back from the Datamon by winning a game for him, and upon doing so learns that Datamon added the Beast Spirit of Ice to his D-Tector.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e3876b26
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e3876b26
featureConfidence
1.0
 Digimon Frontier
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e3876b26
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e5dfd2c1
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e5dfd2c1
comment
In the classic text-adventure game Zork, one of the treasures you find is a jeweled egg... but if you let the thief (i.e., Lucien Kaine) steal it, when you find his lair later, you find that the egg has been opened, and it contains a golden singing bird—much more valuable!
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e5dfd2c1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e5dfd2c1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Zork (Video Game)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_e5dfd2c1
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ebc2937a
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ebc2937a
comment
This is the M.O. of the 'Midnight Mender' in the Sally Bollywood episode "The Midnight Stitch-Up".
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ebc2937a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ebc2937a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Sally Bollywood
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ebc2937a
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ed1f519e
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ed1f519e
comment
In How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, this is what the Grinch claims he's doing with the Christmas tree when Cindy Lou Who catches him, saying, "I'll fix it up there, and bring it back here." By the end, it's only half true, since he returns all the Christmas items, but hasn't really improved them.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ed1f519e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ed1f519e
featureConfidence
1.0
 How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_ed1f519e
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f163bd9f
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f163bd9f
comment
ElfQuest: In a variation on both this and Gone Swimming, Clothes Stolen, Leetah and Nightfall leave their clothes on a branch while dancing in the moonlight. While they do, the seamstress Moonshade surreptitiously removes their clothes from the branch and replaces them with new ones.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f163bd9f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f163bd9f
featureConfidence
1.0
 ElfQuest (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f163bd9f
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5c28dbb
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5c28dbb
comment
In the 1632 novels, Mike Stearns used to steal cars for joyriding, and everyone in the area knew it. But nobody ever officially filed a complaint, because he always washed the cars and refilled the gas tanks before returning them.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5c28dbb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5c28dbb
featureConfidence
1.0
 1632
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5c28dbb
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5f392b1
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5f392b1
comment
The Famous Five: In Five Have Plenty of Fun, Jo borrows Dick's bike, and spring cleans it, before bringing it back.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5f392b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5f392b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Famous Five
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f5f392b1
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f6eed39
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f6eed39
comment
The Sopranos: Dr. Melfi is having trouble with her car, and with the mechanics who are fixing it. When Tony learns this during one of his therapy sessions, he has her car stolen, fixed, and returned that night. She's grateful, but not happy about it.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f6eed39
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f6eed39
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Sopranos
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f6eed39
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f81101f2
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f81101f2
comment
In Pokémon: The Original Series, Team Rocket steals a Ditto belonging to the professional impersonator Duplica, only to discover that it cannot mimic faces properly. They promptly whip it into shape, and when Duplica and the protagonists show up to steal it back, Duplica gives them heartfelt thanks for helping Ditto overcome its problem.
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f81101f2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f81101f2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pokémon: The Original Series
hasFeature
Stolen Good, Returned Better / int_f81101f2

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingCategory2
Gratitude Tropes
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingCategory2
Narrative Devices
 Stolen Good, Returned Better
processingCategory2
Steal This Index
 Code Geass / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Digimon Frontier / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Back to the Future / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Back to the Future Part II / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 The Boxcar Children / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Michael Bentine's Potty Time / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Star Trek: Voyager / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 The Sopranos / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 In Nomine (Tabletop Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Chrono Trigger (Video Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Eastshade (Video Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Fallout 2 (Video Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Sim Settlements 2 (Video Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Zork (Video Game) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Sally Bollywood / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Teen Titans / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 Teen Titans (2003) / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better
 The Little Rascals / int_d1b35f28
type
Stolen Good, Returned Better