In this first half of the episode, we unpack the most common adoption tropes in books, film, and TV—and why they sometimes do more harm than good. From the “Chosen One” narrative that erases real loss, to the “Dangerous Adoptee” stereotype that pathologizes grief, to the hidden‐identity plots that treat biology as the only thing that matters. We break down four major patterns, share personal reflections on characters like Jon Snow and Eleven, and set the stage for deeper case studies (starting with Loki). This is not a feel-good discussion—it’s an honest look at how fiction shapes our cultural understanding of adoption.

🔹 What’s often missing when adoption shows up on screen
🔹 How these tropes minimize trauma and distort identity
🔹 Why biology‐first reveals can feel like erasure
🔹 Personal insights from real adoptee experience

Follow or Subscribe for Part 2—our deep dive into Loki’s arc and what it teaches about secrecy, betrayal, and the weaponization of origin.