Character shields

Character shields is a term for the tendency of main cast members to survive dangerous situations with ease while secondary characters die in large numbers (Star Trek fans are generally credited with coming up with). This is the sort of thing that lets a main character walk away from an airliner crash that no one else survived.

Character Shields in Debates

Every once in a while, some dimwit will cite "character shields" as the reason a particular character -- like James T. Kirk, for instance -- would win a fight. Such a moronic argument throws suspension of disbelief out the window.