Dexter

When shit's about to hit the fan in a disaster/thriller movie, you can always count on the protagonist calling their spouse on a cell phone, usually speeding down the freeway. You can also count on the spouse to ask way too many questions when they really just need to get the hell out of there!

The stars and planets align to guarantee the bad guys receives maximum pain!

When a character, almost always female and always physically attractive gets naked and relaxes in a bath.

"The Getaway" The FBI appear and take the Trinity case away just as Deb finds out the killers identity.

I don't know about you but murder gives me the munchies.

A character of the show/movie leads a double life (secret agent, daredevil, etc.) that the main cast they are associated with is unaware of.

Harry Morgan!

We've all seen it: a friend, relative, or associate of the good guy seems to be a loyal supporter, may even kill a few bad guys along the way. But at the worst possible moment, he reveals that he's been working for (or even leading) the villains all along!

Lila's clothes just can't stay on when Dexter is in the room.

Often of the serial killer variety, these villains will leave behind helpful clues and hints at the scenes of their crimes for the heroes to unravel. They treat their crimes as an opportunity to play mind games with the protagonists, and get a power kick out of flaunting their absolute control of the situation, leaving the heroes helpless to stop them.

You've stepped over the line one too many times, and I've got the commissioner breathing down my neck.

Once captured, the traditional request by the main protagonist to the main antagonist to let his love interest go free. Generally makes the protagonist look more heroic, and is always denied by the antagonist. Usually preceded by "Do whatever you want with me...". Sometimes "the Girl" is replaced with other loved ones, friends, or just innocent civilians.

The long lost sibling returns. This causes major problems for both characters.

Dexter's thoughts are actually the source of a lot of the show's dark humour.

Does your movie have a token Asian character? Chances are they're probably either really good at video games, a mathematics or computer programming wizard, or both! Bonus points if they're also socially awkward or oblivious!

A character is calmly in the middle of a sentence when suddenly they are shot or stabbed by something off-screen. Examples of this are Wash from Serenity or the Doctor from 3:10 to Yuma.

This strange life form is most commonly seen on the face of male action heroes, and is a good indicator of a person's level of badass.

When a very vile evildoer is attempting to take over the world, or end someone's life they wound up getting themselves killed by heroes, anti-heroes, or even other villains or they probably suicide themselves for that matter.

Debra Morgan

When a character is too busy looking in one direction to notice the big, scary monster creeping up behind them. Also used as a fake-out when it's actually a harmless friend who didn't mean to startle them.

A common taunt made by the villain to the hero.