Comedy: it's deeper than simply making people laugh. A well-timed joke can ease tension and help people feel better, both through distraction and through an emotional release. This is why the Plucky Comic Relief exists, and why darker stories will Shoo Out the Clowns. Relieving heavy feelings with comedy is such a well-understood practice that sometimes it isn't just a narrative tool, but an in-universe effort by someone who wants to lighten the mood. ...