Deus ex Machina are solutions. They are never unexpected developments that make things worse, nor sudden twists that only change the understanding of a story.

Deus ex Machina are sudden or unexpected. This means that even if they are featured or referenced earlier in the story, they do not change course of nor appear to be a viable solution to the plot line they eventually solve.

The problem a Deus ex Machina fixes must be portrayed as unsolvable or hopeless. If the problem could be solved with a bit of common sense or other type of simple intervention, the solution is not a Deus ex Machina no matter how unexpected it may seem.

Deus ex Machina Traits