What Does Missing Scene Mean?
Fic TypeA fic that writes out a moment canon skipped — the conversation that must have happened off-screen, the aftermath the camera cut away from. It adds to canon without changing it.
Missing Scene in Practice
The missing scene is one of fanfiction's oldest and purest forms, dating back to zine fandom: the source material leaves a gap, and a fan fills it. Classic targets include emotional fallout after major events, how two characters got from hostility in one episode to friendship in the next, and anything canon resolved with a time skip. Because they slot inside existing continuity, missing scenes are usually canon-compliant by design. They often double as the gateway form for new writers, since the setup and stakes are already built.
Example usage
"I just needed someone to write the missing scene where they actually talked after the funeral, and this fic delivered."
Related Terms
Mid-Canon
A story set during the events of the source material, slotted between canon scenes rather than before or after them. It fills gaps without contradicting what's on screen or on the page.
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Episode Tag
A short fic appended to a specific episode, continuing or reacting to its events — the scene after the credits rolled. Functionally synonymous with a coda.
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Canon Compliant
A fic that fits within canon without contradicting it — filling gaps, expanding scenes, or exploring time the source material skipped. Everything canon says happened still happens.
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Post-Ep
A fic written in direct response to a specific episode, set immediately after it — processing the fallout the show cut away from. Also called an episode tag or coda.
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