reveal

The reveal (also known as the big reveal) is a plot device in narrative structure and is the exposure to the reader or audience of a previously unseen key character, or element of plot or performance. A reveal is different from Aristotle's anagnorisis, in which something is revealed to a character rather than to the audience. Narrative The reveal may result in a plot twist and could be the key plot turn or unexpected coda in the story; for example, in the mystery genre. It may have scenes in the future that reveal consequences of actions to provide a lead for what will occur in the plot or side plot. This may be the overarching plot line in a mystery or soap opera. It may also be used as a device (particularly in the climax) in stage magic by an illusionist or escape artist. Stage magic In a magician's act, "the reveal" may refer to the normal culmination of a trick the unexpected (to the audience) culmination of the trick an explanation of the trick, which itself may be immediately eclipsed by a version of the trick that the first reveal can't explain.