Once per Episode

A relative of the Running Gag. This is an event that, instead of happening several times in one episode, happens one time in just about every episode of a show. There is an entire genre of jokes that exists to take advantage of this trope: "Remember that one episode of _____ where...". A common example: Remember that one episode of Gilligan's Island where they almost escape from the island, but Gilligan screws it up? (Though that one is a clear case of Cowboy BeBop at His Computer, as the vast majority of episodes do not feature a potential chance to get off the island.) Compare Signature Style. If it happens at the end of an episode, it's Every Episode Ending. If everything is like this, it is Strictly Formula. Also compare Once a Season, where a certain plotline or character story gets a yearly invite. May also overlap with Different in Every Episode if the series follows a specific formula for its references and plots.