Stories talk to each other.

Reference types

Every reference has exactly one type. Pick the strongest fit: a quoted namedrop is a Quote.

CameoThe thing itself appears in the work.

e.g. The DeLorean from Back to the Future drives through Ready Player One.

HomageA loving imitation of a scene, shot, or style.

e.g. The station-steps shootout in The Untouchables restages the Odessa Steps from Battleship Potemkin.

ParodyAn imitation played for laughs.

e.g. Spaceballs sends up Star Wars.

QuoteA line from it is spoken, sung, or written.

e.g. “Here’s Johnny!” in The Shining is lifted from The Tonight Show.

NamedropMentioned by name, nothing more.

e.g. Joey and Chandler in Friends talk about Die Hard by name.

AdaptationThe work retells the source's story.

e.g. Peter Jackson’s films retell The Lord of the Rings.

SampleThe actual material is reused (audio, footage, art).

e.g. “Ice Ice Baby” reuses the bassline from Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.”

Delivery tags

Optional, any number. How a reference lands, not what kind it is. Subtle is not hidden.

Hidden

Planted in the background, meant to be hunted.

Visual

Carried by what you see.

Audio

Carried by what you hear.

Textual

Carried by the words on the page.

Recurring

A running gag, not a one-off.

Naming allusion

Named after the thing it points at.

Deep cut

Obscure enough that most people miss it.

How to add a reference

1. 1. Connect the right entriesStart with the work making the reference, then the work or person it points to.
2. 2. Show where you spotted itA chapter, episode, scene, or timestamp helps everyone follow along.
3. 3. Explain the referenceInclude the quote or describe the moment. Choose Suspected when you’re unsure.

Target a specific episode when that’s what is referenced, or the show for a general mention. Series membership is origin, not a reference.