If a character dies, but doesn't stay dead, does a story need the MCD code?

[JayDee]

Uh... that.

Thanks.

[Desiderius Price]

Yes. AFAICT, the general advice is that if you're uncertain, it's better to simply add the code.

- DP

[BronxWench]

If they don't actually stay dead, the MCD is probably overkill. Just saying. Unless they come back as something incorporeal, in which case MCD is probably needed.

[JayDee]

Basically back as a corporeal quasi-demonic immortal instead of a normal human.

Thanks for the clarification!

Edited August 16, 2015 by JayDee

[GeorgeGlass]

If the point of the tag is to warn off readers who don't want to read about a major character dying (eg, because they just lost someone in their own lives and don't want to read fiction about death at the moment), and if it isn't immediately obvious that the character won't stay dead, I would think you'd want to use the tag. But maybe that's not the purpose of the tag.

[JayDee]

Interesting thought - I think in this story's case it establishes quick enough that the characters don't stay dead, it's only a oneshot.