Some writers just don't realize there's such a thing as "flogging a dead horse." Very often, there will be an aspect of the plot that can only be effective as a source of tension for as long as it is not resolved. The will-they-won't-they relationship is probably the best known example, but other possibilities include psychological issues that are a handy source of (w)angst, a long-term goal that [...] [tvtropes.org]