We’ve already talked about Finding Nemo, but it’s worth noting how the writers help us understand the importance of Nemo to Marlin at the very beginning of the film. Nemo is literally Marlin’s only family after his wife and hundreds of other children are annihilated. Marlin makes a promise to Nemo at the beginning of the film that he’ll always have and protect him. That makes the above incident all the more traumatic.

Note in the writing how in his immediate attempt to save Nemo, Marlin gets three tough obstacles hurled at him. There’s the second diver, temporarily getting blinded, then blown back by the boat’s wake. All of this hurts and makes us empathize with Marlin, but it also shows us instantly how steadfast he will be in finding his son.