The term deadlock describes a universal state of standstill, from computer processes waiting on each other to political gridlock that halts legislation. It also applies to physical objects like a deadbolt lock, legal situations like a hung jury, and even a tie in competitive sports. In entertainment, it spans a vast range, including Sara Paretsky's detective novel, a 1970 German Western, a 2021 Bruce Willis action thriller, and episodes of Star Trek: Voyager and Battlestar Galactica. The gaming world features it prominently in Ratchet: Deadlocked, the upcoming Valve title Deadlock, and a playable character in Valorant. Beyond media, it names a German melodic death metal band, a wrestling company founded in 2021, and a game theory scenario where the mutually beneficial choice is also the dominant one.