Plot device for many a soap opera (4)

I believe the answer is:

coma

(Other definitions for coma that I've seen before include "Unconsciousness from which person cannot be aroused" , "long sleep" , "Deep trance" , "State of deep (often prolonged) unconsciousness" , "State of unconsciousness caused by illness" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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