Month: March 2019

“Just so you know, Jeff, you are now creating six different timelines.”

From: Community

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Abed Nadir 

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the geek cult comedy Community. Created by Dan Harmon, the show focuses on the Greendale Community College and a specific study group of six eccentric personalities. The show has become a geeky cult classic and fans may have gotten their six seasons… but we’re still screaming for six seasons and a movie.

The quote comes from one of Community’s most popular episodes, Remedial Chaos Theory. Best friends Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi) and Troy Barnes (played by Donald Glover) invite the study group over to their new apartment. When the pizza they order arrives, the sly Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale) devises a system wherein he throws a dice to see who gets the pizza. This is when Abed, knowing that there are six sides to a die, delivers the quote.

By the way, this quote is repeated numerous times as the episode shows us what happens when each person is picked to get the pizza. Also, go watch this episode as this is one of the most brilliantly written episodes on TV ever.

Geek wisdom: Even when we think we’re in control of everything, we aren’t actually. This is because life is full of randomness that are beyond our control. This randomness can result in good, bad or nothing happening to us. That’s just how life is.

“You can’t cling to the past. Because no matter how tightly you hold on, it’s already gone.”

From: How I Met Your Mother

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Ted Mosby

The story behind the quote: I have posted several quotes from the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother in the past. But, in a freak coincidence, all of these quotes have come from the breakout star, Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). This week, I decided to post a quote from the main character of the show, Ted Mosby.

The quote comes from the episode “Something Old.” In this episode, Marshall and Lily are packing for their move to Italy but are unsure of what to pack. Ted (played by Josh Radnor) advises them to pack mostly bulky and useless stuff, including an old beanbag. The couple decide to throw it out instead but Ted insists that they keep it as it has a lot of sentimental value and he’s afraid that he’ll be forgotten when they move. Ted does realize it’s irrational and reluctantly decides to leave the bean bag. This is when Future Ted delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It can be difficult to accept but the past is just that: the past. It’s already happened and time will move on, even if you’re still stuck in the past. You will have to let go eventually as time only moves forward.

“‘Tis but a scratch!” and “Just a flesh wound!”

From: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Black Knight

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film takes, shall we say, “liberties” with the legend of King Arthur but the story is fairly the same: King Arthur travels the entire country of Britain to recruit knights to his kingdom and eventually sets upon his quest to find the Holy Grail.

The quote comes fairly early in the film. As King Arthur (played by Graham Chapman) is in search for knights, he runs across the Black Knight (played by John Cleese). Arthur tries to recruit the Black Knight and, when he refuses, tries to cross the (really short) bridge. The Black Knight does not allow passage and the two fight. Arthur does get the better of the Black Knight by cutting off his limbs. However, despite losing his arms and legs slowly, the Black Knight refuses to yield and this is when he delivers the quotes.

Geek wisdom: Some people don’t know when to give up. Sometimes, it’s pride that keeps them going but they simply don’t look at the facts and stubbornly refuse to give up even when it will be their downfall.

It’s always better to know when to give before something even worse than failure happens.

“But I like having low self-esteem. It makes me feel special.”

From: Daria

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jane Lane

The story behind the quote: This week, we’re getting another quote from the MTV animated television show, Daria. But instead of getting the quote from Daria herself, we’re getting a quote from her best friend, Jane Lane.

The quote comes from the very first episodes, entitled “Esteemers.” In the episode, Daria and her family had just moved to the town of Lawndale and, thanks to a psychological test she had to take, Daria is ordered to take Self-Esteem class. Here, she meets a kindred spirit in Jane Lane, another student who has the same cynical attitude as her.

While walking home from school, Jane mentions to Daria that she has actually taken the psych test several times and knows all the answers. When pressed as to why she still fails it intentionally, she delivers the quote.

By the way, this is the first video that I actually uploaded on the site and not linking a clip from YouTube. If you have trouble with the video, please let me know.

Geek wisdom: We always focus on what makes us different as a negative. But we forget that it’s what makes us different that makes us unique. All the little flaws we have is actually what makes you the person who you are. Try not to think of our differences as something bad. Instead, think of them as what makes “you” you.

“Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”

From: Star Wars, specifically Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Star Wars series. More specifically, it comes from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The quote comes near the climax of the film. Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) is confronted by Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman). He sees Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan MacGregor) and thinks that Padme has betrayed him and starts Force choking her. As Anakin rants that, by conquering the galaxy, he has brought peace to it. Anakin then tells Obi-Wan that, if his former mentor isn’t for his side, then he must kill him. This is when Obi-Wan delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We live in the world where most people actually do believe in absolutes and partisan views. A lot of people do think that the world is black and white. Their thoughts are the only good things now and any other point of view that differs from what they’re thinking is wrong and must then be evil. But we don’t live in a world of black and white. The Sith basically believe that anything else other than how they view the universe must be snuffed out as there is no room for negotiation.

While we’re on this, Obi-Wan’s statement may seem hypocritical but it really isn’t based on the circumstances. Obi-Wan is only fights back once he realizes that Anakin isn’t willing to negotiate or talk things through. He has no choice in the matter. On the other hand, Anakin does have a choice to discuss his point of view with Obi-Wan or to simply agree to disagree. But he cannot as he must destroy any opposition.