Month: May 2019

“The things I do for love.”

From: Jaime Lanniser

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire and Ice

The story behind the quote: Since the HBO series Game of Thrones just ended, I decided to punctuate its closure with a quote from the series. Game of Thrones is based on the book series A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin. It is a fantasy series filler with political intrigue all about different warring families trying to win the Iron Throne.

The quote actually comes from the first episode of the HBO series. Jaime Lanniser and his twin sister Cirsei Lanniser are having sex in a tower when Bran Stark accidentally sees them in the act while climbing the tower. Jaime catches the boy spying on them before he slips and falls off the tower. When Cirsei yells that the boy saw them, Jaime asks Bram his age. Jaime then looks at Cirsei and realizing that Bram can ruin them, delivers the quote before pushing him off the tower.

Geek wisdom: While what Jaime did can be said to be a truly despicable act, he did it to ensure that his loved ones will be safe. And people do actually do terrible things in the name of love. He had to do that distasteful thing to help the people he loves, even if his reputation will be in tatters afterwards. But, since what he did was for the benefit of the people around him, he was willing to do it, reputation be damned.

“Imagination!”

From: Spongebob Squarepants

Genre: Cartoons

Who said it?: Spongebob Squarepants

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the hit Nickelodeon cartoon, Spongebob Squarepants. As the theme song tells you, Spongebob Squarepants live in a pineapple under the sea. But even though he lives by himself (with his pet snail, Gary) and does a lot of adult stuff, he still has a childlike innocence inside him as the quote will attest.

The quote comes from the episode entitled, Idiot Box. Spongebob and his close friend Patrick Starr order a large television. However, they throw out the TV and keep the box instead. When their stuck up neighbor goes to ask the two why they’re just keeping the box, Spongebob states they don’t need the television before gesturing with his hands, making a rainbow appear, and delivering the quote.

Oh, and just in case Nickelodeon takes down the clip, here’s a moving image of the quote in question…

Geek wisdom: Yes, imagination can indeed lead to beautiful things and it seems to be that a lot of people are losing their ability to envision new things and instead just focus on the harsh reality of life. But imagination is important as this is how we come up with new innovations and ideas.

Don’t look down on your imagination. You never know if using it will lead you to envision better things in life.

“You call this a glitch?!”

From: Robocop

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Old Man/The OCP Chairman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 1987 sci-fi/cyberpunk movie, Robocop. The film is about Officer Alex Murphy (played by Peter Weller) who is gunned down on duty. But, thanks to Omni Consumer Products, also known as OCP, Murphy is resurrected as Robocop to be the future of law enforcement.

The quote comes early in the film, before Murphy becomes Robocop. OCP senior VP, Dick Jones (played by Ronnie Cox), demonstrates his newest creation, the ED-209. It’s a machine that’s supposed to take over the police force. Unfortunately, the demonstration takes a turn for the worse. As the OCP Chairman, AKA The Old Man (played by Dan O’Herlihy) laments the fiasco, Dick Jones tries to save face by saying this was just a glitch. This is when The Old Man yells out the quote.

Geek wisdom: People will try to downplay the negatives when it’s so painfully obvious that they’re trying to save face. It’s does seem insulting to the people who are actually involved by the problem as it makes it seem as if nothing’s happened. Sometimes it’s best to admit the gravity of the situation.

“But a thing isn’t beautiful because it lasts…”

From: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Vision

The story behind the quote: Since we still have Avengers: Endgame fever, I might as well include another quote from the Marvel Cinematic Universe… specifically, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The quote comes from the end of the film. Vision (played by Paul Bettany) finds the last version of Ultron (voiced by James Spader). With Ultron’s plan to save humanity by destroying it failed, Vision comments that, while humans are flawed, there is a certain grace to their way of destructive thinking, which Ultron doesn’t understand. Ultron comments that the human race is doomed. Vision does agree with Ultron but he retorts by delivering the quote…

Geek wisdom: Life is beautiful and we only have a short time on this world. We have to make the most of our time while we can still enjoy it. While death is inevitable, that just makes living more precious.