Victor de la Cruz

“Let’s hug it out, bitch!”

From: Entourage and The Office

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Ari Gold and Michael Scott

The story behind the quote: It may seem odd that there are two sources for the same quote but there are some people who do think the original quote comes from one of them and may not be familiar of the actual source of the quote. So, I’m putting both entries here.

The first time the quote is mentioned is from the HBO comedy, Entourage. It comes from the second episode, entitled The Review. In the episode, a negative review is given to Vincent Chase and Ari Gold (played by Jeremy Piven) calls him and Eric, one of Vincent’s friends and his manager, for a meeting. After Vincent leaves, Ari Gold tells Eric to distract Vincent from the review. Seeing that he’s upset, Ari delivers the quote to Eric to show that they’re okay.

The second time the quote is used, and where some people thing the quote first showed up, is from The Office, specifically the third season episode titled The Coup. Dwight Schrute talks to one of the higher ups and say he can be a better boss than Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell). Word does get back to Michael Scott and he eventually confronts Dwight after making him think he was made the boss. Dwight then pleads for forgiveness (in a hilariously over dramatic manner) and this is when Michael delivers the quote.

It’s important to note that Entourage’s The Review was aired on July 2014 while The Office’s The Coup was aired on October 2006. This does mean that the original quote, at least in TV, came from Entourage.

Geek wisdom: You may run into disagreements with your friends and family and that’s normal. The terrible thing is to be stubborn and not try to resolve your differences. Always try to find common ground and make up with your friends and family.

“The truth is a matter of circumstances. It’s not all things to all people all the time.”

From: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It is the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger and the ninth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the film, Captain America and Black Widow (played by Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, respectively) have to uncover a conspiracy involving SHIELD while facing off against Captain America’s old friend, Bucky, who is now the assassin known as The Winter Soldier.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. After fleeing from SHIELD, Captain America and Black Widow head to New Jersey. They get to talking as they had to kiss in order to disguise themselves. The two banter about relationships and Cap admits that it’s difficult for him to find someone to relate with. Natasha suggests that he just lie, which Cap exclaims that he just can’t to that. This is when Black Widow delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: One person’s truth is another person’s fiction. This is because we are all different people and we all have different beliefs. In fact, it is possible for a person to actually change his mind about something after some time has passed. Nothing stays the same and everything does change.

“Just because you shot Jesse James don’t make you Jesse James.”

From: Breaking Bad

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Mike Ehrmantraut

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes widely acclaimed AMC television drama, Breaking Bad. The show has received rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike for the stories and also for the acting, especially for Bryan Cranston’s performance as the anti-hero, Walter White.

The quote comes from the 3rd episode of the 5th season, Hazard Pay. Walter White had just eliminated his former “boss,” Gustavo Fring in the previous season and is now finding a new way to make his signature blue crystal meth. He comes up with the idea of using houses that are being fumigated as no one would look there. He calls Mike Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks) to set up the deal. While Mike does come true, Walter realizes his cut is much smaller than when he worked with Gus. This is when Mike delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Just because you beat the top man, that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get the recognition that you’re now the best. That still needs to be earned through hard work and, more importantly, consistency on being the best.

“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”

From: The Office (US)

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Andy Bernard

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the US version of The Office, which ran from 2005 to 2013. It was adapted from the BBC comedy show of the same name. The Office is essentially a mockumentary that takes place in the Scranton branch of the fictional company called Dunder Mifflin, a paper supply company.

The quote comes from the finale of the show. The entire staff is brought together after the documentary has aired and everyone reminisces about their time working at Dunder Mifflin. One such person, Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms), has moved on and now works at Cornell University. Even so, he still thinks of his time at “the office” as some of the best years of his life.

Geek wisdom: We all have good memories of our past. Even though they may have been filled with hardship, we can still remember the good times and feel melancholic about not appreciating those times when we actually are experiencing them at that moment. Always cherish the now.

“It doesn’t matter if you have the beard on the outside. As long as you’ve got the beard on the inside.”

From: Dexter’s Laboratory

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Action Hank

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Cartoon Network original animated series, Dexter’s Laboratory. Dexter is a genius eccentric who loves building all sorts of fanciful inventions but his big sister DeeDee, always manages to wreck them. Even if he is incredibly smart, Dexter is still a kid and is still prone to do the things normal children do like watch cartoons and action shows.

Action Hank is an action hero on television in the world of Dexter’s Laboratory and is one of Dexter’s favorite shows. In the episode Beard to be Feared, Dexter decides to to grow a super rugged/strong beard just like Action Hank using his scientific skills and he does eventually team up with his hero. Just as a villain is about to use his beard to stab Action Hank, Dexter deflects it with his own synthetic beard. Action Hank thanks Dexter for saving him but Dexter sheepishly admits that his beard isn’t natural like Action Hank’s. This is when Action Hank delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We do live in a superficial world where we concern ourselves with outward appearances. It’s become so easy to give snap judgements on our first impressions with people without trying to dig deeper. We won’t really know a person well until we do so and, honestly, that’s what matters.

“The greatest teacher, failure is.”

From: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Yoda

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the most divisive films in the Star Wars series, The Last Jedi. Although most critics loved the film, there is a strong contingent of Star Wars fans that absolutely detest The Last Jedi. It’s legacy has yet to be determined and it will actually be fun to see how people will remember the film in the years to come.

The quote comes near the end of the film. After Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) leaves in an attempt to bring Kylo Ren back to the Light Side, Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) attempts to set the first Jedi temple ablaze but relents. Then, the ghost of Yoda (still voiced by Frank Oz) appears and does the deed instead. Luke is surprised to see his former master burn the temple with the last Jedi books with it. Yoda explains to Luke that Rey has already learned what she needed to learn, making the books essentially useless. Yoda then delivers the quote, encouraging Luke to pick himself up and correct his previous mistake that led Kylo Ren to the First Order.

Geek wisdom: While it is a great feeling to win, we can actually learn so much more from our own failures and the failures of others. In fact, we have to be mentally prepared to fail and take them as an opportunity to study what went wrong and to get better from them.

  ”There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self.”

From: Kingsman: The Secret Service

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Galahad (quoting Ernest Hemmingway)

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2015 spy film, Kingsmen: The Secret Service. Based on the comic book series of the same name, the movie is about Galahad (played by Colin Firth) who decides to recruit a rough around the edged lad named Eggsy (played by Taron Egerton) into the Kingsman group, a secret spy organization.

The quote comes fairly early in the film. Galahad is taking Eggsy to the Kingsman base when Eggsy asks him what does his training entail and if he needs to learn how to speak properly and such. Galahad tells Eggsy that he won’t as being a gentleman has nothing to do with the way someone speaks. He then delivers the quote, which is actually a quote from Ernest Hemmingway.

Geek wisdom: People should always strive to improve themselves. However, the most common pitfall to this is attempting to copy someone else and their successes. While this may seem like a noble effort, the goal of self-improvement shouldn’t be based on how you stack up against others. Rather, the only way to measure your improvement is to see how you stack up against yourself.

“You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Homer Simpsons

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the longest running animated series in the United States, The Simpsons. The show has been on for 29 straight seasons and counting and is a general smorgasbord for quotes.

The quote comes from the 18th episode of the 5th season, Burns’ Heir. In the episode, Mr. Burns has a near death experience and decides to hold an audition for all the kids in Springfield to become his heir. The Simpsons has their kids, Lisa and Bart Simpson try out but they fail to pass the audition. The kids are heartbroken and Marge asks Homer Simpson to cheer his kids up. Unfortunately, he doesn’t do a good job…

Geek wisdom: Homer Simpsons’ reaction is probably one we’re all familiar with. We try something once and, when we initially fail at whatever it is, we give up. This isn’t the way to get better at anything. If anything, this is a call for us to pick ourselves up and try again to get better at whatever it is.

Oh, and because of this “pep talk,” Bart Simpson pulls a prank at Mr. Burns house, which does get him signed as the heir apparent.

“What is better – To be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?”

From: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Paarthurnax

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the massive RPG game, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, by Bethesda Softworks. The game is one of the most beloved video games of the modern generation because of the huge swath of land you can explore as well as the numerous paths you can take in your quest as the Dragonborn to eliminate the legendary Alduin, the dragon that is prophesied to destroy the world.

During the main questline, the Dragonborn is sent out to meet with Paarthurnax, the leader of the Greybeards sect. It turns out that Paarthurnax is actually a great dragon himself. During your conversation with the dragon, Paarthurnax tells the Dragonborn that, while he did commit atrocities in the past, he has overcome those base instincts through hard work but that part of him is still alive within him. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Everyone has the potential of changing and better themselves. However, the journey of doing so will not be so easy. It will take dedication and perseverance for change to happen. But the change will happen if one really strives to do so.

“One who knows nothing can understand nothing.”

From: Kingdom Hearts

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Ansem

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the action RPG game Kingdom Hearts. The game is notable for being a crossover between video game juggernaut Square, the company that makes the Final Fantasy games, and Disney. In Kingdom Hearts, you control a new character named Sora, who partners with Disney characters Donald Duck and Goofy. The trio travel to different worlds populated by both Final Fantasy and Disney characters in order to rid the world of the Heartless.

The quote comes early in the game. As Sora (voiced by Haley Joel Osment) explores Destiny Island, he comes across a figure hiding in the shadows. The figure, who is actually the primary antagonist, Ansem (voiced by Billy Zane), chides Sora as he knows so little about the predicament that’s afflicting the other worlds. Sora then replies that he’ll learn about the world soon. This is when Ansem tells Sora that all his effort will be for naught and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: A lot of us think we know practically everything in the world and what’s happening. In reality, we know so little about the things around us as we don’t fully understand them. Rather than pretend we know everything, we have to accept that we all need to learn new things to better ourselves. Knowledge is power, after all.