Victor de la Cruz

“I have been – and always shall be – your friend.”

From: Star Trek

Genre: Movies/ Television

Who said it?: Spock

The story behind the quote: This is a first! Not only am I using another Star Trek quote from the second film, The Wrath of Khan, but I’m also going to use the exact same clip from one of this blog’s earliest entries! So, I won’t really be writing that long of a set up for this one.

Spock had to enter the warp core of the ship to repair the engines so that they could escape destruction. Because of this, he has been exposed to a fatal dose of radiation and is dying. Kirk rushes to his aid but is unable to help his friend. As he’s dying, Spock tells Kirk about how he “feels” about his relationship with the Captain of the USS Enterprise.

Geek wisdom: It’s easy to cherish your friends when you’re with them all the time. But what about the time when you don’t meet up with them every day? The sad part of this is friendships can fade away, no matter how many times you check their status message on Facebook.

Still, even if this does happen, you will always be their friend. When you see each other after ages of being apart, it’s easy to rekindle that friendship. All it takes is that one time.

“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.”

From: Half-Life 2

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: G-Man

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Half-Life 2. Developed by Valve, it is the second game in the Half-Life series and continues the adventures of scientist Gordon Freeman in a dystopian future. Both games have been met with critical praise due to the game’s deep storyline and excellent game mechanics.

The quote comes from the start of the game and delivered by the mysterious G-Man. During the introductory cutscene, G-Man wakes Gordon from stasis and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Circumstances may put you in a terrible situation. You could have made an innocent mistake and the problem you were trying to fix snowballed into something bigger. Or you could have just been minding your own business when a crisis suddenly erupts. No matter the reason, you have to face the fact that you’re right smack in the middle of it. And hiding or saying it’s none of your business is going to be out of the question.

In fact, fate may have put you there because you are the one who will be able to resolve the situation. So, if you have a solution and you know how to resolve the problem, dive headlong and do whatever it takes to be part of the solution, not the problem.

“Stand firm for what you believe in, until and unless logic and experience proves you wrong.”

From: Daria

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Daria Morgendorffer

The story behind the quote: This is my second post with a quote from the MTV animated television show Daria. Daria, even though she is a pessimistic but observant teenager, she does manage to impart a lot of wisdom throughout the series’ 5 seasons.

The quote comes from the swan song of the entire series. “Is It College Yet?” is actually the second TV movie. As Daria graduates from high school, she has to make some big decisions such as what to do with her boyfriend, which college to go to and so on.

During the graduation ceremony, she is awarded the special Dian Fossey award for her academic achievements. While she could have just gave a cynical speech about the future, she actually dispenses some helpful advice to her classmates and fellow graduates.

In all honesty, I really wanted to put her entire speech as the quote but it would be too long. But, you will get the gist of her message from the first few lines she says…

Geek wisdom: We all have our own beliefs and people will try to bend you into believing that they’re wrong. While it’s okay to “stand up” to these people, we shouldn’t stubbornly cling to our opinions when they are proven to be incorrect.

We should be able to accept, as flawed individuals, we are prone to mistakes and part of being human is owning up to our own mistakes and making the necessary changes when we are proven wrong.

Oh, and take the time to enjoy a slice of pizza once in a while.

“This one time… at band camp…”

From: American Pie

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Michelle Flaherty

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the first American Pie film. American Pie is the story of a group of friends who make a pledge to lose their virginity before they graduate from high school. Jim Levenstein (played by Jason Biggs), the most awkward of the quartet, appears to have a “sure thing” with Nadia, a extremely hot foreign exchange student, but squanders his chance because of an accident. Because of this, he tries his luck with the homely band geek, Michelle Flaherty (played by Alyson Hannigan).

The quote comes from Michelle and is actually her catchphrase of sorts. She usually recounts her memories of her time at band camp by starting with this popular phrase…

Of course, there was the surprise NSFW conclusion to the entire “band camp” story…

Geek wisdom: Live things to the fullest, especially when you’re young. It’s always fun to make great memories while you’re in the prime of your youth. While they may not seem to be anything special to everyone else or they may not get why it’s such a “big thing” for you, that shouldn’t really matter. What is important, however, is that the memory you make is memorable to you.

“There is no secret ingredient”

From: Kung-Fu Panda

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Po (and his father)

The story behind the quote: Kung-Fu Panda is the story of Po, a large and clumsy panda who dreams of being a great martial artist. He is announced as the next Dragon Warrior, much to the chagrin of the great master Shifu and the Furious Five. Throughout his training, it seems like there has been a mistake as Po’s clumsy and lazy attitude makes him virtually untrainable.

The quote comes from the climax of the film. Po receives the Dragon Scroll, which is supposed to unlock unlimitless power within someone. However, the scroll appears to be blank and only has a reflective surface inside. Distressed, Po decides to return to being a noodle soup vendor. Po asks his father the secret ingredient to his fantastic soup. And his father makes the startling revelation…

Geek wisdom: It’s incredibly easy to think you’re nobody special and actually talk yourself out of being the best you can be. The truth is, as long as you believe in yourself, you can do fantastic and amazing things! All you have to do is think and believe you are exceptional in your own way!

Thanks to his father, Po realized that the scroll was telling him that he was special and can do anything; all he had to do was to believe that he was special and he could do anything. And, because of that, he did become the legendary Dragon Warrior.

“Have you met Ted?”

From: How I Met Your Mother

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Barney Stinson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, specifically from Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). Barney is a serial womanizer who uses various tricks and ruses in order to meet women and sleep with them. As the series progresses, Barney does forego his old ways and decides to marry Robin, as currently seen in the season finale which is airing as of this writing.

During the first few seasons, however, Barney does try to help Ted Mosby, who he considers to be his “best friend,” with meeting new women using the quote mentioned.

Geek wisdom: As we get older, it seems to get more difficult to meet new people. We get tongue tied or we’re afraid to embarrass ourselves or we’re just don’t have the confidence to go up to a complete stranger and introduce ourselves.

This quote actually shows how easy it is to meet people. So, go out and introduce yourself to someone new. Who knows? Like in the show, you may be telling your kids the story of how you met their mother because of this.

“I’m too old for this shit.”

From: Lethal Weapon Series

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Det. Roger Murtaugh

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Lethal Weapon movies, specifically from the veteran partner of Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson), Roger Murtaugh (played by Danny Glover). During the first movie in the series, Murtaugh, tired from all of his years on the police force, is contemplating retirement. However, he is forced to partner with the suicidal loose cannon Riggs. Although they are of two different personalities, they do eventually form a strong bond of friendship throughout the run of the four films.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Murtaugh. Every time the pair gets into a hairy situation, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Age is just a state of mind. Detective Murtaugh is proof positive of this, despite his claims to the contrary. The grizzled detective is always just a few days away from retirement and is getting up there age-wise. Yet, in each installment of the Lethal Weapon franchise, he still manages to do amazing things… things that people half his age would die attempting to perform.

As long as you manage to keep fit, age is just a number. You can do amazing things whether you are old or young.

“Never give up. Never surrender!”

From: Galaxy Quest

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jason Nesmith playing Cmdr. Peter Quincy Taggart

The story behind the quote: The quote comes Galaxy Quest. Now, the premise of the film is pretty unique, to say the least. Tim Allen plays Jason Nesmith, a washed-up character actor who had one big hit: the sci-fi television show Galaxy Quest (which, in itself is a parody of the original Star Trek series). Nesmith played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart who commanded the starship known as the Protector. Things get complicated when a group of aliens mistake the Galaxy Quest broadcast as a record of real events. The aliens capture the entire crew of the show and ask them to help them fight a warlike race. Assuming that the aliens are just play-acting, Nesmith agrees to “help” them.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of Commander Taggart. Whenever the Protector is facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Taggart will deliver the quote as seen in the clip below.

Geek wisdom: This is pretty self-explanatory. We shouldn’t give up wherever we hit a minor problem. Even the biggest success stories of our time have hit a few speed bumps along their way to greatness. But they never let these roadblocks stop them as they persisted with their endeavor until the did succeed.

We should also have the attitude to not give up and push through hardship. Because if we surrender at the slightest hint of trouble, we’ll never get anything done!

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!”

From: The Wizard of Oz

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Wizard

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the classic film TheWizard of Oz. I don’t really think I need to summarize the movie… but I will anyway.

The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy (and her dog Toto) who, because of a freak accident involving a tornado (!), is magically transported to the Land of Oz. Now, she is stuck in the Land of Oz. Glinda, The Good Witch of the North, advises Dorothy to see the Wizard of Oz as he may know of a way to send her home. Along the way, Dorothy meets a colorful cast of characters, including The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion.

The quote comes from the scene when the crew talk to the Wizard, who looks like a giant floating head. However, Toto exposes that the floating head is just an illusion created by a middle-aged man hiding behind the curtain, who is the “real” Wizard. He attempts to distract them by asking them to ignore the man.

Geek wisdom: It’s sometimes good to leave a little mystery in life. Magic tricks are a lot of the fun is because we are awed by the act. We may not know how it’s done but we appreciate it all the same. As a species, we try to know everything. But, sometimes, knowing everything reduces the wonder we see in the world.

There is a simple joy to seeing something happening and not know how it happened. Sometimes, trying to understand it takes the fun out of it.

“Now you’re thinking with portals!”

From: Portal

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: GLADoS

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Portal, a devilishly delicious platforming puzzle game developed by Valve. The game was a smash hit. Most people loved the mind bending physics that the game has as well as the ingenious mechanic of using a trans-dimensional gun (the Portal gun) to get through each level. However, the main star of the game would have to be the maniacal computer, GLADoS.

GLADoS is the machine that puts Chell (the protagonist of Portal) through various puzzles for her to solve. While GLADoS seems to encourage her to get her final reward of “cake” (which is a lie, by the way), she is mostly there to taunt her. But she does help Chell by telling her the quote.

Geek wisdom: Some problems may seem unsolvable. But that’s usually because you’re looking at the problem from one angle. Portal teaches us to look at different and creative ways to solve the puzzles and traps put in front of us.

This fact, like the quote, can definitely help us, not only in the game, but in every day life. When you think a problem just cannot be solved or an issue cannot be fixed, try to take a step back and look at it from a different perspective. Maybe the solution is just “hidden from view.”