Television – My Geek Wisdom

“It should’ve been me, not him! It’s not fair!”

From: Yu-Gi-Oh!

Genre: Cartoons, Television, Anime

Who said it?: Yami Yugi

The story behind the quote: Yu-Gi-Oh! is a popular anime series featuring a timid person named Yugi Mutoh. He solves an ancient puzzle, unwittingly becoming the host of a brash spirit. The spirit, now known as Yami Yugi, takes over during periods when Yugi and his friends are in peril. This also leads the pair to join several puzzle and gaming tournaments.

The quote comes from the 158 episode of the anime series. Yami Yugi has lost and, as a consequence, Yugi’s soul is taken. This leads him to wail the quote.

The quote comes from the English version of the anime, which you can see below.

The quote has become a meme when taken out of context. The meme is usually used as a punchline to certain situations, usually sexual, to express jealousy of the receiver.

Geek wisdom: There will be times when you might feel that life is unfair as others have better luck than you. However, you have to realize you can’t always get what you want.

“Presents are the best way to show someone you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say, ‘Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth.'”

From: The Office

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Michael Scott

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from US version of The Office. Based on the BBC comedy, this version of show takes place in the offices of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, featuring a host of wacky characters with their own idiosyncrasies.

This week’s quote comes the episode entitled “Christmas Party.” The entire office holds a Secret Santa gift giving party. Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) decides to give his Secret Santa a video iPod, which is worth much more than the $20 limit. Michael Scott, in a talking head, explains his decision.

Geek wisdom: While there is a saying that “it’s the thought that counts” and it does hold true, that also doesn’t mean you should not put any money into your gifts as well. Maybe the gift doesn’t have to be expensive… but it also doesn’t have to be worthless as well.

“It’s alright to cry. Crying takes the sad out of you.”

From: Beavis and Butt-Head

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Butt-Head

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated series, Beavis and Butt-Head. Formerly on MTV, the show features two dimwitted teenagers known as Beavis and Butt-Head. The show was a huge hit thanks to it’s irreverent humor and pushing the boundaries on what could be put on television. The show has since spawned a couple of movies and has even been revived a couple of times, with the latest iteration of the show being aired on Paramount+.

The quote comes from the episode entitled, “Crying.” The episode starts with Beavis and Butt-Head (both voiced by creator Mike Judge) watching The Bachelor while eating chili dogs. Beavis sniffs a raw onion that was on his chili dog, causing him to shed a tear. Butt-Head, thinking he’s crying because of the show, starts making fun of him. Butt-Head then continues to make fun of him throughout the days, weeks and months. One day, during gym, Butt-Head starts making fun of Beavis again for crying, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: While it does seem like the unmanly thing to do, crying is just an emotional response. So it’s actually okay to cry once in a while when the need arises.

“I don’t need luck, though. I don’t want it. I’ve always had to struggle and fight, and that’s made me strong. It’s made me who I am.”

From: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: General Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is another submission from DJ Miller, who has helped us with a quote from King of the Hill, Forrest Gump and Arthur. This time, the quote comes from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The quote comes from the episode “The Siege of the North, Part 2.” Zuko has finally captured Aang and attempts to carry him to the Fire Nation’s side. However, the snowfall is getting too harsh so he drags Aang into a cave. In the cave, Zuko (voiced by Dante Basco) delivers a monologue how his sister was a natural at fire bending and he was not. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There will be someone out their in the world that is better than you. But you shouldn’t let that stop you from giving up. Succeeding comes from hard work not luck and, as long as you have the people you care about in front of you to help you, anything is possible.

“There is no answer. But ‘Eleanor’ is the answer.”

From: The Good Place

Genre: Televison

Who said it?: Chidi Anagonye

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the NBC comedy series, The Good Place. The show focuses on four humans who have died and are now supposedly spending eternity in The Good Place. One of the people, Eleanor Shellstrop, apparently isn’t supposed to be there as she was a bad person while she was alive. The first season then focuses on her journey to be a person worthy of being in The Good Place in order to avoid being sent to The Bad Place.

The quote comes from the fourth season episode, The Answer. The Judge of the Universe is about to reset the world as the point system which judges if humans are good and bad has become so convoluted, no one is getting into the Good Place anymore. The team decide to revive Chidi Anagonye (played by William Jackson Harper) as, although he’s proven to be incredibly indecisive, is the best person to develop out a system that would work without resetting everything. After being revived, Chidi asked Janet (played by D’Arcy Carden) to give him the note he wrote before his memory was erased. She hands him the note and he reads it, which is the quote in question.

Geek wisdom: There is no “one size fits all” answer to why anyone of us exists. That answer is always going to be different depending on the individual. It could be living for a loved one, helping others or just trying to live life to the fullest. Your reason for existing may not make sense to others… but it makes sense to you, which is what’s important.

“It’s not safe out here. It’s wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it’s not for the timid.”

From: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Q

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Star Trek: The Next Generation. A worthy successor to the franchise, The Next Generation introduced a new cast of characters taking control of a new USS Enterprise as they boldly go where no man has gone before.

This week’s quote comes from the 2nd season episode, Q Who? In the episode, the godly being known as Q (played by John de Lancie) transports the USS Enterprise to an unknown sector of the cosmos. They run into an unstoppable alien race known as the Borg and the crew is unable to stop their advance. Captain Picard eventually gives in and admits they are no match for the Borg and pleads for Q to save them. Q does just that and returns them to where they were when the episode started. Captain Picard laments on the number of dead crew members because of Q’s actions. Q then tells them losses are to be expected as they are exploring the unknown. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Doing something totally new, whether it be exploring a new location or testing out an experiment will always have its risks. However, the rewards might just outweigh the risks if you can make a new breakthrough. This is how we have gotten to this position: through the risks and trials others have taken before us… and had persevered though all the hardships.

“Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy.”

From: Scrubs

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Dr. Bob Kelso

The story behind the quote: Scrubs was a (very) irreverent and unpredictable sitcom. However, it’s those very factors that makes it a great and memorable sitcom. The show takes place in the fictional teaching hospital called Sacred Heart Hospital where the doctors, both the students and the veterans, have to deal with complicated patients and their complicated lives.

The quote comes from the episode entitled “My Boss’ Free Haircut.” Dr. Bob Kelso (played by Ken Jenkins) is trying to help an overweight patient and tries to get her on a diet and exercise regiment to help her get better. She is extremely reluctant because it seems hard. At the same time, Dr. Turk (played by Donald Faison) is having marital problems as he now has responsibilities other than to himself. At the end of the episode, Dr. Kelso tells the patient she had to put in the work to get better. The patient, as well as Dr. Turk, asks what should they do if it’s too difficult. This is when the veteran doctor delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all have wants, dreams, desires and ambitions. But we will never be able to reach them unless we actually make the effort. It will never be handed to you on a silver platter.

“Many things that seems threatening in the dark become welcoming when we shine light on them.”

From: The Legend of Korra

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Legend of Korra. The sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, this Nickelodeon takes place some time after the events of the original series as a new Avatar, a water tribe girl named Korra, inherits the title.

The quote comes from the episode “A New Spiritual Age,” which was the 10th episode of the 2nd season. Korra is trapped in the Spirit Realm and is overwhelmed by her new surroundings. She is rescued by the spirit of Iroh (now voiced by Greg Baldwin) and the aged mentor helps Korra in finding a way to find her friend. He directs her to bring a bird she accidentally injured to her home atop a scary looking mountain. When Korra tells him she’s afraid, Iroh points to the bird and reminds her how she was afraid of it, too. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that are unknown and unfamiliar to us can be scary and off-putting. It will remain that way until we actually put the time to understand them. We have to remain open or else we will always be prejudiced to these things just because we don’t understand what they are.

“It never hurts to help!”

From: Eek! The Cat

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Eek

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Fox Kids animated show, Eek! The Cat, which was later named to Eek! Stravaganza during the fourth season. The show generally focuses on the misadventures of Eek, a blissfully positive cat.

Each episode usually sees Eek find a chance to assist someone or a cause and then, because of his desire to help out, gets into all sorts of trouble. However, before he does get into trouble, he always delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Although Eek does gets into all sorts of sticky predicaments whenever he tries to be helpful, he still has the right idea because if we do all try to be there whenever someone is in need, the world would be a much better place.

“Sorry, mom. The mob has spoken.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Bart Simpson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the episodes of The Simpsons. As one of the longest running shows ever (and since I’ve already used a lot of Simpsons quotes in the past), this show needs no introduction anymore.

The quote comes from 4th season episode entitled “Marge vs. The Monorail.” When the town of Springfield suddenly becomes flush with cash, the town holds a meeting in order to decide how to use the money. While there are suggestions on how to use the money to improve Springfield, a quick talking shyster named Lyle Lanley persuades everyone to use the funds to buy a slick monorail. During the end of the song number, Marge Simpson laments that main street is still full of potholes. However, her son, Bart Simpson, slyly remarks that the town has already made the ill-fated decision to go build the monorail.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, the most popular decision is not the correct one. There are going to be times when the most prudent choice might be unpopular but, ultimately, still the right one. So always keep an open mind to other thoughts and ideas.