Television – Page 3 – My Geek Wisdom

“Things are only impossible until they’re not!”

From: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show successfully introduced new fans to the sci-fi world where humans explored the final frontier. The series also gave us many memorable characters and, thankfully, lots of great quotes.

This week’s quote comes from The Next Generation episode entitled “When the Bough Breaks“, wherein the USS Enterprise‘s children are kidnapped by a planet who want to use them to help repopulate their community. Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) orders Data (played by Brent Spiner) to find a way to break through the planet’s forcefield so they can rescue the children. When Data replies it might not be possible, Picard barks out the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that were previously thought of as impossible have been proven possible. Humans can now ride vehicles that can fly. World records are broken with astonishing frequency. The only thing that prevents us from doing the impossible is when we don’t try.

“Hey, you’re the one showing me all the sexy pictures!”

From: Animaniacs

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Yakko Warner

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Warner Bros. animated series, Animaniacs. A kind of variety show with different skits, Animaniacs mainly focus on Yakko, Wakko and Dot, the Warner siblings. They usually go on different comedy skits along with the rest of the supporting cast.

The quote comes one of the skits that leads into one of the next cartoon. Dr. Scratchansniff (voiced by Rob Paulsen) delivering an inkblot test to Yakko Warner (also voiced by Rob Paulsen). Despite some of the inkblots looking like something very specific, Yakko only sees girls. When Dr. Scratchansniff exasperatedly stats Yakko is obsessed with girl, Yakko defends himself by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: People will view different scenes and scenarios differently because of several factors, such as upbringing, mood, etc. This actually is a good thing as we should always be open to different viewpoints.

“…Which was the style at the time.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Abe Simpson

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 numerous seasons and counting and is a general smorgasbord for quotes.

The quote comes from the 4th season episode, Last Exit to Springfield. This has Homer Simpson leading the workers of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant on strike by accident. The quote happens during the third act where Mr. Burns hires Grampa Abe Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta who also voiced Homer and Mr. Burns, by the way) and his group of strikebusters. The elder Simpson explains that, due to their age, they aren’t able to roughhouse like before but they can still break up strikes by telling boring stories, including how he needed to tie an onion to his belt…

Geek wisdom: As time moves on, things change. What once was cool in the past may not make a whole lot of sense even a couple of years down the line.

“Am I so out of touch? No, it’s the children who are wrong.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Principal Skinner

The quote comes from the 5th season episode, entitled “The Boy Who Knew Too Much.” In the episode, Bart Simpson passes a fake note to his teacher to skip school. Principal Skinner (voiced by Harry Shearer) rightfully believes the note is fake and tries to catch Bart in the act of truancy. He goes to the places he liked to visit as a kid but neither sees Bart no any other truant children. He starts second guessing himself but then dismisses it, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: As time moves on, things change. What was once okay can be thought of as despicable later down the line. The opposite can also be true in that what was once thought of to be terrible can turn out to be okay in the future. All we can do is adapt to the new situation and never stay rigid in our own ways.

“The question is, will you still want the same things when you’ve become a different animal altogether?”

From: Fallout (Amazon television series)

Genre: Movies/Books

Who said it?: Dr. Siggi Wilzig

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Amazon Prime Video television series, Fallout. Based on the Bethesda video game franchise of the same name, the series takes place in an alternate timeline where a nuclear war has ravaged the world and people scrouge to survive mutated nightmares as well as each other in the Wasteland. Like with the games, the show focuses on a Vault Dweller, who leaves the comfort and safety of the Vault to explore the Wasteland on a mission.

The quote actually doesn’t come from Lucy (played by Ella Purnell), the aforementioned Vault Dweller in the series. Rather it comes from Dr. Siggi Wilzig (played by Michael Emerson), an Enclave scientist who carries with him a big secret. Lucy comes across him in Episode 2: The Target. Wilzig pleads with Lucy to return to the safety of the Vault but Lucy is defiant, stating she’s only returning once she rescues her father. Wilzig then tells her that she needs to adapt quickly to her new surroundings but then delivers the quote, wondering if she’ll have the same goals once she does conform.

Geek wisdom: People do change over time and, when they do, their wants and needs also change. It’s always okay to change your goals to fit your current needs.

“Sure, we want to learn to become good adults. But we’re only kids for a little while. So just give us a break. Please?”

From: Disney’s Recess

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: TJ Detweiler

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

The quote comes from the episode “The Kids in the Mist.” When a video threatening to cut back on Recess due to a teacher wanting to focus more teaching discipline, TJ and the gang get ahold of the video and film themselves defending why recess is important. At the end of the video, TJ pops into view and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t be in a rush to grow up. Parents and teachers need to let kids stay a kid for a little while.

“Please, do not make me let you down.”

From: X-Men ’97

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Magneto

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Disney+ animated show, X-Men ’97. Based on the Marvel comics series, X-Men ’97 is a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series. The world thinks Professor X is dead and Magneto, the X-Men’s greatest villain, now is in control of the X-Men.

The quote comes from the second episode, entitled Mutant Liberation Begins. Magneto (voiced here by Matthew Waterson) subdues an attack by the Friends of Humanity on the United Nations during his trial. He mentions how he would’ve killed everyone in the past, especially due to how the X-Cutioner managed to remove Storm‘s mutant abilities during the battle. However, Professor X challenged him to try a different path and he is trying to be a better person. He closes the monologue by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, people would like to change and change for the better. However, a lot of us have difficulty letting go of the past. With that in mind, we should never try to hold them back just because of their past mistakes. In fact, we should encourage these people and help them as they are trying instead of telling them they cannot change. At the very least, get out of their way when they are trying to better themselves.

“Right now, peace could be bought at a bargain price and you don’t even realize it.”

From: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Quark

The story behind the quote: There are already several quotes from the Star Trek franchise but there is still yet to be one from Deep Space Nine. Well, this is me correcting that. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine takes place on a space station controlled by the Federation and Bajor. The space station is strategically placed near a wormhole which will instantly transport ship to the Gamma Quadrant. As such, it is an important location for commerce as well as a strategic waypoint for the galaxy as a whole.

This week’s quote comes from the second season episode, The Maquis: Part II. Quark (played by Armin Shimerman), an unscrupulous Ferengi businessman who isn’t afraid of black market dealings, is upset with his new client, which confuses the Vulcan as he was paid well for his job. Quark states that that his client’s position is logical because she is saying that she would be willing to pay anything for peace. However, Quark states the Third Rule of Acquisition and delivers the quote, stating that peace, at that moment, could be bought cheap.

Geek wisdom: Everyone wants peace. The only problem is people do not want to compromise. If we just all take a step back and actually do a little give and take, peace might be easier to acquire than we think.

“He’s just standing there… menacingly!”

From: Spongebob Squarepants

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Patrick Star

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from a certain creature who lives in a pineapple under the sea, Spongebob Squarepants. One of Nickelodeon’s most popular cartoons, Spongebob Squarepants features the titular character who gets into different crazy adventures in Bikini Bottom (and sometimes outside the town).

The quote comes from the episode entitled “Hall Monitor” where Spongebob, due to his zeal of being assigned as the school’s hall monitor, accidentally causes various mishaps across Bikini Bottom and, as a result, deemed as a “maniac” by the public. Spongebob doesn’t realize this and vows to capture the “maniac” with the help of his friend, Patrick Star. At night, Patrick recognizes Spongebob as the “maniac” in the darkness and calls Spongebob on the radio, saying he’s close to where the “maniac” is. When Spongebob can’t see the “maniac” (because he is the “maniac” in question), he asks Patrick what the “maniac” is doing. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Our perceptions and reality on people can differ. We can have some preconceived notions about certain people and we can jump to conclusions based on them. It’s a good idea to give people a chance before forming your own judgement on them.

“Sweetie, you are weird. Everyone knows you’re weird. But they’re all still here because they care about you so much.”

From: The Big Bang Theory

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Penny

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very successful sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. The story revolves around a group of four nerds/geeks who love nerdy/geeky things. Among the four, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons) proved to be the show’s breakout star due to all of his quirky mannerisms and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

The quote comes from the episode entitled “The Celebration Experimentation”, which is the 17th episode of the 9th season. Sheldon Cooper is hiding out in the bathroom as he doesn’t like celebrating his birthday with a party. He reveals to Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) about how his sister would make fun of him during his birthday parties, which is why he hates them. Penny says it’s okay if he hides out in the bathroom then. Sheldon then says people will think he’s weird if he does. This is when Penny delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Being yourself can be hard when you don’t conform to “normal” society standards. However, that doesn’t mean you should change the way you are. Be yourself and, eventually, you will find people who will care for you because of who you really are.