Tag: patrick stewart

“This is a moment. A moment to repeat the mistakes of the past. Or to work together for a better future.”

From: X-2: X-Men United

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Charles Xavier

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2003 Marvel superhero movie, X-2: X-Men United. The plot revolves around a government operative named William Stryker and his plans to hunt and incarcerate all mutants of the world by kidnapping Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, and using his mutant abilities to kill all mutants in the world. This leads the X-Men to attempt to rescue their mentor.

The quote comes from the end of the film. The President of the United States is about to give a speech about how all mutants are a threat. Before he does, Charles Xavier (played by Patrick Steward) hands the President files proving that Stryker orchestrated the events of the film. Xavier, in the hopes the President will change his mind, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We all never forget about the atrocities of the past but we must also recognize them as mistakes we have made. It is only then when we can learn from them and work together to move on to a better tomorrow.

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“There. Are. Four. Lights.”

From: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

The story behind the quote: This week, we have another quote from Star Trek: The Next Generation. And, once again, it comes from the Captain of the USS Enterprise-D, Jean-Luc Picard. This week’s quote comes from the second episode of the two-parter, Chain of Command. The episode is actually pays homage to George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.

The episode has Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) captured by the Cardassians. The leader of the group, Gul Mandred, tortures Picard in an attempt to break him so he will reveal the plans for the planet Minos Korva. One of the tactics is to show Picard four lights and force him to say there are five instead. If he does, Gul Mandred will stop the torturing.

By the end of the episode, despite not being able to break Picard and the Captain about to be released into Federation custody, Gul Mandred tries one more attempt to break Picard’s spirit by lying to him and saying Minos Korva has been captured and the Enterprise has been destroyed so there is nothing to betray anymore. He asks Picard how many lights. But just before Picard answers, the other Cardassians come to take Picard. This is when Picard says the quote one more time, with total defiance that he was not broken.

Geek wisdom:  Despite all the hardships you endure, you have to stay true to what you know is the truth. Don’t let other people sway you to think otherwise, especially when they are wrong but won’t admit that they are.

“The only person you’re truly competing against, Wesley, is yourself.”

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 the Captain of the NCC-1701-D, AKA the Enterprise, Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unlike his predecessor, who had a habit of charging in full force into trouble, Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) is a more calm and strategic thinking, preferring to take a more logical and level-headed manner to resolve issues.

The quote comes from the closing moments of the Season 1 episode entitled “Coming of Age.” One of the stories in the episode deals with Wesley Crusher taking the entrance exam for Starfleet Academy. He does not get in but not for lack of trying. Wesley is disappointed with himself and apologizes to Picard for letting him and the entire crew of the Enterprise down. Picard tries to comfort the boy by asking him if he tried his best. This is when he delivers the quote to encourage him.

Geek wisdom:  People tend to take too much stock in how people think of them or how they stack up against each other. We try to compare ourselves with others and then ask ourselves how to outdo what they did. In actuality, the best way to do better in life tomorrow is to try to outdo what we are today.

“He learned to play it safe. And he never, ever got noticed by anyone.”

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 6th season episode, Tapestry. In the episode, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) is shot in his artificial heart. Ironically, if he has his normal heart, he wouldn’t be dying. The god-like being Q (played by John de Lancie) gives him an opportunity to return to that bar fight that made him lose his original heart in the first place. Picard does so but, when he is returned to his original time, he is no longer the Captain of the USS Enterprise, but a simple junior officer. He confronts Q about his current situation and Q explains that, because he never had that brush with death in the bar, Picard never took the risks that made him a daring captain in the first place.

Geek wisdom:  It seems easy to take no chances. While you may leave a comfortable life by doing this, the only way to really get ahead is to seize opportunities when you can and take risks. It may seem difficult but the most successful people in life have taken the more perilous route to get where they are. The gamble may be risky but the payout is high.

“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.”

From: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

The story behind the quote: There are already several quotes from the old Star Trek cast. Now, it’s time to give a little respect to The Next Generation, the successor to the franchise. Star Trek: The Next Generation 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 Peak Performance, wherein Picard and Riker (played by Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes, respectively), take part of a series of war games to test their mettle as part of their training. During the episode, Lt. Commander Data (played by Brent Spiner) plays a competitive game against the the war games observer in a strategic game aptly named Strategema. To his surprise, Data, who just so happened to be an android, loses. This makes Data start to lose faith in himself as a strategist as there was supposedly no way he should have lost.

The quote happens during the second act. Picard asks Data to come to the bridge but the android has second thoughts. This is when Picard, after ordering him on to the bridge, gives the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Life isn’t fair all the time. Sometimes you will given lucky breaks and sometimes unlucky ones. There are also going to be times when, even if you think you’ve thought of every possible bad thing that could happen and prepare contingencies for them, things may still not swing your way. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try things anymore. The important thing is that you try.