Tag: television

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose. And show you how powerful I really am.”

From: Justice League Unlimited

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the DC Comics animated series, Justice League Unlimited. This was the last series to be produced for Bruce Timm’s shared DC Animated Universe (DCAU for short).

The quote comes from the final episode of the show. Darkseid had just been resurrected by Lex Luthor and is now attempting to invade Earth. All seems lost as the Justice League seems to be no match for the might of Darkseid. However, it turns out Superman, because of his incredible strength, has been restraining himself and, as this is Darkseid, has no fear of actually killing him. This is why he delivers the quote before dishing out a super strong punch to the despot.

Geek wisdom: To quote another superhero, with great power comes great responsibility. Knowing how and when to wield power shows the true mettle of a great person.

“You come at the king, you best not miss.”

From: The Wire

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Omar Little

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO series, The Wire. The show is generally a crime drama that focuses on different areas of Baltimore, Maryland.

The quote comes from the 8th episode of the 1st season, entitled “Lessons” by Omar Little (played by Michael K. Williams). Stinkum and Wee-Bey from the Barksdale Organization plan to kill a drug dealer as part of Stinkum’s promotion/initiation. However, Omar Little is actually lying in wait. He kills Stinkum outright and wounds Wee-Bey. As Wee-Bey hides under cover, Omar delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Always try to do the best job during your first attempt and try to treat it as if it was going to be your last attempt. Because there is a good chance it just may be your only chance to get it right.

“You’re so hurtful!”

From: The Amanda Show / Moody’s Point

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Misty

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Nickelodeon show The Amanda Show. The Amanda Show started in 1999 and was a sketch comedy show much like in the vein of Saturday Night Live and even Nickelodeon’s own All That. In fact, the show is named after Amanda Bynes, who also starred in All That when she was much younger.

As The Amanda Show was a sketch comedy show, there were some recurring skits. One of them was Moody’s Point, a parody of teen dramas of the time. One of the characters in Moody’s Point is a girl named Misty, a rather homely girl who is incredibly sensitive and delivers the quote because of her fragile ego.

On a side note, this isn’t Misty’s only “catch phrase.” Her other one is “What’s that supposed to mean” and is usually uttered because of the same reason.

Geek wisdom:  Thin skinned people have difficulty taking any criticism. If we are that way and take any constructive feedback and just tell the critic that we feel offended, then we cannot grow and improve. While there are some people who will try to hate on you, you should always be ready to listen to both good and bad feedback as we can learn from them both.

“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 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.

“It’s coming right for us!”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Uncle Jimbo

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the incredibly successful Comedy Central cartoon, South Park. The show is usually focuses on four children, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick and Eric Cartman, and their adventures in the town of South Park. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show usually focuses on topical topics and parodies them in some (absurd) way.

This week’s quote comes from Stan’s Uncle Jimbo. As an avid hunter, he is displeased that there are laws that protect certain endangered wildlife. However, he has found a loophole regarding the law as it is permitted to shoot anything as long as you’re about to be attacked by any creature. As such, he says the quote before each time he shoots and kills something.

Geek wisdom: There will always be bad people who will try to find ways to skirt the rules or common decency as long as it will suit their purposes. They will search for excuses to get away with bad behavior or justify what they do. It may be difficult but we have to stand our moral ground, even when times are tough.