Tag: television

“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.

“I’m ready! I’m ready! I’m ready!”

From: Spongebob Squarepants

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Spongebob Squarepants

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 actually comes from the very first episode of the series, “Help Wanted.” Spongebob Squarepants notices that his favorite restaurant, The Krusty Krab, is looking for a new fry cook. As this is his dream job, Spongebob marches out, incessantly saying the quote.

Geek wisdom: When opportunity knocks, we always have to be prepared to answer it. We have to always be ready, or, at the least, psyche ourselves up to the point that we feel that we are ready to tackle any problems that may come our way.

“Stop, stop! He’s already dead!”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: A kid at the opening of a Krusty Burger

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the long running animated sitcom, The Simpsons. Specifically, the fifteenth episode of the show’s sixth season entitled “Homie the Clown.” The episode has Homer Simpson who, because of his uncanny likeness to Krusty the Clown, becomes a stand in for the clown. Homer gets sent to events that Krusty thinks are too demeaning to him.

The quote comes from the middle of the episode where Homer is sent in Krusty stead at one of the Krusty Burger openings. There is supposed to be a skit where the Krusty Burglar (a pastiche of the McDonalds Hamburglar) is stealing burgers. However, Homer thinks that the Krusty Burlar is real and proceeds to pummel the diminutive costumed individual in front of of a crowd of children, one of which delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We can overdo things sometimes. It could be reacting to something bad that happens to us and then say it’s the worst thing to ever happen. We could overdo basic things like eating, leading to stomach aches. Or we could overdo even things that can be considered healthy, such as exercising to the point of exhaustion. The point is that we shouldn’t overdo or overreact to things. We should try to take things at what they’re supposed to be and nothing else.

“Grappling hook!”

From: Gravity Falls

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Mabel Pines

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the rather short lived but much beloved animated series, Gravity Falls. The show follows twins Dipper Pines and Mabel Pines as they vacation in the sleepy town of Gravity Falls with their great-uncle/grunkle Stan. On the surface, the town seems like your regular (backwater) town, but underneath the surface are different supernatural things and the twins gradually discover the town’s darker secrets…

The quote comes from the impulsive of the twins, Mabel Pines (voice by Kristen Schaal). At the end of the first episode and their first adventure, Grunkle Stan (voiced by show creator Alex Hirsch) gives the twins any item that they want in the shop for free. Dipper (voiced by Jason Ritter) picks a cap while Mabel roots in a box and selects a grappling hook.

Throughout the majority of the season, the grappling hook is never put to good use and Dipper actually mentions that it’s caused more trouble than it’s worth. However, Mabel’s grappling hook does eventually proves its worth…

Geek wisdom: Some things may seem useless at the start and you may feel that it’s better to get rid of it. However, it is possible that item just hasn’t proven to be useful yet and can prove to be invaluable at the start. Try to always look at the intrinsic value of an item and not take things at face value.

“But I don’t want to be a pirate!”

From: Seinfeld

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jerry Seinfeld

The story behind the quote: This is another quote from the mega-hit sitcom from the 90’s, Seinfeld. This week’s quote comes from the appropriately entitled episode from Season 5, The Puffy Shirt.

Kramer’s new girlfriend is a fashion designer and is someone who is a “low talker,” which means you can barely hear her when she speaks. She tries to get Jerry to wear one of her designs, a puffy shirt that looks like what pirates used to wear, when she hears that Jerry is going to be on the Today Show. Jerry nods his head as he didn’t know what he was agreeing to due to Kramer’s girlfriend mumbling whenever she speaks.

Of course, when Kramer brings the shirt to Jerry, Jerry tries to back out because of how ridiculous it looks. Even though Jerry tried to back out of the agreement, he eventually does wear it on the Today Show. However, that still doesn’t change the fact that Jerry just doesn’t like the idea of being “the first pirate.”

Geek wisdom: Your word is your bond. If you agree to something, you’re unable to back out. Even if you then realize it will make you look foolish, you will still have to push through with the agreement… even if it does make you the very first “pirate.”

“Oh my God! They killed Kenny!”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Stan Marsh (usually)

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hugely popular Comedy Central animated show, South Park. The show revolves around four boys, Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, Kyle Broflovski and Eric Cartman. Definitely not a cartoon for kids as South Park has a lot of profanity, dirty jokes, adult themes and dark humor

One of the running gags that really nailed the dark humor aspect was how Kenny McCormick would usually get killed in some way during the show. While Kenny dying doesn’t happen every episode, like during the first five seasons of the show, when he does, Stan would usually deliver the quote with Kyle following it up by calling whoever (or whatever) killed their friend a bastard.

Geek wisdom: Our time in this world can end suddenly and abruptly. Our end may come when we’re old and just expire due to our age. Or it could come out of no where out of the blue tomorrow. We always have to live life to our fullest and make the most of our time on this planet while we can.

“Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!”

From: Phineas and Ferb

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Phineas

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb. The show revolves around Phineas and Ferb, two brothers who, thanks to their inventive minds as well as engineering skills, manage to create and build various fantastical object in order to enjoy themselves during their summer vacation. Their sister, Candace, always wants to “bust [her] brothers” by telling on them to their mom. However, Phineas and Ferb’s creations usually vanish before their mom arrives. This is usually due to some mishap, usually caused by their pet platypus, Perry, who also a secret agent, and his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

The quote is usually spoken by Phineas, who, in each episode, exclaims it to his brother Ferb when he comes up with a plan on what their plans are for the day.

The clip below actually comes from “Rollercoaster: The Musical”… because I couldn’t really find a good clip where Phineas delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We just love to postpone things. We always come up with various excuses why we don’t do our chores or start that project we’ve always dreamed of doing. We like to say we don’t have the time or we want to get all our ducks in a row before we do it. However, things will never get done unless we start it.

Actually, this blog is a testament of biting the bullet and actually starting it. I envisioned My Geek Wisdom a long time ago and, after months of contemplation, it was released roughly five years ago on September 4. I wouldn’t be doing this for five years already if I hadn’t started then. So, don’t waste time and seize the day!

“Aaaaand… it’s gone.”

From: South Park

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Unnamed Bank Clerk

The story behind the quote: South Park is an animated cartoon on Comedy Central. The show revolves around the small Colorado town of South Park and each story usually revolves around Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick and Eric Cartman. The creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, usually use the show to parody and satirize current events and to show how ridiculous things really are.

The quote comes from Margaritaville, the third episode of the thirteenth episode of the show. Stan received a check of $100 and his father encourages him to put it in the bank. However, instead of putting the money in a normal account, the bank clerk preemptively invests the money in a mutual fund, which was not a great idea…

Geek wisdom: It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have all the time in the world. Whether it be objects we cherish, our loved ones and even the time we spend on this earth, we believe that it’ll all be there tomorrow. But we usually regret it when these things are taken away from us without notice. We regret not spending time with the things we cherish until it’s, well, until it’s gone.

We have to treasure the time we have here as well as the things we love. That’s because we never know when it will be taken away from us.

“We create our own purpose in life. Now go create yours.”

From: Justice League Unlimited

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Lex Luthor

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 end of Justice League Unlimited episode entitled, “The Return.” The episode revolves around the android Amazo, after being in deep space for years, has evolved and become incredibly powerful. The android is on a quest to return to Earth and take his vengeance on the one who took advantage of him, Lex Luthor. The Justice League attempt to stop Amazo but to no avail. In a last ditch effort to hide Amazo’s target, The Atom shrinks himself and Luthor into subatomic size. But Amazo, having nearly God-like powers, easily find them.

Surprisingly, Amazo doesn’t attack his target but, instead, asks him why he keeps going on. Luthor then surmises that Amazo is indirectly asking what the android’s purpose in life. After a conversation talking about philosophical theories, Luthor delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Mankind has always asked others what is the meaning of life. What is the purpose of being alive. The question is actually moot as one’s life shouldn’t be determined by others. One’s worth or what one will become should not be dictated by another. Rather, it is up to each and every individual to find that out for yourself.

In fact, the question “What is the meaning of life” is the wrong question to be asking. The correct question is should be “what is my meaning of life.” We all have to look deep inside ourselves to seek the answer to that question.

“We said ‘meh’!” “M-E-H. Meh!”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Bart Simpson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from The Simpsons’ episode entitled “Hungry Hungry Homer” which is the 15th episode of the 12th season of the long running cartoon. The episode is actually all about Homer Simpson staging a hunger strike when no one believes him when he tries to tell everyone that Springfield’s baseball team, the Isotopes, is movie to Albuquerque.

However, like all Simpsons episodes, things start of rather tamely. The Simpsons family is watching television when a commercial for Blockoland, a theme park much like Legoland, is shown. Thinking that the kids would love going there, Homer asks his children, Bart and Lisa if they would want to go there. He unfortunately gets a rather unenthusiastic response…

Geek wisdom: At times, we can get excited over the things that interest us and we try to share our love for those things to others. However, we do have to realize that some people may not feel the same way you do. They may feel totally disinterested in it or even hate whatever it is.

We can’t really get mad at them because all of us have different likes and dislikes. People are all different and will feel differently regarding different things. We have to respect their opinions and not force them to like or dislike something to conform with our own ideas.