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Easter Eggs, Symbolism & Call Backs (Major Spoilers)

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  • 00Heaven00Heaven Home
    Posts: 575
    One just popped into my head now... The quote Felix shares about "heroes and villains" and how you can't tell them apart is very, very similar to what Mathis says to Bond in QoS.
  • Gobi-1Gobi-1
    Posts: 144
    At Blofeld's birthday party Blofeld mentions something to the effect that Spectre is about to emerge from the shadows to lead humanity as Gods returning from Mt Olympus. Something like that. This suggest that releasing the nanobots upon humanity was Blofeld's and Spectre's big plan. I would imagine that Belmarsh prison would be one of the first targets so that Blofeld could escape.

    So not only did Safin kill Spectre, he took his island back and hijacked Spectre's world dominating plan as well.
  • GettlerGettler USA
    Posts: 326
    Kind of an interesting tidbit for Dr. Swann to keep a poisonous plant in her office while in London. I wonder if she keeps it there to prepare some "tea" for any patients she thinks are SPECTRE operatives in disguise. Now she's the one looking over her shoulder.

    I don't know if it was explained in the film because I only saw it once.
  • FeyadorFeyador Montreal, Canada
    Posts: 735
    Was that an Idris Elba lookalike at the SPECTRE party? He looks directly at the camera. Possibly an in-joke from Eon?
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    edited October 2021 Posts: 6,844
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    James_StJohnSmythe wrote: »
    So I'm not exactly sure I got that one right, but...
    ...when M calls the navy to bombard Safins island, the captain answers with "HMS Bedford" (from TND), or not?
    It's HMS Dragon, I'm afraid. However, the way the ship is shot, we might as well put it in the promotions and product placements thread. The Royal Navy better use that perfectly lit hero shot in their recruitment ads :))
    The Royal Navy. Accidentally killing Britain's unsung heroes since 2021. Join today!

    Come to think of it, the end of NTTD is basically the PTS of TND if Bond mucked up and didn't get out of it in time.
  • mattjoesmattjoes THE MOONRAKER TAPES ARE LOST THE MOONRAKER TAPES ARE LOST
    Posts: 7,040
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    James_StJohnSmythe wrote: »
    So I'm not exactly sure I got that one right, but...
    ...when M calls the navy to bombard Safins island, the captain answers with "HMS Bedford" (from TND), or not?
    It's HMS Dragon, I'm afraid. However, the way the ship is shot, we might as well put it in the promotions and product placements thread. The Royal Navy better use that perfectly lit hero shot in their recruitment ads :))
    The Royal Navy. Accidentally killing Britain's unsung heroes since 2021. Join today!

    Come to think of it, the end of NTTD is basically the PTS of TND if Bond mucked up and didn't get out of it in time.
    HMS Dragon Commander: M, we're in position, over.
    Spotter: Look, there's a member of Safin's army! He's staring at us!
    HMS Dragon Commander: Fire the missiles!
    M: Commander, M here. We're going to need you to fire your missiles at the island. Just be very careful not to aim at Commander B-- Oh.
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    James_StJohnSmythe wrote: »
    So I'm not exactly sure I got that one right, but...
    ...when M calls the navy to bombard Safins island, the captain answers with "HMS Bedford" (from TND), or not?
    It's HMS Dragon, I'm afraid. However, the way the ship is shot, we might as well put it in the promotions and product placements thread. The Royal Navy better use that perfectly lit hero shot in their recruitment ads :))
    The Royal Navy. Accidentally killing Britain's unsung heroes since 2021. Join today!

    Come to think of it, the end of NTTD is basically the PTS of TND if Bond mucked up and didn't get out of it in time.
    HMS Dragon Commander: M, we're in position, over.
    Spotter: Look, there's a member of Safin's army! He's staring at us!
    HMS Dragon Commander: Fire the missiles!
    M: Commander, M here. We're going to need you to fire your missiles at the island. Just be very careful not to aim at Commander B-- Oh.
    Lol. They really should use NTTD as a PSA for prospective movie heroes. "And this, children, is why you never forget to put your plot armor on when you go out for the day."
  • mattjoesmattjoes THE MOONRAKER TAPES ARE LOST THE MOONRAKER TAPES ARE LOST
    Posts: 7,040
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    James_StJohnSmythe wrote: »
    So I'm not exactly sure I got that one right, but...
    ...when M calls the navy to bombard Safins island, the captain answers with "HMS Bedford" (from TND), or not?
    It's HMS Dragon, I'm afraid. However, the way the ship is shot, we might as well put it in the promotions and product placements thread. The Royal Navy better use that perfectly lit hero shot in their recruitment ads :))
    The Royal Navy. Accidentally killing Britain's unsung heroes since 2021. Join today!

    Come to think of it, the end of NTTD is basically the PTS of TND if Bond mucked up and didn't get out of it in time.
    HMS Dragon Commander: M, we're in position, over.
    Spotter: Look, there's a member of Safin's army! He's staring at us!
    HMS Dragon Commander: Fire the missiles!
    M: Commander, M here. We're going to need you to fire your missiles at the island. Just be very careful not to aim at Commander B-- Oh.
    Lol. They really should use NTTD as a PSA for prospective movie heroes. "And this, children, is why you never forget to put your plot armor on when you go out for the day."
    I know, the most important armor of them all. Sure, a bulletproof vest will protect you from firearms, but what good will that do when you are at risk of dying at the hands of Machiavellian filmmakers?

    So you have seen the film then? I assumed you hadn't, yet.

    I don't know why we are using spoiler tags.
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    mattjoes wrote: »
    Some_Kind_Of_Hero wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    James_StJohnSmythe wrote: »
    So I'm not exactly sure I got that one right, but...
    ...when M calls the navy to bombard Safins island, the captain answers with "HMS Bedford" (from TND), or not?
    It's HMS Dragon, I'm afraid. However, the way the ship is shot, we might as well put it in the promotions and product placements thread. The Royal Navy better use that perfectly lit hero shot in their recruitment ads :))
    The Royal Navy. Accidentally killing Britain's unsung heroes since 2021. Join today!

    Come to think of it, the end of NTTD is basically the PTS of TND if Bond mucked up and didn't get out of it in time.
    HMS Dragon Commander: M, we're in position, over.
    Spotter: Look, there's a member of Safin's army! He's staring at us!
    HMS Dragon Commander: Fire the missiles!
    M: Commander, M here. We're going to need you to fire your missiles at the island. Just be very careful not to aim at Commander B-- Oh.
    Lol. They really should use NTTD as a PSA for prospective movie heroes. "And this, children, is why you never forget to put your plot armor on when you go out for the day."
    I know, the most important armor of them all. Sure, a bulletproof vest will protect you from firearms, but what good will that do when you are at risk of dying at the hands of Machiavellian filmmakers?

    So you have seen the film then? I assumed you hadn't, yet.

    I don't know why we are using spoiler tags.
    I have now seen the film. But you can never be too careful!
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,850
    00Heaven wrote: »
    One just popped into my head now... The quote Felix shares about "heroes and villains" and how you can't tell them apart is very, very similar to what Mathis says to Bond in QoS.

    Yes @00Heaven and also from Fleming himself of course. And the line about someone to trust.

    Quantum of Solace, Marc Forster, 2006.
    Bond:
    Well, oddly, right now, you're the only person I think I can trust.

    Mathis:
    That is odd. But I guess when one's young, it seems very easy to distinguish... between right and wrong. But as one gets older, it becomes more difficult. The villains and the heroes get all mixed up.

    Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, 1953.
    'Now,' he looked up again at Mathis, 'that's all very fine. The hero kills two villains, but when the hero Le Chiffre starts to kill the villain Bond and the villain Bond knows he isn't a villain at all, you see the other side of the medal. The villains and heroes get all mixed up.

    'Of course,' he added, as Mathis started to expostulate, 'patriotism comes along and makes it seem fairly all right, but this country right or wrong business is getting a little out of date. Today we are fighting Communism. Okay. If I'd been alive fifty years ago, the brand of Conservatism we have today would have been damn near called Communism and we should have been told to go and fight that. History is moving pretty quickly these days and the heroes and villains keep on changing parts.'
    'That was most enjoyable, my dear James. You really ought to go on the halls. Now about that little problem of yours, this business of not knowing good men from bad men and villains from heroes, and so forth. It is, of course, a difficult problem in the abstract. The secret lies in personal experience, whether you're a Chinaman or an Englishman.'

    He paused at the door.

    'You admit that Le Chiffre did you personal evil and that you would kill him if he appeared in front of you now?

    'Well, when you get back to London you will find there are other Le Chiffres seeking to destroy you and your friends and your country. M will tell you about them. And now that you have seen a really evil man, you will know how evil they can be and you will go after them to destroy them in order to protect yourself and the people you love. You won't wait to argue about it. You know what they look like now and what they can do to people. You may be a bit more choosy about the jobs you take on. You may want to be certain that the target really is black, but there are plenty of really black targets around. There's still plenty for you to do. And you'll do it. And when you fall in love and have a mistress or a wife and children to look after, it will seem all the easier.'

    Mathis opened the door and stopped on the threshold.

    'Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles.'

    He laughed. 'But don't let me down and become human, yourself. We would lose such a wonderful machine.'

    With a wave of the hand he shut the door.

    'Hey,' shouted Bond.

    But the footsteps went quickly off down the passage.

  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    Just because they didn't post it here and I don't know who reads which threads: @Ryan, @Gerard and me stumbled across a small possible easter egg in the Questions Thread. According to the "Making of" book, Bond's Jamaican Yacht is called "Happenstance", which may or may not be a reference to the quote in Goldfinger:
    Mister Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time, it's enemy action."
    The first part of that book is also overall called "Happenstance".
    As for possible symbolism, the only thing I can think of is that everything that happens in Jamaica may feel like happenstance, but is in fact enemy action planned by Safin. Another - admittedly quite strained - interpretation is that we will soon get the third time this incarnation of Bond and Leiter meet on film. The first time (CR) they were randomly on the same mission; the second time (QoS) was again quite coincidental; the third time? Enemy action.
  • 00Heaven00Heaven Home
    Posts: 575
    Strained or not. I love that. Have a feeling it may have been more unintentional in that case.

    Also, this all reminded me how much I love the literary version of Mathis.
  • FeyadorFeyador Montreal, Canada
    edited October 2021 Posts: 735
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    Just because they didn't post it here and I don't know who reads which threads: @Ryan, @Gerard and me stumbled across a small possible easter egg in the Questions Thread. According to the "Making of" book, Bond's Jamaican Yacht is called "Happenstance", which may or may not be a reference to the quote in Goldfinger:
    Mister Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time, it's enemy action."
    The first part of that book is also overall called "Happenstance".
    As for possible symbolism, the only thing I can think of is that everything that happens in Jamaica may feel like happenstance, but is in fact enemy action planned by Safin. Another - admittedly quite strained - interpretation is that we will soon get the third time this incarnation of Bond and Leiter meet on film. The first time (CR) they were randomly on the same mission; the second time (QoS) was again quite coincidental; the third time? Enemy action.

    Do we know if that Goldfinger quotation is a Fleming invention? "Happenstance" seems a strangely literary word for gangland Chicago ... anyway, it's something I've retained from childhood but never thought to look into it.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,575
    Feyador wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    Just because they didn't post it here and I don't know who reads which threads: @Ryan, @Gerard and me stumbled across a small possible easter egg in the Questions Thread. According to the "Making of" book, Bond's Jamaican Yacht is called "Happenstance", which may or may not be a reference to the quote in Goldfinger:
    Mister Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time, it's enemy action."
    The first part of that book is also overall called "Happenstance".
    As for possible symbolism, the only thing I can think of is that everything that happens in Jamaica may feel like happenstance, but is in fact enemy action planned by Safin. Another - admittedly quite strained - interpretation is that we will soon get the third time this incarnation of Bond and Leiter meet on film. The first time (CR) they were randomly on the same mission; the second time (QoS) was again quite coincidental; the third time? Enemy action.

    Do we know if that Goldfinger quotation is a Fleming invention? "Happenstance" seems a strangely literary word for gangland Chicago ... anyway, it's something I've retained from childhood but never thought to look into it.

    I wish I had more info on the topic to share, but no, I don't think "Coincidence, Happenstance, and Enemy Action" is a Fleming invention.
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    In Cuba when Primo activates the sprinklers you can see SPECTRE’s original octopus logo from TB painted on the ceiling. The same logo I believe pops up on Swann’s phone in Matera as well.
  • MinionMinion Don't Hassle the Bond
    Posts: 1,165
    matt_u wrote: »
    In Cuba when Primo activates the sprinklers you can see SPECTRE’s original octopus logo from TB painted on the ceiling. The same logo I believe pops up on Swann’s phone in Matera as well.
    *revised octopus logo ;)

    FRWL had the weird squiggly one.
  • GettlerGettler USA
    Posts: 326
    Minion wrote: »
    matt_u wrote: »
    In Cuba when Primo activates the sprinklers you can see SPECTRE’s original octopus logo from TB painted on the ceiling. The same logo I believe pops up on Swann’s phone in Matera as well.
    *revised octopus logo ;)

    FRWL had the weird squiggly one.

    That's right. Because it was supposed to be a ghostly shape I believe, hence SPECTRE. But then it changed into an octopus.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,502
    matt_u wrote: »
    In Cuba when Primo activates the sprinklers you can see SPECTRE’s original octopus logo from TB painted on the ceiling. The same logo I believe pops up on Swann’s phone in Matera as well.

    Oh wow, I did not spot that at all- thanks, I'll look out for it.
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    Minion wrote: »
    matt_u wrote: »
    In Cuba when Primo activates the sprinklers you can see SPECTRE’s original octopus logo from TB painted on the ceiling. The same logo I believe pops up on Swann’s phone in Matera as well.
    *revised octopus logo ;)

    FRWL had the weird squiggly one.

    Yeah yeah I know! Actually the NTTD one is a little bit revisited. It's exactly the TB logo without the white eyes tho.
  • SomethingThatAteHimSomethingThatAteHim
    Posts: 532
    What about the one on the card Bond picks up at Vesper’s grave?
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    SomethingThatAteHim wrote: »
    What about the one on the card Bond picks up at Vesper’s grave?

    That’s the modern logo.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,502
    Which is a terrific reinvention of the Spectre logo, incidentally. I wonder who designed that.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    edited October 2021 Posts: 7,575
    mtm wrote: »
    Which is a terrific reinvention of the Spectre logo, incidentally. I wonder who designed that.

    Yes. I do kind of wish they would swing it back around into more of a ghost than an octopus though, personally.

    Having said that, octopuses are totally awesome, so I'm torn on the matter.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    mtm wrote: »
    Which is a terrific reinvention of the Spectre logo, incidentally. I wonder who designed that.

    True. The reinvention of the logo was far better than the reinvention of the organization... :P
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,575
    jobo wrote: »
    mtm wrote: »
    Which is a terrific reinvention of the Spectre logo, incidentally. I wonder who designed that.

    True. The reinvention of the logo was far better than the reinvention of the organization... :P

    :)) I was thinking the other day, probably the best part of Spectre / Blofeld in the whole Craig era is the song "Lovely to see you again" off the NTTD soundtrack. Love the atmosphere it sets.

    But even having said that, there is a lot of Blofeld in the film Spectre that I really love. They did him dirty (as I've mentioned before) in NTTD IMO. He should have escaped.
  • Pierce2DanielPierce2Daniel
    Posts: 4,409
    I didn't quite count the amount of times Craig said "Thank you", but I did notice that they kept the tradition going of having Bond throw things. I noticed him throw the hotel keys in the PTS and the detonator in the finale

  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,575
    Don’t forget the visitors pass in the garbage at MI6!
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited October 2021 Posts: 13,850
    NickTwentyTwo wrote: »
    Feyador wrote: »
    ImpertinentGoon wrote: »
    Just because they didn't post it here and I don't know who reads which threads: @Ryan, @Gerard and me stumbled across a small possible easter egg in the Questions Thread. According to the "Making of" book, Bond's Jamaican Yacht is called "Happenstance", which may or may not be a reference to the quote in Goldfinger:
    Mister Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time, it's enemy action."
    The first part of that book is also overall called "Happenstance".

    As for possible symbolism, the only thing I can think of is that everything that happens in Jamaica may feel like happenstance, but is in fact enemy action planned by Safin. Another - admittedly quite strained - interpretation is that we will soon get the third time this incarnation of Bond and Leiter meet on film. The first time (CR) they were randomly on the same mission; the second time (QoS) was again quite coincidental; the third time? Enemy action.

    Do we know if that Goldfinger quotation is a Fleming invention? "Happenstance" seems a strangely literary word for gangland Chicago ... anyway, it's something I've retained from childhood but never thought to look into it.

    I wish I had more info on the topic to share, but no, I don't think "Coincidence, Happenstance, and Enemy Action" is a Fleming invention.

    With respect, I think it is established by Fleming @NickTwentyTwo. Unless someone can come up with a source or inspiration.

    As noted the 1959 novel Goldfinger is laid out this way:
    • PART I • HAPPENSTANCE
    • PART 2 • COINCIDENCE
    • PART 3 • ENEMY ACTION

    So regardless I definitely see the yacht Happenstance as a nod.

    I can add from my viewing tonight: in Jamaica Ash has the line of dialogue "Coincidence?"

    I did not notice a direct reference to Enemy Action, but it's not a leap to get there.

  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,575
    Maybe you're right. I know in Goldfinger, Auric says "They have a saying in Chicago", and I thought I read somewhere that it actually was a quote/concept that Ian Fleming learned in Chicago. If I can find some sort of source I'll post back.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    Pierce2Daniel wrote: »
    I didn't quite count the amount of times Craig said "Thank you", but I did notice that they kept the tradition going of having Bond throw things. I noticed him throw the hotel keys in the PTS and the detonator in the finale


    Ugh. Now I'll have to update that video.
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