Skyfall Questions (Spoilers)

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  • Posts: 14
    Why didn't Tanner get involved in the inquiry shoot-out? I assumed reboot-Tanner was like book-Tanner, being a former agent who was injured and also has a family so he can't be a field man anymore. Shouldn't he have had a weapon and started shooting back at Silva rather than being a human shield for M?
  • edited February 2013 Posts: 1,407
    Tanner is chief of staff NOT M's bodyguard. She probably decided not to have one after her last one turned out so well (thank you Mitchell). Chief of staff is a BUISNESS job and I wouldn't think they would imagine a situation where he would need a gun and training. I would assume M's driver would have one but she obviously does not have a personal bodygaurd anymore and Tanner probably ducked under the table thinking M would do the same thing. Of course he did help her after Mallory was shot
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    wj263 wrote:
    Why didn't Tanner get involved in the inquiry shoot-out? I assumed reboot-Tanner was like book-Tanner, being a former agent who was injured and also has a family so he can't be a field man anymore. Shouldn't he have had a weapon and started shooting back at Silva rather than being a human shield for M?

    Youre not wrong there. I've heard people praise Kinnears Tanner but hes nothing like the guy from the books. Bland, dull, permanent expression like hes reading Ken Barlow's biography - he looks like the manager of Heston services FFS. Can you honestly imagine this guy being Bonds best mate in the service as Fleming stated?

    And Flemings Tanner would have known how to handle himself when it kicked off rather than mincing behind a desk having shat himself.
  • edited February 2013 Posts: 4,412
    That escalated quickly.............................

    But back on track: Sam Mendes has said the scene witht he scorpion at the bar was a sly nod to the Christopher Walkern in the infamous Deer Hunter scene.

    Was Bond dicing with death or not at that point? Would the scorpion have killed him? And if so, why was he taking the risk?
  • That escalated quickly.............................

    But back on track: Sam Mendes has said the scene witht he scorpion at the bar was a sly nod to the Christopher Walkern in the infamous Deer Hunter scene.

    Was Bond dicing with death or not at that point? Would the scorpion have killed him? And if so, why was he taking the risk?

    A scorpion's sting can certainly kill you - if it's the right kind of scorpion (of the 1500 types, only about 30 are venomous to people). If treated right away, you can survive, but it's still going to be an incredibly painful experience.

    Taking life threatening risks is a huge part of Bond's character. Think about it: He's a hired killer who's life is put in peril on a near daily basis. No no gets into that line of work willingly without having some twisted flaw in his character that gets a thrill from cheating death. He no longer had the life-threatening job, but he's still addicted to the thrill, so he gets his fix in other dangerous, self-destructive behaviour.

    This somewhat sick behaviour is very clear in the Flemming books, and Craig's Bond comes far closer in staying true to that than any other Bond so far. One of the many reasons I love Craigs Bond.
  • SandySandy Somewhere in Europe
    Posts: 4,012
    Quarrel wrote:
    That escalated quickly.............................

    But back on track: Sam Mendes has said the scene witht he scorpion at the bar was a sly nod to the Christopher Walkern in the infamous Deer Hunter scene.

    Was Bond dicing with death or not at that point? Would the scorpion have killed him? And if so, why was he taking the risk?

    A scorpion's sting can certainly kill you - if it's the right kind of scorpion (of the 1500 types, only about 30 are venomous to people). If treated right away, you can survive, but it's still going to be an incredibly painful experience.

    Taking life threatening risks is a huge part of Bond's character. Think about it: He's a hired killer who's life is put in peril on a near daily basis. No no gets into that line of work willingly without having some twisted flaw in his character that gets a thrill from cheating death. He no longer had the life-threatening job, but he's still addicted to the thrill, so he gets his fix in other dangerous, self-destructive behaviour.

    This somewhat sick behaviour is very clear in the Flemming books,
    and Craig's Bond comes far closer in staying true to that than any other Bond so far. One of the many reasons I love Craigs Bond.

    I think you hit the nail in the head. A bored Bond is a dangerous (to himself, first and foremost) Bond.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited February 2013 Posts: 28,694
    Sandy wrote:
    Quarrel wrote:
    That escalated quickly.............................

    But back on track: Sam Mendes has said the scene witht he scorpion at the bar was a sly nod to the Christopher Walkern in the infamous Deer Hunter scene.

    Was Bond dicing with death or not at that point? Would the scorpion have killed him? And if so, why was he taking the risk?

    A scorpion's sting can certainly kill you - if it's the right kind of scorpion (of the 1500 types, only about 30 are venomous to people). If treated right away, you can survive, but it's still going to be an incredibly painful experience.

    Taking life threatening risks is a huge part of Bond's character. Think about it: He's a hired killer who's life is put in peril on a near daily basis. No no gets into that line of work willingly without having some twisted flaw in his character that gets a thrill from cheating death. He no longer had the life-threatening job, but he's still addicted to the thrill, so he gets his fix in other dangerous, self-destructive behaviour.

    This somewhat sick behaviour is very clear in the Flemming books,
    and Craig's Bond comes far closer in staying true to that than any other Bond so far. One of the many reasons I love Craigs Bond.

    I think you hit the nail in the head. A bored Bond is a dangerous (to himself, first and foremost) Bond.
    Yes, just like how Sherlock Holmes must at times use drugs to stimulate his brains when bored. Bond hungered for thrill and danger, and sought it out with the scorpion. I also thought that Bond capturing the scorpion with a shot glass was a visual wink to Silva being caged up in his cell later in the film.
  • I apologize if already answered, but how long was Bond assumed dead in Skyfall?
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    mrnate8 wrote:
    I apologize if already answered, but how long was Bond assumed dead in Skyfall?

    Three months, as that is the time Mallory tells M has passed since they lost the drive.
  • I know Bond is supposed to be older in character, but did DC seem like he aged a bit in SF, specifically the reacquaintance scene with Eve at the new MI6 and the boat arrival to Macau casino? It has been 4 years since QoS, making DC 45 in a few weeks.
  • Posts: 2,081
    mrnate8 wrote:
    I know Bond is supposed to be older in character, but did DC seem like he aged a bit in SF, specifically the reacquaintance scene with Eve at the new MI6 and the boat arrival to Macau casino? It has been 4 years since QoS, making DC 45 in a few weeks.

    People do age, a fact of life. ;) The haircut increased the impact.
  • mrnate8 wrote:
    I know Bond is supposed to be older in character, but did DC seem like he aged a bit in SF, specifically the reacquaintance scene with Eve at the new MI6 and the boat arrival to Macau casino? It has been 4 years since QoS, making DC 45 in a few weeks.

    It's not really known how long it has been since we last saw Bond in QOS. You have to remember that CR's story took place in 2006 (throughout the film there are references that the bulk of the film takes place in July 2006 and then Bond's recovery must be a few more months on top of that). QOS then begins directly after that, so depending on when CR ended, QOS likely takes place in late 2006. So it seems that SF takes place 6 years after Bond told M "he never left" in CR. So a lot of time has elapsed and Bond and M have likely done a lot of mission together.

    Why Bond may seem older when he meets Eve at the 'new mi6' is likely because he has greyish-tinged stubble on his face. The stubble is symbolic of Bond being sluggish and out of shape, when he finally shaves ('old dogs, new tricks') its the first step to Bond becoming 'Bond' again, from that point on Bond slowly earns back his stripes, even if he does still back one or two mistakes on the way.

  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @Pierce2Daniel, I could be wrong, but doesn't the fundraiser ticket in QoS have the date as 2008? Like I said, I may be totally mistaken and it actually said 2006, but if I am right, I'm guessing Bond took quite some time in between Vesper's death and capturing Mr. White.
  • Creasy47 wrote:
    @Pierce2Daniel, I could be wrong, but doesn't the fundraiser ticket in QoS have the date as 2008? Like I said, I may be totally mistaken and it actually said 2006, but if I am right, I'm guessing Bond took quite some time in between Vesper's death and capturing Mr. White.

    No I think your right. But I seriously doubt it took him 2 years to trace the phone number to White's estate. It was a week or two at most. I think the ticket was more than likely an oversight but the production just to reflect the year the story came out in.

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Pierce2Daniel, I could be wrong, but doesn't the fundraiser ticket in QoS have the date as 2008? Like I said, I may be totally mistaken and it actually said 2006, but if I am right, I'm guessing Bond took quite some time in between Vesper's death and capturing Mr. White.
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Pierce2Daniel, I could be wrong, but doesn't the fundraiser ticket in QoS have the date as 2008? Like I said, I may be totally mistaken and it actually said 2006, but if I am right, I'm guessing Bond took quite some time in between Vesper's death and capturing Mr. White.

    No I think your right. But I seriously doubt it took him 2 years to trace the phone number to White's estate. It was a week or two at most. I think the ticket was more than likely an oversight but the production just to reflect the year the story came out in.
    Where in the film do we see the card? I could check the screencaps to see.

    This has bugged me for quite some time, and it is a question I would ask Michael and Barbara if I could.
  • Ok, so here are the facts:

    - Bond was pursuing Mollaka in July 2006, we know becasue when he gets to the Bahamas he finds the security tape leading him to Dimitrios: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_0344.htm

    - At the end of the movie, once Bond has beat Le Chiffre at the casino and him and Vesper have gone off we know that only a month has passed by as in the penultimate scene on the boat Vesper's phone says it is August 2006: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_1556.htm

    - In QOS, there are not many references to the actual date, but apparently Greene Planet's Eco Park Charity fundraiser will be taking place on the 8th August 2008.
    http://screenmusings.org/QuantumOfSolace/pages/QoS_1165.htm

    Personally, I think its a small oversight by the production obviously reflecting the simple fact that the films were made in 2006 and 2008. It's a very minor thing, QOS clearly takes place minutes after CR. If anthing more offence should be taken that Bond and Mr White had enough time to change suits:
    Bond: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_1568.htm
    http://screenmusings.org/QuantumOfSolace/pages/QoS_0025.htm

    White: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_1563.htm
    http://screenmusings.org/QuantumOfSolace/pages/QoS_0164.htm
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Personally, I think its a small oversight by the production obviously reflecting the simple fact that the films were made in 2006 and 2008. It's a very minor thing, QOS clearly takes place minutes after CR. If anthing more offence should be taken that Bond and Mr White had enough time to change suits:
    Bond: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_1568.htm
    http://screenmusings.org/QuantumOfSolace/pages/QoS_0025.htm

    White: http://screenmusings.org/CasinoRoyale/pages/CR_1563.htm
    http://screenmusings.org/QuantumOfSolace/pages/QoS_0164.htm
    That bugs me too. And Bond's hairstyle even changes. Oy.

    But though the end of CR carries right into the beginning of QoS, what we are wondering is how long it took for Bond to find White at his mansion. That's where my confusion is at.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited February 2013 Posts: 41,011
    @Pierce2Daniel, that's always a possibility, and one I seriously considered: just an oversight and a goof on their part.

    Perhaps it wasn't Bond taking two years to trace his phone number, but rather Bond going with the "Revenge is a dish best served cold." route: attack White when and where he least expects it.

    Another thing that gets me with continuity: I know they had to switch Craig's clothing because of the contract, but couldn't they have just tailored a suit to look exactly like the one he has in the finale of CR?
  • MrBondMrBond Station S
    Posts: 2,044
    I am quite sure that from when Bond sat on the boat in Venice to when Bond shoots Mr. White it takes roughly a week. He might have sat up connections to find him and to trace Mr Whites pattern of how he lives and where he lives.

    Remember M's remark about when Bond last slept? It had to be sometime around the time of Vespers death. And i think that the events in QoS took a week or two and then Bond does some missions between QoS and SF which is 6 year span before SF picks up in the end of July of 2012.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    MrBond wrote:
    I am quite sure that from when Bond sat on the boat in Venice to when Bond shoots Mr. White it takes roughly a week. He might have sat up connections to find him and to trace Mr Whites pattern of how he lives and where he lives.

    Remember M's remark about when Bond last slept? It had to be sometime around the time of Vespers death. And i think that the events in QoS took a week or two and then Bond does some missions between QoS and SF which is 6 year span before SF picks up in the end of July of 2012.

    That is a good point. If CR is 06, QoS is likely that too (it wouldn't take that long to track White after all), and that means Skyfall is a truly matured Bond where he has had over half a decade more of field work. It would have been cool to get a shot of Bond's desk in Skyfall with some photos or trinkets from the missions that were to be taking place in between QoS and it.
  • SandySandy Somewhere in Europe
    Posts: 4,012
    Creasy47 wrote:
    @Pierce2Daniel, that's always a possibility, and one I seriously considered: just an oversight and a goof on their part.

    Perhaps it wasn't Bond taking two years to trace his phone number, but rather Bond going with the "Revenge is a dish best served cold." route: attack White when and where he least expects it.

    Another thing that gets me with continuity: I know they had to switch Craig's clothing because of the contract, but couldn't they have just tailored a suit to look exactly like the one he has in the finale of CR?

    The suit question annoys me so much, I couldn't they at least chosen another 3-piece suit?
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    I'm honestly aghast that this irks people, but Silva's dubious plot is perfectly fine.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    RC7 wrote:
    I'm honestly aghast that this irks people, but Silva's dubious plot is perfectly fine.

    I'm equally aghast that people worry about whether or not the stupid gun barrel appears at the beginning of the film over continuity issues like the suits in CR and QoS!
  • edited February 2013 Posts: 908
    RC7 wrote:
    I'm honestly aghast that this irks people, but Silva's dubious plot is perfectly fine.

    I'm equally aghast that people worry about whether or not the stupid gun barrel appears at the beginning of the film over continuity issues like the suits in CR and QoS!

    Stupid Gunbarrel? There was a Time when the GB meant 2 hours of Entertainment, Escapism,globetrotting and - believe it or not- Fun. I honestly admit i miss these days (though maybe it's just my youth i miss)
  • edited February 2013 Posts: 12,837
    Sandy wrote:
    Silva wouldn't jsut shoot a rocker, he wanted to be with M when she died!

    Then why did he, as mentioned, lob tons of grenades and blast the house with an attack chopper?

    I think that is a plot hole. The finale was extremely entertaining but doesn't make too much sense when you think about it.
    Matt_Helm wrote:
    Stupid Gunbarrel?

    Yeah, makes me feel a bit sad that fans don't care about such an iconic part of the Bond movies. Maybe I'm stuck in the past but I've been a fan for 25 years and to me the gunbarrel is out of place if it's anywhere but the start.

    You wouldn't put no effort into the theme song/title sequence and stick that at the end would you? A well designed gunbarrel at the beginning should be a rule.

    Shame Forster and Mendes seem to think they're above it (I can forgive Campbell because he had it at the start of GE and at least some thought went into the placing in CR, it made sense there and it worked as a cool one off).
  • when you click on the presit hole on the skyfall lodge site it takes you to the chapel and theres a commentary track from Sam Mendes where he says that Silva saw the irony in killing M in Bond's family chapel. I can't. Is it because M is Bond's almost surrogate mother so its ironic she dies where Bond's actual mother rests?
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited February 2013 Posts: 9,117
    MrBond wrote:
    I am quite sure that from when Bond sat on the boat in Venice to when Bond shoots Mr. White it takes roughly a week.

    On what basis?

    It could be months, it could be years. In fact the only way to make sense of the continuity is to say that he doesnt track down Mr White till 08. Thats the only theory that is plausible because that is the only unaccounted for gap in the narrative.

    The only other possibilities are :

    Bond sits in Venice mourning Vesper on the yacht for 2 years and then has his conversation with M.

    After Bond kills Mitchell there is a gap of 2 years before he goes after Slate.

    Neither of these are very credible.


    The only logical explanations are theres a 2 year gap between the call with M and going after Mr White or QOS all takes place in late 06.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @TheWizardOfIce, very well said. That's exactly my thinking on the situation: he calls M and then two years later, he tracks White. That, or it's just a simple mistake putting '2008' on the fundraiser ticket.
  • MrBondMrBond Station S
    Posts: 2,044
    MrBond wrote:
    I am quite sure that from when Bond sat on the boat in Venice to when Bond shoots Mr. White it takes roughly a week.

    On what basis?

    It could be months, it could be years. In fact the only way to make sense of the continuity is to say that he doesnt track down Mr White till 08. Thats the only theory that is plausible because that is the only unaccounted for gap in the narrative.

    The only other possibilities are :

    Bond sits in Venice mourning Vesper on the yacht for 2 years and then has his conversation with M.

    After Bond kills Mitchell there is a gap of 2 years before he goes after Slate.

    Neither of these are very credible.


    The only logical explanations are theres a 2 year gap between the call with M and going after Mr White or QOS all takes place in late 06.

    Why would it take 2 years to find Mr. White? And what was Bond supposed to do in these 2 years, float around and still got an employment? No, i think it wouldn't be very difficult to track Mr. Whites number that he got from Vesper and then pin-point his exact location. Remember that it is MI6 that we are talking about.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @MrBond, I'm not sure how it would be impossible for MI6 to track and locate White. Who says Bond didn't take this time off to get over Vesper, and his emotions were brought up again when he caught White and started to track down Quantum members? Who says he didn't get involved with something else M wanted him to do?
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