Difference between revisions of "2747: Presents for Biologists"

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(Explanation)
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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
In this strip, [[Black Hat]] is a supervillain subjecting '{{w|James Bond}}' (drawn as [[Hairy]]) to a death trap, similar to [[123: Centrifugal Force]] (presumably Bond managed to escape in that instance).  
+
In this strip, [[Black Hat]] is a supervillain subjecting '{{w|James Bond}}' (drawn as [[Hairy]]) to a death trap.  The James Bond film franchise (particularly in it's early years) had a reputation for villains capturing James (often alongside a {{w|Bond Girl|female companion}}) and placing him or them in overly complex death traps, rather than simply shooting them (which, of course, meant that Bond would consistently escape.
  
This time, however, Black Hat also has another victim, [[Science Girl]], apparently playing the role of a {{w|Bond Girl}} (who were sometimes scientists in the stories) being subjected to the same device – a pit full of snakes, into which the victims are slowly lowered (upside-down and suspended by just one ankle) entirely at the whim or mercy of the antagonist.
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In this scenario, the trap consists of slowly lowering Bond and his companion into a pit of venomous snakes. The intent, presumably, being that the very common fear of snakes, combined with a likely slow and painful death from the snakebites, would kill them in a particularly gruesome way.  However, Bond's companion in this strip is is [[Science Girl]]. Rather than being frightened, she's fascinated by the various species of snakes represented there, including one she hasn't seen before, and asks to be lowered ''faster'', so she can observe it more closely before she loses sight of it.
  
While Bond voices typical defiance at Black Hat's scheme, Science Girl instead gushes over the sight of an unfamiliar snake species within the pit, asking Black Hat to lower her faster before that creature either escapes (there seemingly being very little to prevent any snake escaping the pit) or just moves to the other end of the pit.
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The caption reveals that Science Girl is a biologist, and comments that many things that would be considered elaborate death traps in fiction (such as a giant pit full of different kinds of snakes), would be a good gift for a biologist.
  
The caption reveals that Science Girl is a biologist. For her, the contents of this death trap would be happily considered a suitable present or experience gift, and apparently even the dire circumstances don't dampen the experience sufficiently to reduce her interest.  
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The title text reveals that Science Girl has identified at least some of the species represented in the pit, and points out that a lot of them are non-venomous. While that might seem mildly reassuring, the way she phrases it implies that she's also identified venomous varieties in there. Moreover, she can also guess which species the villain mistook them for, and offers help in correctly finding and selecting venomous species in the future. Her unprompted willingness to do this suggests that she's genuinely so enthusiastic about snakes that it overwhelms any fear for her own safety.
  
The caption also mentions that there is a surprising amount of overlap between what would be "good presents for biologists" (like the ornithologist, {{w|James_Bond_(ornithologist)|James Bond}}?) and "things villains want to do to James Bond". Although we can only guess what other activities [[Randall]] is thinking of, shark tanks could be one of them, or maybe the crabs in Dr. No, which turned out not to be carnivorous and which Honey found "good company".
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The scientific implications of Bond villain traps was also referenced in [[123: Centrifugal Force]].
  
The title text explains how Science Girl has expertly spotted that the supervillain included some less dangerous snakes, probably {{w|Coral snake#North American coloration patterns|in error}}. Ever the professional, she suggests the possibility of her advice to help him avoid these errors in the future and increase the deadliness of his scheme. She would need a short stay of execution to do so, but is apparently not particularly fazed by how things end up immediately afterwards.
 
  
 
==Transcript==
 
==Transcript==

Revision as of 15:21, 13 June 2023

Presents for Biologists
A lot of these are actually non-venomous, but I can see which species you mistook them for. If you pause the crane for a sec I can give you some ID pointers for next time!
Title text: A lot of these are actually non-venomous, but I can see which species you mistook them for. If you pause the crane for a sec I can give you some ID pointers for next time!

Explanation

In this strip, Black Hat is a supervillain subjecting 'James Bond' (drawn as Hairy) to a death trap. The James Bond film franchise (particularly in it's early years) had a reputation for villains capturing James (often alongside a female companion) and placing him or them in overly complex death traps, rather than simply shooting them (which, of course, meant that Bond would consistently escape.

In this scenario, the trap consists of slowly lowering Bond and his companion into a pit of venomous snakes. The intent, presumably, being that the very common fear of snakes, combined with a likely slow and painful death from the snakebites, would kill them in a particularly gruesome way. However, Bond's companion in this strip is is Science Girl. Rather than being frightened, she's fascinated by the various species of snakes represented there, including one she hasn't seen before, and asks to be lowered faster, so she can observe it more closely before she loses sight of it.

The caption reveals that Science Girl is a biologist, and comments that many things that would be considered elaborate death traps in fiction (such as a giant pit full of different kinds of snakes), would be a good gift for a biologist.

The title text reveals that Science Girl has identified at least some of the species represented in the pit, and points out that a lot of them are non-venomous. While that might seem mildly reassuring, the way she phrases it implies that she's also identified venomous varieties in there. Moreover, she can also guess which species the villain mistook them for, and offers help in correctly finding and selecting venomous species in the future. Her unprompted willingness to do this suggests that she's genuinely so enthusiastic about snakes that it overwhelms any fear for her own safety.

The scientific implications of Bond villain traps was also referenced in 123: Centrifugal Force.


Transcript

[James Bond, drawn as Hairy, and Science Girl are hanging upside down from ropes attached to one of their ankles. Underneath them is a pit with many snakes. Science Girl is pointing down, while Black Hat to the left is operating a lever. Bond is yelling at Black Hat, indicated by lines emanating from his head. Science Girl is also yelling, but that is in the direction of the snakes beneath them. There seems to be many snakes in the pit, at least eight heads can be seen, and there are also snakes whose heads are not visible. At least six snakes are partly outside the pit. They have different patters of spots and shades and stripes.]
Bond: You won't get away with this!
Science Girl: Ooh! Ooh! That one is a new species for me!
Science Girl: Hey, can you lower me faster? It's getting away!
[Caption below the panel:]
There's a surprising amount of overlap between "Good presents for biologists" and "Things villains want to do to James Bond."


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Discussion

Is it really a snake? --Purah126 (talk) 02:13, 9 March 2023 (UTC)

How sure are you that this is not Miss Lenhart? I mean, she's presenting as a scientist. Nitpicking (talk) 03:27, 9 March 2023 (UTC)

She's stolen her attitude from John Galt, who tells the bad guys' flunky how to repair the failing torture machine. 172.71.22.53 12:41, 9 March 2023 (UTC)
Looking at the current edit, I now agree that she is Science Girl. She has the little braids and all. Nitpicking (talk) 01:12, 10 March 2023 (UTC)

Would the biologists be less interested in the shark tank if the sharks were equipped with frikkin' lasers, or would they have enough general interest in science that it would increase their enjoyment?172.70.86.32 17:27, 9 March 2023 (UTC)

That's a pretty lazy job of attaching the victims to the ropes. If they are sufficiently physically fit, its possible to bend up at the waist, grab the rope, and climb up out of harm's way / release their foot and swing off to the side. These Are Not The Comments You Are Looking For (talk) 00:37, 13 March 2023 (UTC)

They won't be able to release their foot, though, because it's tied with an ominknot.172.70.90.252 11:15, 13 March 2023 (UTC)