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Post by prometheus74 on Aug 2, 2011 23:23:10 GMT -5
Hahaha, indeed! And, like you said, it's a longtime cliché on TV that amnesia caused by a blow to the head is cured by a second blow to the head. Almost as cliché as seeing someone get knocked out on TV and in movies by giving a karate chop at the back of the neck. I doubt that would work so well in real life.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 3, 2011 6:43:43 GMT -5
Lol, exactly. Though as far as blows to the head, at least Ralph fares a bit better than the character William Katt plays on the "Pardon My English" CD, lol.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 3, 2011 8:41:56 GMT -5
The Karate chop apparently can work, but it's not as likely to as one would think. It's as bad as the whole Vulcan Nerve Pinch one - many think that will work and it is fictional. And - you're right about the whole Michael/Golo bit in "Pardon my English" herald - I think the character is hit over the head like four times - and one case I think it's a coo-coo clock of all things. In "Train of Thought," the second blow to the head I thought was a bit more plausible too than how it's used in other methods. Not only is Ralph worried on what can be on the other side, he is panicked that the suit - which he's forgotten how well it helps protect him - won't protect him from the wall and he'll be flattened pancake. The only thing that bothers me though is that here he has his head go through a supposed wall - bricks laying nearly perfect above his neck, and he climbs up as though it's a pile of bricks and not a wall.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 4, 2011 7:02:42 GMT -5
And - you're right about the whole Michael/Golo bit in "Pardon my English" herald - I think the character is hit over the head like four times - and one case I think it's a coo-coo clock of all things. Yeah seriously, how did this guy survive four blows to the head? He doesn't have a super suit or anything (just multiple personalities apparently!) But back to GAH, you know what's interesting is how everyone talks about Ralph wanting to block out the last 8 months with the suit and Bill takes it all personally, that Ralph is trying to forget him as well. But in the end when Ralph finally does get his memories back, he's really happy about it! I guess it's like when you're sick and you don't feel like doing any of the things you enjoy and you push people away who are trying to make you feel better. But once you do get well, you're totally ready to get back to your regular routine! And when you think about it, Ralph probably has one of the most mindblowing returns from amnesia ever. As far as he's concerned at the moment, he's a regular guy living a normal life. And then to suddenly remember that you've saved the world from nuclear disaster, found the Lost Diablo, hit a 200 mile an hour fastball and met the Lone Ranger?? I mean it's like waking up from a dream only in reverse; your real life is more amazing than the dream!
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Post by MelMac on Aug 4, 2011 9:16:58 GMT -5
There IS a reason why "Pardon My English" was not Gershwin's best endeavor. But, there are aspects of this particular episode that I have experienced that are a bit weird. While I've never had a concussion or amnesia, I have had a case where mild heat exhaustion and high altitudes gave me a period where I can't remember what I did clearly that night. Conscious and the like, but the feeling is like being awake but not awake at the same time. (This was also one reason I quit being mascot in college after my year was up - people didn't think I really was having problems, never mind that I was saying I wanted to go to the movies alone in Denver when we were traveling there).
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Post by prometheus74 on Aug 4, 2011 20:11:45 GMT -5
And when you think about it, Ralph probably has one of the most mindblowing returns from amnesia ever. As far as he's concerned at the moment, he's a regular guy living a normal life. And then to suddenly remember that you've saved the world from nuclear disaster, found the Lost Diablo, hit a 200 mile an hour fastball and met the Lone Ranger?? That does indeed sound pretty impressive! ;D
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Post by herald7 on Aug 4, 2011 21:06:42 GMT -5
There IS a reason why "Pardon My English" was not Gershwin's best endeavor. Lol, well I like the idea of this sort of Jekyl and Hyde, alter ego thing, but it's not fleshed out enough. They needed to write more of a full story. But I still enjoyed the soundtrack. Wow that must have been strange! I did get brief heat stroke once as a kid. Not that bad but I was at Tennis lessons and suddenly it just felt like my entire vision turned red and I couldn't make anything out clearly. I was a very emotional child and I pretty much lost it, lol.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 4, 2011 23:02:48 GMT -5
I think what caused mine though is being in a very warm mascot costume in high altitude and the like. I was exhausted after 10 or so minutes, which was very rare - even when I dressed up again as characters at Six Flags and was underweight at the time. Still bugs me to this day - now nearing 13 years ago (my sophomore year in college), that really I can only remember a couple of plays of that Volleyball game, eating a BLT at some bar and grill, and the comment that I mentioned earlier.
But, what i find odder is of course how that story in my life relates to this episode - especially since it was about 4 years after I graduated I got the DVDs and hadn't seen the show for 20+ prior to it.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 4, 2011 23:25:36 GMT -5
Ah I see, yeah we take our bodies and minds for granted until something like that goes haywire, right? It's unsettling.
Oh yeah that's right, you had limited amnesia like the way Ralph does, heh!
At least you have a reason for identifying with this episode. I have no idea why I'm so attracted to amnesia plotlines. I mean, I don't remember having an experience like that...oh wait...lol
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Post by MelMac on Aug 5, 2011 0:56:41 GMT -5
What makes them facinating to me is that like you said we take our minds and memories for granted sometimes. It takes a split second such as getting KO'd or having a case like I did where you can lose or not remember what happened. It's scary - whether temporary or long term. I hate not remembering that one night because it was one of two times I got to go out of state to cheer in college - the other being Kansas, and that game was not fun to cheer at.
(Though I think another lesson learned - in a way - from this episode is that it shows the dangers of not paying attention to railways and the tracks - I have seen sadly the results of this, though thankfully no fatalities.)
And, like we see with "GAH" in particular, it has quite a few effects on both loved ones and people you've known. Sometimes, we remember no one and others we end up like Ralph did - not remember the person, but then when we DO remember, it's only negative even if the person has had a positive experience in their lives.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 5, 2011 6:26:47 GMT -5
One thing I thought worked really well is how sort of defiant Bill is about the whole thing and keeps trying to talk to Ralph like nothing's wrong. Like when he manages to retrieve the suit from the garbage and and he's says assuringly, "Haha! We've got it, Ralph..." even though he knows Ralph could care less at the moment. But Bill's speaking for his friend who isn't there right now. It's sort of like when they tell you to speak to a coma patient to help them wake up.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 5, 2011 12:00:54 GMT -5
I love that scene too - Here Bill is all excited, but Ralph goes "It smells like onion dip" and complains.
The first attempt at learning how to fly too is quite funny - the faceplant Ralph does after jumping as high as he does and lands. Having had to do that for a couple of performances (one of which was the start of my "GAH" Jugging routine), I can say if you don't land just right, it hurts.
And that knit cap and Ralph getting the feeling of looking stupid... yeah, I have to admit he does look a bit silly there.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 5, 2011 22:05:29 GMT -5
The first attempt at learning how to fly too is quite funny - the faceplant Ralph does after jumping as high as he does and lands. Having had to do that for a couple of performances (one of which was the start of my "GAH" Jugging routine), I can say if you don't land just right, it hurts. Ooo! Yeah I could see that, lol. Oh and I love when Bill first suggests that Ralph try flying and Pam's like "Ooooo I don't know!" LOL. Cause you know, you're thinking the same thing, knowing this show's history, lol. Speaking of Pam, you really have to give her a lot of credit in this episode. She doesn't have to deal with Ralph not remembering her. As far as Ralph's concerned, the suit has never complicated their lives and they could just get married right now. And Pam could very easily take advantage of that and him. But she has enough character to resist that, however tempting it might be.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 5, 2011 22:40:50 GMT -5
I loved that about Pam because you're right, she could've taken advantage of that and had him agree to many things. But, she cares so much that she doesn't lead him on in the wrong way in that regard. What I also like is was he was worried they were broken up and he didn't like hurting Pam forcing her to come and help him after his concussion/amnesia though if they had broken up he not know why. Of course, after that concern, he goes and later on puts her in front of him when Bill aims the gun at him.
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Post by herald7 on Aug 5, 2011 22:55:48 GMT -5
Of course, after that concern, he goes and later on puts her in front of him when Bill aims the gun at him. Oh that, lol. I think he was just trying to get her to safety on the ground...albeit clumsily...it's called technique, right? Lol (Reference to a later episode, hehe)
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Post by herald7 on Aug 17, 2011 9:11:46 GMT -5
You know everyone always wonders why Ralph didn't ask about Kevin when he woke up with amnesia. I think a bigger question is, didn't Ralph wonder why his hair was suddenly shorter? Or for that matter why it suddenly gets long again every time he starts flying?!
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Post by prometheus74 on Aug 17, 2011 19:25:03 GMT -5
didn't Ralph wonder why his hair was suddenly shorter? Or for that matter why it suddenly gets long again every time he starts flying?! ......or why it often looks like a wig, when he starts flying and/or lands?
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Post by MelMac on Aug 17, 2011 22:16:54 GMT -5
didn't Ralph wonder why his hair was suddenly shorter? Or for that matter why it suddenly gets long again every time he starts flying?! ......or why it often looks like a wig, when he starts flying and/or lands? Or wonder why for some reason the suit made his hair turn BLACK when he was taking off one time. (I still can't figure out how Madalone could forget something as important as that. Still looks great for his age though).
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Post by prometheus74 on Aug 18, 2011 0:22:28 GMT -5
Or wonder why for some reason the suit made his hair turn BLACK when he was taking off one time. Good one! ;D
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Post by creepygirl on Oct 14, 2011 7:31:53 GMT -5
This has always been one of my favorite episodes. I also agree with many of the posts above. I actually liked the hard ass/angry Ralph after he hit the train. I really also loved the montage at the end. It has always given me warm fuzzies.
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