# 5 years later—"Oh, I get it now!" (spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358 "2003-11-20T20:05:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/1 "2003-11-20T20:05:31Z")
Ever had one of those moments where you’re watching a movie/TV show that you’ve seen before and all the sudden understood a piece of the plot you completely overlooked when you saw it before? SPROOOOIIIINNNNNNG! I was watching the Babylon 5 DVD collection, and there’s an episode that has commentary by several of the actors who appeared on it, including Bruce Boxleitner. It’s the episode where Kosh gets killed by the Shadows. In the episode, Captain Sheridan is dreaming he’s having a conversation with his father. His father tells him, “You were right John. I’m just an old man set in my ways. Now it’s time for me to go.” Sheridan then wakes up and realizes Kosh is dead. Boxleitner said during the commentary he had no idea what that scene was about while he was working on it before, but he just now understood what actually happened: Kosh spoke to him in his dream appearing as his father. Same happened to me when I watched Animal House some time back. I had first seen it when I was in high school. There’s the scene where Otter goes to a girls’ school dorm and finds out his girlfriend Fawn is dead. Out of pity, Fawn’s rooommate gets several of her friends to go out with Otter and his frat brothers. A couple of years later I suddenly understood Otter pulled a trick: he found out the name of a dead girl from an obituary and claimed to be her boyfriend so that he and his buddies could get some action. SPROOOOIIIINNNNNNG! Then a couple of years after THAT it hit me that Fawn’s roommate figured him out but went along with it anyway. In the scene where Otter makes out with her in the car, he says “I used to touch Fawn this way.” She replies, “I know. She told me.” SPROOOOIIIINNNNNNG! ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/2 "2003-11-20T20:16:21Z")
By the time I was six years old, I knew every word to _Blazing Saddles_, and would amuse my parents endlessly by quoting from it. Imagine my shock when I watched the movie again sometime in high school and _finally_ got all the jokes! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/3 "2003-11-20T20:18:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Then a couple of years after THAT it hit me that Fawn’s roommate figured him out but went along with it anyway. In the scene where Otter makes out with her in the car, he says “I used to touch Fawn this way.” She replies, “I know. She told me.” I don’t get it. Why does that mean that the roommate figured Otter’s scheme out? Fawn could definitely have had a nameless boyfriend, and she definitely could have told her roommate what they used to do. Seems entirely plausible to me. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/4 "2003-11-20T20:33:08Z")
This is kind of off topic, but this reminds me of something really stupid I did. I was dating this guy named Chris in college. His nickname was “Topher.” For the life of me I could not figure out what his nickname meant! So one day I asked him, “Why does everyone call you Topher?” And he kind of laughed and said, “Because I really like tofu.” It wasn’t until a while later that I figured it out…Chris-TOPHER! DUH, I felt so stupid. He must have thought I was a real dunce. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/5 "2003-11-20T20:34:36Z")
I always took it as she was turning around and playing Otter myself. I can imagine a whole night of “she told me you did this for hours. She told me you used to do this this way. No not that way” ---
**Author:** ![Chastain86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/6 "2003-11-20T20:49:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nyctea scandiaca \* > \*\*This is kind of off topic, but this reminds me of something really stupid I did. I was dating this guy named Chris in college. His nickname was “Topher.” For the life of me I could not figure out what his nickname meant! So one day I asked him, “Why does everyone call you Topher?” And he kind of laughed and said, “Because I really like tofu.” > > It wasn’t until a while later that I figured it out…Chris-TOPHER! > > DUH, I felt so stupid. He must have thought I was a real dunce. \*\* Oh. Guess that explains “That 70’s Show”'s Topher Grace. Don’t feel bad, it didn’t occur to me until just now, either. ---
**Author:** ![Siegfried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Siegfried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siegfried)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/7 "2003-11-20T20:58:11Z")
My parents let me watch the _Porky’s_ trilogy when I was like six or so. Man, the amount of stuff that flew over my head. It wasn’t until late high school or maybe early college that I watched the movies again. Very suddenly did I realize what was going on. Very suddenly did I realize that maybe I shouldn’t have watched them with my parents. Very suddenly I realized I had watched those movies with my parents. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/8 "2003-11-20T21:20:14Z")
I think Topher Grace is a good actor. I enjoy him. But that name has GOT to go. ---
**Author:** ![mtrahey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mtrahey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtrahey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/9 "2003-11-20T21:54:44Z")
Simpsons Episode: Homer is teaching an adult education class. I think it was on relationships. He’s loosing their interest so he tells the class some private stuff about Marge. She demands to know the truth about what he has done in the class. Homer responds “You want the truth!? You want the Truth!! You can’t handle the truth! Cause when you put your hand into a pile of goo that was your best friends face, you’ll know what to do. Forget it Marge, it’s China town.” The only quote I didn’t know was the last one. So I was sitting up late one night last year and flipped the TV to AMC. An old Jack Nicholson movie comes on. I watch it through and it gets to the last line “forget it Joe…” I bust up laughing and my wife just sits there staring at me like I’ve finally gone mad. She knew it would happen, only a matter of time. When I explained it, she didn’t think it was very funny. ---
**Author:** ![mlerose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@mlerose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlerose)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/10 "2003-11-20T23:09:03Z")
Just the other day, it suddenly occurred to me that JK Rowling makes puns with Diagon Alley and Nocturne Alley in the Harry Potter books. I swear, I’m usually pretty quick on the uptake. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/11 "2003-11-20T23:36:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gazelle \* > \*\*I think Topher Grace is a good actor. I enjoy him. But that name has GOT to go. \*\* There were many many Chrises in my high school, both male and female. I started calling one of the males “Tiffer” and it stuck for YEARS. Then again, I also nicknamed a female friend “Jeff” and (on-topic) it took her a long time to catch on that this was short for “Jeffiner”, the mixed-up way her baby brother said her name. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/12 "2003-11-21T04:47:57Z")
MMmm…Topher Grace-I wouldn’t mind getting HIM. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/13 "2003-11-21T17:42:36Z")
In the first Harry Potter movie, which we’ve watched several times at home, I only recently understood what Ron was referring to when he said “That girl needs to get her priorities in order” Hermione, just before: “You could get us all killed! Or worse, expelled!” ---
**Author:** ![PRNYouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PRNYouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PRNYouth)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/14 "2003-11-21T18:24:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mlerose \* > **Just the other day, it suddenly occurred to me that JK Rowling makes puns with Diagon Alley and Nocturne Alley in the Harry Potter books.** [nitpick] It’s **Knockturn** Alley. Makes it easier to understand why you missed it. [/nitpick] Honestly, though, I’m with you – sorta. I didn’t realize Diagon Alley was a pun until she mentioned Knockturn Alley. THAT one I got right away … then I went back and thought about Diagon Alley. Actually, the light bulb about Knockturn Alley made me sit up and take notice of the ultra-creative name choices in the whole series. ---
**Author:** ![DoubleJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DoubleJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoubleJ)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/15 "2003-11-21T18:35:34Z")
You think those are bad, I had to have the Mirror of Erised’s name explained to me. And I _like_ puzzles like word scrambles… ---
**Author:** ![LorieSmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a587f6/32.png) [@LorieSmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LorieSmurf)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/16 "2003-11-22T13:59:12Z")
oh…just got the Mirror of Erised thingie…Thanks DoubleJ ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/17 "2003-11-22T15:01:02Z")
I never got the Mirror of Erised thing. My mom had to explain it to me (keep in mind that I was 21 when I read that book, not 10). I also didn’t get the Diagon Alley thing until I saw Knockturn Alley. Kind of made me feel like an idiot. I’m supposed to be smart. ---
**Author:** ![Dryga\_Yes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Dryga\_Yes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dryga_Yes)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/18 "2003-11-22T15:07:29Z")
I’ve read all five books (in English), but I didn’t get either Diagon Alley or Knockturn Alley until now. Yikes. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/19 "2003-11-22T15:15:25Z")
“You don’t get down off an elephant, you get down of a duck.” I was \*\*18 years old \*\* before I got that.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358/20 "2003-11-22T15:17:11Z")
Ohhhh, I missed the **Diagon Ally** and **Knock Turn Alley** puns. I just figured Diagon was kinda like a campus’ ( U of Mich.) walks through the campus. Feh. **In Unrelated Not Getting It Til Years Later** When I was about 5 or 6, we were dropping my brother off at boy scout camp. I followed him merrily about the camp, much to his embarrassment. To get rid of me he \*grabbed \* a leaf of a plant and said, " Quit following me or I’ll rub you all over with poison ivy." It wasn’t until I was nearing 30 and thinking about that that I realized \*he would never grab that plant because it would cause him to itch like mad. \* Dense. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-years-later-oh-i-get-it-now-spoilers/214358.md?page=2)