# Crowning Moments of Awesome **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539 "2008-09-07T22:41:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/81 "2008-09-10T13:58:52Z")
> [@Garula](#): > > Really, every Discworld book has at least one of these moments. Usually many more than one. My favourite is in _Guards! Guards!_ Errol the little swamp dragon\* fights the gigantic “king” dragon and defeats it by knocking it out of the sky with the Discworld’s first sonic boom The same book also has Vimes’ _Do you feel lucky_\*\* scene, and Carrots _sword in the stone_ trick. - sometimes you just get a little whittle. \*\* City Watch motto _Fabricati Diem Pvnc_ ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/82 "2008-09-10T14:17:15Z")
Mike Jones tackle at the end of Superbowl XXXIV. [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/The\_Tackle\_SBXXXIV.JPG](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/The_Tackle_SBXXXIV.JPG) I will be watching that a bunch this year. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/83 "2008-09-10T16:34:04Z")
I always get choked up when I read/see the ending of _A Tale of Two Cities_. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/84 "2008-09-11T12:52:35Z")
The scene from _The Curse of Chalion_, when a young punk of a nobleman challenges the main character Cazaril to a duel. His response is to pin the young bravo helplessly to the wall and inform him that : > [@](#): > > “I don’t duel, boy. I kill as a soldier kills, which is as a butcher kills, as quickly, efficiently, and with as least risk to myself as I can arrange. If I decide you die, you will die when I choose, where I choose, by what means I choose, and you will never see the blow coming.” ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/85 "2008-09-11T13:50:59Z")
> [@CutterJohn](#): > > The Galactica falling through the atmosphere. HOLY SHIT! :eek: I could not believe it took 70 posts to get to the “Adama Maneuver”: ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/l4Vk015kel4/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4Vk015kel4?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque That episode has not left my DVR. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/86 "2008-09-11T14:28:42Z")
> [@joemama24\_98](#): > > I could not believe it took 70 posts to get to the “Adama Maneuver”: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Vk015kel4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Vk015kel4) > > That episode has not left my DVR. Along similar lines, the EAS Agamemenon emerging from the explosion of the final Global Orbital Defense platform over Earth on Babylon 5. ---
**Author:** ![Kivick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/65b543/32.png) [@Kivick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kivick)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/87 "2008-09-11T15:04:43Z")
> [@joemama24\_98](#): > > I could not believe it took 70 posts to get to the “Adama Maneuver”: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Vk015kel4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Vk015kel4) > > That episode has not left my DVR. That settles it I will be renting the season DVDs.. I liked Firefly - Serenity River vs the Reavers scene too I nominate the scene prior to that when they jump to the planet with the Reavers on their tail [seeing a whole fleet of Reaver ships coming at him] The Operative: Target the Reavers. Target the Reavers! Target everyone! Somebody fire! ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/88 "2008-09-11T15:28:59Z")
Boo beating the crap out of Randall in Monsters Inc. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/89 "2008-09-11T15:49:09Z")
The “let me tell you a story about the beginning” sequence form the last episode of Cosmos. When showing the DNA molecule as it unwinds Sagan intones: “Among these natural experiments a molecule arose that was capable of making crude copies of itself, slowly, imperceptibly life had begun.” To the music of Vangelis, shivers. ---
**Author:** ![Dosipede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dosipede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dosipede)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/90 "2008-09-11T16:49:06Z")
“It says one hundred percent guaranteed, moron!” “Mister, if you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick one hundred percent of YOUR ASS!” ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/91 "2008-09-11T17:54:49Z")
The moment in _Buffy season 3_ when the whole graduating class throws off their gowns and level weapons at the Mayor. In Lynn Flewelling’s Tamir Triad, at the end of _Hidden Warrior_, when Lhel allows Tamir’s demon brother to take her life, as she took his. There’re a bunch more. Got to think about it. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/92 "2008-09-11T18:09:42Z")
The whole audience broke out in applause at one point in _Live Free or Die Hard_ (an overall execrable movie, BTW), when the BBG gets frustrated with trying to talk to Bruce Willis on his walkie-talkie & hands it to his character’s kidnapped college-age daughter. He’s hoping for some emotional blackmail, maybe to strike some fear into the character’s heart as he listens to his teenage daughter cry & beg to be saved. This does _not_ work out as intended from his point of view, when she starts feeding him intel instead. “I can’t talk to this guy … Here, you try. See if you can get him to focus.” (Bad guy hands the walkie-talkie to the girl.) “Dad?” “I hear you, Lucy.” " … There are only five of them left." (Bad guy grabs back the walkie-talkie.) You get so used to the ‘helpless captured female’ trope, it can be quite entertaining when the HCF doesn’t follow the script. 🙂 (Oh, and this was shortly followed up by the comic line of the movie, when Willis’ temporary partner meets the daughter. “I know that attitude, I’m just not used to hearing it from someone with hair.” I totally recommend watching just that five minutes of the movie.) ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/93 "2008-09-11T18:10:17Z")
Roy Batty’s “tears in rain” speech from **Blade Runner**. Not only the CMA for that character but also for Rutger Hauer as an actor. ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/94 "2008-09-11T18:18:21Z")
[The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MyT7utAZm4) ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/95 "2008-09-11T18:25:28Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Roy Batty’s “tears in rain” speech from **Blade Runner**. Not only the CMA for that character but also for Rutger Hauer as an actor. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/96 "2008-09-11T23:59:57Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > The whole audience broke out in applause at one point in _Live Free or Die Hard_ (an overall execrable movie, BTW), when the BBG gets frustrated with trying to talk to Bruce Willis on his walkie-talkie & hands it to his character’s kidnapped college-age daughter. He’s hoping for some emotional blackmail, maybe to strike some fear into the character’s heart as he listens to his teenage daughter cry & beg to be saved. This does _not_ work out as intended from his point of view, when she starts feeding him intel instead. > > “I can’t talk to this guy … Here, you try. See if you can get him to focus.” (Bad guy hands the walkie-talkie to the girl.) > “Dad?” > “I hear you, Lucy.” > " … There are only five of them left." (Bad guy grabs back the walkie-talkie.) > > You get so used to the ‘helpless captured female’ trope, it can be quite entertaining when the HCF doesn’t follow the script. 🙂 > > (Oh, and this was shortly followed up by the comic line of the movie, when Willis’ temporary partner meets the daughter. “I know that attitude, I’m just not used to hearing it from someone with hair.” I totally recommend watching just that five minutes of the movie.) I still love “You just took out a HELICOPTER with a CAR?!” “Well, I was out of bullets.”🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/97 "2008-09-12T00:50:26Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > I don’t think there’s many 24 fans here, but Jack Bauer has at least 6 moments like this in every season. At one point last season, another agent comes onto the scene of carnage where Jack has brutally killed at least 7 enemies. This battle-hardened hardass federal agent looks at the gore, and then looks at Jack, and sums up the whole situation with two words spoken with perfect inflections of awe, reverence, and a little bit of disgust. “Damn, Jack…” For all that season 6 was subpar (OK, it kinda sucked), that was pure excellence. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/98 "2008-09-12T01:12:18Z")
[Omar Little](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jif5GzXqF4k), stick up boy, schooling a defense attorney in court on The Wire. Best moment of TV ever IMO. When Inigo Montoya gets to say his line to his father’s murderer in The Princess Bride. The final 12 minutes of The Fountain. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/99 "2008-09-12T01:53:18Z")
I’m going to inject a little girlness in amongst the comics, B5, and action movies! Although it would take me the better part of the night to sum up the awesomeness that is Diana Gabaldon’s Outalnder and the series of books that follow, I will limit myself to one scene in the latest book, _A Breath of Snow and Ashes_. Claire’s rescue from Hodgepile’s gang. It was all kinds of awesome. It was the kind of awesome that made me speak aloud while reading it and say _YES! Take that you bastards!_ ---
**Author:** ![beegirl13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@beegirl13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beegirl13)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/100 "2008-09-12T02:53:18Z")
> [@FaerieBeth](#): > > I’m going to inject a little girlness in amongst the comics, B5, and action movies! Although it would take me the better part of the night to sum up the awesomeness that is Diana Gabaldon’s Outalnder and the series of books that follow, I will limit myself to one scene in the latest book, _A Breath of Snow and Ashes_. Claire’s rescue from Hodgepile’s gang. It was all kinds of awesome. It was the kind of awesome that made me speak aloud while reading it and say _YES! Take that you bastards!_ Yes! Roger’s drum talking through the forest and then later… [QUOTE=Diana Gabaldon] “Which of them?” he said. “How many?” He spoke in English now, and his voice was remarkably matter-of-fact, as it might be if he were inquiring as to the number of guests expected for dinner, and I found the simple tone of it steadying. “I don’t know” I said. “They—it was dark.” He nodded, squeezed my arm hard, and turned. “Kill them all.” he said to Fergus, his voice still calm. (A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Chapter 28, “Curses”) [/QUOTE] If you want condensed Jamie awesomeness, try [www.lallybroch.com](http://www.lallybroch.com) and look up “Jamie-isms” if you haven’t already. I know just how you feel about not being able to pick just one yelling-out-loud moment in the series! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539.md?page=6)