# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Buran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Buran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buran)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/121 "2008-09-14T23:12:40Z")
Zamboniracers quote remind me of another one, I haven’t even read the book but I have read others in the series: Chaos pointed at the Solamnic Knights. “Paladine is dead you fight alone.” Chaos turned to the dark Knights. “Takhisis has fled. You fight alone.” Chaos spread his enormous arms, which seemed to encompass the universe “There is no hope. you have no gods. What have you left?” Steel drew his sword and raised it in the air, the metal did not reflect fire, but shone white, argent, like moonlight on ice "Each other? he answered. -dragons of summer flame ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/122 "2008-09-15T02:00:07Z")
When the mob boss beats up Tyler Durden and all he does is laugh at him. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/123 "2008-09-15T15:11:43Z")
> [@Pollux\_Oil](#): > > I’m surprised I managed to go through the whole thread and no mention of the Doctor at all? > > My personal favorite moment was from the new series 4, the end of the Forest of the Dead episode: “Oh, look at that! I’m _very_ good!” That last sequence sends chills up my spine every time I see it. I partially blame the awesome musical score. > > [Link to the scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6hj9ZSQIYY) (But it’s a spoiler for the end of the episode) > > And of course, the episode with the original quote back in the first series of the new series. “Just this once Rose, EVERYBODY LIVES!” Good lord. Just watched this, and I have to say, even though I’m mostly unaware of the context (haven’t watched more than an episode or two of the new series), this gave me chills. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/124 "2008-09-15T19:20:03Z")
[First Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4p9BQ3V9o) [Second Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsHLkB8u3s) [Third Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwEIkXMfL1E) [Honorable Mention.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhGv79va21c) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/125 "2008-09-15T19:44:47Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > [First Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4p9BQ3V9o) Hey! That’s Philip Seymour Hoffman! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/126 "2008-09-15T19:53:34Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > [First Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4p9BQ3V9o) I’ve never seen Scent of a Woman. I now know what all those Al Pacino impersonators base their impressions on. It always puzzled me because Pacino never seemed to match the impressions in the stuff I did see him in. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/127 "2008-09-15T19:55:34Z")
– The fight scene between Bill Adama and Saul Tigh in **Galactica**. We were cheering out loud. It is one thing to see two young bucks like Anders and Lee Adama duke it out. But two old warhorses like Bill and Saul, with years of experience, skill, and stubbornness? That is something to behold. – Albert Finney stopping a train with the power of his voice in **The Dresser**. I can’t find it on YouTube, and there’s no use trying to describe it with all-caps or bold or spaces between the words. But then, that’s the idea of it. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/128 "2008-09-15T20:28:21Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > [Second Place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsHLkB8u3s) _choke_ Never saw that movie, but that’s an intellectual beat-down par excellence! Good inclusion. And why is it that I can never remember scenes to add when I’m actually at this thread? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/129 "2008-09-15T20:59:48Z")
\*The West Wing \*had plenty of awesome moments. My favorite one, though is a bit unusual, insomuch as it does not involve politics, philosophy, the clash of intellects or other such high-minded manners. In fact, it’s a bit of a cheap shot, the kind of scene an inferior series would put in every episode. Still, they wouldn’t have made it this _cool_. Some background: it’s early in the series. The President has a new personal assistant, a bright, earnest, hard-working kid called Charlie. The President feels that Charlie has been working \*too \*hard, and “suggests” that several senior White House staff take him out for drinks. Tagging along at the last minute are the President’s 19-year-old daughter and the daughter of the Chief of Staff. The scene: a Georgetown bar. The black kid is Charlie. The girl in the hat is the First Daughter. The thing on her table is her panic button. [Watch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Ni1vDb_u4&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![NoLAFIN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@NoLAFIN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoLAFIN)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/130 "2008-09-15T21:17:48Z")
From “V for Vendetta” (graphic novel and the movie): Evey reading Valerie’s letter in her “prison cell.” Gets me all verklempt thinking about it still. Linky: [http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/valerie.html](http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/valerie.html) ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/131 "2008-09-15T21:30:29Z")
Apollo 13 is re-entering the atmosphere after nearly blowing up in space. The whole world is watching to see if the heat shields held up after everything else has gone wrong. Walter Cronkite has said that no crew has been out of contact for more than three minutes upon re-entry. Jim Lovell’s family is gathered, watching what might be his death on TV. His son is in prep school and he and his class are listening to hear if the crew has made it. Three minutes come and go and still no word from the crew. Gary Sinise, who should’ve been on that flight, keeps trying to make contact as each excruciating second passes. Then Apollo 13 responds! I swear I didn’t breathe the entire time we are waiting for the news. StG ---
**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:** [September 15, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/132 "2008-09-15T22:21:22Z")
I haven’t read through all the Awesomeness posted here, but Total Awesomeness belongs to Jackie Chan [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOjLelKGP-M](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOjLelKGP-M)]([http://www.youtube.com](http://www.youtube.com) Jackie Chan /watch?v=HOjLelKGP-M) starting at 5:24. Actually, the entire Drunken Master movie is Chock Full o’ Awesomeness. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/133 "2008-09-15T22:26:31Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Apollo 13 is re-entering the atmosphere after nearly blowing up in space. The whole world is watching to see if the heat shields held up after everything else has gone wrong. Walter Cronkite has said that no crew has been out of contact for more than three minutes upon re-entry. Jim Lovell’s family is gathered, watching what might be his death on TV. His son is in prep school and he and his class are listening to hear if the crew has made it. Three minutes come and go and still no word from the crew. Gary Sinise, who should’ve been on that flight, keeps trying to make contact as each excruciating second passes. Then Apollo 13 responds! I swear I didn’t breathe the entire time we are waiting for the news. > > StG Dear God, yes! I’ve seen that movie and that scene in particular any number of times, and each time – starting with the first, even though I was already familiar with what had happened, and right up through every subsequent time, _even though I’ve seen the movie over and over_ – I hold my breath, heart pounding, until that crackle of static and the voice saying that they’re there – gaah!! And the giant burst of relief from everyone on screen! \*That’s \*filmmaking! ---
**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:** [September 15, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/134 "2008-09-15T22:36:20Z")
Spoiler Alert : Final scene of [Zulu](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1csr0dxalpI&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Typo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Typo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/135 "2008-09-16T00:20:30Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > – Albert Finney stopping a train with the power of his voice in **The Dresser**. I can’t find it on YouTube, and there’s no use trying to describe it with all-caps or bold or spaces between the words. But then, that’s the idea of it. I actually have that movie on VHS - I need to watch that again now! ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/136 "2008-09-16T01:26:06Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Apollo 13 is re-entering the atmosphere after nearly blowing up in space. The whole world is watching to see if the heat shields held up after everything else has gone wrong. Walter Cronkite has said that no crew has been out of contact for more than three minutes upon re-entry. Jim Lovell’s family is gathered, watching what might be his death on TV. His son is in prep school and he and his class are listening to hear if the crew has made it. Three minutes come and go and still no word from the crew. Gary Sinise, who should’ve been on that flight, keeps trying to make contact as each excruciating second passes. Then Apollo 13 responds! I swear I didn’t breathe the entire time we are waiting for the news. > > StG I remember watching it live. ---
**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 16, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/137 "2008-09-16T05:06:46Z")
The attack of the the nuclear pulse drive carrier-battleship _Michael_ ( so named because Archangel Michael cast Satan out of Heaven ) against the Fithp mothership in _Footfall_. It’s armed with everything they can think to give it, from bomb pumped lasers, to Space Shuttles fitted with missiles, to dismounted battleship guns with rocket engines and a pilot compartment added. Especially Awesome is the scene where a Space Shuttle manages to ram the mothership’s drive while one of the characters ( soon to be dead ) watches; slowing it so it can’t escape. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/138 "2008-09-16T05:24:39Z")
In _Honor Among Enemies_ by David Weber, there is an epically awesome scene where PNS _Vaubon_ comes streaking in to take on a group of pirate raiders that outnumber the Havenites 3:1, all in defense of a Manticoran freighter (the Havenites and the Manticorans are, at this point as throughout most of the series, fighting an ongoing and bloody war). It’s a bit of a bitter irony after his ship has been beaten into submission by the third ship after defeating the first two when the Havenite captain discovers the merchant ship in question was actually a merchant cruiser - a heavily armed warship disguised as a freighter to lure in unsuspecting merchant raiders and pirates, and entirely suited to defend herself without his help. And in _Service of the Sword_, the Manticoran cruiser HMS _Gauntlet_ is ambushed by three Solarian cruisers, forced to flee the star system with the three cruisers in persuit and leaving behind an away team on the planet to fend for themselves. The badass comes when the away team is being attacked by bad guys from the fourth enemy cruiser, when the fourth cruiser is suddenly caught by surprise and destroyed in orbit by HMS _Gauntlet_, recently returned from having narrowly defeated the other three cruisers in a running battle in hyperspace. Oooh, and from _More Than Honor_ (IIRC), the battle between a very large and very angry Sphinxian Hexapuma and a very large number of very angry Sphinxian Treecats when the Hexapuma is about to kill Stephanie Harrington (end result? The much larger predator is reduced to sandwich meat in a very short period of time) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/139 "2008-09-16T12:54:28Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > …And then Zulu, captain of his own starship “Target that explosion and fire!” Everybody always quotes George Takei saying, “Oh my.” But I always remember him saying, “FLY HER APART, THEN!” ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539/140 "2008-09-16T16:41:26Z")
A few moments of awesome, not necessarily so much the characters themselves but how the story twisted and the show redefinied itself: -_Alias_ when it’s revealed that SD-6 is not part of the CIA, so the good guys you’ve been rooting for were actually working for the bad guys. -_Buffy_ when Buffy suddenly has a little sister, living with them, and nobody notices anything is different. And moments of badassery: -_Firefly_, when the guy holds a gun to River’s head and is in the middle of threatening to kill her. Mal simply raises his gun and shoots him. Similarly, in the original _Star Wars_, when Han shoots Greedo under the table, stands up and says “Sorry for the mess” to the bartender, tossing him a coin. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1YbFnkZwZk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1YbFnkZwZk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome/462539.md?page=8)