# "Men in Black" Interpretation **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307 "2009-08-31T01:24:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/81 "2009-09-02T15:23:45Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > The only real problem I had with the plot was the seemingly easy and shallow way J caught K’s eye. K said something to Zed that amounted to “He chased down an alien on foot.” J’s chase with that alien in the beginning wasn’t even all that impressive, just a lot of running and, I think, a jump onto a moving bus from an overhead bridge. That J was able to chase down the alien told K that he was enough of a [Badass Normal](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main.BadassNormal) to be able to keep up. That alien was clearly no weak little Arquillien, after all. J was persistent, fast, clever, and attentive enough to detail that he was able to identify the gun used despite seeing it only for a split second before it vaporized. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/82 "2009-09-02T15:26:54Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > That J was able to chase down the alien told K that he was enough of a [Badass Normal](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main.BadassNormal) to be able to keep up. That alien was clearly no weak little Arquillien, after all. J was persistent, fast, clever, and attentive enough to detail that he was able to identify the gun used despite seeing it only for a split second before it vaporized. He also (IIRC) didn’t lose his cool after the guy’s eyelids blinked the wrong way. It’s not so much that he was open-minded as the fact that he was able to continue to do his job in the face of something apparently inexplicable. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/83 "2009-09-02T15:28:40Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > …a jump onto a moving bus from an overhead bridge. Yeah, not impressive at all… ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/84 "2009-09-02T15:28:53Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > The only real problem I had with the plot was the seemingly easy and shallow way J caught K’s eye. K said something to Zed that amounted to “He chased down an alien on foot.” J’s chase with that alien in the beginning wasn’t even all that impressive, just a lot of running and, I think, a jump onto a moving bus from an overhead bridge. What I took away from that was that that particular species of alien had the running and cardio capacity of like ten Kenyans. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/85 "2009-09-02T16:09:32Z")
Which reminds me, what was the relationship between that alien (with the weird eyelids) and the Bug in the Edgar suit? I remember the first alien was saying something like “I’ve failed him! He’s coming!” Was this ever explained? ---
**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 2, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/86 "2009-09-02T16:11:19Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I haven’t seen it in a while, but did he even \*try \*to move the chair closer to the table? Because that would have been my first choice. The chair should have been easier to move. Failing that, I would have moved the table. But I don’t remember him trying to move the chair. The moment he sat down he probably noticed the chair was attached to the floor. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/87 "2009-09-02T16:42:32Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Which reminds me, what was the relationship between that alien (with the weird eyelids) and the Bug in the Edgar suit? I remember the first alien was saying something like “I’ve failed him! He’s coming!” Was this ever explained? WAG: The Bug originally wanted a discreet, quick operation, not to mention he’s apparently utterly disgusted by meatsack humans, and so hired a hitalien. When the cephalapod failed, he ended up coming to Earth to do the job himself. Note that he was anything but discreet in the way he carried out the kill in the restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/88 "2009-09-02T17:57:56Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > The sequel was fine but like most sequels it couldn’t match the original. Doubly so in this case as the bar was set very high. > > I thought Zed’s expression was “Great, another smart ass to deal with”, knowing Edwards had nailed the test and was agent material. That’s why they need to make a 3rd one. Sometimes the 3rd movie is better (or as good as) the original. Indiana Jones is what immediately comes to mind. I want a 3rd one, and this time BRING BACK LINDA FIORENTINO. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/89 "2009-09-02T18:00:44Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > But Zed seemed unhappy every time J did those things, you could make the case that that was an act, but I think he already had the job just on K’s recommendation. I always thought they were hoping to see him “think outside the box” but maybe not in the way he did. For example, maybe they were hoping he’d kneel on the floor to use the table to take the test. I’m sure we could think of other scenarios that would demonstrate thinking outside the box for the other tests. How about it? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/90 "2009-09-02T18:01:59Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Note that he was anything but discreet in the way he carried out the kill in the restaurant. I dunno, as far as the other diners were concerned, the two old men just collapsed into their plates. Some might have caught side of the odd-gaited man walking away, but it’s not like he leveled a city block in the process. In fact, if the gembox or whatever he took _had_ been the galaxy, he’d’ve been off the planet as soon as he got back to his ship and the whole thing would have been over. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/91 "2009-09-02T18:10:24Z")
No, he very distinctly caused a commotion. One of the waiters stepped in front of him and said, “You’re not going anywhere, pal,” and the Bug shoved him out of the way. It was also classified as a triple homicide, not just a single and two unexplained deaths. Granted, yeah, had the diamonds been the galaxy he would have been gone before the MiB caught up to him, but his presence was a hell of a lot riskier and more noticeable than the assassin’s was. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/92 "2009-09-02T18:24:00Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > It was also classified as a triple homicide, not just a single and two unexplained deaths. In New York City, that’s a normal (as opposed to a “slow”) week. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/93 "2009-09-02T20:38:32Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > That’s why they need to make a 3rd one. Sometimes the 3rd movie is better (or as good as) the original. Indiana Jones is what immediately comes to mind. > > I want a 3rd one, and this time BRING BACK LINDA FIORENTINO. This actually sorta kinda makes sense. Especially the part about LINDA FIORENTINO. Le sigh. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/94 "2009-09-02T22:51:40Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > This actually sorta kinda makes sense. Especially the part about LINDA FIORENTINO. Le sigh. I"m with the Bug. What a snack. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/95 "2009-09-03T01:31:02Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I"m with the Bug. What a snack. 😃 Unfortunately, we wound up with Tommy Lee Jones yelling “Eat me, eat me!” :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/96 "2009-09-03T03:05:43Z")
She is indeed hot, but I’ve heard that she was an absolute bitch on the set, and that the reason she wasn’t in the sequel was that nobody else involved wanted to have anything more to do with her. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/97 "2009-09-03T03:18:33Z")
Maybe she just needs a good tongue-lashing. ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/98 "2009-09-03T05:22:58Z")
Huh - watching that again, did anybody else notice the little silver table just next to J’s chair? Looked in the shot of all of them like it was the only one in the room, though on youtube it’s sorta hard to tell. Anyways, seems like a better option than the big table. Wonder if that was deliberate? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/99 "2009-09-03T05:37:15Z")
> [@runcible\_spoon](#): > > Huh - watching that again, did anybody else notice the little silver table just next to J’s chair? Looked in the shot of all of them like it was the only one in the room, though on youtube it’s sorta hard to tell. Anyways, seems like a better option than the big table. Wonder if that was deliberate? I’ll be damned. I never noticed that. I got nothin’. I did watch the tests again and I noticed one other detail: when K and Zed are talking after the shooting gallery, the soldiers are all talking among themselves while Edwards is getting up and studying the alien cutouts. Just one more small piece of evidence that he’s got an MiB mindset. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307/100 "2009-09-03T07:26:59Z")
> [@runcible\_spoon](#): > > Huh - watching that again, did anybody else notice the little silver table just next to J’s chair? Looked in the shot of all of them like it was the only one in the room, though on youtube it’s sorta hard to tell. Anyways, seems like a better option than the big table. Wonder if that was deliberate? It looked like an ashtray to me, but the resolution on YouTube wasn’t as sharp as it could have been. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-interpretation/508307.md?page=6)