# Obvious things about a creative work you realize after the millionth time (OPEN SPOILERS POSSIBLE) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117 "2009-07-24T13:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 347
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6927 "2026-03-11T19:46:00Z")
This might have been it. It’s quite a story. > **[I’ve Always Suspected “Cat Person” Was Based on My Life. Now I Know It Was.
](https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/07/cat-person-kristen-roupenian-viral-story-about-me.html)** > > Since I first read Kristen Roupenian’s viral story, I’ve wondered: How did she know about me? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6928 "2026-03-11T19:52:55Z")
I watch Elizabeth, too. Love her channel. But I did recognize Florence Henderson. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6929 "2026-03-12T12:34:07Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > …but people collectively lost their shit over it. I think it had something to do with outrage about writers borrowing their source material from people they knew - that guy turned out to be a real guy or somehow based on a real person. On the one hand, I feel for the guy. On the other hand, a lot of writers borrow from real life all the time. Still, if you do that, you better do it in a way that they won’t be recognized by the reader. It sounds like she didn’t do a very good job removing personally identifying details. From what I read with a quick google, the author did take something she had heard and use it for inspiration. However, she changed aspects of the character Robert. It was pointed out in a remark I read that the aspects of the story that resonated and made the experience so engaging were the details that Kristen Roupenian changed. The dynamics of the character “Robert” that made the story connect were the things that were fictional and not accurate to the real person. Anyway, that’s a long-winded diversion. That Slate article is sufficient to tell the controversy. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6930 "2026-03-14T17:42:36Z")
This one isn’t so much something I noticed, but something that it finally occurred to me to question: In _Raiders of the Lost Ark_, there’s a scene where the archeologist Belloq gets into a drinking contest with Marion. When he’s talking with her prior to their drinking, he produces a box that contains a dress in it. He says he’d like to see her in it. I first saw the movie when I was eight. Eight year old me had a tendency to just say, “oh, okay” without question. I’ve seen the movie a good 75-80 times since then, just accepting what happened onscreen. It occurred to me earlier today to wonder WHY he travels with a fancy dress. People familiar with the novelization, or cut content, I ask: was there ever an explained, sensical reason as to why this occurs? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6931 "2026-03-14T17:54:51Z")
I assume he doesn’t normally travel with it, and that he bought it specifically for Marion after they captured her in Cairo, as part of his plan to “woo” her into helping the Nazi’s dig. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6932 "2026-03-14T18:34:42Z")
Yes. It’s not like they are at some remote site and have no contact with the city. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6933 "2026-03-14T19:09:03Z")
I just re-watched (well most of it, the good parts anyway) Goonies. Great film. Anyway, has anyone come up with an estimate of how much the gems found in the marble bag were (in film) worth- [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uRZiljzKSqQ/hqdefault.jpg "1985 - The Goonies - the final last ending scene ("No sign!!")") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRZiljzKSqQ) ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6934 "2026-03-14T20:46:16Z")
I agree. I didn’t think there was any other explanation needed. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6935 "2026-03-15T01:03:09Z")
Someone online pointed out something so obvious it hadn’t occurred to me: it’s called the Hail Mary because it’s full of Grace. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6936 "2026-03-15T01:22:14Z")
Whoa. I mean I assumed it was a football reference. Isn’t that a play when you’re really desperate? No way the surname Grace is an accident though. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6937 "2026-03-15T01:42:44Z")
Yes, maybe a better way to say it is Weir named him Grace because he’s on the Hail Mary. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6938 "2026-03-15T01:49:04Z")
But it’s not full of Grace, it’s one third Grace IIRC. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6939 "2026-03-15T02:15:15Z")
… \ ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6940 "2026-03-15T17:28:31Z")
Can someone explain for us dumb kids? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6941 "2026-03-15T17:48:49Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Whoa. I mean I assumed it was a football reference. Isn’t that a play when you’re really desperate? > > No way the surname Grace is an accident though. I have a very clear memory of hearing it used the first time. Whether it’s a true memory we will never know (ETA: I mean my memory of seeing it as it happened. The origins of the phrase are not in dispute). The Dallas Cowboys were playing the Minnesota Vikings in December 1975. The Cowboys were losing in the closing moments. Roger Staubach threw a 50 yard pass to Drew Pearson for the game winning score. After the game Staubach said he just closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary when he threw it. As a kid I thought that was hilarious. You can see videos of the play but apparently the after game interview has been lost. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6942 "2026-03-15T17:50:25Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Can someone explain for us dumb kids? Project Hail Mary, [a novel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Hail_Mary) and new [movie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Hail_Mary_(film)). Written by Andy Weir, the author of _The Martian_. _The main story takes place on the Hail Mary spacecraft and is intercut with flashbacks. This is a summary of the film with the facts presented in the order they appear._ _At some point in the near future, Ryland Grace awakens on a spacecraft after being placed into a medically induced coma. Initially erratic and amnesiac, Grace discovers that 2 members of his crew have died while he survived, and that he is light years away on a distant star system._ ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6943 "2026-03-15T17:53:01Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6944 "2026-03-15T17:57:24Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Yes, maybe a better way to say it is Weir named him Grace because he’s on the Hail Mary. Right. It’s a not so subtle double meaning. Grace isn’t a very common last name. W.R. Grace and Mark Grace exhaust my knowledge of Graces. It lacks enough subtlety that I find it kind of annoying. The movie looks interesting so I’ll overlook it. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6945 "2026-03-15T18:34:56Z")
It’s not all that rare, [#1200 in the US census](https://probablyhelpful.com/data/gm/GRACE.html). There have been [a few notable people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_(surname)) named Grace. Probably the most famous is the cricketer [W.G. Grace.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._G._Grace) (Famous as in I’ve heard of him, and I have no interest in sport at all.) ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6946 "2026-03-15T23:11:09Z")
The only people that I know with the surname Grace are brothers who run a fictional department store in London. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=346) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=348)