Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

starman · Mar 12, 2007, 11:04 AM

So, my sister in law got married this weekend. At the rehearsal dinner the other night, some guy who I never met before starts talking about Dr. Who. I had just gotten the season two box set the night before. So what does he do? Blurts out the ending of the season for everyone to hear before I had a chance to say anything. I was beside myself. There are some people in the world that have no problems spoiling endings for people. Does that make them feel superior or something?

goMac · Mar 12, 2007, 11:06 AM

Sharon is a Cylon.

Chuckit · Mar 12, 2007, 11:07 AM

Maybe he just liked the ending and blurted it out without thinking about whether somebody might not have seen it? I know people who have done that before (the worst case was with The Sixth Sense).

Gossamer · Mar 12, 2007, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Maybe he just liked the ending and blurted it out without thinking about whether somebody might not have seen it? I know people who have done that before (the worst case was with The Sixth Sense).

That happened to me too with that movie. Except my roommate knew I hadn't seen it and thought it would be fun to ruin it.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 12, 2007, 11:16 AM

Some people are just clueless with that sort of thing and don't get we like surprises. I know someone who describes a movie they are talking about by the catch ending.

SPOILER!

For Example:

Have you seen six sense?

No

You know that movie where Bruce willis is helping that kid that sees dead people but you find out Bruce is really dead the whole time also and doesn't know it. Wanna watch it?

Peter · Mar 12, 2007, 11:17 AM

i'd never seen sixth sense, was going to watch it.. no need now

BlueSky · 11:27 AM

I was at a dinner and someone did that with The Sixth Sense before I saw it. Guess it was a trend, Chuckit. Semi-fortunately, I misunderstood him and later watched the movie thinking

the kid was a ghost.

So I was a bit surprised after all.

Nebagakid · Mar 12, 2007, 11:20 AM

People need to shut their big traps, and ask before they talk about tv shows, especially really good ones.

Gossamer · Mar 12, 2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Some people are just clueless with that sort of thing and don't get we like surprises. I know someone who describes a movie they are talking about by the catch ending.

For Example:

Have you seen six sense?

No

You know that movie where Bruce willis is helping that kid that sees dead people but you find out Bruce is really dead the whole time also and doesn't know it. Wanna watch it?

You are awful.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 12, 2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Peter

i'd never seen sixth sense, was going to watch it.. no need now

Geez sorry, I thought everyone saw that movie or at least knew about the end by now.

Anyway, added a spoiler warning.

Peter · Mar 12, 2007, 11:35 AM

there you go then

olePigeon · Mar 12, 2007, 11:37 AM

I made a thread about the end of Season 2. *sniff*

I want Rose back!

Just as I was getting used to the runaway bride, she's not even going to be the new girl. Then I saw the preview for Season 3... it's going to be difficult to like the new girl. She's too serious.

ort888 · Mar 12, 2007, 12:53 PM

Mithras · 01:35 PM

^^ Nice, I like.

Maybe we could order some of these as an 'NN fundraiser?

Mithras · 01:34 PM

Also, while we're at it:

Jesus dies but then lives again.
Malcolm was dead all along.
Norman had his dead mother in his basement.
Private Ryan lives.
The Von Trapp family escapes to Switzerland.
Andy escapes Shawshank.
The Planet of the Apes is just Earth many years later.
Seabiscuit wins.
So does Daniel LaRusso.
The Cleveland Indians suck at first but then they win in the end... twice.
Rocky wins. Then loses. Then wins. Then Apollo dies and Rocky goes to Russia and wins again. Then he becomes an arm wrestling truck driver. Or something like that.
Rudy gets to play.
So do the Bears.
Frodo destroys the ring.
They find Nemo.
They shoot Old Yeller.
Princess Fiona becomes an ogre.
Darth Vader is Luke's father.
Neo is the one.
Soylent Green is people!
Rhett leaves Scarlett.
Dil has a penis.
Rosebud was a sled.

Monique · Mar 12, 2007, 02:13 PM

You guys never watch anything just for the quality of the storytelling itself. Regardless if you know the ending or not; the experience of seeing the Sixth Sense, the Game, the Fight Club, the Godfather are great movies experiences.

Couldn't yo enjoy season 2 of Dr. Who even though you know the ending. If you watch it only for the last 5 minutes, you do not like really the show.

starman · Mar 12, 2007, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Monique

You guys never watch anything just for the quality of the storytelling itself. Regardless if you know the ending or not; the experience of seeing the Sixth Sense, the Game, the Fight Club, the Godfather are great movies experiences.

Couldn't yo enjoy season 2 of Dr. Who even though you know the ending. If you watch it only for the last 5 minutes, you do not like really the show.

What's the point? The whole time I'm going to know what happens. I've been watching DW since the early 80's, whatever happens in the show is important and this is REAL important.

Mithras · Mar 12, 2007, 02:32 PM

Oh, I think Monique is right, mostly. I went to a production of Hamlet this weekend, and I certainly knew everything that would happen. People like to read the Bible even though they know how the story goes. etc. etc.

BUT -- I think that only really applies to very well crafted narrative. For stories that aren't quite as good, plot surprise has to carry a little more of the narrative burden, so it does become useful to keep secrets.

Gossamer · Mar 12, 2007, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mithras

Oh, I think Monique is right, mostly. I went to a production of Hamlet this weekend, and I certainly knew everything that would happen. People like to read the Bible even though they know how the story goes. etc. etc.

BUT -- I think that only really applies to very well crafted narrative. For stories that aren't quite as good, plot surprise has to carry a little more of the narrative burden, so it does become useful to keep secrets.

Especially when the end is supposed to be a huge surprise, part of the experience of watching the movie is having your whole way of thinking changed by the ending, as is characteristic of most of M. Night Shyamalan.

anthology123 · Mar 12, 2007, 02:57 PM

Not knowing the ending for The Village didn't help make that movie any better. A columnist in SF bay area gave away the ending for Schindlers list before I had a chance to see it.

::maroma:: · Mar 12, 2007, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Geez sorry, I thought everyone saw that movie or at least knew about the end by now.

Anyway, added a spoiler warning.

LOL, the way that movie was ruined for me was by Andy Richter on the Conan O'Brien show. He blurted out the ending, everyone gasped and boo'd at him, and even Conan said "how can you do that??" He said "hey, if you haven't seen it by now, you deserve it!"

analogika · Mar 12, 2007, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Some people are just clueless with that sort of thing and don't get we like surprises. I know someone who describes a movie they are talking about by the catch ending.

SPOILER!

You moron.

We have spoiler tags now, you know.

Peter · Mar 12, 2007, 04:56 PM

the irony is lost on him

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 12, 2007, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

You moron.

We have spoiler tags now, you know.

That's nice, I just find it hard to believe there is anyone who doesn't know about that damn ending yet. If you haven't seen it by now you probably have no interest in seeing it one day either.

Just like how I missed home alone when it was the bomb but I don't see the point in checking it out now.

analogika · Mar 12, 2007, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

That's nice, I just find it hard to believe there is anyone who doesn't know about that damn ending yet. If you haven't seen it by now you probably have no interest in seeing it one day either.

Just like how I missed home alone when it was the bomb but I don't see the point in checking it out now.

I'm glad to hear how you personally feel about Home Alone.

It has fairly little bearing on whether or not I might have still enjoyed watching the Sixth Sense.

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 12, 2007, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

I'm glad to hear how you personally feel about Home Alone.

It has fairly little bearing on whether or not I might have still enjoyed watching the Sixth Sense.

You want me to send you a hallmark card so ease your suffering or just invent a time machine to correct this grave mistake?

andi*pandi · Mar 12, 2007, 06:18 PM

there's still lots to enjoy about season 2 even if you know the ending. I knew Billie chose to leave before I watched and I enjoyed it still.

I suppose the etiquette usually is "if it's aired locally it's safe to discuss" but if you've gotten hold of illicit copies in advance you should be sensitive to others. But with the rising prevalence of tv season dvds, perhaps better etiquette is in order?

Captain Obvious · Mar 12, 2007, 06:20 PM

I want to play too

Keyser Soze

analogue SPRINKLES · Mar 12, 2007, 06:22 PM

Oh and by the way... at the end of Titanic the boat sinks.

Hope I didn't spoil that for anyone also.

Gossamer · Mar 12, 2007, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

Oh and by the way... at the end of Titanic the boat sinks.

Hope I didn't spoil that for anyone also.

You jerk.

ghporter · Mar 12, 2007, 07:01 PM

My turn:

"To Serve Man" is a cookbook!

I consider it extremely rude to spoil stories, particularly without polling those within earshot as to whether they WANT to have something spoiled. That's why it's called "SPOIL" to begin with!!!

Peter · Mar 13, 2007, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

That's nice, I just find it hard to believe there is anyone who doesn't know about that damn ending yet. If you haven't seen it by now you probably have no interest in seeing it one day either.

Just like how I missed home alone when it was the bomb but I don't see the point in checking it out now.

thanks for deciding that I dont need to watch Sixth Sense.
Guess you're just clueless

voiceofra · Mar 13, 2007, 06:35 AM

The Goa'uld are aliens, not gods
Dethklok isn't a REAL band
Bill and Ted pass their final exam, Ted doesn't have to go to military school and Wyld Stallyns RULES!

Dork. · Mar 13, 2007, 06:47 AM

I remember the brief instant in time when The Lone Gunmen show that spun off from the X-Files was on the air. Slashdot put up an article on the front page about the final episode (with an obvious spoiler) right after it aired, forgetting that it wouldn't air on the West Coast for a few hours (and that not everyone who liked the show was in the US, and had access to the show right when it aired.) Hilarity ensued.

And what was the spoiler, you ask?

The show sucked so bad that they killed off the main characters out of pity.