Visitor Magic

[Kefla (Kefla)]

This message contains spoilers - if you're a newbie. <BR> <BR>I wonder about the mechanism that allowed Adam to re-open his chest wound in Pilot. Granted, the series wasn't intended to focus on the Visitor's seemingly super-human skills. Apparently, we were supposed to get the message that all of his abilities were not too far from our grasp with a little enlightenment, education, etc . . . (just have to open your eyes). <BR> <BR>Aside from Adam's life-saving skills, we saw isolated skills one time - then not again. Levitation, body-swapping, speed reading, mental projection (let my eyes be your eyes), and so on. <BR> <BR>If the series had continued, though, it would have been nice to learn of some underlying science (fiction) principles that allowed Adam to do what he did. Interesting that Adam could both heal that wound and then reverse the effect. We also saw O'Ryan reverse Adam's work on Constance. Remember when Vise was so worked up about Adam's involvement with anti-gravity? He told the General that the opposite effect, increased gravity, could create a black hole, a bomb. <BR> <BR>I imagine Michael O'Ryan would have been very interesting to watch, had he remained on the scene a little longer. I've also thought that his brother, David, was just angry and vindictive enough that he could have taken his brother's place as the villain. Any thoughts?

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Good post Kefla. I do want to respond specifically, but am tapped for time at the moment. However, I also wanted to throw an unrelated concept on the table from Pilot... <BR> <BR>When Nadine touches Tyler's hand at the end to assure him things would be okay, she says, "always remember, we're family." I started to wonder if that didn't include a more wider group of individuals now - the colony. Since she obviously possessed a new ability compliments Adam, and was likely passing this along to Tyler, does that mean Nadine and Tyler are among Adam's "family" now as well?

[Kefla (Kefla)]

Oh, I *like* this idea. You know, Col. Vise consistently raved about how *dangerous* MacArthur was. Vise seemed convinced that MacArthur and his kind should be killed on sight. Your idea - that those people MacArthur had close contact with joined his "crowd" - lends all kinds of energy to a conspiracy theory. <BR> <BR>I think Vise called it a battle to end all battles in Black Box. Hey, if people Adam touched became part of *his* family, I can see why Vise would be threatened to the point of violence. <BR> <BR>Great thoughts. Thanks :-)

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

To add even more, does that mean that Nadine and Tyler are now as 'capable' as Adam of continuing Adam's quest should he fail? You know, like silently training reserves and whatnot...

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

I think more so just letting them open their minds to become capable of whatever their potential is, rather than letting life's circumstance drag them down. They were getting nowhere before, bickering and blaming things on Tyler's absent father. Now that Nadine had "enlightenment", she could get on with her life and so could Tyler.

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

I think Adam was trying to 'spread his POV' to all corners of the states (and possibly globe should the series have continued) because you know that whole "everyone is seperated by only 6 other people" thing. So if he touched every 6th person (theoretically) he could spread the message he's been trying to, in order to fulfill his mission. <BR> <BR>Okay, he doesn't have to touch every sixth person, but he touches one, he/she touches 6, then in turn touch 6, etc. Like starting a ripple effect everywhere he goes (Kinda like Jesus).

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Well, he <I>did</I> wanna make a difference and get the world changed around back on track before it destroyed itself. He wanted to make liars of the Elders. ;) The only way to accomplish this would be to "plant a seed" of hope and renewal in everyone he came into contact with, and hope that they would go on and do the same favors for people that they came into contact with, as Fungus pointed out. Showing them how to make use of their minds is one of the ways he could have been doing this.

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Plus, he obviously couldn't accomplish his mission if he just touched people one or two at a time. Was he planting the seeds for a 'wave' of sorts? Hmmmm... PAT!!!!!

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Well, he did address a whole load of people in Remember. But, then again, he seemed to know how to pick out KEY people on his mission. Ones he KNEW would make a difference. All others he was sure to leave a positive impression on, because it sure didn't hurt his mission, that's for sure. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Which brings to me another thought... Vice incarcerated the professor guy (Harry Shearer). What if he did that to everyone Adam had extensive contact with? Would that drastically harm Adam's mission?

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Thus he was the "villain". <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

pbbbbttttt! <BR> <BR> <BR>I try to continue a worthy discussion that might even draw the Secret Agent out of her batcave, and you respond with a golden nugget of... of... <BR> <BR> <BR><FONT SIZE="+2">DUUHHHHHHHHHHHH!</FONT> <BR> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[Kefla (Kefla)]

:-))) Secret Agent Pat would never be in the batcave, no way. Might try checking a hornet's nest, though. <BR> <BR>I don't think people Adam encountered could carry on his mission if he were no longer operational. <BR> <BR>There were two different types of contact - 1) Adam's deliberate contact with certain key people who were needed to effect the change in the future like Faraday (Adam was carrying out a science - doing his checks and balances. He was strategic more than just going for numbers of people.) <BR> <BR>2) Incidental contact with people. For example, Nadine, IMO, was not one of the key people but rather someone who happened to be around when Adam ran onto the highway. As a result of meeting the Visitor, she changed her outlook on life, like Sheri said. She also did some extraordinary things like hiding Adam from authorities and lying to the sheriff to protect Adam. In the end, however, I suspect she resumed her life and didn't dive into a secret mission. Adam didn't even tell her what was supposed to be happening in the future - kept his comments very general. <BR> <BR>At any rate, this extraordinary effect that the Visitor had on ordinary people, I think, had Vise and his people scared. Such influence is hard to fight.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Nadine "resuming her life" with her new attitude towards it in itself is enough to effect change. She didn't have to be some super heroine and "go forth preaching" to carry on Adam's mission. If her new attitude could affect those she met up with, it could spread like a disease. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> The positive outlook would give people hope, and respect for what they have and appreciate it more, rather than giving up and letting their lives go to crap. With respect for life, the world wouldn't be quite as nasty as it was. Which, in the end, is really what Adam's mission was all about, no? Saving the world from itself?

[kefla]

Sheri wrote: The positive outlook would give people hope, and respect for what they have and appreciate it more, rather than giving up and letting their lives go to crap. . . . . .(snip) Which, in the end, is really what Adam's mission was all about, no? <BR> <BR>Well, no, that wasn't the mission *I* was following. What kept the story moving for me was Adam's assertion that he could scientifically calculate future events before they even happened and identify "key" people who could change that possible future. (words taken from Fear of Flying, speech to Faraday) <BR> <BR>I agree, Sheri, that whatever goodness we can put into the world will make a difference on some level. And, watching the marathon last weekend, I was again impressed by the wholesomeness, the positive energy, projected by Adam MacArthur, no matter whom he was interacting with, whether it was a "key" person or just someone on the street (kudos to the actor for pulling that one off). <BR> <BR>IMO, the insertion of some turn of events being imminent ("don't have the luxury of time", "something's coming, maybe sooner than we think") changed what could have been (for me) bland, boring human interest stories into something more compelling, and entertaining. <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> So happy to see all of you and this BBS up and running, BTW.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

That might be the HOW of his mission, Kefla....but what about the WHY. ;)

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Of course, on a purely selfish POV for Adam, he got what he needed from Nadine. Both in terms of a way of escape from the FBI and NSA, but also in terms of making him feel a little better over having left his wife and son behind when he was abducted. Here was a woman coping without her husband and a young man coping without his father. Adam intervened and "made things right" for Nadine and Tyler, and I would imagine in some way, it helped make him feel a little better about what he wished he could have been there to do for Constance and Jason.

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Batcave? Hell no! I'm not a Batman fan. Green Hornet though... now that's a different story. Green Hornet's got the moves. Plus, he has Kato... <BR> <BR>(I can't belive Fungus has me rolling, and he has no CLUE why...) <BR> <BR>Sher, you just GOTTA get HBO! ;-P

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Live feed it to me via the web? >;-P

[Kefla (Kefla)]

That was a BZZZ by, I guess, LOL. <BR> <BR>Ok, now I'm feeling guilty about being so opinionated. The whole angle of the girl-or-boy-next-door living a better life because of their encounter with The Visitor IS written into the series (just scanned the eps at Memorial for the Visitor which is up, BTW!?!). Maybe as a sci fi fan I do focus more on the HOWS and enjoy that more.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Rightly so, Kefla. Which is why The Visitor had such a wide variety of things to suit everyone's taste. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Well said! Didn't Adam have on his disc all the key people to help him in his mission, Danny being one of them? The healing powers for Missy certainly had religous overtones.Yes, Fungus, J.C. would make a good Jesus. Sheri, did you catch the horse and rider on the multi-screen before Adams testimony at Omega? And backing up, the "weather satelite" taking off and the booster falling away was a pretty cool scene, V and all. For some reason, I have a taste for Boston Market chicken LOL..mighty fine cuisine.

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Of all the interesting tidbits in this thread to harp on! <A HREF="mailto:LOL@Pat">LOL@Pat</A>!!! <BR> <BR> <BR>I'll have to ask you to clue me in sometime. <BR> <BR> <BR>and Kefla, never, EVER feel guilty of having an opinion! It's what makes the world go 'round... or come to a dead standstill :] Either way, it's part of what makes us us, so no worries :] We love ya anyway!

[Kefla (Kefla)]

Aw, thanks for the kind words, Fungus. <BR> <BR>Sheri, nice interpretation of what Adam stood to gain from his encounter with Nadine and Tyler. <BR> <BR>Will, yes, Adam did use a disk with key people listed. Also saw him referring to pictures and newspaper articles. Have you seen Caged? Wonder what you'll think of Adam's machine. <BR> <BR>(Can you tell this post was in storage while the BBS was down? <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> )

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Wish I kept mine in storage too, but noooo.... <BR> <BR>Why is it, weekends are a crap shoot when it comes to this board being up and functioning? *sigh* <BR> <BR>I *had* a lengthy reply, but it went by way of the dodo when I clicked on Preview/Post. ARGH!! All I remember was yankin' Fungus' chain about not responding to an ICQ msg of mine asking about Batman and The Green Hornet over a month ago, and some on-topic commentary about how unusual it was for the NSA to have a list of the *only* key people in the world - as if there weren't a few key people that they *didn't* know about. <BR> <BR>Whatever... gotta get back in the mood and review my notes. ;o) <BR> <BR>[Pat will now cut and paste every freakin' post into notepad before chancing it around these parts again LOL]

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

You wanna know why??? <BR> <BR>It's because Windows servers are soooo unreliable, if they aren't babysat 24/7, the puke out. >:-P

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

I had a reply too Pat, and I tried to post it 4 times! yeesh... :] <BR> <BR>And yes, the notepad to bbs route is always the best for long posts :]

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

I saw part of CAGED, the machine reminded me instantly of Stargate, one of my faves.

[Kefla (Kefla)]

It did? My first impression of the future calculating machine was surprise at the "low tech" appearance. I still have plenty of questions about that scene in the warehouse. <BR> <BR>The Visitor orignally aired on Friday nights on Fox. It was SO hard to catch it (between 7 and 8 here). The portions of episodes I saw were never enough to put the story together, for me. But there was something about the show that generated enough interest, that I eventually went on-line to find old episodes (a first attempt at surfing and searching). <BR> <BR>The Stargate wheel was another story. Wow.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Sometimes "low tech" is more efficient than high-tech though. And even Adam referred to it as a "simple machine".

[Kefla (Kefla)]

"Don't limit you concept of what a machine is." <BR>Yep. Adam, come back and explain all this. ;-)

[Agent Pat (Agentpat)]

Adam and his "simple machines." Ack! As I've said time and time again, what *is* it about him and his "machines?" Either it's something that "has no power," or it's something too powerful that "we're not ready for it yet."

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Just at first glance, all the pyramid shapes on top of one another. I want to see more. Vice certainly lives up to his name, huh? That simple tool..the vice. Latches on and won't let go.

[Kefla (Kefla)]

Good one, Will! ;-) BTW, there was a Col. Vise mentioned in the lecture scene early in Stargate.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Well, some machines, like an abacus, can do LOTSA stuff, yet they're so simple. Heck, even the lever and fulcrum. Simple in concept, but hefty on the things it can do. <BR> <BR>Even computers are nothing more than switch ON and switch OFF.

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Thank you again Kefla! Exactly Sheri, so one can go refresh. The honeycomb shaped machine was interesting. Adam had such a puzzled look on his face as the triangle *junkyard* morphed into *capture*. It foretold the future in a sense. <BR> Vice was such a tormented soul..maybe thats why he "crossed the line, out of control" as his superior chastised him. <BR> Quite interesting that ex. prod. John Masaus also did "Touched by an Angel" <BR> The conversation between Michael and Adam concerning Mankind was captivating also.

[From the files of police squad (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

All these 'technical high tech' machines are simply a bunch of compatible, put together, simple machines after all...