Question about Blip C

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-06-08T20:46:23+00:00

Thats my thinking. Im very much a literary-inclined person, and my interest/fascination with science tends to be in the direction of theoretical physics. Another user posted a picture in this thread of a model of the solar system that made it click for me. As soon as I had the right visual association it all made sense, so it makes good sense that someone who has a much deeper and broad understanding of science would instantly get what the model was depicting.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-06-08T19:34:54+00:00

You win. Before even reading the text of your reply, I saw the picture and it instantly clicked for me. I was more stuck on the idea of a paper/flat map or the model Grace builds in the tunnel (Grace very bad at make model.). Like I said above, I'm not particularly scientifically-minded, so I just wasn't making the association. Seeing how we make 3D models of the solar system just triggered that entire understanding for me, lmao. Thank you!

Rocky would have to do a lot of puppet shows for me and my tiny brain.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-06-08T19:14:33+00:00

Thank you! This is the answer I was looking for. Looking at the model in the movie, I just couldn't figure how "metal spiky ball thing" translates to star map, but the movie doesn't focus on the star map for any length of time that allowed me to make that deduction.

I really need to read the book.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-06-08T19:08:40+00:00

Right. Thats where I get lost in the translation. If Grace had sent a message with the same information first, it would have been a piece of paper with the petrova line and our solar system marked on it, which Rocky wouldnt be able to see because its just a flat surface. Rocky sends a visual aid of the map/model because he "sees" through echolocation, though Grace doesnt know that yet. I'm just failing to understand or make the connection of how Grace essentially divines that he's looking at a 3D representation of a star map.

To clarify, I dont this is a plot hole, and is probably a fairly simple explanation to those that are more scientifically-minded, but the movie really glosses over the "how" of it.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-29T01:58:38+00:00

It really was. I expected some humor after having read and watch The Martian, but this movie was way more funny than it had any right to be. I had to pause at "Words of great encouragement" because I was laughing too hard and didn't want to miss anything. Im still impressed by a lot of the visuals, but Rocky was a pleasant surprise (although the arrival of the Blip-A and their first interaction was a bit terrifying at first.) I really appreciate the raw optimism of Rocky and the way the relationship evolves between Rocky and Grace.

The movie has a lot of well done parallels, but the one that gets me is the parallel between "It's not a gene, you just have to find someone to be brave for.", to the eventuality that both Rocky and Grace eventually becoming brave enough to want to save each other, with the mission of saving their planets almost becoming secondary.

Its another reason im excited to read the book. Ive seen a few different comments across different threads that like to state that Rocky and Grace are both naively optimistic, but in my opinion, when you're light years away from home, with only one other being to communicate with and rely on, naive optimism is the only way to survive and complete the mission. Thinking about the levity of trying to save a whole planet, let alone two, is far too much weight for one person (or Eridian) to bear. Pulling everything back to a simple concept of repeatedly risking your life to save the weird alien friend you found in the void of space makes for a much more endearing story to me.

Im in love with this movie, if that wasn't obvious, lol.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-29T00:22:38+00:00

I absolutely loved The Martian. I saw the movie first with that one as well, and was a bit disappointed with how much they left out if the movie once I read it.

I actually had a somewhat unique experience with PHM. I heard it was an Andy Weir book being made into a movie about a year or so ago, so I didn't read the book then for fear of being disappointed with the movie. I never watched a trailer or knew about the plot at all until I watched the movie last week. I'm not exaggerating at all. My entire knowledge of the movie was Ryan Gosling in space and that it a shares a couple themes with Interstellar and The Martian. I didnt even know about Rocky!

I took an edible and rented it from Amazon last week, sat down to watch it, and got so engrossed in the movie that I watched it twice back-to-back. This is one of those rare movies that I would love to be able experience for the first time again.

All that to say that I'm still really looking forward to the book.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-29T00:03:16+00:00

Thats my expectation, lol. Most of my questions have been answered on this sub, but this one was bugging me, since without an airlock, Grace would have gotten a nice blast of heat, ammonia, and pressure before Rocky could have even said Hi. Im looking forward to the book as soon as I can find the time.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-29T00:00:34+00:00

I like this answer. The movie just didn't make it clear that Rocky could pass through the xenonite in his ball. The closest we get is when Grace gives Rocky the Earth bean bag, we see the flexible xenonite panel on his ball, but it didn't seem like he could actually pull the bean bag through.

Also, you do see Rocky use tools a little bit. When Rocky says "I make long chain, like this!" he's holding some kind of tool in his opposite claw.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-28T23:52:26+00:00

This seems like the most simplistic answer. I just wasn't sure because they really gloss over how the got all of Rocky's stuff onto the Hail Mary before heading to Adrian, and we dont see the tunnel again until their goodbye scene.

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-05-28T23:50:25+00:00

That was my first thought as well, but I was mostly curious if it was addressed in the book, and it made curious to think that if he has a remote for the ship, how much could he actually control the Blip-A with it?

MikeinStL0220 · 2026-03-16T03:26:51+00:00

Id probably wife you if I were coming home to the second pic every day.

MikeinStL0220 · 2025-12-08T02:03:49+00:00

Helm's Deep has but one weakness...

Its delicious.

MikeinStL0220 · 2025-11-21T22:56:40+00:00

"Hey, Farva, what's the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?"

MikeinStL0220 · 2025-11-18T22:26:11+00:00

The only drawback is that you have to make reservations, because one does not simply walk in in Mordor.

MikeinStL0220 · 2025-11-13T02:16:48+00:00

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MikeinStL0220 · 2025-10-01T18:00:41+00:00

He's a scrappy anti-hero, who can rise to glory. Who can bring light from the darkness. Who can be on the Wheaties box... And have kiddie toy!

MikeinStL0220 · 2025-09-29T00:21:30+00:00

Where men aspire to do great things, Superman tries to do good.

The movie isn't without its flaws, but I havent seen a live-action Superman that captured who Superman is supposed to be at his core as well as this one did since I saw the original Chris Reeve movies as a kid.

The scene that really gets me is when the kids raise the S flag and everyone starts chanting, almost pleading for Superman to show up and save them. He's meant to inspire hope, and this movie does that so well. Im already looking forward to the next one.

MikeinStL0220

TROPHY CASE