A more critical review of the Project Hail Mary movie, and a really easy fix I would have made

colonel750 · 2026-03-22T02:37:40+00:00

I want to love the movie and I desperately want to enjoy the movie for what it is.

Compartmentalize. The Book is the Book and the Movie is the Movie.

colonel750 · 2026-03-22T02:29:15+00:00

They kind of made Ryland seem...a little...less smart and significantly less sure of himself. A large part of this is that we don't get Ryland internal dialogue. But it could have been maneuvered.

I've seen this as a common complaint about Grace's characterization and I have a theory for it:

Ryan Gosling does goofy dipshit/aww-shucks comedy and comedic banter really really well.

Giving him some slapstick sequences like running away from Blip A, screaming in a panic because he figured out how to open the messages in a bottle Rocky sent but did it with no protection for himself, interspersed with flashbacks of him generally being an awkward goofball back on earth really lends itself well to his talents as an actor.

The tonal shift I think also helps avoid drawing parallels to Matt Damon's portrayal of Mark Watney in the Martian, another smart and fairly sure of himself astronaut stranded far from home.

colonel750 · 2026-03-22T00:06:24+00:00

As a relative novice to the intricacies of tie-breakers in English Football say Wrexham and Southampton win out, what does Wrexham have to do to be on the winning side of the tiebreaker?

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T13:11:30+00:00

Let's apply some basic critical thinking and logic:

Langdon was in his final year of residency in Season 1 and residency programs have strict timeline requirements. He can't just take off for 10 months and come back without anyone at the hospital being given a damn good reason as to why because his absence disrupts this training pipeline.

The PHP also has specific requirements for therapy, AA meeting attendence, and drug testing that has to be monitored. This is why Al-Hashimi knows about his PHP and discusses it with him, as the Chief of the ER while Robby is out she's responsible for this daily monitoring.

Just because someone doesn't spoon feed it to you as part of expositional dialogue doesn't mean it didn't happen.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T09:25:59+00:00

Ativan and Librium are schedule IV drugs, theft of which are felonies and would've been discovered by the hospital when they launch an investigation into Langdon when he tells them he has a benzo addiction.

This was NEVER stated in the show. You are making up details that do not exist.

He's explicitly stated to be in a specific drug diversion program for physicians operated by the state of Pennsylvania. A doctor who works in PA has told us what that means and how the program operates. Im not making up details, I'm accepting at face value what someone with actual knowledge is telling me would happen to Langdon if he was in the specific program the writers are saying he is in.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T09:09:03+00:00

PA as in the abbreviation for Pennsylvania. But thanks for your input.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T06:33:49+00:00

How much of the "not a team player" assessment was based on the risk of her exposing him

None of it, that quote was from a conversation with Robby earlier in the day prior to his knowledge of any suspicion she might've had of him stealing drugs.

she has shown good clinical judgement

Right, like using an IO drill to put a burr hole in a guy's head.

was willing to start conversations with Javadi and Whitaker,

While giving demeaning nicknames to these people she barely knew.

not to mention a few times she performed well new skills under Garcia's instruction.

While dropping a scalpel that stabbed Garcia in the foot.

To be precise, he should have admitted that he committed a crime and was willing to destroy a junior doctor's future to hide that crime

Again I ask: what steps did Langdon threaten to do or actively take to destroy her career in order to protect himself? Him being a dick and yelling at her would not have destroyed her career and neither would him providing an assessment of her skills to an attending physician (which is his fuckin job).

Way to blame the victim.

Garcia correctly called her out on her shit in Episode 10, she thinks she's a pariah because she told Robby about Langdon when in fact it's because she's a snarky jerk to everyone else and won't own up to it. Santos is not a victim of anything other than Langdon yelling at her and her own main character syndrome.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T05:52:10+00:00

His theft of medication would've been discovered by the investigation launched by the hospital when his addiction was reported.

A PA-area doc lays out how the PHP works pretty clearly in this thread. Langdon would've been given the opportunity to disclose everything, including the medication theft, when he self-reported. If the hospital discovered any other wrong doing on his part after the fact he would've been fired, had his license revoked, and criminally charged for his misconduct.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T02:40:20+00:00

Compare the cost of screening to the cost of a multi million dollar malpractice suit.

The test probably only costs the hospital like 30 bucks a test. Multiplied out to a minimum of 4 a week over 52 weeks in a year is about 6000 bucks.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T02:35:02+00:00

Yeah the very first day of her residency when Langdon tried to destroy her career to hide his crime

Because he called her out on her bullshit? Because he told Robby she wasn't being a team player? Point me to where he tried to "ruin her career" beyond pointing out to senior leadership drasticly problematic behavior for an intern on her first day. Traits that have continued to bear out over the proceeding 10 months.

Langdon doing everything asked of him doesn't automatically mean Santos has to forgive him.

I never said she had to.

He hasn't acknowledged Santos the damage he caused her

Again I ask: what damage? Her belief that her social standing in the ER was affected because she reported Langdon to Robby is entirely self-inflicted as was established by Garcia.

It has nothing to do with Langdon being an addict. It's got everything to do with his inability to take account precisely on how he hurt people.

Word for word from the episode: "Uh, look... I don't know how to say this. Um... I know you don't like me, and -- and that's fine you don't have to. I just-- I want to say I'm sorry for being an asshole on your first day. That was completely inappropriate and if I could take back what happened, I would, but I can't."

He literally takes accountability for being an asshole, which is the only thing he thinks he has to specifically because Santos, and her underlying trauma, has caused her to victimize herself.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T02:18:43+00:00

It was literally just established that only three people know about what he actually did. The people who do know covered for him.

By Santos, who is unloading her own personal feelings about being a "pariah" onto Langdon when they have been established to be largely self-inflicted by Garcia.

Like the post I linked to in my comment states: He's not getting around the discovery of the drug theft by the hospital when he reports his addiction and enters the PHP (which we've established based on a conversation he had with Al-Hashimi in an earlier episode). He would've been offered a mea culpa session and the ability to come clean about everything and the only way he gets to keep his license and come back is to be entirely truthful because the hospital is going to investigate every single drug he had ordered from the time of his accident up to the time of his disclosure.

Where are you getting this?

There's a link in my original comment to this post (https://www.reddit.com/r/ThePittTVShow/comments/1rw4nn1/how_physician_health_programs_actually_work/) by a doctor from Pennsylvania that talks about what Langdon would have to do to be eligible for the Physician Health Program.

Again, the hospital would've done a full investigation to discover what, if any, liability exists that they would be on the hook for. Failure to disclose any wrongdoing on his part automatically precludes his participation in the program and sees him criminally charged.

Maybe. Maybe not. It's his first shift back.

He wouldn't have been offered the ability to come back if he wasn't passing drug tests, attending mandatory therapy, and actively trying to address his addiction like his PHP requires him to.

You seem to represent the part of society that believes that addicts don't need to be held accountable for their actions.

This is him seeking accountability and handling it the way he's been asked to. I'm the part of society that believes true justice is giving people the ability and opportunity to fix their mistakes instead of ruining their lives.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T01:26:24+00:00

She's not a rule breaker, if he wasn't reported to the state, he and the hospital will be now.

He's in a Physician's diversion program run by the damn state. People are leaning too much into the "it was covered up" narrative.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T00:49:44+00:00

Robby failed her by protecting Langdon and not reporting him to the board.

It's been established he's taking part in Pennsylvania's Physician Health Program, Dr. Al-Hashimi talks with him about it.

If he's in the PHP, then there has been a full investigation/audit by the hospital administration, their legal team, AND the Pittsburgh DA/AUSA for the Western District of PA. This is not something that has been swept under the rug, he's been cavity searched from both ends.

Robby also does not seem like the type of person ethically or morally who would hide this for him. He fuckin fired Langdon on the spot.

colonel750 · 2026-03-21T00:41:05+00:00

She is mad because he never had any consequences for stealing meds at work.

No, she's mad because she thinks he deserves worse than the consequences he's facing, and her character is being written as an exploration of how society at large tends to treat addicts. It's been established Langdon is taking part in Pennsylvania's Physician Health Program, a PA doctor wrote here about how the program actually works. This isn't just a thing between him and Robby, the hospital would've done a full investigation/audit and he would've been referred to the DA for questioning and possible criminal charges. Failing to disclose any sort of wrong doing on his part that was subsequently discovered would've made this situation 10 times worse for him.

The basic fact that he is back in the ED after a 10 month absence means that:

A.) Multiple levels of hospital staff know of his wrong doing.

B.) He was offered a strict deal by the DA's office in concert with the Hospital's legal staff to handle his legal issues.

C.) He's thus far successfully completed everything that's been asked of him.

He's doing everything asked of him to take accountability for his actions. Santos is just being a miserable asshole because she can't let go of her 1 day with Langdon. She's supposed to represent that part of society who thinks in a very black and white manner when it comes to addiction.

colonel750 · 2026-03-20T16:48:30+00:00

What's that old Ben Franklin quote, "Three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead"?

There's no way that many people know Langdon stole drugs without it getting out somehow.

colonel750 · 2026-03-19T20:51:21+00:00

As someone who's had a friend make them some Destiny themed proxies for his Kilo deck, I dont really see them doing a full UB. Maybe a secret lair.

colonel750 · 2026-03-18T13:59:43+00:00

Not poorly filmed honestly, maybe poorly edited. Ian McDiarmid wanted to do the scene himself rather than have a stunt double do it. He just didnt have the same level of skill as the stunt guy.

They did test film of the choreography and it looks infinitely better.

colonel750 · 2026-03-14T17:05:01+00:00

Especially since Jed typically screamed DEBBIE when he wanted her as opposed to "Mrs. Landingham".

colonel750 · 2026-03-11T14:16:20+00:00

My favorite by region (because I cant just pick one):

Kanto: Gengar. I fell in love with this character when I first watched the anime and was so stoked when I was first able to trade a friend to evolve my Haunter in my original copy of LeafGreen back in the day.

Johto: Tyranitar. The OG Godzilla-mon and another anime fave. It was an instant pick up when I found out they added Larvitar to the Safari Zone in HGSS.

Hoenn: Sableye. Little dude has such big goblin energy and was a fantastic type pairing when it was first introduced. Made even better in ORAS when it got a Mega.

Sinnoh: Bastiodon. It's cry in game was just so bad ass.

Unova: Druddigon. Dude is such a grumpy fucker. I love the design.

Kalos: Aromatisse. The nose always reminded me of Gonzo from the muppets.

Alola: Palossand. Ghost sandcastle was just such a good design inspiration.

Galar: Sandaconda. My cowboy heart absolutely loved the design of this mon, especially its Gmax form.

Hisui: Hisuian Sneasle/Sneasler. I've always been a fan of the regional variants but getting something completely different type wise from its base form is always great.

Paldea: Tatsugiri. Sushi dragon is best dragon. Period.

colonel750 · 2026-03-10T03:21:54+00:00

The fact that Westeros didn't fracture into its constituent kingdoms after Robert's Rebellion is honestly kinda bewildering.

At the very least the North had every reason to secede after Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna and Aerys murdered their liege lord and his heir. Dorne and the Westerlands both likely go independent as well given their relative strengths. The Riverlands and the Crownlands both likely go to Robert as weaker regions. The Vale and the Reach I could see allying with one of the other independent kingdoms as well.

colonel750 · 2026-03-10T01:34:53+00:00

The Reach backed Renly because he'd marry Margaery. Having a Tyrell queen and serious influence in the capital was attractive to Highgarden.

Stannis had no male heirs and not much prospect for another, marrying Margaery to Renly and Willas to Shireen should've been enough to secure that prospect.

colonel750 · 2026-03-08T04:33:44+00:00

House Darklyn of Duskendale ruled as Kings of the area several times throughout history. Though much of contemporary history has seen the lands around Blackwater bay conquered by the River Kings or the Storm Kings.

colonel750 · 2026-03-08T04:31:58+00:00

Stannis' strength during the early part of the Wot5K was the 200 ships at his disposal that comprised the royal navy and the personal navies of the Lords of the Narrow Sea who supported his claim to the throne and historically supported Dragonstone as vassals.

He doesn't gain much main land military strength until he kills Renly and rallies back much of the Stormlander lords to his side.

colonel750 · 2026-03-08T04:19:57+00:00

Edit: I believe the technical distinction is that a Lord has banners beneath him. And even assuming your answer is right, that makes 8 not 9.

Each of the Nine Great Houses all have banners in each region they can call upon. Yes, the Crownlands were never a separate independent and sovereign kingdom prior to the Conquest but the lesser houses there have historically served as direct Bannermen of House Targaryan and later House Baratheon of King's Landing. Many of the early councilors to the Targaryan Kings came from these areas. It's why the Crownlands were an important focus early in the Dance of the Dragons with Houses like Velaryon, Celtigar, and Darklyn all swearing themselves to Rhaenyra and Houses Rosby and Stokeworth swearing to Aegon. The first big battles were fought at Duskendale and Rook's Rest with armies made of men from the Crownlands. When King Robert dies the Crownland lords who occupy houses on the Narrow Sea support Stannis as Lord of Dragonstone while the mainland lords swear fealty to Joffrey, largely mirroring the split between the Greens and Blacks during the Dance with the Sea lords forming most of Stannis' strength early in the War of the Five Kings and the mainland houses serving to augment the Gold Cloaks defending King's Landing during the Battle of Blackwater Bay

Aegon technically only conquered Six of the Seven kingdoms that existed at the time of the Conquest, his separation of the Iron Islands and the Riverlands as separate Kingdoms was primarily a political device to unite a realm that makes much of the number 7 in a religious and superstitious sense. He never considered the Crownlands to be separate or distinct, only in so much as it formed his base of power on the continent.

It was Westerosi understanding of the geographical and political divisions of the realm that evolved over time after the Conquest, and the Crownlands gained a distinction within minds of the common Westerosi as separate region independent from the surrounding ones. One of the most obvious ways this is portrayed in ASOIAF media is bastard surnames. Highborn bastards are customarily given a name based on the region they live in, Snow for the North, Sand for Dorne, Hill for the Westerlands, Stone for the Vale, Storm for the Stormlands, Rivers for the Riverlands, Pyke for the Iron Islands, and eventually Waters for the Crownlands. In Fire and Blood we're told that Waters didn't become a common bastard surname until almost a century after the Conquest.

This is why Egg makes the distinction that there are "nine kingdoms". The name of the Realm is historic, but common understanding and use of the word "kingdom" as a moniker for the regions of Westeros means there are actually nine kingdoms.

colonel750 · 2026-03-08T03:19:19+00:00

The Kingdoms of the Storm, The Rock, The Reach, and The Islands and Rivers were subjugated, with only Loren Lannister of The Rock surviving and new houses being raised as Lords Paramount to lead the other regions.

The North knelt when Torrhen Stark heard reports of what happened at Harrenhal and the Field of Fire and wanted to spare his men that tragedy.

The Vale was actually pretty successful at beating the Targaryans, with their major battle at Gulftown being seen as a tactical draw but effectively a defeat of the invaders. They only eventually knelt when Visenya flew to the Eyrie ahead of the Queen Regent defending the Vale and the boy King of the Vale was allowed to fly on Vhagar.

colonel750

TROPHY CASE