38 replies to this topic

[Judo chop]

Some quick thoughts on Mathis. This thread seemed an appropriate place.

I tend to believe that the guilt of betraying Bond is 100% Vesper and 0% Mathis. When Bond states on the phone with M that he can

[00Twelve]

Judo, you know that this is how I've always thought as well. And I'd still like to think so. I would hope that Mathis wasn't intending on betraying Bond, but was merely used by the diabolical Le Chiffre or Vesper or Quantum (<- So nice to have something to call them!).

On my last viewing, several things came into question, plot-wise. Hopefully my CBn compatriots can help provide some answers.

Now,

Was Vesper a traitor from her very first moment onscreen in the train? Or did she turn by making a deal to spare Bond's life when White came to kill Le Chiffre? I tend to think the latter wasn't the case, because like in the novel, she knew Gettler, and knew that he was looking at her. Surely we're not expected to believe that she only started being monitored while having her love affair with Bond??

Vesper got the text from Mathis (so she said) saying that the CIA had made contact with Le Chiffre and to come outside to meet. One of two things could have been taking place. 1) It really was a lure by Mathis to get her outside, thus making Mathis a traitor. Or, 2) As in the novel, it was a forgery by Le Chiffre and/or Quantum (and we know that Quantum had her cell # from Gettler's "Meet me in 30 minutes" text later on), framing Mathis. There was Le Chiffre's little "my friend Mathis" remark, although I just assumed that again, Mathis had been unwittingly used, or Le Chiffre was just falsely implicating Mathis to mess with Bond. Was I wrong to assume so?

Oy!!! I really hope that either the commentary on the new DVD and/or QOS carries the answer to these confusing issues. I really think that every plot twist was sewn up tightly, but I'm just trying to get it all in order. Must be my Swiss-Germanic heritage.

[Judo chop]

Somebody with a good thought get the frick in here and keep this Mathis speculation rolling!

[dodge]

Judo, you know that this is how I've always thought as well. And I'd still like to think so. I would hope that Mathis wasn't intending on betraying Bond, but was merely used by the diabolical Le Chiffre or Vesper or Quantum (<- So nice to have something to call them!).

On my last viewing, several things came into question, plot-wise. Hopefully my CBn compatriots can help provide some answers.

Now,

Was Vesper a traitor from her very first moment onscreen in the train? Or did she turn by making a deal to spare Bond's life when White came to kill Le Chiffre? I tend to think the latter wasn't the case, because like in the novel, she knew Gettler, and knew that he was looking at her. Surely we're not expected to believe that she only started being monitored while having her love affair with Bond??

Vesper got the text from Mathis (so she said) saying that the CIA had made contact with Le Chiffre and to come outside to meet. One of two things could have been taking place. 1) It really was a lure by Mathis to get her outside, thus making Mathis a traitor. Or, 2) As in the novel, it was a forgery by Le Chiffre and/or Quantum (and we know that Quantum had her cell # from Gettler's "Meet me in 30 minutes" text later on), framing Mathis. There was Le Chiffre's little "my friend Mathis" remark, although I just assumed that again, Mathis had been unwittingly used, or Le Chiffre was just falsely implicating Mathis to mess with Bond. Was I wrong to assume so?
Oy!!! I really hope that either the commentary on the new DVD and/or QOS carries the answer to these confusing issues. I really think that every plot twist was sewn up tightly, but I'm just trying to get it all in order. Must be my Swiss-Germanic heritage.

No, 00T and Judo, you are not wrong to think so. I too have said from the start: Mathis will be proven--in one way or another--to have been on Bond's side from the get-go. Either Le C was lying--my choice--or he was sorely used. Either way, I'd trust Haggis to have this as one of his cardinal points to address. Bond simply must--by every known law of dramatics--regain his trust in QoS. Hopefully, the new screenwriter has the sense not to muck with this law.

Whether Mathis lives is the subject for another thread.

[HH007]

Friend I says!

[Judo chop]

Aaargh! C'mon double-aitche-double-oh! Give us more than a 1-worder hit and run. If you say he's a friend through and through, why LeChiffre's comment and how does Vesper know of the bug in Bond's arm?

Spill.

[dodge]

Aaargh! C'mon double-aitche-double-oh! Give us more than a 1-worder hit and run. If you say he's a friend through and through, why LeChiffre's comment and how does Vesper know of the bug in Bond's arm?

Spill.

But the post had three words, J. What's with your famed Judometer?

(My take: Le C's comment was a lie. As for V, I dunno. I'm waiting for DoubleNought to re-emerge on the face of the earth and give us his opinion.)

[craigbegins]

In terms of the film.. GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
Keep sweating him, Bond!

[Major Tallon]

I'm voting friend. I like the character in the novels, and I really like the way he was translated onto the screen, with humor, warmth, and charm. So why did Le Chiffre tell Bond that Mathis had betrayed him? Most likely to increase Bond's sense of isolation, alienate him from those he thought he could trust, weaken his defenses, and make him more likely to crack.

Mathis is a friend.