22 replies to this topic

[CasinoKiller]

So we know for a fact, from the trailers, that Bond is shot by Eve during the Turkey mission and that subsequently, he's missing for three months. This is reminiscent of the TMWTGG novel...but I have a feeling that Bond's motives in staying away for three months and 'enjoying death' are VERY different from those in the novel.

Remember, Bond and Eve's mission was to recover the flash-drive containing the identities of deep cover MI6 operatives. After making it out of the water and recovering from his injury, Bond obviously discovered that his mission was a failure and that the agents were exposed (and likely executed). Bond probably felt personally guilty for the failure, and the deaths caused, and maybe decided that he wasn't up for this job anymore because he'd 'betrayed' the service and his country. Maybe that's why he decided to stay 'dead'. Remember, one of the track listings is 'Voluntary Retirement'...a hint there perhaps?

As for Bond's reasons to return...it's likely got to do with the attacks on MI6. Out of a sense of duty, maybe Bond decided to resurface and help out any way he could, given that the current scenario was likely connected to his failed mission. Perhaps he believed that finding the perpetrator behind the attacks on MI6 would be atoning for his earlier failure...

[Vauxhall]

Yes, that's pretty much what I believe and expect happens. In addition to a probable sense of lingering guilt about being unable to recover the flash drive, I think Bond also has a firm sense of betrayal given M's order to "take the bloody shot" and seemingly sacrifice him for the good of the mission, when he felt he had everything under control. Once he's over that initial resentment, and realises that MI6 needs him, he is then ready to return to London and help avenge the attack on his headquarters.

[Shrublands]

Silva does not expose the agents on the hard drive until later in the film. Bond is back at work and on assignment in Shanghai by that stage.
Also, when Bond comes back from the dead and confronts M at her home, he says that she should have held her nerve, not ordered Eve to shoot and had faith that he'd be successful.

But this is an interesting question, why does Bond 'stay dead' for that amount of time?
I don't think we have the full answer yet.

[JimmyBond]

What I find interesting is that for once it's Bond who questions M's judgement. A welcome change after all those "trust" speeches we had in the last two films.

[JCRendle]

It wasn't really his failure though, was it? He was shot whilst doing his job by friendly fire, he was doing perfectly fine dealing with the situation before M stepped in and ordered Eve to shoot.

[PPK_19]

Never mind the fact M knew how important that missing drive was, and the ramifications if Bond failed to retrieve it from Patrice.

She acted on impulse, 'made a judgement call' as she says. But really she should have trusted 007, he is familiar with tussles on trains, you know...

[QOS4EVER]

Technically speaking, being a reboot goldeneye or octopussy haven't took place yet

[AMC Hornet]

If you want to equate Bond's absence in SF to his absence in TMWTGG novel:

Perhaps he has temporary amnesia?

[Vauxhall]

If you want to equate Bond's absence in SF to his absence in TMWTGG novel:

Perhaps he has temporary amnesia?

I don't believe that to be the case in SKYFALL. However, we do know that MI6 consider it necessary to psychologically evaluate Bond when he returns, so perhaps they are suspicious about whether he has become turned by the enemy at all.

[Shrublands]

I think if an agent goes AWOL for several months, someone who has a licence to kill, it would be an absolute professional necessity to have them psychologically screened before completely reinstating them to their usual position.

M tells Bond that there will be an evaluation procedure as soon as she sees him, I don’t think any of it is because of a particular suspicion.

[PPK_19]

Technically speaking, being a reboot goldeneye or octopussy haven't took place yet

Good lord, again? I was joking.

Note to self; must stop using sarcasm/in jokes....

[CasinoKiller]

If you want to equate Bond's absence in SF to his absence in TMWTGG novel:

Perhaps he has temporary amnesia?

I seriously doubt that. That particular trope worked fine in the days of Fleming books...however, in a post-Bourne world, even if they borrowed that element from the original book, it will come across as being a rip-off unfortunately....

[QOS4EVER]

Technically speaking, being a reboot goldeneye or octopussy haven't took place yet

Good lord, again? I was joking.

Note to self; must stop using sarcasm/in jokes....

Haha , was merely stating a point , Sorry

[JimmyBond]

Is it really important though, what took place or what didn't? Bond is Bond, even though it's a reboot he's still the same character, just updated for modern times.

[TheSilhouette]

Yes, that's pretty much what I believe and expect happens. In addition to a probable sense of lingering guilt about being unable to recover the flash drive, I think Bond also has a firm sense of betrayal given M's order to "take the bloody shot" and seemingly sacrifice him for the good of the mission, when he felt he had everything under control. Once he's over that initial resentment, and realises that MI6 needs him, he is then ready to return to London and help avenge the attack on his headquarters.

Ding! Hit the nail on the head. I think while he's away he suffers that "boredom, lassitude, and depression" Mendes mentioned.

[Guy Haines]

Bond falls off the train and bridge, a 300 foot drop, somehow he survives - and loses his memory (M having lost her memory stick! ;-) ), only to have it jogged inadvertently and to make his way back to Britain and the service. Sounds implausible, except that it's similar to the end of the novel You Only Live Twice - right down to having M compose Bond's obituary.

Missing from this "source material" dip is the brainwashing by the bad guys and Bond's attempt to assassinate M. On the evidence we've seen so far of the film, that seems unlikely to form part of the plot. Unless, of course, there's some other character in MI6 that Bond has to confront at gunpoint.

[JimmyBond]

I'm not convinced Bond is going to lose his memory. So much has been leaked thus far, you'd think we'd have heard about that by now. Besides, the first time Bond shows up back in London (presumably) is at M's flat. We've already seen part of this scene in the trailer, Bond is very much concious of who he is.

[Vauxhall]

I'm not convinced Bond is going to lose his memory. So much has been leaked thus far, you'd think we'd have heard about that by now. Besides, the first time Bond shows up back in London (presumably) is at M's flat. We've already seen part of this scene in the trailer, Bond is very much concious of who he is.

Correct. No memory loss. It's actually important that Bond does remember everything from the Turkey mission.

[JimmyBond]

I still think it's really neat (and refreshing) that it's Bond who's weary of M this time around.

[Vauxhall]

I still think it's really neat (and refreshing) that it's Bond who's weary of M this time around.

Absolutely. Also a great opportunity to fully use the breadth of Judi Dench's acting skills. I'm pretty sure that SKYFALL will be the Bond movie which comes to mind when we think of her in future, and I'm expecting a top performance, with some good sparring with Craig, Fiennes and Bardem (all for different reasons).

[CasinoKiller]

I'm not convinced Bond is going to lose his memory. So much has been leaked thus far, you'd think we'd have heard about that by now. Besides, the first time Bond shows up back in London (presumably) is at M's flat. We've already seen part of this scene in the trailer, Bond is very much concious of who he is.

Plus, they're not going to use the memory loss sub-plot for the obvious reason that it will resurrect all those silly comments that the Craig Bond films are a 'Jason Bourne rip-off'...

[Pussfeller]

I still think it's really neat (and refreshing) that it's Bond who's weary of M this time around.

I've been weary of M since midway through TWINE.

[Guy Haines]

This probably belongs on the "source material" thread, but, I've been listening this afternoon to the new audio CD set of TMWTGG. I think the producers/screenwriters have borrowed from that book. We have an absent Bond, given up for dead, who returns but in no shape to undertake a mission, yet he's sent out (and probably not expected to return) by M to take on a dangerous man who, to judge from the reviews, finds Bond interesting in a homo-erotic way.