14 replies to this topic

[White Persian]

Does anyone else feel that Raymond Benson has blown a major opportunity by killing of Bond's son by Kissy Suzuki in his short story for Playboy?
John Gardner has said that he always wanted to do something with the tantalising plot thread that Ian Fleming left hanging at the end of "You Only Live Twice", but that the Fleming estate wouldn't let him.
Benson apparently did get permission, only to kill him off. Was that a condition insisted on by Glidrose? Even if it was, the idea surely deserved a full length novel. The idea of lone wolf Bond working side by side with his son (a la Indiana Jones and his Dad in "Last Crusade") could have been an intriguing one. The younger Bond being half Japanese had all sorts of possibilities too. All in all it strikes me as a missed opportunity.
Oh... I only buy Playboy for the short stories heh heh.

[General Orlov]

I haven't read the short story, so please can anyone tell me: Did Bond ever get face to face with his son? Did they talk? Or was his son killed, and Bond never met him?

Anyway, Bond being a father and doing things fathers have to do is something I just can't imagine. Maybe Benson couldn't either. Or could he?

As far as family ties go, I can't even see Bond as a married man anymore. That's something he's over with. I was so annoyed when Gardner made him into something like a husband to this Filcka von Gr

[White Persian]

Can't see 007 being a very reliable father figure, what with constantly nicking off to save the world at a moment's notice! Seriously, a close relative living with Bond would be in some danger from old (or new) enemies...although living half a world away didn't save James Junior. Actually, I don't think our James would have the patience to be much of a father, but getting to know his son as an adult would have made interesting reading.
Daniel, Ive got the Playboys "somewhere" in a box in the garage...along with scores of videos, hundreds of books, twenty something years' worth of movie magazines and god knows what else. If they come to light, I'll let you know. Where in Australia are you?

[Blue Eyes]

In From Russia With Love (I think) the novel by Fleming we discover Bond lived with Tiffany Case in his apartment for quite some time.

[General Orlov]

Yes, you're right. Bond lived with Tiffany Case. But that was before he met Tracy. I would think that after having lost his love, Bond wouldn't get that close to another girl again (even if Gardner's Bond did...).

But even if he does, the question remains: What would the consequences be?

[Blue Eyes]

Why would there have to be one? And would it have to be a major one? It could be a broken heart and a night at home with a tub of icecream?

[General Orlov]

Blue Eyes (04 Jun, 2001 01:18 a.m.):
Why would there have to be one? And would it have to be a major one? It could be a broken heart and a night at home with a tub of icecream?

That's not what I was thinking of. If Bond met another love of his life (like Tracy was), there have to be major consequences. If there were no major consequences, that girl were nothing special.

[White Persian]

It's implied in BFTP that Bond and his son have met from time to time, but aren't terribly close. The story begins with Bond getting an urgent message from his son, only to find him murdered.

[Blue Eyes]

Wow that would be fantastic Persian. I live down in Melbourne

I can't imagine Bond as a good father figure. He's pretty lowsy with some relationships all said and done. He doesn't get attached to them as he should. I mean Natalya dumped him and married an ice hockey player! How's that! Dumping James Bond for a corny ice hocky player

[Blue Eyes]

But why would there be any consequence?

[General Orlov]

It's just my point of view, that it affects one's life very much, when one finds the person one loves. A very simple thing is that you would want to spend as much time together as possible. You'd like to be close to each other. I can't see how that would leave Bond's life - as it is right now - unaffected.
If Bond was to start a long-term-relationship once again, he wouldn't be the man he is right now anymore.

Anyway, as this is only a minor aspect of this discussion's topic (BFTP), I would suggest that we continue the discussion of Bond's love life somewhere else. How about the general discussion? Maybe someone else there would want to participate...

[General Orlov]

Just another thought I had about Bond and a girl he loves: Bond wouldn't go for a deep relationship with a girl. His job is in the way. He doesn't really connect to anyone emotionally. Is that what keeps him alone? Well, it's what keeps him alive!

[Blue Eyes]

Brosnan's Bond undoubtedly connects with women. Moore's didn't really.

[Blue Eyes]

Persian, I'm trying to get my hands on the Australian Playboys with the James Bond specials including the short stories. Think you can help?

Actually I haven't read the story but I've heard the story line. I think it was a huge opportunity missed. Just think of OHMSS remade. All the emotion just lapping up. I mean who could Bond love more than a wife? A son! How would that have been! Even if they'd killed him off (much like Tracy) at the end of a full blown novel. Now that would have been literature!

[Trempo]

What I didn't understand in this novel, why was his son living in the USA and not in England. He could have lived with his father after his mother has died.