Understanding TLDTTOTS.

[p***@gmail.com]

Why is it called Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul? I know that it is a
quote from Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Who hasn't contected me
yet; does any-one know how he is progressing?). But what relevance
has it to the plot?

With reference to Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, it refers to the angst that is an inevitable part of being immortal. The phrase also alludes to the title of a famous Spanish poem "La noche oscura del alma" ("The dark night of the soul") which deals with themes of prolonged suffering associated with immortality. It also alludes to Wagner's musical drama Gotterdammerung ("Twilight of the gods") in which the gods themselves finally die. (Kate's annoying neighbor plays this piece on his bass)

Anstey's son is a boy addicted to TV. He has no creativity or
individuality (no soul?). What relevance has he to the plot?

Not sure if the boy is really relevant except for comically abusing Dirk, but the episode serves to show the soda commercial that ultimately inspired Odin to make his ill-advised deal with the Draycotts.

[Nemo Thorx]

Post by p***@gmail.com

Why is it called Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul? I know that it is a
quote from Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Who hasn't contected me
yet; does any-one know how he is progressing?). But what relevance
has it to the plot?

With reference to Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, it refers to the angst that is an inevitable part of being immortal. The phrase also alludes to the title of a famous Spanish poem "La noche oscura del alma" ("The dark night of the soul") which deals with themes of prolonged suffering associated with immortality. It also alludes to Wagner's musical drama Gotterdammerung ("Twilight of the gods") in which the gods themselves finally die. (Kate's annoying neighbor plays this piece on his bass)

Anstey's son is a boy addicted to TV. He has no creativity or
individuality (no soul?). What relevance has he to the plot?

Not sure if the boy is really relevant except for comically abusing Dirk, but the episode serves to show the soda commercial that ultimately inspired Odin to make his ill-advised deal with the Draycotts.

Usenet is remarkable.

For instance, I love how...

[a] this is a reply to a 1994 era post
[b] that original question was by Julian Orbach (thanks Google groups),
and that's an unusual name which would be quite memorable. Much more
memorable then the answer to the question of "when I first saw this
post, did I ask the Julian Orbach that I know if this was he, or did
I just imagine that that's the sort of thing I would do?"
[c] just how far off topic this reply thread has become so far!

.../Nemo