Question: When Elliot grabs Gertie's doll and tosses it to Mike, he says, "Do it, Mike. We have to." What does Mike start doing with the doll that brings Gertie to tears?
raywest
18th Jul 2020
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
12th Jun 2020
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Question: What was the purpose of the government officials arriving at Elliot's house in astronaut suits? I never really understood the purpose behind that.
Answer: Forgive my ignorance they just looked like space suits to me.
28th Aug 2014
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Question: Why did Elliot let all the frogs out? And why was he asking one if it could talk? I realise he was drunk (or ET was), but this doesn't explain such behaviour.
Answer: Those are interesting takes, but I always viewed it as ET was physically (Elliot gets drunk when ET drinks) and telepathically linked. I felt ET was seeing and acting through Elliot, almost like he was possessed.
Chosen answer: Elliot, through a psychic connection to ET, is experiencing the effects of the beer that ET is drinking. It has impaired Elliott's judgment and unleashes his inhibitions. He frees the frogs because he doesn't want them to be killed and dissected in class. Talking to one is just a side-effect of being intoxicated and he may be identifying it as a sentient being like E.T.
Answer: I always interpreted freeing the frogs as Elliot seeing a similarity with them and ET. ET (who in a weird way kind of looks like a frog), also is captive, and would risk being dissected if captured by the government. This is reflected at the end of the film as he helps ET escape from the government.
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Answer: It sounds like they're fake-threatening to damage the doll, like pulling its head off, or something to that effect. Naturally, Gertie would be upset.
raywest ★