The Back to the Future timeline on Wikipedia (and two other sources I checked) indicates that the national weather service is merely able to predict the weather down to the minute. I would argue, however, that Doc indicates that the NWS actually makes or controls the weather. I’ve thought this ever ever since I saw the movie in the theater as a kid, and it really irks me to think otherwise. It can’t be true! It was like the time when I discovered that Calvin’s friend’s name was pronounced “Hawbs” and not “Hobbees”. These types of things can crush entire world views! The original script as found online (which is slightly different than the film) reads as follows:
DOC: First you’re gonna have to get out and change clothes.
MARTY: Doc, it’s pouring rain.
DOC: Oh, right… (Checks his watch) Wait 3 more seconds.
(Rain stops, sun comes out)
DOC: Right on the tick. Too bad the Post Office isn’t as efficient as the weather service.
Doc doesn’t say that the NWS is “accurate” which would refer to a prediction ability. Rather, he says, they are “efficient.” Weather forecasters in the 1980s were never known for their “efficiency” or inefficiency”: They’re not thought of in that way at all. They are often chided, however, for their lack of accuracy. Furthermore, he specifically compares their “efficiency” to that of the post office. The post office brings things. As a third piece of evidence, as soon as the rain ends the sun comes out, in a magical and very unrealistic way. I believe, because of this, that Doc was referring to the weather service having the ability to control the weather. In the future, the weather service is not just accurate, but efficient, in that it brings us the weather, and right on time too!
What do you think? What is he indicating?
3 Comments
at 11:17 pm - 4th December 2006 Permalink
Of course, this could also be explained by the fact that he slipped on the toilet and hit his head forgetting his words, or, possibly, was experiencing post-traumatic stress from being vicariously shot by the Libyans in an alternate timezone. Now I have three riddles for you, in increasing difficulty:
1) “Hoverboards can’t go across water, unless you got______”
2) What was cooler, the original Delorian, the eco-friendly flying Delorian, or, the time traveling train at the very end of BTTF3?
3) There is a mall in Hill Valley that has different names depending the year. What is one of the names? (Bonus if you know the other name and can explain it)
at 7:13 pm - 5th December 2006 Permalink
I see your point.
The post office delivers mail, so yes, maybe the weather service of the future “delivers” weather.
Efficient is a weird thing to call a weather service that is merely predicting weather.
“An efficient prediction.” You’re right. That doesn’t make much sense.
at 9:33 pm - 5th March 2007 Permalink
Mr.Frankin what do you think he is trying to let me.{I am the best student in your class right?}See you later man!
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