She Was Killed by Space Junk

Last updated
"She Was Killed by Space Junk"
Watchmen episode
Episode no.Episode 3
Directed by Stephen Williams
Written by Damon Lindelof
Lila Byock
Cinematography byXavier Grobet
Editing byAnna Hauger
Production code103
Original air dateNovember 3, 2019 (2019-11-03)
Running time53 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship"		Next →
"If You Don't Like My Story, Write Your Own"
List of episodes

"She Was Killed by Space Junk" is the third episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen , based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and Lila Byock and directed by Stephen Williams, and aired on November 3, 2019. It introduces the character of Laurie Blake (Jean Smart), formerly the vigilante Silk Spectre but now a member of the FBI's Anti-Vigilante's Task Force.

Contents

Synopsis

Laurie Blake - formerly the second Silk Spectre, but now a member of the FBI Anti-Vigilante Task Force - is instructed by Senator Joe Keene Jr. and the FBI to investigate the situation in Tulsa. Instead of a large team, she opts to only bring Dale Petey, a novice agent who is well-versed in the history of the Minutemen.

On arrival, Laurie finds the police are preparing for Judd's funeral and is concerned that a full investigation of Judd's death was not completed. Laurie and Dale meet Angela before the funeral, and Laurie offers to talk to Angela later. At the funeral, a Seventh Kavalry member wearing a bomb vest equipped with a dead man's switch emerges from a nearby tomb and seizes Senator Keene. Laurie uses a hidden gun to kill the hostage taker, and Angela drags his body into Judd's grave and pushes the casket atop it, smothering the explosion.

Police investigate the tomb. Laurie comes by as Angela explores the tunnel used by the Kavalry. Laurie makes it clear to Angela that she knows there are many questions around Judd's death, including the empty space in his closet where something had been hung and the wheelchair tracks near the tree Judd was lynched from. Angela remains cold to Laurie's warnings.

That night, Laurie pulls a large blue vibrator from her luggage, but after a moment, goes to sleep with Dale instead. Later, Laurie uses a special phone booth to leave a recorded message for Doctor Manhattan on Mars. She tells Manhattan an elaborate joke alluding to her former allies Nite Owl, Doctor Manhattan, and Ozymandias, shown in pieces throughout the episode. [1] Exiting the booth, Laurie is nearly hit by Angela's car falling out of the sky. Laurie looks up to see Mars in the night sky, and lets out a laugh.

The Blonde Man unsuccessfully tests a survival suit made from equipment found around the castle on one of the Phillips clones. The Blonde Man declares he needs stronger material and attempts to hunt bison, but the Game Warden appears on a hillside to warn him off. The Blonde Man issues a defiant response to a written warning from the Game Warden about his imprisonment and signs it "Adrian Veidt", before preparing to return to hunt in his Ozymandias costume.

Production

This episode introduces the character of Laurie Blake portrayed by Jean Smart, who received positive reviews for her performance. Jean Smart by Gage Skidmore.jpg
This episode introduces the character of Laurie Blake portrayed by Jean Smart, who received positive reviews for her performance.

"She Was Killed by Space Junk" is focused on the character of Laurie Blake, previously known as the second Silk Spectre, played by Jean Smart. Lindelof said that of the main characters from the Watchmen comic book, Laurie's was left unfinished: in the aftermath of the squid attack on New York City, Laurie joins up with Daniel Dreiberg, the second Nite Owl, to return to vigilantism despite it being outlawed, and considering if she will become like her father, Edward Blake known as The Comedian. [2] Lindelof had to consider what would likely happen to Laurie in the thirty-years' time between the comic book and the television show: one idea he came up with was that Laurie had experienced how to be a vigilante in her mother's footsteps in the comic book, so in the years after, she would try to see what is like to do the same in her father's. From those combined experiences, Lindelof felt Laurie would come to see vigilantism as troublesome, and thus why she joined the FBI's Anti-Vigilante Task Force. [3] As such, Laurie was written as a very defensive character, trusting few others and rarely showing feelings or talking about her past, having closed up on that period of her life. [2] Lila Byock wrote Blake's scenes so that her level of agency would contrast with the younger Silk Spectre character in the comic book. [4] She also explained that the vibrator scene was pitched as a joke until Lindelof responded approvingly. The Haliburton briefcase Blake uses to transport it has elicited comparisons to Pulp Fiction . [5] Lindelof likened Laurie's character to that of Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl , and had considered Smart as an actor that could play a similar role. [6] Smart had not read the graphic novel before hearing about the role, but signed on as she considered Laurie an interesting character with "all sorts of baggage" from her past. [2]

The episode also affirmed that Jeremy Irons played Adrian Veidt, previously the vigilante Ozymandias. Up until this episode, HBO had publicized Irons' role under the alias "Blonde Man", [7] though following the premiere, many television critics and viewers guessed Irons was playing Veidt.[ citation needed ] Damon Lindelof considered Veidt's return essential for the show, as Veidt was Lindelof's favorite character from the original comic book limited series and who raised a number of "contradictory feelings" when considering how to write for him. Lindelof said that while Veidt within the Watchmen comic book was nearly in full control of every action, he wanted to write Veidt in a situation where events were out of his control. [8] Irons said he was drawn to play the character after hearing a summary of Veidt's story from the original comic book series and the ideas he had for Veidt in the television show, calling the character an "enigma" and that the proposed role "was fascinating, off-the-wall, bizarre and thoroughly mesmeric to play". [8]

The opening of the show features Laurie Blake leading a faked bank robbery to capture the vigilante Mister Shadow, played by Lee Tergesen. Mister Shadow was written as a parody of Batman. Costume designer Meghan Kasperlik drew out a Batman-like outfit which had included high-tech gadgetry, which became part of Mister Shadow's character as a rich person with too much money using it for crime-fighting. The costume was fabricated with help of one of the local Atlanta fabricators that had previously done work on the various Marvel Cinematic Universe films. [9] The episode's exact title is a line taken from the lyrics of "Space Junk" from the Devo album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! , which Laurie is shown listening to when Senator Keene arrives. [10]

Reception

Critical

On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has an approval rating of 100% with an average score of 8.82 out of 10, based on 31 reviews. The site's summary states "Not only does Jean Smart's brilliant performance as the former vigilante turned FBI agent Laurie Blake raise the stakes, but her arrival in Tulsa connects "She Was Killed by Space Junk" to its comic book past in an exciting way." [11]

Ratings

The episode had an estimate 648,000 viewers on the first night of broadcast. [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Watchmen</i> Comics by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Watchmen is a comic book maxiseries by the British creative team of writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins. It was published monthly by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987 before being collected in a single-volume edition in 1987. Watchmen originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring superhero characters that the company had acquired from Charlton Comics. As Moore's proposed story would have left many of the characters unusable for future stories, managing editor Dick Giordano convinced Moore to create original characters instead.

Rorschach is a fictional antihero in the graphic novel limited series Watchmen, published by DC Comics in 1986. Rorschach was created by writer Alan Moore with artist Dave Gibbons; as with most of the main characters in the series, he was an analogue for a Charlton Comics character, in this case Steve Ditko's the Question. Moore also modeled Rorschach on Mr. A, another Steve Ditko creation on whom the Question was originally based.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Manhattan</span> Watchmen character

Doctor Manhattan is a fictional DC Comics character created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons. He debuted in the limited series graphic novel, Watchmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comedian (character)</span> Comics character

The Comedian is a fictional character who debuted in the graphic novel limited series Watchmen, published by DC Comics. The Comedian was created by writer Alan Moore with artist Dave Gibbons. As with most of the main characters in the series, he was an analogue for a Charlton Comics character, in this case the Peacemaker. Moore imagined the Comedian as a mix between the Peacemaker with "a little bit of Nick Fury" and "probably a bit of the standard Captain America patriotic hero-type".

Nite Owl is the name of two superheroes in the graphic novel limited series Watchmen, published by DC Comics. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the original Nite Owl, Hollis T. Mason, was a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, while the second, Daniel "Dan" Dreiberg, became a member of the vigilante team Crimebusters, also known as the titular Watchmen.

Silk Spectre is the name of two fictional superheroines in the graphic novel limited series Watchmen, published by DC Comics. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the original Silk Spectre, Sally "Jupiter" Juspeczyk, was a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, while the second, Sally's daughter Laurel "Laurie" Jane Juspeczyk, became a member of the vigilante team Crimebusters, also known as the titular Watchmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Veidt</span> Watchmen character

Adrian Alexander Veidt, also known as Ozymandias, is a fictional anti-villain in the graphic novel limited series Watchmen, published by DC Comics. Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, named "Ozymandias" in the manner of Ramesses II, his name recalls the famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which takes as its theme the fleeting nature of empire and is excerpted as the epigraph of one of the chapters of Watchmen.

<i>Watchmen</i> (film) 2009 American film by Zack Snyder

Watchmen is a 2009 American superhero film based on the 1986–1987 DC Comics limited series of the same name co-created and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Directed by Zack Snyder from a screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse, the film features Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. A dark and dystopian deconstruction of the superhero genre, the film is set in an alternate history in the year 1985 at the height of the Cold War, as a group of mostly retired American superheroes investigate the murder of one of their own before uncovering an elaborate and deadly conspiracy, while their moral limitations are challenged by the complex nature of the circumstances.

<i>Saturday Morning Watchmen</i> 2009 Internet cartoon

Saturday Morning Watchmen is a Newgrounds and YouTube viral video published on March 5, 2009, the day before the release of the live-action Watchmen film. The musical video parodies the DC Comics limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, portraying the opening sequence of a fictional 1980s Saturday morning cartoon based on the series. The video was animated, written, composed and sung by Harry Partridge and voiced by Partridge, Joshua Tomar, and Hans Van Harken. In stark contrast to the comic, it has a cheerful, upbeat tone, poking fun at the tendency of the campy nature of 1980s animation to sanitize superheroes and other violent themes. It features many of the mainstays of 1980s cartoons, like catchy rock themes, and references to the openings of ThunderCats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jem, The Legend of Zelda, and Scooby-Doo. On the Newgrounds site, Partridge stated the video "combines two huge passions of mine, one being the comic genius that is Alan Moore and the other being kids' programming from the late '80s, which I would say is my biggest animation inspiration."

<i>Before Watchmen</i> 2012 comic book series published by DC Comics

Before Watchmen is a series of comic books published by DC Comics in 2012. Acting as a prequel to the 1986 12-issue Watchmen limited series by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, the project consists of eight limited series and one one-shot for a total of 37 issues.

Watchmen is an American superhero drama limited series based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same title created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The TV series was created for HBO by Damon Lindelof, who also served as an executive producer and writer. Its ensemble cast includes Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Jacob Ming-Trent, Tom Mison, Sara Vickers, Dylan Schombing, Louis Gossett Jr. and Jeremy Irons. Jean Smart and Hong Chau joined the cast in later episodes.

"It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" is the pilot episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and directed by Nicole Kassell, and aired on October 20, 2019. The episode introduces the show's lead characters of Angela Abar/Sister Night, Judd Crawford, and Wade Tillman/Looking Glass.

"Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship" is the second episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse and directed by Nicole Kassell, and aired on October 27, 2019.

"If You Don't Like My Story, Write Your Own" is the fourth episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and Christal Henry and directed by Andrij Parekh, and aired on November 10, 2019. The episode introduces the character of Lady Trieu, played by Hong Chau, a wealthy industrialist that had bought out Adrian Veidt's enterprises on his death.

"Little Fear of Lightning" is the fifth episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and Carly Wray and directed by Steph Green, and aired on November 17, 2019. It primarily focuses on the character of Wade Tillman, the masked police detective who goes by the name Looking Glass.

"This Extraordinary Being" is the sixth episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson and directed by Stephen Williams, and aired on November 24, 2019. It is principally the origin story of Hooded Justice, a minor character from the original comic.

"An Almost Religious Awe" is the seventh episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The episode was written by Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Claire Kiechel, directed by David Semel, and aired on December 1, 2019. The episode charts the aftermath of Angela's prolonged Nostalgia trip through her grandfather's memories, while also providing glimpses into her childhood in Vietnam.

"See How They Fly" is the ninth episode and series finale of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It was written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof and directed by Frederick E.O. Toye, and aired on December 15, 2019. The finale sees the two competing plots within Tulsa to kidnap Doctor Manhattan come to a head, while Adrian Veidt prepares to finally escape his exile.

"A God Walks into Abar" is the eighth episode of the HBO superhero drama miniseries Watchmen, based on the 1986 DC Comics series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It was written by Jeff Jensen and Damon Lindelof and directed by Nicole Kassell, and aired on December 8, 2019. The episode centers on the character of Doctor Manhattan and events of his life after the comic.

References

  1. ↑ Walsh, Michael (November 3, 2019). "The Meaning of Laurie Blake's Joke on WATCHMEN". Nerdist . Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Wigler, Josh (November 3, 2019). "'Watchmen' Brings Another Comic Book Legend Into Focus". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  3. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (November 3, 2019). "Damon Lindelof on Why He Brought Back Laurie Blake for 'Watchmen'". Collider . Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  4. ↑ McHenry, Jackson (2019-11-03). "Watchmen: Wait, Laurie Blake has a Dr. Manhattan Dildo?!". Vulture. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  5. ↑ McFarland, Melanie (2019-11-05). "Women come first, sexposition second in TV's recent depictions of female pleasure". Salon. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  6. ↑ Vary, Adam (December 13, 2019). "How 'Watchmen' Pulled Off One of the Best TV Seasons of the Decade". Variety . Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Watchmen Blonde Man Character Trailer". HBO . Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. 1 2 Wigler, Josh (November 3, 2019). "'Watchmen': Jeremy Irons' Enigmatic Role Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  9. ↑ Collura, Scott (November 22, 2019). "Designing the Costumes of HBO's Watchmen". IGN . Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Leah (November 25, 2019). "Decoding the Watchmen Episode Titles". The Mary Sue . Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  11. ↑ "She Was Killed by Space Junk". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  12. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 5, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.3.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.