MovieChat Forums > Little Einsteins (2005) Discussion > Anti American Tendencies

Anti American Tendencies

posted 17 years ago by trsnyder1021
10 replies | jump to latest

OK, i'm the last guy to buy into these conspiracy theories and hidden meanings in shows, but a few things caught my attention while watching/tolerating Little Einsteins.

1. In a few episodes the kids have run across "big jet," a military style fighter jet. He's always menacing them and is the "bad guy" in the episode.

2. the episode where the bald eagle steals Leo's baton. I only use this example because in the US, obviously, the bald eagle is a symbol of reverence and synonym for America....and by stealing the baton, he looks like a thief.

3. The episdoe where the butterflies get invitations, one of their destinations is the United Nations building. This is the weakest of the 3 examples, because I asusme that building was used so that the cartoon could be marketed in other languages/countries.....still warrants mentioning.

Maybe i'm crazy, and over-analyzing or reaching, but i was curious if anyone else thought or saw this or other examples.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Slvrrain77 17 years ago

I think accusing the show of Anti-American tendancies is a bit of a stretch. It makes perfect sense for Rocket's arch nemesis (which is strong language for preschool tv, but you get what I mean) to be Big Jet. For starters, Rocket is red and children need to be able to distinguish easily between the characters, especially if they are unfamiliar with the show. So Big Jet is blue. Secondly, a good arch nemesis needs to have a lot of the same strengths as the protagonist - they need to be evenly-matched, only one has a mean streak. Rocket's enemy can't be a train or a boat because there would be fewer conflicts that need to be resolved. If Big Jet is going to steal something or cause mayhem just for the heck of it, he needs to be able to fly to do it, otherwise Rocket could catch him too easily. What flies? Rockets and Jets. Rocket's nemesis can't be another rocket because that would be too confusing for kids, even if the bad guy is blue, so Rocket's nemesis is a blue jet. Big Jet. Really has nothing to do with symbolism in American culture.

So long, and thanks for all the fish. - Douglas Adams

[–] Adrestea 17 years ago

You bring up points that NEVER even crossed my mind, and it seems like you've done some thinking, however, I'm going to just say I think you've over-analyzed this a bit. This show is for preschool aged children (obviously) and I'm certain that the creators of the show had no intension of causing or foreshadowing any hidden conspiracies. I think the show is made out of completely innocence and not out of any anti-American stuff.

However, like I said, those are interesting points I never thought of before. I just know they're probably not true ;)

[–] blackhawk-17 17 years ago

Some people have WAY too much time on their hands.

1. Ok, so it's a big jet. Would a 747 be as wieldy and svelt as a military jet (whether it be an F-15 or a MiG-31 Foxhound shouldn't make any bit of difference). Generically, it's a fast plane. I don't think any plane can fly in the methods depicted in many episodes, so I'll just take the stab that we're in the realm of "Hello, it's a cartoon" and go from there.

2. Sorry if the reality of our national bird being a scavenger strikes you as a bad thing. I'm sure we can go back in time and agree with Benjamin Franklin that the Turkey would have been a much better choice. Oh wait, we eat them. Hmmmm... Besides, I have plenty of pictures of our national bird from a trip to Alaska. Beautiful things except when the pick through trash. Ah well, perhaps that is a lacking social commentary on welfare or something.

3. Since we're waxing political here, just what other organization would have been more appropriate to show for a "multicultural" gathering?

Personally, I think people try to read too much into everything and I really feel bad for the folks who have to come up with programming and try to create things in such a way as to irritate or alienate the smallest number of people possible. But I'm sure that I'm just way too short-sighted to only see this as a cartoon that pleases my young daughters, keeps them occupied, and makes them perk up when they actually hear some classical music or see some classical artwork.

Perhaps I'll let them watch more Law & Order so at least we don't have to think too hard about the political agendas there....

By the way, make sure not to watch Charlie & Lola, 'cause it's part of the British monarchy's attempt to re-establish the empire of yesteryear.

Relax.

[–] Irish-Sunglasses 17 years ago

Actually, Big Jet is a Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum:

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/ar/fb/Mig-29.gif

Perhaps the producers were cognizant that making Big Jet an F-16 or something would send the wrong signal. It makes sense that it's a MiG: look at how often Big Jet breaks down or malfunctions!

"Just do it. Sue sue sue. Do it. Go go go go." - Tom Cruise to his lawyer about bad press.

[–] trsnyder1021 17 years ago

point taken blackhawk....but relaxxx....i said as much in my original post that i thought i was over-analyzing, but when you're watching multiple episodes of this a day your mind wanders. i think it's innocent as well, my 18 month old loves it, he has no time for any other cartoons, and that's fine because the show is engaging to the mind of a toddler.

[–] kvnwbr 17 years ago

I'm not anti-american by any stretch of ANYONES imagination but bald eagles ARE theives and bullies. They often steal food from other birds after those birds have caught it. Thats why Benjamin Franklin wanted our national bird to be a turkey, because, in the wild, they are smart and clever. The Bald Eagle looks alot better though and it is a huge bird and it can fly. Turkeys are kinda ugly IMHO,lol. Hope I didnt offend any bald eagle or turkey fans out there.

[–] kaitleg 15 years ago

On the bald eagle point, if you remember, he just thought it was a stick, and he gave it back as soon as leo pointed out the mistake. i'm about as red blooded patriotic american as you can get, but that OP was pretty bad.

"We are now the knights who say---Ekki ekki ekki ekki Ptang! Zoom Boing Z'nourrwringmmm!"

[–] nickm2 15 years ago

kvnwbr:

Well WHAT carnivore DOESN'T try to 'bully' or steal another predator's kill if it can? Hunting is HARD dangerous work so sometimes it pays to 'poach' somebody else's kill;

nickm

[–] Spongeyone 13 years ago

That's always confused me, as turkeys are the least intelligent animal I've ever dealt with. I've seen them pick fights with white tailed deer 10 times their weight, not to mention humans.