I always wondered that a bit myself... The whole premise of the story is that it's completely Scrooge-centric and concerned completely about his redemption, yet the first vision of afterlife and eternal damnation that we get is actually Marley. It always concerned me that Scrooge was able to be redeemed (though we were able to SEE what a miserly person he was), while the outcome of Marley's fate was undetermined (off-scene), while he, to us, as an audience, is really given significantly more pathos (I mean, we see him in CHAINS relenting, while Scrooge, initially is REVELING in his cruelty and greed).

I try to console myself by saying that Marley, in warning and guiding Scrooge, is somehow expunging his damed fate.


Wow. After having a completely SHITTY day... That was... Really... Refreshing.

I'm not being sarcastic. I mean it.

...



Thanks.



...



You too, Phalanx.



...












And the same to... (most of) the rest of you. :p

Yes, good wishes, good Christmas wishes all around. Except for...that one. And that one. Annnnnnd that one over there, that's a sorry excuse for a person right there. And those two in the corner, they annoy me. :mad: :rolleyes: ;)

Yeah, you see what I mean? All those poor bastards in the street, those transparent guys who have "lost their power, forever," they had no chance of redemption. Marley specifically states that Scrooge's chance is "of my procuring," meaning, this is an unusual situation. It's implied that Marley had to do something--pull some strings--to make this happen. Marley is a man of business, of course. Did he cut a deal with someone? The head honcho, maybe?

Is Marley's penance that he must, perhaps, roam the world for a while, helping other misguided souls become better people while they are still alive?

Perhaps the creepiest implication is that the living are the only ones who are capable of determining the quality of their afterlife--that once you check out, you are forever sleeping in the bed you made.

NEVER MIND MY FATE
TEND TO YOUR OWN AFFAIRS
AT LEAST I GET OUT ONCE A YEAR
FOR SOME EGGNOG AND A COUPLE OF BEERS

Grrrrrrrrrrrruuuufff! Marley's Ghost speaks! And he's an ornery cuss, at times.

Here, Marley, have a nice spiked eggnog grog, it'll warm those chains up for you! heh heh

Yeah, I'm glad that I'm not the only one troubled by this turn of plot... Why is it that Scrooge gets a chance for redemption, but no one else does? Does that mean that no one cares as much about the living filling out their damned destiny than Marley does for Scrooge?

Well, the implication that the living can determine the quality of their afterlife is fairly Christian, but it seems that the Dead can influence the living to influence their Life? And are the already Damned just screwed?

I have always wondered what Marley did to finagle his way there, too... and why that doesn't happen more often. What makes Scrooge's life more important than those already damned? Because he's rich and have more influence to help people? I wonder...




I still have incredibly pathos for Marley. No WONDER he's so cranky. :p

I think it comes down to the idea that Marley has a personal interest. He feels for Scrooge because he and Scrooge are kindred spirits, and former friends...or associates. And being so close to Scrooge, in that sense, he knows exactly what Scrooge's problem is and how it might be fixed.

He surely wishes to see Scrooge redeemed, in part, because he dreams of himself redeemed but that's not possible any more. It will warm Marley's heart to see it happen.

So I believe Marley undertook this as a personal project, and made a deal, offered whatever was necessary to secure this chance for Scrooge.

As frightening as Marley's apparition is, he's really, I think, a nice guy to go to all this trouble for his friend.

If The Truth Be Told
Scrooge And I Were Lovers
He Wasn't So Stingy
Beneath The Covers

In Life I Wore Chains
When Tied To The Bed
A Bit On The Kinky Side
My Garmets He'd Shread

He Would Smear Figgy Pudding
All Over My Body
Dessert Was Delightful
And Never Too Shoddy

Then We Would Cuddle By The Fire
And Share Some Apple Wine
Yes My Life With Ebenezer
Was Most Very Divine

Now In Death I Visit
Every Christmas Eve
To Make Him Change His Ways
The Spirit Of Christmas He'll Believe

LooL <3 marley

Marley's Ghost just got even scarier than he was before!

Okay, Marley, you're the King of Fright now. Are you satisfied, you spectral bastard?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand............... scene.







That was pretty impressive. I don't think I'll ever watch Christmas Carol the same again.

That was nice. :) Happy Holidays to you, and to everyone else here at HDC. I truly hope everyone is happy, healthy, safe and loved. This year, and for many, many years to follow. A tall order I know, but hey, I'm an optimist....;)

The intent of this wasn't to be sexy, huh.........

I mean...











I wasn't......














In the least.....



















I didn't feel tingly ANYwhere while reading this................














Really.

I mean NOT at all.

Christmas time is almost here and still we are in debt
from last years pressies that we bought
that no one else has kept
The broken doll that baby saw and screamed untill she got
she bit it, then pulled off its head and left it here to rot .
The fire truck ..the broken vase ..the shoes that just dont fit
the xmas c.d that they sell ..rehashing worn out hits,
Dear santa clause ..i mean no harm...though showing u my fist
for when it comes to giving gifts..u cannot shop for shits !!!

merry xmas
stubbs :D

So I finally saw it.

And, wow. WOW. A movie that predates Halloween by 4 years, you can see how Carpenter's iconic masterpiece borrows from this incredibly well done slasher.

I'm going to go rant about it in "Last Seen Movie" thread. But I thought that I should single out YOU, Jenna before doing so. :p

This year all my traditions are out the window. No gifts, no big get togethers...just counting my blessings and looking forward to the life that's ahead now. Next years Christmas starts all new traditions with new family members that I am very grateful for.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas with everyone who is important to you. Remember....it's not what you get, but what you already have that's special.

*Sniff*:o

Wishing you and your baby a Merry Christmas, Marroe!

And all you whacky hdc folks, raise an egg nog. Be good, be happy, be nice to anyone and everyone.

At christmas time we always have a bottle of lime cordial in the house, a cooked breakfast, then we open our presents. And usually we have a party on boxing day.




EDIT: Just been told most americans don't celebrate boxing day. It's the day after christmas.

I just realised I am undertaking an old tradition of mine.. That is watching the Boxing day test match (cricket)...

Only this time I am watching it Christmas night instead of Boxing day... yeah, it's weird....

I'm finally on my Christmas vacation! Crack out the booze and let's party! :D