MovieChat Forums > Back to the Future Part II (1989) Discussion > Strickland's strange behavior , never no...

Strickland's strange behavior , never noticed before

posted 9 years ago by Totemkauf
8 replies | jump to latest

I never noticed how odd Strickland's behavior was after taking the mag from Biff at the dance. The dance is in full effect, he's got his eyes on Biff , and any other trouble makers to make sure the dance isn't disturbed. And just after taking the book from Biff, he goes way out of his way to walk all the way over to his office, have a bit of coffee and eventually just throw the mag out. Did he plan on staying in their longer and finishing the coffee? I don't remember but I'm assuming it was old coffee on his desk, or did he just make a new batch? After a little bit he gets up and goes back outside. Was it uncharacteristic for Strickland to 'abandon his post' for that long just to go get a caffeine fix? I mean it allows for the dramatic and entertaining sequence of Marty trying to get the book from him, ultimately to discover that its not the almanac, and then conveniently see George about to knock out Biff, but was it too unrealistic?

I might have bought it if we'd seen Strickland always with a coffee mug on him in previous scenes (catching Marty late in the beginning of part one, pulling the kick me sign off of George, etc)

[–] !!!deleted!!! (9347176) 9 years ago

In the scene you mention, Strickland spiked his coffee with some cheap bourbon from his desk, probably confiscated from a student. He went out of his way to go in there, sneak a drink and then return to patrolling the dance, just a tad inebriated.

Strickland also probably noticed that the "Oh, La La" nudie book was hidden in the dust jacket and wanted to take a few minutes for himself, while drinking his spiked coffee. Glad it didn't go any further than that or Marty would have had an even more unpleasant experience than getting his hand caught between the chair and the desk.

The scene also serves to humanize Strickland a bit.

-Rod

[–] TxMike 9 years ago

It shows us that Strickland is disingenuous, always telling the students to toe the line, that Marty had become a slacker like his dad, but Strickland himself was a type of slacker too!.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes not.

[–] Totemkauf 9 years ago

I forgot about his 'enhanced' coffee, that does make more sense, and the hypocrisy .

[–] mikeyg24 9 years ago

Hypocrisy? Because he fancied kicking back with a cup of coffee for five minutes?

Hey! You're not old enough to drink! Now go and die for your country!!!

[–] TxMike 9 years ago

You evidently didn't even watch the movie to understand that he "spiked" it with booze. Or are you just trolling as usual??

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes not.

[–] mikeyg24 9 years ago

OK why are you so acrid ALL the time? Not enough hugs as a kid? Just because you don't like being called out for being a know-all, patronising jackass doesn't mean people are trolling.
Of course I noticed that he spiked it with booze but I'm pretty sure Strickland was over 21; the students were not, which is why he took a hard line with them. It's not like he was even doing it in front of the students. So I repeat, where's the hypocrisy you annoying bastard!?!

Hey! You're not old enough to drink! Now go and die for your country!!!

[–] punkgirly 8 years ago

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[–] TheEndIsNigh (509) 2 months ago

Strickland's obviously sexually frustrated. When it comes to choosing between keeping the students in line and having a good look at a dirty book (well dirty for the 50's), he chose the latter.