MovieChat Forums > Deep Impact (1998) Discussion > Question about the drawing straws scene

Question about the drawing straws scene

posted 8 years ago by malsbluedress
14 replies | jump to latest

I'm sorry because I'm sure this is a dumb question but can anyone tell me exactly what happened when they drew straws in the conference room? Is it that the little girl gets the seat? But then the mother decides to let her daughter die in the daycare room with her instead of putting her on the helicopter alone? And that prompts Jenny to give the mother her helicopter seat? (And also as she wants to reconcile with her father?)

As you can tell, I'm overthinking this! :)

Or did someone else get the seat when they drew straws, but the little girl would fit on the helicopter in someone's lap?

Thanks in advance - love this movie but never understood this part. (Unless it was meant to contrast the workaholic editor mother with Jenny's mom who died happy knowing/believing Jennie would survive...?)

[–] werlecar 8 years ago

What I thought it to mean is the girl just had an extra one to play with, it wasn't part of the drawing the straws.

Hope you have found your passion in life~

[–] ericachristine 8 years ago

I think the mother was in shock to start. She then mentioned that her daughter feels safe & happy there, so I think that was part of it. That's a hard pill to swallow.

[–] Dejay 8 years ago

What bothered me about this is that the computer selected the winners. Why do they draw straws?

There is also no way to "transfer" seats. You could kidnap someone and blackmail them. And how would the guys at the doors know "oh yeah I got X ticked it's all right let me in".

[–] ComtessaLaRue 8 years ago

They were drawing straws for a seat on the helicopter ride to higher ground - there were seven seats, and one was for Jenny to be taken to the ARK on their way inland. As evidenced by the takeoff scene, it appears every news agency had a similar plan when they finally signed off.

[–] MNRebecca (769) 6 years ago

I don't understand, either. Who drew the lucky straw? Why does the one guy throw down his straw in anger and declare, "That makes sense."

[–] JestersDead (485) 2 years ago

He obviously drew the wrong straw

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 6 years ago

The little girl was holding her mother's straw which was not one of the good ones, just like the guy who threw his to the ground. Jenny gave up her seat so Laura Innes could have it and take her daughter to safety.

[–] MNRebecca (769) 5 years ago

The little girl was holding her mother's straw which was not one of the good ones, just like the guy who threw his to the ground.

But why does he say, "That makes sense"? And why does another guy say "Thank God!"? Who won? Was it the guy holding the straws? Otherwise, why keep drawing? Beth hesitates a long time, as if she has a fifty-fifty chance...

[–] JestersDead (485) 2 years ago

The guy who said "What happened to women and children first" drew a short straw and said Thank God. So his principles didn't last long.

(Short straws got to go on the chopper)

[–] JestersDead (485) 2 years ago

"The little girl was holding her mother's straw"

No, coz the mum drew a straw after we see the little girl waving her stick.

I think the girl just had a stick to play with, not realising the life or death situation developing around her.

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 2 years ago

The part of that scene I always questioned. Jenny takes the little girl as if to put her on the chopper. The mother charges after her and is yelling after her “No!No!”
If it were my child I’d be yelling “Thank You! Thank You!”

[–] oubrioko (103) 4 months ago

Would you?

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 4 months ago

My child would still be alive. You bet I would

[–] oubrioko (103) 4 months ago

🤔