Picking Nits
Rod’s final turn; Katherine’s credulity; swimming injury; sportsmanship; race setup; Italian visit; juvenile-actor nomination; heat; pregnancy
In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:40Read transcript
- Rod loses by leaving the inside open on the final lap, a frustrating choke that contrasts with his athletic confidence.
- Katherine’s attraction to Dave and failure to question his poor accent, absence from classes and lack of homework are doubted, with willing suspension of disbelief offered in defense.
- Mike hitting his head while swimming seems unlikely for such an athlete and should have left him concussed.
- Rod applauding the Cutters is implausibly gracious; he would more likely protest the taped pedal, recalling Karate Kid’s similarly abrupt sportsmanship.
- The rapid transition from bowling-alley brawl to the university president proposing a bicycle race is odd.
- The Italian team’s reason for visiting Indiana is unclear, although a national tour or the town’s cycling culture might explain it.
- Christopher’s nomination as a juvenile actor despite being twenty-eight is an external nitpick.
- Katherine would probably stop speaking to Dave after the deception, though his elaborate interest could conceivably appeal to her.
- The portrayal underplays potentially oppressive Indiana heat and humidity, although the race’s spring timing complicates the objection.
- The mother becoming pregnant so readily seems unusual given Barrie’s age, reported here as forty-six during filming.