Did anyone notice the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ book reference in ‘The Education of Jaime Sommers’? We often see books and other items of popular culture being used to great effect in ‘LOST’, as a way of hat-tipping (showing respect for that piece of work) or as a way of expanding the current theme and giving the fans of the show an insight into the possible thinking behind what is currently happening in the show.

I’m not sure whether Bionic will use popular culture in this way, but I hope they do as it adds depth to a show and enables the viewers to further their understanding of the key themes by enriching their experience.

So with that in mind I wonder what was behind the Alice in Wonderland book reference? Of course it was used to hide the neuro-transmitters, but one thing which struck me is the parallel between the book and a key aspect of the show. In the book, Alice falls into a fantasy realm which is populated with Anthropomorphic creatures. It could be argued that Jaime herself is a Anthropomorphic character because she is no longer ‘human’ (if you will), yet she clearly still has those uniquely ‘human characteristics’, such as morals, emotions, love, vulnerability etc. Not only that, but with the key theme of this episode being about ‘mind control’, it seems likely that the ‘Alice In Wonderland’ reference also alludes to the idea that the world Jaime is living in..the world she once thought was ‘normal’ is now anything but ‘normal’.

Perhaps in a later episode we’ll see the book “Through The Looking Glass” ?

I should also mention that this is now the second book reference in Bionic Woman  (or third if you include James Joyce’s “The Dead”) – the first was ‘What Color Is Your Parachute’, which was referenced in “Paradise Lost” when Jaime met Antonio.

Below are the Bionic Investigations for episode 1.02: “Paradise Lost”. 

A collection of images showing the dossier Will Anthros has on Jaime. This dated back TWO years before she met him.

Here we can see Jaime wearing a ‘bird’ patterned top. It is believed that this episode was originally going to be called “Birds“, before a last minute decision changed it to “Paradise Lost”. That would have been a not so subtle reference.

The first book referenced in BW – “What Color Is Your Parachute” is the worlds top selling job search and career book. Read more here -Buy the book from Amazon here. Jaime was obviously feeling low after hearing her friends good news and perhaps felt that she had underachieved in her life. With her new ‘abilities’, she was perhaps fearful of once again failing to meet her potential.

A close up on Jaime’s Bionic Eye in action.

The note Sarah left for Jae Lee.

Inside shot of Jaime’s Bionic Ear.

Jaime’s optical interface comes online – the right eye make’s her right-side field of vision much clearer. She is able to tell the ‘soldier’ is lying to her by his pupils dilating. Cool.

‘A’ – Sarah explains to Jae that she believes that she was ‘Hacked’ and made to kill 14 Burket Scientists. ‘B’ – Sarah at the time of the Burket massacre, moments before she tells Jae “I’m not in control”. Evidently someone (a rival agency? The Sykes Group?) hacked into her Bionic implants and controlled her actions. She even shouts “Noo!” as she is ‘forced’(?) to attack Jae.

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For our 1.01: “Second Chances” (Pilot) episode Investigations, please click here.

Just a headsup  -  I’ve been informed of a new Bionic Woman related book that has recently hit the shelves, called The Bionic Book: The Six Million Dollar Man And The Bionic Woman Reconstructed. For more information or to buy this book, please see below:

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Before ‘Hiro’ on Heroes, there was ‘Steve Austin; – The Six Million Dollar Man. Before ‘Buffy Summers’ on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, there was ‘Jaime Sommers’ – The Bionic Woman. Now, television’s classic wonder people of the 1970s are back and stronger than ever in – THE BIONIC BOOK: The Six Million Dollar Man And The Bionic Woman Reconstructed, written by best-selling author Herbie J Pilato(Bewitched Forever, The Kung Fu Book of Caine).Co-billed as the Cybernetic Compendium To TV’s Most Realistic Sci-Fi Superhero Shows, THE BIONIC BOOK is chock-full of commentary culled from Pilato’s exclusive interviews with Bionic stars Lee Majors (who played half-superman/half-mechanical marvel Steve Austin), Lindsay Wagner(Jaime Sommers – Steve’s female counter-part and one true love), series creator (and science fiction novel icon) Martin Caidin, executive producer Harve Bennett (who would later help to ignite the Star Trek feature film franchise), producer/director Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk and Alien Nation) and actor Richard Anderson, the latter of whom portrayed Oscar Goldman – Steve and Jaime’s stoic but understanding superviser (and who has penned the book’s foreword).Much more than a mere TV trivia guide, THE BIONIC BOOK explores in-depth the social, psychological, medical and scientific influence, appeal and message behind two of the most popular and heroic science fiction television programs of all time.

Format: Softcover; 6″ x 9″; 400 pages, 75 photos Price: $19.77 from Amazon: CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BOOK.

 Release: September 2007 About the Author Herbie J Pilato is an author, actor, producer, director, and singer/songwriter who resides in Rochester, New York. Herbie J’s books include Bewitched Forever, The Kung Fu Book of Caine, The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom, and BearManor Media’s upcoming book, entitled, Life Story – The Book Life Goes On: TV’s First and Best Family Show of Challenge. Herbie J has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows (including the E! True Hollywood Story, Entertainment Tonight and General Hospital), and is presently developing several television shows and feature films. About BearManor MediaBearManor Media – a small press that publishes BIG books – takes pride in publishing quality entertainment/nostalgic books and biographies on unique subjects, including: Que Sera, Sera: The Magic of Doris Day Through Television and Son of Harpo Speaks, and Hold That Joan: The Life, Laughs and Films of Joan Davis.To learn about this or other BearManor Media titles, please visit www.bearmanormedia.com.

You can purchase the ‘Bionic Book Reconstructed’  from Amazon using the following  link:

Bionic Book Reconstructed

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