Eggs and Espionage: The Origins of James Bond

Ian and Chris take a little (too much) time to reflect on the 1978 film and Roger Moore's portrayal of Bond. Once again the movie steers well clear of any plot relating to the book, but maybe for good reason this time? Either way, Bond evades assassination attempts, gets laid, travels the globe and beyond. We also learn how to survive a sky dive without a parachute.

Be sure to listen through all of Season 3 (and why not Season 1&2 as well, you deserve it) to some provide context and look for Season 4 - Diamonds are Forever.

The crowd gathers and Drax presents his gift to Great Britain. As the countdown begins, Bond makes great haste to save London (but mainly himself). The aftermath will be a giant cover up but Bond will ride out the storm with unlimited expenses anywhere he’d like in Europe.

Bond and Gala, hopelessly tied up, endure one of the longest monologues that take them through Drax’s English childhood, WWII antics, and adolescent need for attention.

No one knows where Gala is. She didn’t report to headquarters and, worse yet, is absent from a dinner with Bond. Everyone agrees, Bond is their only hope and he sets off pursuing Drax with everything his 4 ½ liter Bentley can handle.

Gala and Bond wipe off the dust and recover in a nearby town. They return to find only 3 places set for dinner. The next day, on a drive to London, Gala makes a bold attempt to find out what’s in Drax’s little notebook.

Krebs is caught snooping in Bond’s room. Gala and Bond spend an elegant afternoon along the white Cliffs of Dover but their time is cut short by an unexpected explosion.

Bond digs through the remains of the dead officer’s room, he and Gala size each other up, and they all discuss Krebs and his creepy inclination for snooping.

Bond arrives at Drax’s compound and meets his Ms. Gala Brand, a bright and professional policewoman he’ll need to befriend quickly, and a staggering, chrome covered, shimmering projectile that will protect Great Britain and the free world.

Bond ruminates on how to spend a small won fortune, decides Drax is crazy, nearly misses lunch, and spends his afternoon at police headquarters learning about his new mission - a real one this time.

A smokey, expensive gambling den and private club for gentlemen brings Bond to his happy place where, after a meal of course, he sets his sights on winning big against the nation's most prized citizen...by cheating of course.

Back from the Caribbean, Bond dives deep into his weekly office routines and mastering his inbox and outbox. We also learn about a self-made millionaire, Sir Hugo Drax and his plans to end the cold war.

Many of the well known Bond characters are introduced here for the first time in these 3 chapters. We set the scene for Bond’s love of gambling, learn about Bond’s target, and understand why M picked this cold, brash, but skilled young rookie for the job.

An odd but deftly executed motorcycle murder captures some important dispatch information.  It just so happens that Bond, James Bond, is in Paris licking his wounds and dreading his return to England where his career lies in the balance.  Suddenly he is summoned by a beautiful woman (who is NOT a sex worker), is briefed and on the job helping the MI5 fix their mistake.  Bond, almost single handedly solves the mystery and devises an elaborate plan.  He’ll either succeed or die trying.

Ian and Chris take a little time to reflect on the 1973 film, Roger Moore's first time portraying Bond. With it's stark (very stark) differences form the novel they mostly wonder, "why?" For those who haven't seen the film, the only spoiler alert here is...well, disappointment.

Be sure to listen through all of Season 2 (and why not Season 1 as well, you deserve it) to some provide context and look for Season 3 - Moonraker.

Bond and Solitaire are lectured by Mr Big on how they will both die, you know, for the purposes of science. Unbeknownst to Mr Big however, a limpet mine on the Secatur slowly fuses away. Bond counts the seconds until his next sex vacation.

In a montage-like flurry, Bond trains his body and mind before diving into the dark waters with nothing but his witts, stimulants, and oodles of spy gadgets.

After a jaunty and distressing plane ride to Jamaica, Bond has a new lease on life. He meets with Quarrel, a skilled islander and amateur biologist who just may be the man Bond needs to survive his mission.

Both Bond and Leiter make solo attempts to approach “The Robber”. Only one gets out with all his limbs intact.

Unscripted, unedited, and potentially unnecessary, Ian and Chris provide some meandering thoughts in reverence of the late Sean Connery. His gift as an actor and most importantly, for this podcast, role as the first on-screen interpretation of one Bond, James Bond. RIP Sir Sean Connery.

Bond and Solitaire decide last minute to switch trains, discuss their dislike of the elderly, and reunite with Leiter. The two boys get right to work but end up with little more than a joy ride.

Bond boards a train to Florida with a cliche disguise, alias, and his enemy’s slave girlfriend, revels in the romance of the American railway, and curses his broken finger.

Separated, Leiter is too hip to be hurt, Bond endures a world class monologue, they make plans to get out of NYC, but Bond makes an "unpardonable gamble.”

Bond and Leiter take in a Harlem striptease. Captured, Bond finds himself eye to eye with the Voodoo Baron of Death but is spared by an unexpected and beautiful surprise.

Leiter lectures Bond on the African-American community, before exploring Harlem late into the evening with all their judgements and prejudice on hand.

Bond and Leiter discuss their target with the FBI, Bond educates himself on voodoo rituals and practices, and receives an ominous message about the beatings of his heart.

Refreshed after a long respite from his “casino job”, Bond touches down on American soil with some “mental reservations” on American ways, reunites with his best new friend and CIA counterpart, Felix Leiter, and is prepped on his new mission.

Bond and Vesper enjoy some R&R on the Riviera but Vesper is too preoccupied to enjoy herself. Bond’s mind is made up but his sex vacation takes an unexpected turn.

Bond recovers from his wounds, goes on an existential crisis, a sex vacation, and contemplates early retirement.

Vesper is captured and Bond pursues in a high speed chase. Outsmarted and outnumbered, Bond is tortured both mentally and physically

Bond sits down to gamble with $25 million Francs and the free world at stake.

Bond meets Leiter, enjoys a pernickety dinner with Vesper, and introduces a drink that would be copied and reimagined by bars everywhere.

Bond’s cover is already blown, we meet “the girl”, Bond escapes death, and the 007 cure for a concussion.