Our next episode recording is on Mission: Impossible 3 & 4 — what should we talk about?

An interesting double-feature! Two very contrasting films tonally. I’ve always felt like M:i:3 is the most tightly scripted of all films. It has a defining character arc for Ethan and tight 3 act structure. It’s a love story first, with clear emotional stakes, while thematically, it also introduces the impact Ethan’s lifestyle has on his personal relationships. A recurring thread in McQuarrie’s pictures. It’s almost a soft reboot a-la-Abrams, while setting up the franchise’s only real emotional dynamic with Monaghan’s Julia — a thread they eventually pedal back to in later installments. Where as Ghost Protocol only really sets up a tone more closely followed in the next films. Brian mentioned in the first podcast that Ghost Protocol is his favorite. I’d be very curious to hear what aspects of the franchise excite him in the most in this film from a story / character standpoint? And from the group, how the franchise evolved based on themes and aesthetics introduced in these two films midway.

Quentin

How to write female protagonists and establish sexual tension without objectifying and over-sexualizing her (which I personally don’t think this franchise was very successful in).

CAROLINA CAMPELLO LOPES

I remember watching the first Mission Impossible for the first time and (spoilers) being shocked when they killed off the entire team in the first act. Part of my shock was how quickly they established camaraderie -- I believed they were a real team, and was especially bummed out when Kristin Scott Thomas and Emilio Estevez died. Part of me still wants to see that movie play out. Similar to the question above about what makes a family life compatible / not compatible with a spy thriller, what are your thoughts on team vs solo adventures? What possibilities do each open up / limit, what thematic questions come into play, such as trust, etc., and how do you see the Mission Impossible franchise exploring these polarities over time?

Dan Hoy

This could be the franchise as a whole. how to a write a plot and story around a macguffin. The word is used negatively a lot, but I’ve noticed when done well we the audience won’t even question it. Do you think MI3 does a good job with the rabbits foot.

(And what do you think about revealing that Julia is still alive at the end of Ghost Protocol?)

What is a good or bad character design for a member of Ethan's team? How important is a backstory, personality, or unique skill set? Should they each get a spotlight moment? (After spending most of Ghost Protocol as just the tech guy on the team, Benji helps save the day by shooting a guy at the end of Ghost Protocol. McQuarrie added that to the script.)

I'd like to know what you think about the aspect of Ethan Hunt's personal life. They give him a wife, friends and a home in M:I 3, but immediately remove it in M:I 4 and keep him a vagabond for the rest of the franchise. Is having a family life just not maintainable in an action/spy franchise?