Is SPECTRE gone by DAF?

I'd have to think that with the loss of several key members (Julius No, Kleb, Volpe, Largo, Lippe, No. 11), hundreds of lower level minions and assasins (Vargas, Red Grant), numerous facilities and tech destroyed, that SPECTRE is either no longer existent, or at least, severely decimated and hobbled by the time of Diamonds Are Forever. Yes, Blofeld has new underlings here in the diamond smuggling business but when it almost seems like he's working with another group, rather than being the leader of a terrorist organization. It seems like he's just working with Metz's people and using them, rather than commanding his own "Legion of Doom." The mighty SPECTRE, who seems to have allies and subordinates and front groups all over the world in Thunderball, doesn't seem to exist by DAF. At the very least, it doesn't seem anywhere nearly as powerful.

What do you guys think?

Comments

  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    It's reasonable from the screen evidence to assume that SPECTRE is on its way out, and with Blofeld's demise, the organization finally disappears. The problem for me is that in the years after, they essentially reinvent Blofeld and SPECTRE in the guise of Drax and Stromberg, who share many of his personality characteristics as well as having huge spy networks and armies. Something more original would have worked better. Then the Russians stand in for the organization in the 80s and 90s.
  • Doctor WhoDoctor Who Posts: 62MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    It's reasonable from the screen evidence to assume that SPECTRE is on its way out, and with Blofeld's demise, the organization finally disappears. The problem for me is that in the years after, they essentially reinvent Blofeld and SPECTRE in the guise of Drax and Stromberg, who share many of his personality characteristics as well as having huge spy networks and armies. Something more original would have worked better. Then the Russians stand in for the organization in the 80s and 90s.

    You could argue that perhaps Drax's organization is a successor to SPECTRE. For example, maybe Drax Industries was a lesser-known SPECTRE front organization, and when Blofeld died, Drax inherited what remained of SPECTRE and incorporated it into Drax Industries.
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    It could well be. He certainly seemed connected in some way, what with being able to get on the phone and order up Jaws.
  • RemingtonRemington CAPosts: 239MI6 Agent
    I'm pretty sure the SPECTRE logo was on Blofelds bathosub so I think it was still SPECTRE
    -{
    1. Connery 2. Moore 3. Dalton 4. Brosnan 5. Craig 6. Lazenby
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,861Chief of Staff
    AA_OLD_MAN_3.jpg

    Yes, it's there.
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • MrGoreMrGore Posts: 129MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?

    Or wear a ring on your finger which is easily visible to your opponent. Think Fiona Volpe in Thunderball when she's driving Bond (very quickly) from the beach to the hotel.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Even evil organisations have brand, copyright and merchandise issues to deal with.
    Just look at FIFA :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Dirty PunkerDirty Punker ...Your Eyes Only, darling."Posts: 2,587MI6 Agent
    That's why Blofeld took over Willard Whyte's organisation.
    Plenty of cash and power while still working from the shadows.
    "The ideal kidnap victim, no-one has seen the man for 5 years, so who's gonna miss a man who's already missing?"
    a reasonable rate of return
  • Doctor WhoDoctor Who Posts: 62MI6 Agent
    That's why Blofeld took over Willard Whyte's organisation.
    Plenty of cash and power while still working from the shadows.
    "The ideal kidnap victim, no-one has seen the man for 5 years, so who's gonna miss a man who's already missing?"

    That's how I view it. Yes, he has the SPECTRE logo on his escape pod, but that could just be because he liked the symbol. I don't think that SPECTRE, at the very least, was in good shape by 1971 given how many members, facilities, and how much money it had lost courtesy of 007. Also, doesn't Blofeld's plot in DAF seem a bit beneath him? I see it as a last ditch effort to remain relevant. I mean, I can't see Blofeld as he's earlier portrayed NEEDING to convince a scientist (Metz) that he's hoping to bring peace to the world in order to get the guy to work with him. He no longer had the massive organization or power to be as dominant as he previously was. By DAF he's just using Whyte's men and resources and he's so afraid of Bond he's hiring body doubles to evade being killed.
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    That whole Metz thing is a bit of a thunderball retcon where the nuclear scientist doesn't know Largos true plan for the bombs.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Dirty PunkerDirty Punker ...Your Eyes Only, darling."Posts: 2,587MI6 Agent
    Doctor Who wrote:
    That's why Blofeld took over Willard Whyte's organisation.
    Plenty of cash and power while still working from the shadows.
    "The ideal kidnap victim, no-one has seen the man for 5 years, so who's gonna miss a man who's already missing?"

    That's how I view it. Yes, he has the SPECTRE logo on his escape pod, but that could just be because he liked the symbol. I don't think that SPECTRE, at the very least, was in good shape by 1971 given how many members, facilities, and how much money it had lost courtesy of 007. Also, doesn't Blofeld's plot in DAF seem a bit beneath him? I see it as a last ditch effort to remain relevant. I mean, I can't see Blofeld as he's earlier portrayed NEEDING to convince a scientist (Metz) that he's hoping to bring peace to the world in order to get the guy to work with him. He no longer had the massive organization or power to be as dominant as he previously was. By DAF he's just using Whyte's men and resources and he's so afraid of Bond he's hiring body doubles to evade being killed.
    That's why he was complaining why not a single head of state showed up instead of Bond.
    Truly a last ditch effort to stay relevant.
    a reasonable rate of return
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 4,109MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?
    awesome!
    but maybe when SPECTRE ran into difficulties and he had to lay every body off and pay his creditors, all he was left with was some stray bits and pieces in the SPECTRE storage warehouse and the bathosub was one of them? in fact, its probably a collectible by now, and he shouldnt be messing it up by putting it in salt water
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?
    awesome!
    but maybe when SPECTRE ran into difficulties and he had to lay every body off and pay his creditors, all he was left with was some stray bits and pieces in the SPECTRE storage warehouse and the bathosub was one of them? in fact, its probably a collectible by now, and he shouldnt be messing it up by putting it in salt water
    Given that the logo was so understated in the film, I'm going to assume on some level the idea was for it to be located and identified quickly by whoever Blofeld was escaping to, and then the bathosub scuttled. Within the Bond universe, how many people would recognize the logo anyway who weren't already looking for Blofeld?
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?
    awesome!
    but maybe when SPECTRE ran into difficulties and he had to lay every body off and pay his creditors, all he was left with was some stray bits and pieces in the SPECTRE storage warehouse and the bathosub was one of them? in fact, its probably a collectible by now, and he shouldnt be messing it up by putting it in salt water
    Given that the logo was so understated in the film, I'm going to assume on some level the idea was for it to be located and identified quickly by whoever Blofeld was escaping to, and then the bathosub scuttled. Within the Bond universe, how many people would recognize the logo anyway who weren't already looking for Blofeld?

    Oh I don't know, only the cia. Mi6, deuxieme bureau, AISE , BVT, kgb and maybe a few others! No one of any importance really :)
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    It also looked good on the little models you could buy.
    Even my little lotus had a big red 007 across the bonnet. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    edited August 2017
    It also looked good on the little models you could buy.
    Even my little lotus had a big red 007 across the bonnet. :D

    Mine too {[] I also had a model white XJS with a black Saint stick man on it., did you also have the lotus with rockets that fired out of the back window?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,845MI6 Agent
    MrGore wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?

    Or wear a ring on your finger which is easily visible to your opponent. Think Fiona Volpe in Thunderball when she's driving Bond (very quickly) from the beach to the hotel.

    Didn't the Gray Blofeld wear the SPECTRE ring too? Or did I feverishly imagine it?
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    MrGore wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?

    Or wear a ring on your finger which is easily visible to your opponent. Think Fiona Volpe in Thunderball when she's driving Bond (very quickly) from the beach to the hotel.

    Didn't the Gray Blofeld wear the SPECTRE ring too? Or did I feverishly imagine it?

    I'm pretty sure he did
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    MrGore wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Always a good idea to put the logo of your criminal empire on your escape vehicle...... What could possibly go wrong?

    Or wear a ring on your finger which is easily visible to your opponent. Think Fiona Volpe in Thunderball when she's driving Bond (very quickly) from the beach to the hotel.

    Didn't the Gray Blofeld wear the SPECTRE ring too? Or did I feverishly imagine it?

    He also wore braces!
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    MrGore wrote:

    Or wear a ring on your finger which is easily visible to your opponent. Think Fiona Volpe in Thunderball when she's driving Bond (very quickly) from the beach to the hotel.

    Didn't the Gray Blofeld wear the SPECTRE ring too? Or did I feverishly imagine it?

    He also wore braces!
    Orthodontic braces or ones to keep your trousers up?
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    awesome!
    but maybe when SPECTRE ran into difficulties and he had to lay every body off and pay his creditors, all he was left with was some stray bits and pieces in the SPECTRE storage warehouse and the bathosub was one of them? in fact, its probably a collectible by now, and he shouldnt be messing it up by putting it in salt water
    Given that the logo was so understated in the film, I'm going to assume on some level the idea was for it to be located and identified quickly by whoever Blofeld was escaping to, and then the bathosub scuttled. Within the Bond universe, how many people would recognize the logo anyway who weren't already looking for Blofeld?

    Oh I don't know, only the cia. Mi6, deuxieme bureau, AISE , BVT, kgb and maybe a few others! No one of any importance really :)
    But SPECTRE wasn't any of those organizations, publicly known and endorsed by their governments. In the Bond universe, the only people who even know who SPECTRE is work for those organizations or are criminals themselves. The logo would be meaningless to anyone else. SPECTRE's people already wear the rings to identify each other, so one could assume the logo on the bathosub was there for the same purpose.
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Matt S wrote:

    Didn't the Gray Blofeld wear the SPECTRE ring too? Or did I feverishly imagine it?

    He also wore braces!
    Orthodontic braces or ones to keep your trousers up?

    The same kind Dolly wore! :p
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Given that the logo was so understated in the film, I'm going to assume on some level the idea was for it to be located and identified quickly by whoever Blofeld was escaping to, and then the bathosub scuttled. Within the Bond universe, how many people would recognize the logo anyway who weren't already looking for Blofeld?

    Oh I don't know, only the cia. Mi6, deuxieme bureau, AISE , BVT, kgb and maybe a few others! No one of any importance really :)
    But SPECTRE wasn't any of those organizations, publicly known and endorsed by their governments. In the Bond universe, the only people who even know who SPECTRE is work for those organizations or are criminals themselves. The logo would be meaningless to anyone else. SPECTRE's people already wear the rings to identify each other, so one could assume the logo on the bathosub was there for the same purpose.

    Except in Thunderball bond works out the significance of the rings and would have shared this Intel. By the time of DAF there's a full blown operation against Blofeld and Spectre, operation bedlam, the Russians would be aware via the death of klebb and the fact Spectre stole a Russian spacecraft would be enough for the kgb to be looking into the whole thing.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Matt S wrote:

    He also wore braces!
    Orthodontic braces or ones to keep your trousers up?

    The same kind Dolly wore! :p
    :)) That was my first thought, in fact I've had that thought twice this week, logo on bathosub and while reading sm's post.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    It might just be that Mandela effect, but I seem to remember Jaws had metal teeth too ? ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,861Chief of Staff
    AA_OLD_MAN_5.jpg
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:

    Oh I don't know, only the cia. Mi6, deuxieme bureau, AISE , BVT, kgb and maybe a few others! No one of any importance really :)
    But SPECTRE wasn't any of those organizations, publicly known and endorsed by their governments. In the Bond universe, the only people who even know who SPECTRE is work for those organizations or are criminals themselves. The logo would be meaningless to anyone else. SPECTRE's people already wear the rings to identify each other, so one could assume the logo on the bathosub was there for the same purpose.

    Except in Thunderball bond works out the significance of the rings and would have shared this Intel. By the time of DAF there's a full blown operation against Blofeld and Spectre, operation bedlam, the Russians would be aware via the death of klebb and the fact Spectre stole a Russian spacecraft would be enough for the kgb to be looking into the whole thing.
    But still only known in that respect to the intelligence organizations, who are on to them anyway. Since they were obviously prepared to fight against an attack on their homebases -- shown from YOLT on -- it also makes some sense that there would be insignia of some kind to differentiate their side from any other. I don't think having the octopus logo on the side of the bathosub really betrays them to either the general public, who doesn't know they exist, or the intelligence communities, who already know they do.
Sign In or Register to comment.