Reply All: #17 The Time Traveler And The Hitman

March 26, 2015 3:31 PM

In 1997, John Silveira wrote a joke classified ad in a tiny publication called Backwoods Home Magazine asking if anyone wanted to travel back in time with him. A lot of people took him seriously. What do you do when everyone wants you to fix the worst mistakes they've ever made.

Anyone following the ongoing HPJMASY? saga should make sure they check out Alex's new video.

So bogus.

And yes, this is the story behind the ad that inspired the movie Safety Not Guaranteed.

posted by Gin and Broadband (7 comments total)

I felt like the YTMND digression was getting into Yes Yes No territory, which is territory I love.

For some reason I was reluctant to listen to this one at first. Maybe because I kinda adored the movie*, maybe because I felt like I knew the time travel ad backstory already (turns out, I didn't), but I was immediately drawn in, and astonished at the places it went. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up as a segment on another TAL, it has that kind of appeal. I thought it was bittersweet and lovely and touching.

*A good 60% of my adoration is due to this song.
posted by Gin and Broadband at 3:40 PM on March 26, 2015

I really liked this episode. Listening to Robin in prison talk about why she'd go back in time was just heartbreaking. I very vividly pictured her opening the window then hearing her husband being bludgeoned to death in the next room. I mean even though she hired a hitman to kill her husband and we really shouldn't sympathize with her, she just came across as so...pathetic.

One thing I wasn't quite clear on was how so many people were able to send him mail if his PO Box was blocked out on the (warning autoplay audio) YTMND site. And how exactly did Robin hear about it?

Funny enough I was familiar with the YTMND meme but didn't really understand the context - definitely a YYN for me! I've never heard of the movie.
posted by radioamy at 9:14 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

A really nice episode, really sad.

The movie is pure fiction, inspired by the ad, but really captures the same sort of slow-burning regret discussed in this episode.
posted by maxsparber at 10:58 AM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

If anyone else was following the drama, PJ finally met Alex's son.
posted by radioamy at 5:54 PM on March 28, 2015 [4 favorites]

Omg radioamy, that makes me so happy.
posted by Gin and Broadband at 4:31 AM on March 29, 2015

The photo of PJ holding the baby is delightful.
posted by jazon at 8:46 AM on March 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

I know right? I am glad PJ finally caved and went to go see the baby.
posted by radioamy at 11:05 AM on March 29, 2015 [1 favorite]