Q182: Variations on a theme

Calculus affair seems to be a favourite among fans. Maybe it was also a favourite of Hergé, as he chose to use again some of it´s ingredients.

Especially in Picaros many situations & jokes already seen in Calculus affair are used again with some variation. Please mention at least three such similarities (no use to say just one or two, you won´t get a point).

1) Getting Cutts the butcher on the phone. In Calculus Affair it happens to Nestor and Haddock; in Picaros it happens to Haddock.

2) Jolyon Wagg trying to insure almost everyone he meets. Haddock in Calculus Affair and Castafiore in Picaros.

3) Haddock goes running to Tintin while trying to brush his teeth. In Calculus Affair when the mirror breaks and in Picaros when he finds out Castafiore has been arrested. Okay, not really a joke, but I find it funny.

4) Poor Haddock gets so annoyed he can't drink whisky because his glass keeps breaking in Calculus Affair or he finds it disgusting in Picaros.

5) The huge media focus "Next morning" on the breaking glass mystery and the Tapioca accusations. Both mention the Daily Reporter.

6) It's always such a trouble for Haddock to buy tobacco. In Calculus Affair he gets hit by a car. In Picaros he has to get an escort.

I can't think of anything more...

hi

In addition Tintin and Captain wear disguise to cheat Sponsz and his team. (I'm not after a point)

Grear answer by Emerald.

In the morning I was counting 7 incidents, numbers 1,3,4 and 6 on the list by Emerald and one by Tuhatkauno. Also in both books Tintin and his friends drive into an ambush (even the perspective is similar). That makes six, but now I can´t remember which was the seventh one I was thinking of, sorry (and on top of that numbers 2 & 5 by Emerald are valid, so that should make nine).

And there could be more, although it must be admitted many of these are typical for the whole series (phone mistakes, and Jolyon Wagg is an insurance salesman, so that´s what he does).

Anyways, Emerald deserves a point, and may set the next question. Congratulations!

tuhatkauno! I can't believe I missed that one! :)

I've been looking back at the list and Haddock is involved in every one of them. Poor Haddock. He's just so funny.

I found another one too! In both books they get trapped in a "gilded cage".