Hey guys, did anyone notice that the marine in the JFK conspiracy flick was named Robert Shaftoe? If you're a fan of Neal Stephenson, you'll recognize that name as a marine from the book Cryptonomicon.

Any ideas why they're using that reference? This is my first season, though my family's been watching since the beginning. They don't remember seeing this type of reference before. Any thoughts?

My only guess is that one of the writers is a fan of that author and book. A lot of times it is to give a nod to someone the admire or respect. I have never read that book. But, in other movies and also games there are nods. For example in my game City of Heroes/Villains, there are npc's with names from characters in books and movies. Like one detective in one of the police station is Detective Fish. It's a nod to Abe Vigoda's char on Barney Miller. That's my explanation, there could be a better one though.

You might find the writer's commentary for this episode interesting...

http://video.usanetwork.com/player/?id=130543

Thanks for the lead. Phanta, you were right. Craig Sweeney seems to think as much of Bobby Shaftoe as my husband & I did--one of the best written, most compelling characters in an amazing novel. I only hope he takes us to Qwghlm soon! And I never would've picked up on the Peckinpah reference without seeing the interview.

Great show, fun episode--keep up the good work!

"Bobby Shaftoe" is also a nursery rhyme. Here's the whole thing from http://www.123helpme.com, with a little background on where the rhyme came from.

BOBBY SHAFTO
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, silver buckles on his knee,
He'll come back and marry me, Bonny Bobby Shafto
Bobby Shafto's tall and slim, he's always dressed so neat and trim
The lasses they aal keek at him! Bonny Bobby Shafto
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, silver buckles on his knee
He'll come back and marry me, Bonny Bobby Shafto

Bobby Shafto's gettin' a bairn, for to dangle in his airm
In his airm and on his knee, Bonny Bobby Shafto
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, silver buckles on his knee,
He'll come back and marry me, Bonny Bobby Shafto
Bobby Shafto's been to sea, Silver Buckles on his knee;
He's come home and married me, Bonny Bobby Shafto!


Spennymoor is a town with industrial origins, but the countryside nearby has an unexpected romantic connection. The connection is with Whitworth Hall, not far from the River Wear to the north of the town. Here once lived none other than a certain Mr Robert Shafto, whose name is immortalised in the well known North Country Ballad;


Bobby Shafto was in fact a County Durham M.P, who was elected in 1761, when the song was used as an election jingle. A sweetheart of Bobby Shafto, to whom the ballad is often attributed is believed to have lived at Brancepeth Castle across the River Wear, three miles north of Whitworth, near the outskirts of Durham City. She died of a broken heart !.


"Bobby Shafto's gone to sea,
Silver buckles on his knee,
He'll come back and marry me,
Bonny Bobby Shafto.
Bobby Shafto's bright and fair,
Combing down his yellow hair;
He's my ain for evermair
Bonny Bobby Shafto.
Bobby Shafto went to court
All in gold and silver wrought
Like a grandee as he ought
Bonny Bobby Shafto.
Bobby Shafto rode a race
Well I mind his bonny face
Won it in a tearing pace
Bonny Bobby Shafto.
Bobby Shafto throws his gold
Right and left like knights of old
Now he's left out in the cold
Bonny Bobby Shafto.
Bobby Shafto's gettin' a bairn
For to dangle on his airm
In his airm and on his knee
Bonny Bobby Shafto."

Huh! Guess that's where Stephenson got the name? He traces the character's lineage through prequel novels, too, but I never thought there was an historical basis. Interesting.

Since the 4400 character was a marine, I'm still thinking Cryptonomicon was Craig Sweeney's specific reference. Thanks to all, for the help clarifying.