Adam Malkovich saying "Any objections, Lady?" to Samus, in a flashback in Metroid: Other M.
"Any objections, Lady?" (異論はないな? レディー or 異論は無いな? レディー[1] Iron wa nai na? Redī) is a phrase by Commander Adam Malkovich, first referenced in Metroid Fusion. It is a recurring part of Samus Aran and Adam Malkovich's relationship. During Samus's time in the Galactic Federation Army, Adam would end all mission briefings by asking her this question, to which she would respond with a thumbs-down. This exchange was a symbol of trust between the two.[2]
History[]
Samus giving the thumbs-down, in a flashback in Metroid: Other M.
In Metroid Fusion, Samus first recalls the iconic line as she ponders the similarities between her new computer and Adam. She notes that Adam always already knew they were in agreement, and it was moreso a recognition of trust.[2] However, her feelings on the nickname "Lady" differ in the English and Japanese versions of the game: in English she seems neutral towards it, while in Japanese she admits that it slightly annoyed her.[2][3] Regardless, after the computer accepts his old identity as Adam and orders Samus to crash the BSL research station into SR388, he finally recites this line without having ever heard it before. This confirms his true origins to Samus and fully regains her trust.[4]
The phrase returns in Metroid: Other M, being referenced multiple times and further explored. Adam's "Any objections, Lady?" and Samus' negative response were a symbol of mutual understanding between Adam, who was known for being a stern tactician, and Samus, who had rebellious tendencies.[5] It was a tongue-in-cheek recognition of each other's contrasting personalities, and their compliance to cooperate for the sake of the mission. Samus stated that her thumbs-down - the opposite of the Federation's traditional thumbs-up - was a twofold response: that she completely understood the mission ("no objections"), and that she derided being called a lady.[6]
Like in Fusion, Samus' feelings about being called "Lady" differ in the English and Japanese versions of Other M. In English, Samus states she would normally take offense at being treated differently because of her gender, but she knew that Adam used the nickname to verify her humanity despite her troubled upbringing and thus was secretly touched by it.[7] In Japanese, Samus truly did take offense at the nickname because it made her feel weak and delicate (with it being implied that these feelings triggered unpleasant memories from before she met Adam), further fueling her rebellious tendencies against Adam instead.[8] However, she also states that since then she has forgiven Adam and instead sees her own behavior as childish.
Adam never specifically asks Samus this question in briefings during Metroid: Other M besides in flashbacks. However, several references are made to it:
- After Adam's first Control Room briefing, Samus states: "Understood, Adam. No objections, of course."
- After losing contact with Adam, Samus finds herself at a deactivated bridge while pursuing the Deleter. She spoofs the catchphrase by stating, "Any objections, Adam?", when she activates her Space Jump and Screw Attack to proceed, without authorization.
- Just before Adam locks himself in Sector Zero, Adam says to Samus, "No objections... right, Lady?", to which she responds with a tearful thumbs-down.
- Samus recalls Adam's final words - "No objects... right, Lady?" - at Galactic Federation Headquarters.
ADAM saying "Any objections, Lady?" in Metroid Dread.
At the beginning of Metroid Dread, ADAM addresses Samus as "Lady" while they approach ZDR.[9] He then ends his briefing to Samus with this question during her descent into Artaria.[10] The complete absence of this phrase, or even the word "Lady", in all subsequent Network Station briefings is a major hint that from the descent onward, Samus is not actually communicating with ADAM but with Raven Beak in disguise.
Though it never uses the entire phrase, the Metroid manga implies that Adam called Samus "Lady" as a reminder of who she was when not in battle, hoping she would retain her decency and identity.[11] In Samus & Joey, Samus coolly asks Dangelo if he has any objections to her arrival while giving him a thumbs-down. This was the earliest instance of a thumbs-down being used in conjunction with the catchphrase.[12]
Gallery[]
Audio[]
| Voice Clip | Description |
|---|---|
| Samus's self-Authorization from Metroid: Other M. | |
(Japanese) |
Samus's self-Authorization from the Japanese version of Metroid: Other M. |
References[]
- ^ Japanese version of Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Other M
- ^ a b c (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: "As I listened to the briefing, my thoughts turned to Adam. The real Adam understood me well. He would end orders by saying, "Any objections, Lady?" He knew I wouldn't disagree. That was just his way of noting our trust. I wonder if I can trust this computer, too..."
- ^ (February 14, 2003). メトロイドフュージョン. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Samus: (Translation: "The computer's tone reminds me of a certain someone: Adam Malkovich. He was a brilliant Federation Army commander I'd served under previously. His judgments were cold and focused on the mission, but his decisions were always quick and correct. Somewhat tactlessly, he used to call me "Lady," which was a bit irritating... but with great respect and a little sarcasm, I decided to call the computer "Adam."")
- ^ (November 17, 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Boy Advance. Nintendo. Adam: "Then return to your ship and escape. Move quickly, and stay alive. That's an order! Any objections, Lady?"
- ^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "When I rebelled against him, I knew I could get away with it. And his paternal compassion in the face of my rebellion reinforced the special bond I felt with him."
- ^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "The thumbs-up sign had been used by the Galactic Federation for ages. Me… I was known for giving the thumbs-down during briefing. […] My thumbs-down was a twofold response: a sign of derision at being called a lady, and a signal of my complete understanding of the mission orders."
- ^ (August 31, 2010). Metroid: Other M. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: "He was joking, but others weren't... At the time I felt surrounded by people who treated me like a child, or used kid gloves because I was a woman. And yet, with Adam, I was grateful for the nod... My past has left me with an uneasy soul, and as a result, it touched me on some level that Adam would acknowledge that past by calling me something delicate - like Lady."
- ^ (September 2, 2010). メトロイド アザーエム. Nintendo Wii. Nintendo. Samus: (Translation: "He was always needling me with that. In those days, I hated being treated like a child. Even being treated differently because I was a woman was barely tolerable. It's not like I hated Adam over it. But I could not bear being called anything that made me feel weak... for fear of recalling things best left forgotten. I could not bear being called something like Lady.")
- ^ (October 8, 2022). Metroid Dread. Nintendo Switch. MercurySteam. ADAM: "Treat our lost assets with care, Lady."
- ^ (October 8, 2022). Metroid Dread. Nintendo Switch. MercurySteam. ADAM: "That elevator leads to the depths of an underground facility. Signal quality is likely to be low. Remote communication may pose a problem. Try to connect to the facility's network when you reach the bottom. That way we can remain in contact. Any objections, Lady?"
- ^ (November 2003). Metroid: Volume 1, Chapter 5. Monthly Magazine Z. Translated on Metroid Database. Adam: "Nothing... I just thought to myself that you don't seem to act very ladylike." Samus: "What's this all of the sudden? Don't get creepy on me!" Adam: "It's simple... you should remember what you are when you're not a warrior, Samus. That's something lost in you lately."
- ^ (May 2004). Samus & Joey. Volume 3, Chapter 12. Comic BomBom. Translated on Metroid Database. Samus: "Well then... "Dan Jello" was it? Show's over. Any objections?"