--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...We got it all wrong, there was no…" description: "\"“...We got it all wrong, there was no alien swarm descending from the sky in their flying saucers or big metal walkers like something out of Star Wars ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/rick-yancey-831_star-wars_we-got-it-all-wrong-there-was-no-alien-s_1485683.jpg" --- # ...We got it all wrong, there was no alien swarm… ![“...We got it all wrong, there was no alien swarm descending from the sky in their flying saucers or big metal walkers like something out of Star Wars or cute little wrinkly E.T.s who just wanted to pluck a couple of leaves, eat some Reese's Pieces, and go home. That's not how it ends.” quote by Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/rick-yancey-831_star-wars_we-got-it-all-wrong-there-was-no-alien-s_1485683.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/rick-yancey-831_star-wars_we-got-it-all-wrong-there-was-no-alien-s_1485683.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/rick-yancey-831_star-wars_we-got-it-all-wrong-there-was-no-alien-s_1485683.jpg) > ““...We got it all wrong, there was no alien swarm descending from the sky in their flying saucers or big metal walkers like something out of Star Wars or cute little wrinkly E.T.s who just wanted to pluck a couple of leaves, eat some Reese's Pieces, and go home. That's not how it ends.”” [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The anticipated dramatic climax of an alien invasion never occurs, subverting genre expectations. **In simple terms:** The expected alien showdown never happens. Key Takeaway Accept that stories can defy clichés. Themes science fiction subversion expectation narrative twist Mood surprised thoughtful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - movie adaptations - fan discussions - creative writing - marketing pitches Key Concepts genre conventions storytelling surprise Questions to Reflect On - What does this reversal say about our desire for epic confrontations? - How does subverting expectations affect engagement? A Different Perspective Readers may feel disappointed if they crave traditional climactic battles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alien/) [Flying saucers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying-saucers/) [Star wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/star-wars/) ## Related quotes > [My friend once sculpted me a bust of Admiral Ackbar from 'Star Wars.' He's my favourite character in the films after Han Solo. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgrath/my-friend-once-sculpted-me-a-bust-of-admiral-ackbar-from-star-wars-he/) [Katie McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgrath/) > [While I prefer generally more personal dramas in which I can stretch myself... and while I'm not a science fiction buff, I consider '2001'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvette-mimieux/while-i-prefer-generally-more-personal-dramas-in-which-i-can-stretch/) [Yvette Mimieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvette-mimieux/) > [The aliens of 'The 5th Wave' are not the aliens we've imagined. Not the aliens we'd like to attack us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/the-aliens-of-the-5th-wave-are-not-the-aliens-we-ve-imagined-not-the/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [I did have an occasion in 1951 to have two days of observation of many flights of them, they were of different sizes, flying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-cooper/i-did-have-an-occasion-in-1951-to-have-two-days-of-observation-of/) [Gordon Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-cooper/) > [“The existence of flying saucers is unlikely to be verified by an accumulation of facts and figures, dates and times, which, if anything, tend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-hollings/the-existence-of-flying-saucers-is-unlikely-to-be-verified-by-an/) [Ken Hollings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-hollings/) > [These UFOs are interplanetary devices systematically observing the earth, either manned or under remote control, or both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-w-chidlaw/these-ufos-are-interplanetary-devices-systematically-observing-the/) Benjamin W. Chidlaw > [It is my conclusion that UFOs do exist, are very real, and are spaceships from another or more than one solar system. They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-oberth/it-is-my-conclusion-that-ufos-do-exist-are-very-real-and-are/) [Hermann Oberth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-oberth/) > [For more than 50 years, men and women around the world have reported sights in the sky that are strange to their experience and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-berliner/for-more-than-50-years-men-and-women-around-the-world-have-reported/) [Don Berliner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-berliner/) > [I am convinced that UFOs exist because I've seen one...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-am-convinced-that-ufos-exist-because-i-ve-seen-one/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Germany may have recovered a flying saucer as early as 1939](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-doolittle/germany-may-have-recovered-a-flying-saucer-as-early-as-1939/) [Jimmy Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-doolittle/) > [People who believe in flying saucers are the scrapings from the bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-kneale/people-who-believe-in-flying-saucers-are-the-scrapings-from-the-bottom/) [Nigel Kneale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-kneale/) > [I have argued flying saucers with lots of people. I was interested in possible. They do not appreciate that the problem is not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/i-have-argued-flying-saucers-with-lots-of-people-i-was-interested-in/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“Apocalyptic saucer cults have started to spring up all over America. One small group, which has been receiving messages from outer space via Lake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-hollings/apocalyptic-saucer-cults-have-started-to-spring-up-all-over-america/) [Ken Hollings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-hollings/) > [If I become President, I'll make every piece of information this country has about UFO sightings available to the public, and the scientists. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/if-i-become-president-i-ll-make-every-piece-of-information-this/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More by Rick Yancey > [“Don't you get it yet? The minute we decide that one person doesn't matter anymore, they've won."..."Beneath a sky crowded with a billion stars.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/don-t-you-get-it-yet-the-minute-we-decide-that-one-person-doesn-t/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [The way we learn to write is the way we learn to talk: We listen to others and start mimicking speech, and that's how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/the-way-we-learn-to-write-is-the-way-we-learn-to-talk-we-listen-to/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [I have a very low tolerance for boredom and often think I would have missed out on books entirely if Id grown up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/i-have-a-very-low-tolerance-for-boredom-and-often-think-i-would-have/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [There are things that are too terrible to remember, and there are things that are almost too wonderful to recall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/there-are-things-that-are-too-terrible-to-remember-and-there-are/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [I've loved sci-fi and speculative fiction since I was a kid. It was inevitable I'd try my hand at it at some point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/i-ve-loved-sci-fi-and-speculative-fiction-since-i-was-a-kid-it-was/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [“I can’t leave him. I made a promise.” I start to explain it, but I don’t even know how to begin. How do I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/i-can-t-leave-him-i-made-a-promise-i-start-to-explain-it-but-i-don-t/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [“That's my big problem. That's it! Before the Arrival,guys like Evan Walker never looked twice at me, much less shot wild game for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/that-s-my-big-problem-that-s-it-before-the-arrival-guys-like-evan/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [I'm one, too," he said. "What?" He spit a wad of blood and mucus into the dirt. "A virgin." What a shock. "What makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/i-m-one-too-he-said-what-he-spit-a-wad-of-blood-and-mucus-into-the/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [Good God, man, what is that smell?" He eyed with disgust the doctor's filthy cloak. "Life," answered the doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/good-god-man-what-is-that-smell-he-eyed-with-disgust-the-doctor-s/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [“He drops into the room, landing on the balls of his feet like a cat. I'm in his arms in the time it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/he-drops-into-the-room-landing-on-the-balls-of-his-feet-like-a-cat-i/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [“All things do happen for a reason... . Is this not the foundation of our faith? You are here-all of us-because we are but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/all-things-do-happen-for-a-reason-is-this-not-the-foundation-of-our/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [“Her raised his face to the weeping sky, closed his dark eyes, and sighed deeply, a smile playing on his sensuous lips. "The bloody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/her-raised-his-face-to-the-weeping-sky-closed-his-dark-eyes-and/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [To hold on, you have to find something you’re willing to die for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/to-hold-on-you-have-to-find-something-you-re-willing-to-die-for/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [I brought Sammy inside and put him to bed. Said his prayer with him. “‘Now I lay me down to sleep…’” To me, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/i-brought-sammy-inside-and-put-him-to-bed-said-his-prayer-with-him/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [A moment comes in war when the last line must be crossed. The line that separates what you hold dear from what total war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/a-moment-comes-in-war-when-the-last-line-must-be-crossed-the-line/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) [Explore all 342 Rick Yancey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) ## More Alien quotes > [If you're going to immerse yourself in a project for three years, why not stake out a chunk of the world that is completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-powers/if-you-re-going-to-immerse-yourself-in-a-project-for-three-years-why/) [Richard Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-powers/) > [“If you are an alien, how come you sound like you're from the north?' 'Lots of planets have a north!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-t-davies/if-you-are-an-alien-how-come-you-sound-like-you-re-from-the-north/) [Russell T Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-t-davies/) > [Some pundits have proposed that the aliens have come here to breed with us. Apparently, too much bike riding or something similar has rendered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/some-pundits-have-proposed-that-the-aliens-have-come-here-to-breed/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [North Korea is still my homeland, my country. I suffered on the outside because I was alien, without identity. I was nobody. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-hyeon-seo/north-korea-is-still-my-homeland-my-country-i-suffered-on-the-outside/) [Lee Hyeon-seo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-hyeon-seo/) > [I don't want to be the embarrassment of the galaxy to have had the power to deflect an asteroid, and then not and end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-be-the-embarrassment-of-the-galaxy-to-have-had-the/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Whatever is not commonly seen is condemned as alien.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-chang/whatever-is-not-commonly-seen-is-condemned-as-alien/) [Iris Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-chang/) > [Alien's a great one. That's a scary movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-nelson/alien-s-a-great-one-that-s-a-scary-movie/) [Judd Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-nelson/) > [As far as I can tell, the only unambiguous consequence of the claimed invasion of Earth by beings from another star system has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/as-far-as-i-can-tell-the-only-unambiguous-consequence-of-the-claimed/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Rick stared at him. "Your brother is an alien." "Yeah, but he's a cute one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/rick-stared-at-him-your-brother-is-an-alien-yeah-but-he-s-a-cute-one/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [You tell me you love me, but Im not sure you know what love is, or how fast it flies, or how much it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/you-tell-me-you-love-me-but-im-not-sure-you-know-what-love-is-or-how/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [Give consideration to the fact that alien astronomers could have scrutinized Earth for more than 4 billion years without detecting any radio signals, despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/give-consideration-to-the-fact-that-alien-astronomers-could-have/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [“When I was a kid, I used to watch that show, sitting on the couch in my pajamas and wishing more than anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-thomas-ford/when-i-was-a-kid-i-used-to-watch-that-show-sitting-on-the-couch-in-my/) [Michael Thomas Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-thomas-ford/) > [We of alien looks or words must stick together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/we-of-alien-looks-or-words-must-stick-together/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [One of the most interesting things for me in playing another species is that you want to make them different enough to be alien…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-murray/one-of-the-most-interesting-things-for-me-in-playing-another-species/) [Jaime Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-murray/) > [In a movie, it's often important to have aliens whose gestures and facial expressions can be 'read' by humans. And in the days before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/in-a-movie-it-s-often-important-to-have-aliens-whose-gestures-and/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) [Browse all 709 Alien quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alien/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...We got it all wrong, there was no alien swarm descending from the sky in their flying saucers or big metal walkers like something out of Star Wars or cute little wrinkly E.T.s who just wanted to pluck a couple of leaves, eat some Reese's Pieces, and go home. 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