The Big Lebowski/Headscratchers


 * On Rewatch Bonus, the entry says that the Dude dropping J's on the counter is subtle Character Development. Could someone explain how, please?
 * By "Character Development" I think the troper is referring to the Coen Brothers adding little details to the character, not The Dude growing as a person or anything.
 * In that case, it ISN'T Character Development, at least not the way we define it on this wiki.
 * I agree. The story takes place over the period of what, a week? There's not much development to be had. I think people sometimes get Character Depth (which the movie has in spades) mixed up with Character Development. Great film anyway.
 * After watching the movie, I actually thought that the Dude did experience some character development, becoming a little more aggressive and proactive, actually taking charge a little. It's most likely due to his anger at the whole situation he's become involved in, and thus may not be permanent character development. However, compare his behavior in the final few scenes with it in the first few scenes, and tell me you don't see a difference.
 * He certainly goes go from just being all laid-back and "fuck it" when the Big Lebowski gives him attitude in their first meeting to genuinely pissed off . Then again, as mentioned above this could also be a Berserk Button
 * I know it was for the audience's benefit, many of whom would be unfamiliar with the concept, but why would Walter only now be explaining to Donny what Shomer Shabbos means if he's been Jewish for at least five years, plus however long he was married? I tried to rationalize it in my head as Donny just keeps forgetting what it means, but then why wouldn't Walter scream something like "God DAMMIT Donny, I've explained it a thousand times!"
 * Walter couldn't count over a thousand. So once he said he'd explained it a thousand times, he couldn't say that anymore, because it was over a thousand and beside Donny isn't that bright and maybe he wouldn't understand it even if you explained in really small words like if he was a kid or something because he's not smart but he's kinda stupid but he's not retarded or anything so maybe Donny hit his head surfing and ended up with a concussion and is just kind of "out of it" because if you have a concussion you can't drink alcohol and Donny never does. Just soda pop.
 * Um...what? Anyway, to the original poster, it's entirely possible that Donny just never thought to ask before. He has been shown to be a little oblivious.
 * It's fairly simple--he's just always rolling when Walter brings it up. By the time he sits down, Walter's stopped talking about it.
 * How were Walter/his bowling team able to stay in the tournament after he pulls the gun on Smokey? Smokey obviously reported him, we hear a message on the Dude's answering machine about how it was a violation of league rules and, heck, we even see police rush into the bowling alley after the incident. Were they just able to pull strings to get out of any sort of punishment?
 * The Dude's true skill (aside from bowling) seems to be being able to talk to and come to an understanding with anyone that's not just hellbent on being unreasonable. It's how he avoids paying his rent, and probably how these situations were resolved. He just talked to the league officials and the cops until they were like "Okay, Dude, but stay out of trouble from now on, okay? See you around!"
 * Although, if your landlord wanted you to watch an interpretive dance performance as awful as the one in the movie, wouldn't you want a free pass on a month's rent in exchange?
 * I've always just liked to think that the Dude's bowling league is really hard core. To the point where pulling a gun won't get you disqualified, because, shit, Smokey was over the line!
 * It's just for fun, but don't you think that Walter, when he points the gun at Smokey, could just have bluffed and joked in order to scare him and forcing him to mark zero ? Yeah, he pulls out the magazine, but it could have been empty.