IMO The most interesting line in the episode.

**Ineffable** · 03-23-2011, 11:24 AM

Bell is giving his reasons for why they should keep him around and says-

"I am the only person on this universe with knowledge of...."

I'm paraphrasing but he definitely said "on". No one says they are "on" the universe....we all say we're "in" the universe.

Hmmmm.

**futurejp** · 03-23-2011, 01:53 PM

I definitely noticed this too, but I can't really figure out what it might mean if it has some sort of hint in there.

**Utnogrl** · 03-23-2011, 08:13 PM

I don't know guys...

I always say "...on this earth" and "on God's green earth". I just think it's semantics.

**Drawde5711** · 03-23-2011, 09:09 PM

I always say on Earth, being exterior to its surface. But within the confines of the expanse of the universe.

It's Multiverse theory, the idea that other dimensions are like sheets of paneling with a defined shape -- just a few feet away from one another.

**Olive_Dunham** · 03-23-2011, 09:40 PM

I always say on Earth, too, since I'm standing on its surface, yet, in this universe.
It might be just semantics, too
If you consider each universe is a layer you stand on, then, saying 'on this universe' wouldnt be that wrong(?) I dont know

ETA: And I think that's the writers's POV. We've been told that the (2)universes are overlapping, and that, technically you dont go over there, but the universe passes right through you like water passing through a cheesecloth.
So ...I dont know, maybe you're, at a certain moment, standing on one universe, in the multiverse, which would stand for 'the whole'

**fragaria x phile** · 03-23-2011, 10:22 PM

usually you'd say "only person on Earth"

But Bell and the others in the room are privy to the knowledge that there is more than one earth... so on Earth wouldn't make sense.

**tricked** · 03-23-2011, 10:57 PM

We say "on earth" because we are "of the earth" and sort of bound to it. We are not in the earth lol.

But for Bell to say it that way ... makes it seem extremely god-like imo. We are on earth, but both in and of the universe.

Bell is making it sound as if his vantage point is over the entire universe and that he has seen its entirety from the outside of it or something .... omnipresent in a way. Arguably, how Brandon was describing the way the Obs view time ...

**Olive_Dunham** · 03-24-2011, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by tricked

We say "on earth" because we are "of the earth" and sort of bound to it. We are not in the earth lol.

In earth

the hell it sounds wrong...

I agree, he was just playing God, most likely, yes^

>>It's always On Earth, not only when you say 'the only person on Earth', but always
For instance: 'life on Earth', 'on the planet Earth', etcetera etcetera...
It has nothing to do with how many Earth's or planets, or whatever there are, I guess

Anyhoo...what am I doing debating Grammar and Semantics (?)