Recently I have rewatched the Fantastic Four movies for reasons which I mostly don't want to share. Not so much because of my interest in the movies or the characters, though they are entertaining enough. My husband decided that he would like to join me in watching them, as he usually does when I watch a superhero movie. He is usually not much interested in comics, but he uses the movies as a way to connect with me and my hobby which doesn't require him to get into the medium itself. At the end of the first movie he told me something sweet though a bit misguided and inaccurate, that I am kind of like Sue Storm to his Reed Richards. First of all my husband is nothing like Reed Richards. He is smart and has a scientific mind, but not like Reed. Also I got the compliment, but Sue Storm is generally not shown to be as intelligent in the comics as she was in the movie.

While I was rewatching the movie though there was something which struck me as pretty cool. At one point Sue decided that Reed needs a break and takes him to the location of their first date - a planetarium. A planetarium was not the site of my first date, but I have been to the planetarium numerous times on dates with him (I used to live a block away from the only planetarium within 1000 kilometers.) A planetarium is much better than a movie though. Movies usually involve two hours of silence and then an awkward discussion trying to figure out what it meant before parting ways. As the narrative of a planetarium show is more like a lecture it is actually ok to interrupt. Unlike in a messed up movie like Inception where the director wants you to leave with doubt in your mind, a planetarium is not like that at all. If you are not allowed to interrupt during then you are usually encouraged to go ask questions later. So in one you can leave trying to discuss "Was that top ever going to stop spinning?" and in the other you can just have your questions answered about the rings of Saturn or whatever.

Some people don't find astronomy to be very fascinating (though I am not sure why) but that also works out as to why it is a good idea. Usually when you go you can have some privacy from others unlike in a packed movie theater. In fact of all the planetariums that I have ever been in, I am not sure if more than 10% were more than half full. Then there is the added bonus that no one takes dates to planetariums ever and that it seems to be a spontaneous act as opposed to something generic like a movie. It kind of sets the tone for the budding relationship that "I do things which are different and I am probably a lot of fun and ready for random adventures and experiences." So I fully approve of Reed and Sue's first date. It appeared to be a nerdy default date for two scientists, but it sounds pretty amazing to me.