It’s fun trying to piece together the clues from the new “SPECTRE” teaser trailer, in which Daniel Craig’s James Bond confronts more demons from the past in his fourth outing that will impact his future course. Thus, it’s a continuation of “Skyfall” and not everything from his childhood has been buried. There’s no such thing as a regular mission so far in the Craig era, and 007 continues grappling with trust and betrayal in what looks to be a very baroque-looking crucible.
2. We know from Ian Fleming’s short story, “Octopussy,” that Hans Oberhauser was Bond’s ski instructor and father figure, and that Christoph Waltz Franz Oberhauser, probably his son. Therefore, this could also be a photo of Bond with the Oberhausers.
3. In fact, there’s also a document granting H. Oberhauser temporary guardianship.
4. The discovery of a SPECTRE ring (with the familiar octopus insignia) leads Bond to Austria to meet his old Quantum nemesis, Mr. White (Jesper Christensen). He looks haggard and barely recognizable with a beard. “You’re a kite dancing in a hurricane, Mr. Bond,” he says.
6. While Waltz is only confirmed as Oberhauser, the build up for this mysterious scene is very Blofeld-like. A shadowy figure sits at a conference table (exquisitely shot by Hoyte van Hoytema) and conducts a secret meeting in a church-like setting, with Thomas Newman emphasizing the “Bond Theme” very softly with xylophone. “Welcome James, it’s been a long time,” he greets. “And, finally, here we are.”
The teaser concludes nicely with the shattering of a windshield and the formation of the SPECTRE logo, recalling the death of Bond’s wife, Tracy (Diana Rigg), at the end of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” A clever tying together of the past and present with SPECTRE at the center.
“SPECTRE” opens stateside November 6 (including an IMAX release).
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