Why wasn't Plissken surprised when Hershe mentioned the Plutoxin hoax?

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In John Carpenter's Escape from LA, the protagonist Snake Plissken is infected with a virus called Plutoxin-7 in the beginning to leverage him into completing a mission. He will get the vaccine upon completion of the mission, but the virus will kill him in 10 hours otherwise.

Midway through the movie, in response to an unlikely scenario, a supporting character sarcastically says "Oh right, and the Plutoxin-7 virus will kill you in 10 hours." This indicates that P7 is a pretty well-known and thoroughly debunked hoax. It's feasible that Snake was not aware of the hoax, but if that was the case you would think he'd ask for a little more clarification. She even goes on to say "It's bull****! Rumour control. Government propaganda. Just one more lie."

Even if he wanted to take the safe route and assume it was a legitimate virus, you'd think he would at least say something to the effect of "better safe than sorry" but instead he just kind of glances around, and then continues to form a plan. He doesn't even MENTION that he's ostensibly been infected by the very fake virus she's alluding to. Plot hole, or...?



The trick is not minding
In John Carpenter's Escape from LA, the protagonist Snake Plissken is infected with a virus called Plutoxin-7 in the beginning to leverage him into completing a mission. He will get the vaccine upon completion of the mission, but the virus will kill him in 10 hours otherwise.

Midway through the movie, in response to an unlikely scenario, a supporting character sarcastically says "Oh right, and the Plutoxin-7 virus will kill you in 10 hours." This indicates that P7 is a pretty well-known and thoroughly debunked hoax. It's feasible that Snake was not aware of the hoax, but if that was the case you would think he'd ask for a little more clarification. She even goes on to say "It's bull****! Rumour control. Government propaganda. Just one more lie."

Even if he wanted to take the safe route and assume it was a legitimate virus, you'd think he would at least say something to the effect of "better safe than sorry" but instead he just kind of glances around, and then continues to form a plan. He doesn't even MENTION that he's ostensibly been infected by the very fake virus she's alluding to. Plot hole, or...?
Been awhile since I’ve seen it, but he doesn’t have the luxury to assume it’s fake. I recall he was exhibiting symptoms, which lended credence to the fact he was indeed infected. But, he certainly plans for the possibility that he has been tricked, which the ending clearly shows.



Registered User
"Catches on quick, doesn't he?"

Thanks for your answer, I'm satisfied.



Do you mean to imply that Escape from L.A. may be sloppily put together?
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Say what you will about the quality of other aspects of the film, but that's the right answer to this particular question.
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