Why do we theorize?
Drawing from myLostexperience, I can think of several reasons.
Exuberant fan enthusiasm is the first that comes to mind.
Credit: Michael Parmelee/USA Network
When a story captures your imagination, it also activates it.
Speculating about mythology and predicting future developments?
The implicit What do you think?
Michael Parmelee/USA Network; Everett Collection
Its our Hello, friend.
Not all theorizing is so innocent.
It can be competitive, proud, or hollow business.Look at the big brain on me!
Im biggest fan of them all!
But I am guilty of another poor motivation for theorizing, mystery anxiety.
Theorizing is a way to actively manage the worry that it wont.
Theorizing is palliative cryptography.
We enjoy twist narrative mystery, likeThe Sixth Senseor the first season ofMr.
Robot, but I think we might resent their disorienting effects, too.
It subverts my illusion of mastery over my experience.
theres also something gravely serious.No, seriously, how did they do that, because cue The Who!
I knew aLosta blogger who desperately wanted the show to pair Sawyer and Kate, not Jack and Kate.
Theyre destined to be together.WhenLostdidnt fulfill this wishful thinking, this blogger felt horribly betrayed.
Robotseason 2 a critique of fan theorizing?
There are different strains of this possibly strained bit of thinking.
Some think Tyrell Wellick has Elliot locked up.
Ive heard other theories that postulate that this season or perhaps all ofMr.
Last week,I wrote that I wanted creator/director Sam Esmail to establish baselines of reality within its unreality.
Critic Alan Sepinwall has influenced my thinking on this: As hes said aboutMr.
This past week, I asked myself a simple question: Do I actuallylikehallucination theory?
Do I reallywantit to be true?
The reflection didnt lead to a clear yes or no conclusion.
(Some critics seem ready to declareMr.
Robotssecond season a sophomore slump; I usually wait until mid-season to make slump calls.)
Whats Bugging Me
The depiction of Elliots mother.
(Who apparently has no name, by the way.
Talk about some Anonymous Content.)
Mama Aldersons appearances this season have not flattered her.
(God says there are no accidents!)
I love the theological themes, but it struck me as a forced way to plant those flags.
Her concerns were understandable, but she came off as an empathy-challenged, emasculating ball-buster.
Hallucination theorists argue that Mom is actually an orderly at a psychiatric facility or a prison guard.
It would explain why shes nameless, too.
Its possible he doesnt know his/her name.
Its possible she represents one of many such people who look after Elliot.
The only thing thats true about Mom is that shes probably the personification of Elliots feelings about his mother.
Hence, I like the idea that Mom is a hallucination.
Shes kind of a terrible character, otherwise, Nameless Nana is more archetype than human being.
Hanging out at parks, watching neighborhood basketball games?
Chowing down at the local diner, making new friends like Leon without sweating their trust?
This makes zero sense unless Moms house is his mental construct of his current mental hospital surroundings.
Here, hallucination theory has strong appeal.
It fixes a problem I dont want the story to have.
But I really dont want any of those possibilities to be accurate.
I want Ray to be real.
Craig Robinson brings a witty, humane, grounding presence to a show that needs it.
His characters rapport with Elliot has been so winning, I gotta wonder if Mr.
Robot is feeling a little jealous.
Robot is the summers best ship triangle.)
He seems genuinely interested in connecting with Elliot in his despair.
He cares about him and wants to care for him.
and
The main condition for the achievement of love is the overcoming of ones narcissism.
To be clear, Ray could be a really despicable dude.
Similarly, Elliot is at risk for possession and manipulation, too.
Hes naturally wired for it, as the delusion of the Mr.
Robot father figure proves.
The contrast could be profound, or it could be slight but noticeable.
Last week, she found the Fun Society arcade.
I wonder what shell see when she finds her way to Nameless Nanas house?
Playing Chess With Death
Or
Some premature conjecture about a possibly irrelevant movie reference
Some intel about tonights episode.
(Which means…Spoiler Alert!)
Last week at theMr.
Robotpanel at Comic-Con, the cast treated attendees to a sneak peek at tonights episode.
complaint = Bergmans idea of the negative imprint or God is silent.
And doesnt pale, hoodie-sporting Elliot resemble Bengt Ekerots Grim Reaper?
