Ergo Proxy - 6: Return Home/Homecoming

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Return Home
Yeeeep. The entirety of the episode is summarized in the opening scene.

Vincent on one side, Quinn on the other. Between them, the Centzon Totochtin. (Which has a nice red typogram (?) on the bottom that clearly says Centzon Totochtin.) Who will escape. Who wields the power over life and death. Is Vincent going to be a follower yet again?

Raul's progression will have to wait for now. I'll tell it how it unfolds all as one story.


Remember the toy soldier that you've been seeing around Hoody's place? (It had shown up in countless scenes ever since Vincent came to the commune in the first place. No seriously, it is ridiculous how often the soldier is shown every chance it gets. And yet you likely didn't notice it until this episode....) He was holding it when the commune was brutally attacked. Well, it's back again.
The fancy clock in the Romdeau mall has the same soldiers marching around it. With one missing.
Remember his conversation with Pino - "Don't you want to go back to Romdeau?"
Remember his conversation with Vincent - "The man from Romdeau must return to Romdeau, it's providence!" (And the shot of the soldier?)
Remember him giving his soldier to Vincent to take with him?
Remember the scene right before the execution, where you see a climbing shadow and hands grabbing the toy soldier?
Remember the toy soldier, lying broken amongst the clothes of the dead? As Quinn lies dying herself...?


Alright, here is quick summary of everyone's intentions and the final results. After that I will go into the much more personal stories of Quinn, Hoody, and Raul.

After Quinn is changed by Timothy's death she gives up her previous values to keep to herself and serve herself. She manipulates the rest of the residents and starts to act as false-revolutionary leader, spouting lies like "lure out the negotiator" and taking control by telling the others what to do.
She is rude to Vincent and everyone, treating them more like pawns to be manipulated than comrades.
She plans to use Re-L Mayer as a hostage against any attack by Romdeau, and retrieves a lot of weapons to arm the rest of the passengers with, in such a case.
She plans to get Vincent to come with her, help repair the machinery, and follow her orders by getting him to believe she has a vaccine to save Re-L.
She doesn't care if Re-L lives or dies.
She plans to watch over Pino and take care of her.
She wants to leave the commune and head out into the land, but knows the dome is prepared to kill them off at any time, so she needs help to get everything moving quickly. Especially to repair both vehicles.
She probably knew about the Centzon from her dives, but told no one until she needed it unsubmerged. (or else got Hoody to tell her)


Hoody has fallen from power and now just watches on the sidelines as things unfold. He is still a mentor and instructs Vincent as to what is really going on - Quinn's ulterior motives and her lies.
He doesn't let on his own single desire to return to Romdeau.
He tells Vincent the only way he can save Re-L is to send her back to Romdeau. Which is true, only they have the medicine and facilities there to manage it.
Hoody would probably have the commune try to hide again instead of set out on a journey, but it is long past his ability to control everyone like that.


Vincent wants to save Re-L, any way he can.
He would rather stay with the commune than return to Romdeau.
He knows he would probably be killed if he returns, but he also just has no place there.
He is willing to stand up to Quinn and no longer trusts Hoody.


Therefore, it is still Hoody who partially controls events, but it is Vincent that holds the power and chooses to let him. Vincent is the one that repairs the AHD then steals it and asks Hoody to take Re-L back against Quinn's will. Vincent is the one that stays with Quinn, but does not do it because of her manipulation. Quinn gets his abilities as mechanic, and the commune is able to escape. Her goal is achieved of leaving Romdeau to make her own path, as she said back when we first met her. Hoody's goal of returning to Romdeau for one last time is achieved, and Re-L is saved. All because Vincent chose his own path instead of following the demands of another corrupt leader. And Quinn herself, though she dies before she gets to live out the fruits of her efforts, at least gets to see the rest of them saved for good. For her part, she stops plotting, admits her lies, and tells the people who gather around her, caring for her, that "it's less than you deserve, you bastards." while Pino lays in her arms, trying to love her. (the last piece of Timothy remaining...)

And Pino understands it, not fully, but she does truly understand what the concept is. As Quinn lies dying she says, "I feel....very sad, Quinn." It still could be parroting the things she has been taught. If someone dies: Then you feel sad. But I believe the transition between copying and understanding happens then.

None of the characters in Ergo Proxy are altruistic. Even Vincent at his most submissive is doing it because he wants to feel as if he is accepted. That is one of the wonderful things about this series. Everyone has their own story, and personal motives, complex and irrepressible emotions for what they do.






Quinn.


Quinn had a rough life, trying to build her way back from nothing. She had a boy she loved and called her own, and a single goal to strive for. She was going to leave the commune, spread her wings, and bring Timothy with her to a better life.
Distant from the rest, she didn't cling to old lives and dreams, but was determined to create new ones.
She lived for a dream, not unlike that of Ayn Rand's firm belief in the abilities of one to make their own way in the world.
She disliked how the others lived in repeating cycles, gossiping and occupying themselves with fantasy lives. She disliked Hoody and his need to be followed by the others to the point that he would manipulate their hopes. But, though she knew the corruption beneath the surface, she didn't interfere. She was going to work as hard as she could, alone, to realize her own goals. For herself. For Timothy, the only innocent left in this tragic place of need, abandonment, and decay.
Then Vincent came and also was not interested in false promises. She liked Vincent, but again, she would not be distracted from her goals. Besides, he quickly became wrapped up in Hoody's wild incantations and didn't have the guts to pull out.
And then Re-L. The heartless spoiled Romdeau citizen that, like the rest of the dome, thought she could come and do whatever she pleased with the lives of the commune.
Quinn may not have much to her name, but she will not stand to be insulted by the likes of her.

With not a shred of sympathy for the communes' lives, Re-L was about to leave with gutless Vincent, when an accident happens and suddenly Re-L is helpless.

Yet. She didn't even have the decency to realize her place then either.
She may be sharp, but she was shallow and worthless and will never know the meaning of work or accomplishment in her entire life. And it was the doing of such arrogant worthless bluebloods that condemn the commune and would kill them without a second thought.

It is only by Quinn's good nature that she doesn't kill Re-L on the spot but gives her carcass the only purpose it will ever have - to serve as shield and bargaining tool with Vincent.

Then Vincent surprises her. The idiot, in love with Re-L, uses the AHD to save her life and give Hoody a chance to live out his own foolish dreams. Why he wants to return Quinn will never know, but there is no use trying to change fate now.

"Let's move out!" She announces to the poor souls who would just live out the rest of their ragged existence undisturbed, forever gossiping and creating justifications for their way of life. They too are simpletons, but they are merely a dull sort, and not the imperious cretins of the dome. She wouldn't look out for them normally, but she is glad to help them live. For they too have suffered as she has, and struggled just to make their way in life.

So Quinn fights.

She fights for her life, her simple dream, her ideals of nearly Ayn Rand objectivism, the abused lives of her fellows who never had a chance. She fights against the tyranny of the dome. Most of all she fights for the innocent, and Timothy. She knows she has fallen to resort to using others as tools, but she does it to save what is left of the good that is found there. She fights so it will not be sterilized to leave only what she sees as the pure evil of the dome system (even if she only thinks the inhabitants are misguided, she thinks the dome as a whole is an evil institution.)

And, due to a fluke of fate, they get their chance and escape the reach of the dome altogether. It is at the cost of her own life. But. She lived according to her ideals for the most part, defeated the dome, and really, what was there left for her?

She has the care of the other commune members, but that was never her interest. She cares for them, but only wishes they could stand on their own.

......

Look at how helpless they are. Flying in circles. Dreaming of the treasures the dome offers them when they have it within them to build their own kingdoms.

Look at how we feared the dome. And how helpless it is, caught in it's own protocols. Flying in it's own meaningless circles. It's funny really, how sightless we all are in the grand scheme of things....
And Timothy.... never even had a chance.... Now.... at least the rest do.


















Hoody.



Hoody had all he could hope for in this ravaged place.
It wasn't much, but he had the rest of the commune looking up to him, listening to his stories. And he was able to give them some happiness, even if it was a false sort. Everyone depended on him, and in truth he did his best to help them all. He looked out for Vincent and Pino and everyone (even Re-L, who threatened him and treated him like dirt) and all he really wanted was to stay as a father figure.

But he wanted too much.

They realized his fabrications and turned on him. They abandoned him, ignored him, and left him as a sort of ghost to watch events unfold. Only Vincent remained to listen to him and Vincent too had lost all trust in him. Forced to become a sort of outcast tutor, he tells Vincent the truth.
Now that he can no longer return to his past life and Quinn holds the reigns the old dream returns to Hoody. And with the AHD he has a chance.



It seems so long ago that it all happened.
A brash idea, a cocky plan, an adventurous climb. And his brilliant prize - he stole a toy solder from the middle of the mall. He laughed about it, maybe even bragged a bit. It was too fun.

He thought it was his last insidious triumph to take it with him when they banished him from the dome. But now he thinks it must have been their own cunning punishment to leave him with the reminder that he has suffered all these hollow years for the sake of such a worthless trinket.

He was so blind. A scamp that traded the wonders of the dome for a simple selfish whim. An unruly child such as that could not be permitted to trifle with the running of paradise.

It's hopeless to ever think of being able to return. But someday he wishes, just for a moment, that he could see inside the dome one last time.

And then, as if lady fate smiled his way, there was an opportunity.

He has nothing left of his life here, and a single chance to return. A simple one, and one that will save the life of another. Vincent thanks him profusely, his eyes wide with gratitude, and Hoody says it is nothing, that he is old and would die soon any way.

He doesn't let on that this is what has plagued his heart ever since the day he was forced out.

It was strange and cold as he flew up. His cargo breathing irregularly behind him. The quiet hum of the vehicle. The tiny figures of the commune far below. Pino, bless her heart, waving up at him.

He tried to make do with the pieces of his life. He really tried his best. Maybe that is why he was given this chance now. Maybe it really was providence that he would return from where he came.

He waits as bureaucracy churns and tabulates, all the nervousness and uncertainty from when he was led out this way before, completely absent. This is what he is destined for. This is what he chose his last moments to be. This is all he could have hoped for.



He removes the helmet when he is finally instructed to disembark, and the city in all it's glory lays before him. As pristine and unchanged as the day he left it. And it is like he is that boy all over again, climbing up that clock, anxious and grinning and daringly stealing something that was not his to take.




"Alright then."




[VIEW SPOILERS]

Homecoming

"I don't want to leave Vince." Pino looks up to Hoody saying, "Oh, but Pa---." I used to think she was about to call Hoody her papa from the way he's been treating her, but now I think Pino was referring to her Papa, back in Romdeau, and how she does want to be with him. Either way, Pino is growing up, and beginning both to have feelings and to hide them.

When Hoody says, "That girl is from Romdeau. The city that killed Timothy!" Pino audibly gasps. I'm not sure why. I don't think she could have realized that it was Raul's fault, nor do I think she blames Re-L. Maybe she just grasps the idea of "kill" now that she understands "death." While looking at Re-L and understanding what happened to Timothy could happen to Re-L.

Similarly, with Quinn she says, "You're like my Papa!" And Quinn says, "Hey, you mean I'm like your Mama, right?" And Pino responds cheerfully, "Oh, I don't know." She may be referring to Raul's hard nature, but actual underlying tenderness. She may be referring to her care for Quinn the way she cares for her Papa. At the very least she cares for Quinn more than she cared for her mother who mildly abused her, so, not like her mama. She again, instead of saying everything she thinks, obfuscates it.

And again there are double meanings. "The man from Romdeau must return to Romdeau, it's providence!" Seems to refer to Vincent, on first take. But actually refers to Hoody's return right? Well, think about it again. Isn't it also providence that Vincent will return to Romdeau, being Ergo Proxy and seeking answers about himself and his past? trolololol Ergo Proxy, I see your game.

Daedalus is worried about Re-L of course. The future is bleak for her, and he seems to have lost her for good. They are dear to each other. If only because they are so lone-wolf that they respect so few others. Well, that and his raison detre and project and so forth. He is looking through old videos... Something is odd. It seems to suggest that he has known her ever since she was an infant. This point is never clarified but it leaves open a question if there is something supernatural about Re-L's growth rate. It would seem that is a nonsense conclusion but there are several reasons this prospect is pushed. Daedalus seems younger than Re-L, but she seems to look up to him as a doctor and confidante. In the videos, if they age at the same rate, Daedalus would be younger, but he is taking the video (she looks at the video and says "Daedalus!") and she appears to be something like 7 or 8 at the time. Then there is the infant shot, shown right along with her more recent library video... and her again at 4 or 5 having the same reaction as her 7 or 8 year old looking video. Finally, there is the way Re-L2, Real, ages supernaturally fast. The numbers on the video begin with 014, 001, 017, and 008. Perhaps the ages in each? I might be that bad at guessing ages... 303AI is the current year, and they use our months/day system. Also Re-L appears to be born is 284 but the screen cap of the ID card that is from also says her name is Real, so iffy. Then later on the death certificate she is listed as 19 years old. Either interpretation is possible and valid, but it seems I was most likely misguided by the speed-aging guess. Daedalus must just be older than he appears. Certainly that is not out of the question and altogether more reasonable.
Something else that is cool, is that the butterflies in Re-L's garden scene appear to be holograms, not actual butterflies!

Quinn admits to "I don't know, maybe" being afraid of Vincent. She also explicitly referred to, "don't make that face at me" when dealing with Vincent. It is the same thing that Iggy mentions several episodes later. "Your face tells me that you will kill Re-L. My. Beloved. Re-L." And Raul says, "That hideous, face, I will not be disgraced by it again." And Re-L mentions in the second episode, "The face of a fellow citizen. The face. The face." Everyone seems obsessed with Vincent's face and what it reveals about his alternate personality.



Raul.

Raul has been working every moment since the incident. How could the immigrant escape him like this. How could he have gotten away like this. Raul Creed is the most powerful man in Romdeau and yet at every turn Vincent eludes him.
First he escaped the ambush. Then he escaped through the plug vent. He even had the obscenity to live in the poisoned outside air. At every turn he manages to haunt Raul Creed. He sent the patrols to eliminate him, and somehow slips past the onslaught then too. It's like he is some kind of powerful curse at this point, to keep defying fate.

Defying fate.

What hideous irony that Vincent taught Raul how everyone is subject to fate, and yet dances around it with the agility of a mocking phantom.

And the Administrative Bureau had the audacity to suggest that Raul was failing at his job when he is the only one so unwavering to carry it out. They would let the dome escapees' go without punishment. They would let the law fall for the sake of ease.
He knows they monitor him through the eyes of Kristeva. But he will persevere. He will have justice and he will punish Vincent Law even if he has to do it alone. He singlehandedly organizes the patrol craft attacks on the commune. He controls the craft as he attacks Vincent and when Re-L gets in the way, immobilizes her with a shot to her electrical systems. He attacks the entire commune and murders Timothy. Everyone there has committed treason and it his job to preserve the city and everything it stands for. They are no longer citizens. He is simply revoking their right to life that they were given as members of the dome.

Still he does not succeed. Again he organizes the patrol craft, but this time he watches carefully their movements. They seem to have organized a sort of transport. They would escape and take Vincent with them.

As he plans his attack Kristeva interrupts him to inform him about readmitting Re-L. That girl, she tried to protect Vincent and acts above the law...
"I'm too busy for this. Let her wait. I can't approve the return of someone who left the dome without permission. Furthermore anyone who abandons the dome, like that young man has, deserves the harshest punishment allowed. That's certainly reasonable. Yes. He must have his consequences, wouldn't you agree, Kristeva?"

I'm trying to do my job and enact the law you asked me to enact. My reasons are valid, my emotions have no part in this. He deserves these consequences for what he did. Go ahead and try and disagree with that. You would bend the law to spare Re-L, why would you not let me bend the law to enact it as strictly as I please for Vincent.

He sends in the machines. Handily killing the first commune member but hitting trouble soon after when they fight back. Still he takes advantage of every slip up and whittles down their numbers. As he observes his handiwork with satisfaction, Daedalus contacts him personally.
"Chief Raul."
"Yes, what is it now?"
This is my moment of triumph and the dome still demands my attention.... It can't be helped.
"You're aware of our request to open plug vent number three?"
"The outside air is filled with germs. What's more, it's not such a simple matter opening a plug vent for someone who's infected."
"You've had plenty of time to deal with those issues. Security, Chief Raul. We're prepared on our end. Now authorize the opening of plug vent three."
"Very well, doctor."
How amusing. He really is concerned with his responsibilities. No harm in letting the process move forward now. I have Vincent where I want him.
"Good. Then we'll take responsibility for both passengers."
"Both passengers.... So she didn't come back alone. She found Vincent Law."
He's here. He's come right here to my doorstep. I can go and personally observe the end of it... what fortune doth land on my lap for my toils.
"Leave three vehicles in pursuit and have the rest head for plug vent number three. I'll join them shortly."
"I've found him."
It's all over now. The game is up and he has nowhere to run.
"He's not on the airship."
But at my feet.


"That is a little odd actually, I was never informed of the other passenger's name. What makes you so sure he's your man. Or is this just speculation."
"Perhaps, but I've got a feeling."
"Vincent Law. Guilty of treason for damaging an entourage. He's an immigrant. He may be considered a threat, but I don't think he warrants the Security Bureau use it's full force to capture him."
Who does this boy think he is. First making demands and interrupting my hunt and now questioning my objective. I won't have him trifle with my right to furnish retribution on the creature who destroyed my life. This doctor is willful, and seems a little too discerning for my tastes.
"You're correct. The man is insignificant. So why don't you please stop pestering me about it."
"My apologies. You have your reasons."
Very well, he asked for it, I'll give him a taste of his own medicine.
"Re-L Mayer is on the other side of that plug vent. I would hate to think that you've forgotten that, Doctor Daedalus."
I hope we are clear now, Doctor.


Everything falls in to place so easily now. I observe from the upper deck. Judge and executioner. The patrol craft flies into position behind should any attempt be made. I give the order, satisfaction curling my lip.
"Show me your face, Vincent Law."

The demon that has tormented me so long. The one that stole my life, destroyed my love, took my child, eluded my grasp, mocked my prestige, and yes, awoke my wrath. I may no longer be an immaculate Chief of the Citizen's Security Bureau, but I will have my vengeance.


"Show me your face, Vincent Law."


I leaned forward, inches from the glass to observe as the man removed his helmet and stood before me, a stranger. An aged man. Forgotten by time.

No.

No it cannot be.

NO.

Vincent... Vincent Law has escaped me again, the airship! He must by on the ---
"The ship made it across the bay. The patrol craft cannot follow it any further."

Unbridled rage.

He won. He won against me. Against ME.




......


"Burn the commune to the ground."



Still, futilely I commanded the patrol craft. Over and over and over again. Kill Vincent. Kill Vincent. Kill him. Kill him. Kill......

[/SPOILERS]
//////// Reaction:

It may be just my own propensity, but I admire how much is communicated wordlessly. Re-L reaches Hoody's garage. How do I know it is his garage? He was there when the AHD was being taken away from it, and the others say "We didn't steal it, Hoody stole it and we took it from him." Remember the pliers cutting the chain and the man gasping when he realized Hoody was standing there? Those same pliers are lying on the floor when Re-L arrives and collapses.

Is any of this communicated? No. She simply says "Damn." It's true that later she goes to Quinn saying that her "Someone stole my AHD. I bet that was you." but you have to put together the pieces rather than hear them sequentially.

"When someone dies, that's it. You don't get see another one of them again." That is what is saddest about death. It isn't the death itself, for me, but the fact that it means what could have been, will never happen. That there will never be another life quite like that, and the things that life could have given will never be realized. That is why everyone's lives matter, without ever knowing who or what they were. Even the worst kind of people have things to offer that we will never know if their lives are cut short, and the universe will be a lesser place without them. Somehow this concept is both very deep and moving, while also being very tenuous and questionable.

Everyone else sees a lot more sexual tension between Re-L and Vincent than I do, but it is safe to say that Re-L at this point is somewhat captivated. It is all mixed up in her nature to seek answers, her shock of seeing the Proxy, questioning her own role as a citizen, Vincent being an enigma she can't seem to crack, and increasingly Vincent himself. She has a combative personality too, which means she may be more invested than she lets on. Her memory of him is enough to make her struggle out of bed and attempt to confront him. It seems it is the one thing she wants to try to do before she dies. Admittedly, she doesn't have many other options, but she doesn't want to give up just yet. Vincent is very protective of her, coming to rescue her when she has been knocked over by Quinn, and blushing when she struggles to speak to him. I hardly doubt that she reciprocates his enamor, but she is personally invested in trying to figure out who he is which is, I would estimate, if not a compliment then at least a lot more than typical for her.

After this episode thing start to shift. At first it remains still plot heavy with a lot more subterfuge and hints that need unraveling. Also they start dealing directly with a lot more deeply philosophic questions about life in another several episodes. The previous four episodes have been more or less straight forward. I haven't really needed to pick apart the episodes as much as I have, but I did so to get at the character's motivations and sort of make up some philosophic dichotomies. The extra details were extra details instead of main plot points that needed to be understood. Of course, after the middle of the series, things really start to go obnoxiously crazy and symbolic and psychological, but that is still a quite a long ways off.

All Episodes: Ergo Proxy Companion Viewing Guide
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