“How sane could she be?” If you could get paid to spend all day irradiating stuff, wouldn’t you? I have to admit, I would seriously consider it. (Of course, that may not say much for my sanity.)
And many “sane” people make poor relationship choices every day.
I don’t know.
Irradiating stuff would be the easy part. The meticulous observation and paperwork would be a bear. Marcie is probably enjoying the break in the tedium.
OTOH she just hustled a super-zombie away from her snack, so she just may be incredibly reckless rather than “mad”, scientist or not.
And it’s because of things like this that I can’t get mad at Ira. You expect bad guys to act like bad guys. But compared to things like this he’s not even on the score board. ^O^
There’s actually a big difference. Ira/Mr. Green chooses to do the things he does, and seems to completely lack any kind of conscience or ethical system, or empathy for that matter. He just does what he want to do. I’m sure he rationalizes it, but other peoples’ feelings and needs just don’t really come into play in Mr. Green’s “vision.” (Also, he has a very narrow definition of personhood.) He has decided he knows what’s best for everyone, and he’s going to try to make it happen, no matter whom he hurts or kills in the process.
Unity is literally a monster, but she tries to do the right thing, and looks to others for guidance when she is unsure. Notice that she is allowing Marcie to lead her away, in spite of her instinct to eat brains. And, even though Unity is technically amoral, she is capable of empathy.
The problem is, Unity’s thoughts and feelings are often so radically different from others’ that she cannot always empathize. She is capable of learning, and has, over time, and with guidance from Sweetheart (and occasionally Tip) become aware of her shortcomings, and has learned to accept guidance from her friends. Her impulse control is actually far better than it used to be when we first met her.
And extirpate as required. And shutting down programs built of life, sweat, blood and tears(etc) and throw away living brains who’ve been working for your goals and ideals….funny thing: missions ARE open-ended. And SOME survivors don’t like being trashed.But that’s another story, isn’t it?
Is it? Care to tell me what any of that does to justify one of the heroes wanting to kill and eat the person they’re supposed to be rescuing? Is eating the living brain who’s been working for your goals and ideals really that much better then throwing it away? o_O
You make a very good case against my view of Skin Horse as an example of pure noir and protagonist centered morality, and your point in favor of Unity reminds me of the time when Ariel rebuked Prospero by saying “I would pity them…were I human!” complete with the implied “And what’s YOUR excuse, Lord Prospero?”. ^_^
That said, I would say Ira does have a sense of ethics. It’s part of the reason he was able to understand Nick’s self-loathing so readily. He is merely the example of what “By any means necessary!’ ultimately does to the moral fiber of the political fanatic who embraces it.
The terms “by any means necessary” and “sense of ethics” tend to be opposites.
As for good guys doing bad things, the difference is that good people show remorse, and try to make amends. Ira, however, has shown little if any contrition, and certainly no attempt or willingness to make things right.
Very true that they are opposites. As George Smiley kept finding out in the John LaCarre novels. And yet, that never kept Smiley from going right out and doing it again which pretty much made his remorse useless. And he never really tried to make things right either. Ira seems to be cut from the same cloth in that regard. So I guess we should think of Ira as a George Smiley on behalf of the human race? Or would Ira be closer to being Karla from “Smiley’s People”? ^_~
Ira thinks he knows what is best for humanity, and he is acting with complete disregard for what anyone else actually thinks. So I really can’t agree that he is “on behalf of the human race.” He is entirely on his own behalf.
That goes with the territory of being a fanatic. Doesn’t mean he isn’t sincere. Given that a war against humans by nonhumans already has taken place he might not even be entirely wrong, humbug or no. I consider him the human counterpart to H.T. No better or worse in terms of morality.
Being a fanatic and being sincere do not mean that one isn’t evil. But you’re right about Ira and HT being counterparts. Frankly, I’d like to see Ira get eaten by HT (because I hate Ira just a little bit more for the despicable way he’s treated Virginia), and then have HT run over by a runaway train.
Oookay, when they finally get Nick into a new chassis, they should really gloss over this part of the story. It might cause a hostile work environment if you know that one of your co-workers almost ate you.
I was expecting something like this. XD
…imagining Unity crafting a new body for Nick, in a fit of brain-high.
And then not having a brain to put in it.
And there’s the Unity we all know and love.
Marcie’s “Wait for it…” really sells it.
…and cue the almost certainly sane scientist to intervene. Good work, Marcie!
Well, she does like Chris, slept with Tip, and is one of the mainstays of the Department of Irradiation. How sane could she be?
Quoth the physicist, “Its all relative.” For example, of the 3 females in this strip, she seems the sanest to me.
It actually occurred to me that Marcie’s input on any Lee-Jones plan for a new body for Nick might be counterproductive.
“OK, let me just float a trial balloon here. A new, improved powerful cyborg body, controlled by Nick’s new, improved ATOMIC MUTANT BRAIN. Eh? Eh?”
Dunno… Nick might like that idea.
Atomic Mutant Brains need no body. They levitate (being telekinetic) and glow in the dark…
Odd, I count four females. *double checks first panel* Yeap. Tigerlily makes four. Doctor Lee is third. Marcella is two…
Technically speaking we have no idea whats in unity’s pants.
What’s in Unity’s pants is changeable. OTOH, she does seem to self-identify as female, to my recollection.
“How sane could she be?” If you could get paid to spend all day irradiating stuff, wouldn’t you? I have to admit, I would seriously consider it. (Of course, that may not say much for my sanity.)
And many “sane” people make poor relationship choices every day.
I don’t know.
Irradiating stuff would be the easy part. The meticulous observation and paperwork would be a bear. Marcie is probably enjoying the break in the tedium.
OTOH she just hustled a super-zombie away from her snack, so she just may be incredibly reckless rather than “mad”, scientist or not.
You do have a point about the paperwork. Sweetheart would expect nothing less.
Sanity does seem pretty much off the beaten track for most everybody in and around Skin Horse. Are any of them are in a pre-mad state?
You would think Annex One would have a Brain-O-Mat installed by now.
As I understand it, Virginia’s the only one who knows how to build one at this point, and we know she’s been busy.
For the life of me, I don’t know why I didn’t see this coming.
Especially since someone predicted it the other day.
And it’s because of things like this that I can’t get mad at Ira. You expect bad guys to act like bad guys. But compared to things like this he’s not even on the score board. ^O^
There’s actually a big difference. Ira/Mr. Green chooses to do the things he does, and seems to completely lack any kind of conscience or ethical system, or empathy for that matter. He just does what he want to do. I’m sure he rationalizes it, but other peoples’ feelings and needs just don’t really come into play in Mr. Green’s “vision.” (Also, he has a very narrow definition of personhood.) He has decided he knows what’s best for everyone, and he’s going to try to make it happen, no matter whom he hurts or kills in the process.
Unity is literally a monster, but she tries to do the right thing, and looks to others for guidance when she is unsure. Notice that she is allowing Marcie to lead her away, in spite of her instinct to eat brains. And, even though Unity is technically amoral, she is capable of empathy.
The problem is, Unity’s thoughts and feelings are often so radically different from others’ that she cannot always empathize. She is capable of learning, and has, over time, and with guidance from Sweetheart (and occasionally Tip) become aware of her shortcomings, and has learned to accept guidance from her friends. Her impulse control is actually far better than it used to be when we first met her.
Very well put, Candace.
Just because you expect bad guys to act like bad guys doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get mad at them for it.
Yes, Unity is being good when she allows herself to be led by mere mortals. If she decided to just go for it, they couldn’t even slow her down.
Blueberry pancakes, anyone?
And extirpate as required. And shutting down programs built of life, sweat, blood and tears(etc) and throw away living brains who’ve been working for your goals and ideals….funny thing: missions ARE open-ended. And SOME survivors don’t like being trashed.But that’s another story, isn’t it?
Is it? Care to tell me what any of that does to justify one of the heroes wanting to kill and eat the person they’re supposed to be rescuing? Is eating the living brain who’s been working for your goals and ideals really that much better then throwing it away? o_O
@ awgiedawgie,
But without the bad guys there’s seldom any story. What’s the good guys’ excuse when *they* start doing stuff like that? o_O
I interpret Unity’s “NO WAIT” as catching herself when she realizes where that thought is heading.
Good point and that is to her credit. ^_^
You make a very good case against my view of Skin Horse as an example of pure noir and protagonist centered morality, and your point in favor of Unity reminds me of the time when Ariel rebuked Prospero by saying “I would pity them…were I human!” complete with the implied “And what’s YOUR excuse, Lord Prospero?”. ^_^
That said, I would say Ira does have a sense of ethics. It’s part of the reason he was able to understand Nick’s self-loathing so readily. He is merely the example of what “By any means necessary!’ ultimately does to the moral fiber of the political fanatic who embraces it.
The terms “by any means necessary” and “sense of ethics” tend to be opposites.
As for good guys doing bad things, the difference is that good people show remorse, and try to make amends. Ira, however, has shown little if any contrition, and certainly no attempt or willingness to make things right.
Very true that they are opposites. As George Smiley kept finding out in the John LaCarre novels. And yet, that never kept Smiley from going right out and doing it again which pretty much made his remorse useless. And he never really tried to make things right either. Ira seems to be cut from the same cloth in that regard. So I guess we should think of Ira as a George Smiley on behalf of the human race? Or would Ira be closer to being Karla from “Smiley’s People”? ^_~
Ira thinks he knows what is best for humanity, and he is acting with complete disregard for what anyone else actually thinks. So I really can’t agree that he is “on behalf of the human race.” He is entirely on his own behalf.
That goes with the territory of being a fanatic. Doesn’t mean he isn’t sincere. Given that a war against humans by nonhumans already has taken place he might not even be entirely wrong, humbug or no. I consider him the human counterpart to H.T. No better or worse in terms of morality.
Being a fanatic and being sincere do not mean that one isn’t evil. But you’re right about Ira and HT being counterparts. Frankly, I’d like to see Ira get eaten by HT (because I hate Ira just a little bit more for the despicable way he’s treated Virginia), and then have HT run over by a runaway train.
Hmm… coffee flavored brains?
I imagine that’s better than non-coffee-flavored brains.
Unity (or was it alt-Unity?) complained about the cilantro in someone’s brain once.
But not as good as brains with butter.
Well of course not.
‘Extenuating circumstances,in deed.’ Explain yourself. But later….
Oookay, when they finally get Nick into a new chassis, they should really gloss over this part of the story. It might cause a hostile work environment if you know that one of your co-workers almost ate you.
This isn’t the first time Unity has been that way towards Nick. So he pretty well already knows.
She’s gnawed on more than one of them over the years, so he should feel right at home.