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May 1996, Week 4

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Subject:
From:
David Goldblatt <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 21 May 1996 14:29:05 -0400
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>Every time I hear Blade Runner being discussed, someone mentions the
>issue of whether or not Deckard is human or replicant. I have never
>found this question to be raised or fleshed out in the film adequately
>for it to be considered a foothold for interpretation or evaluation.
>
>As I was lying in bed half asleep the other night, I realized why. In
>all of Deckard's encounters with the replicants he is either physically
>or mentally outclassed. If Deckard were a replicant designed to be a
>blade runner, why would Tyrell Corperation purposely manufacture him to
>be less efficient than the replicants he is supposed to retire?
>
>paul ryersbach
>
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In my opinion the answer is clear in the director's cut: Deckard is a replicant.
Here's the give-away: The Inspector reveals that he has a unicorn origami
(if I remember correctly, he drops it or gives it directly to Deckard) and
flashes a certain smile. Deckard has been dreaming about unicorns. We
know that dreams and memories are programmed for replicants. So the only
way he could have known Deckard's dream was if he had access to the
program. I do not think this was in the originally released version and in
my view was one of the factors that made the director's cut a much more
complex and interesting film. But it has been awhile since I've seen
either cut. Does anyone else agree with this?
 
David Goldblatt
 
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