Dr. M Thoughts – Human-ish?

Published December 5, 2019 · Updated July 6, 2022

Hey Guys,

First off, I always look forward to your analysis after the episodes. I go to a few different places to hear outside interpretations and your insights are always helpful. Thanks for the work!

I have to say, the Dr M reveal (while some had wondered about Cal and pointed out all the bread crumbs that had been left) still seemed unlikely to me. In an episode where we were given lots information for a second time, saw characters flat out stating plot movement through exposition, and reviewed the same flashbacks we saw one episode prior, this reveal was truly the highlight to me.

When Atticus & Trent’s version of Bowie’s Life on Mars kicked in as she releases Dr M from his human carbonite, I was pretty impressed. I’m sure you’ll be getting lots of fanboys explaining this away but as a fan of the comic, I wanted to chime in with my thoughts and explanation on why the reveal works. I do have beef with the episode, as I mention above, but I thought the reveal was solid.

First, the clues had been left for all to see and I think they were very cleverly placed throughout the series. I myself thought surely no way because Cal and Angela have a conversation where they both acknowledge that Dr M can’t take human form and that he is on Mars. But what is cool about this to me is the idea that he created some kind of tachyon emitter. The only way the story/plot would work is if he doesn’t have his powers and is unaware of his condition. I know folks have written in saying “why didn’t he warn Angela – why didn’t he know about Keane??” – “if its cause he’s human I’m gonna scream” .. Well get ready to scream. It is because he was human.. sort of..

Clearly this device blocks his powers. And once you consider that, it all makes sense. The only thing in canon that has blocked his perception of time thus far were large amounts of tachyons. At that time in the comics, he tells Lauri its because of nuclear blasts and suspects the holocaust is upon them. He doesn’t know Adrian is behind this – he doesn’t know about the squid. This means he cannot see his own future beyond the tachyon cloud. He would not know what future lies for him beyond his existence as Cal. I will acknowledge here that in the original, the tachyons only blocked his perception of time – whether or not they would completely impair his memory & abilities would be a liberty the Lindelof writing team has taken upon themselves.

None the less, this would give him a chance at living as a human again. And I see that as something desirable to him especially when motivated by love. Because the other thing noted in canon is his emotional weakness. The way Adrian manipulates Dr M into leaving Earth is by manipulating his emotions. Its well established that he feels. Adrian notes minor ticks and emotional responses and uses it against him. The fact that it worked is a clear indication that Osterman’s humanity lives inside this god like being. Even at the end of the comics, Dr M’s decision making feels somewhat human to me. He kills Rorschach to protect a lie and a global peace, a very gross Adrian-esque decision but the sort of conclusion that many humans in positions of power have come to throughout history, however flawed it may have been. Additionally, its human instinct to make life – ie procreate. And when one feels used and manipulated by people, they want to be isolated. He chooses to leave and considers creating some life. Whatever emotions he possessed in the original were not eradicated by the story’s end.

The idea that Dr M has *no* emotion and has utterly lost all humanity never resonated with me. When we talk about God or gods in literature, religion & sci-fi, they are always personified in our image. We relate to them through the idea that they experience what we experience. One might argue how we as humans can even perceive the absence of humanity when we constantly personify things we don’t understand. Personification is often how we wrap our heads around the unknown. I don’t see this depiction any differently. While his thinking, empathy for others, and general emotional state have completely changed in his current condition, he clearly has emotion and experiences love in some capacity. That is canon. And some would say it’s his weakness. (in addition to tachyons) Its how Adrian succeeded originally. Its why the 7th Cavalry have the jump on him. And its why he wanted to be human again with Angela, even if it was only for a brief period. He is motivated by love. And through tachyon interference, he can live and love as a human again. I really dig this take on Dr. Manhattan.

If you are a fan who really enjoyed & interpreted a theme of him losing his humanity throughout the comic, I could see where this would be disappointing for you. For me, I always understood it as him having his own unique reactions to his tribulations in the condition he is currently in. But those reactions still felt somewhat human; they are just what we imagine a demi-god to do.

Now where they go from here seems quite tricky.. how do you re-introduce this character without them just disintegrating any opposition into mere particles. With Trieu’s tech, can the 7th Cavalry produce large amounts of tachyons suppressing his abilities? I do want to mention that I don’t think he saved Angela in the white night. If he used his powers then it puts a big ass hole in Cal’s perception of himself and my entire appreciation of this storytelling device. Then I’m gonna say fuck this 🙂

Keep doin what you do!

-josh

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