I am a hardcore BR fan and have watched every iteration of the original at least four or five times a year since I first saw it on a grainy black and white TV set waaaay back in 1984.
After my 2nd viewing of BR:2049, two things stand out to me in this master piece of story telling.
During the scene where K is searching through DNA files at the LAPD HQ, we are exposed to a specific mention of Galatians Syndrome, which, I assume is what Dr. Ana Stelline had been afflicted with. Whilst not naming the illness in her encounter with K, Stelline mentions having been ill since the age of 8. I've yet to find any serious discussion of this plot element, so I did a little digging to see if I could discover some underlying meaning.
According to Christian Bible study, the Galatians were a people, Celts who occupied a region in what is now Turkey. The Galatians suffered repeated attacks from outside invaders who attempted to conquer them - finally prevailing in around 64 BC. Galatia was eventually brought under the yoke of the Roman Empire. If we take the Syndrome mentioned in the DNA record for the missing child and Ana Stelline's compromised immune system as being one and the same - the syndrome is characterized as attacking the immune system of the sufferer, requiring that they be sealed away in a protective *bubble* so as not to suffer outside attack from the impure environment.
Whether or not Ana's syndrome is genuine is up for debate. She could indeed have the syndrome - or it may be a ruse pepertrated by Deckard or someone close to him to protect her from both Niander Wallace and the Replicant resistance.
One other thread that fascinates me, is the reference to 6.10.21 - the mysterious birthdate etched into the horse and the tree at Sapper Morton's farm. Referring back to Christian writings , I did a search for 6:10-21 and was directed to a reference to the book of Ephesians, which is again compelling in the context of the Reolicant Freedom Movement.
Ephesians 6:10-21 New International Version of The Bible.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.
Could this hint to a possible manifesto for the Replicant Uprising in the future? A Call to Arms as it were?
BR:2049 is a film that must be watched multiple times. The subtleties of story underneath the central story are so tantalising that they can't not provoke deeper discussion about the world in which these events play out.
Thoughts?
