I REALLY wish that Echo Zane had been Mr. E, because that’s so awesome, but not in the way that the writers would have done it. Because they have this tendency to just say “oh this robot character (read: Zane) had their programming changed so that’s why they’re evil/different now, and once we change it back he’ll be back to normal.” But like there’s only so many ways that can be interesting (Especially bc they don’t really explore the implications of what its like to be a person who that can happen to). And with Echo it’s like, isn’t it so much more interesting if he just consciously sides with her?
Because isn’t it so much more interesting if Echo just reaches some sort of breaking point? Like wow he’s so alone, and his father left him for another, better version of himself who apparently is the original? And he doesn’t know that Dr. Julien is dead, only that he never came back. And he can stew in that until Harumi shows up and he can BEG her to take him with her. Because he’s so alone and so angry and maybe a little scared. And he’s willing to do whatever to stop being so hurt and maybe find his father. Bc he doesn’t know that his father is dead. And so he joins Harumi because at least she’s there for him, y’know? And she’s giving him the chance to find out what happened and hopefully bring his father’s favorite son to justice.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in keeping his “protect those who cannot protect themselves” prime directive, which I really respect because I love when robots have a prime directive, Harumi can just manipulate him. “Yes, you need to protect people,” she can say, “and I need to be protected. There are people who are responsible for the death of my parents and I’m trying to stop that from happening to others. They want to stop me. You can help keep me safe. I want you to help me protect other people.” She can also tell him “I want to protect you. Let me rebuild you. My job is to protect people too, and you’re someone who needs my help. Who are you to deny me fulfillment of my purpose?” And that’s a perfect way to get him on your side. It also makes Echo a super sympathetic character because he believes he’s doing the right thing! He’s just fulfilling his primary directive! And it can set up nicely for a lesson about how often your opponent truly believes they are doing the right thing.
Also, remember that Echo is definitely so lonely. Like no matter how hesitant he is to engage with Harumi’s ideas, if the alternative to going with her is another indeterminate amount of time of complete isolation, then you are so much more likely to follow her.
Not to mention it doesn’t really make sense why Harumi would kidnap, reprogram and rebuild this nasty ass robot she found in a tower somewhere. Like yes, he’s one of Dr. Julien’s creations, and that’s probably what she would be in there looking for, but it doesn’t make sense for her to choose Echo bc he’s literally not physically or mentally capable of the thing that she needs from him. There are better robots that she can use for that. But if he has some sort of core programming that is useful to her, or he really wants to go with her, then they actually have a reason to work together. Also, maybe she just likes him, I don’t know.
There’s also so much more potential for interaction with Zane! Zane doesn’t even know who Echo is! Imagine you’re Echo and this guy is you and he ruined your life! And you say “you ruined my life.” And he says “why are you me?” He has no idea! And that could make Echo realize he may have misjudged Zane or it could just make him hate Zane even more! If you’re Zane, and this guy has the same face as you, you are long lost brothers, but he hates and resents you for something that you didn’t even know you did. And can you even blame him? And yes, he’s trying to kill you over it, but he also thinks he’s protecting those who cannot protect themselves and who are you to tell him not to do that?
Echo says “where is my father?” And Zane’s like “well, my father is dead.” And now who is Echo supposed to be mad at? Y’know? The only possible target for whatever emotion he’s feeling is now Zane. And oughhh idek where I was going with this other than would that be fucked up or what?
Also, remember that Echo doesn’t call himself that. Echo says “Hi, I’m Zane, I was build to protect those who cannot protect themselves.” Jay and Nya would be the ones to call him Echo Zane and that would probably make him pretty upset if he was at the point where he hated Zane. Like no?? He IS Zane, but they insist on calling him “not Zane” and for what? And I think there’s interesting potential for him changing his name after realizing that he is just a version of Zane. Him taking on a new name could be another interesting point of exploration in his new perceptions of himself and Julien.
Also, Mr. E doesn’t need to talk. He can stay quiet. Or he can stay quiet during the fight and they can make him talk later. He can even keep his silly voice, Brent Miller doesn’t need to do a deep voice for him. These things can be quickly explained and don’t need to take away from the intensity that his silence brought to the fight. Maybe someone fucked with his voice box and the ninja figure that out and fix it? And then he can be even more conflicted because they helped him but also they killed Harumi’s parents and Zane literally ruined his life.
Also idc that it would have made the Sons of Garmadon thing more confusing. Bc this is fun and cool.
Anyway: TLDR is that Echo should have been Mr. E but in a way that was interesting.
This is the same principle as my post about how Ice Emperor Zane didn’t need amnesia. He is a robot, yes, but he’s mostly just a guy who can be manipulated and that’s so much more interesting of a story. I think that around the Oni trilogy is when the writers really started struggling with Zane as a person and not just a robot, and I think that bled over to affect Mr. E a lot unfortunately. And it would have negatively impacted Echo Zane if he had come back. But it didn’t have to. And I wish Mr. E had been Echo Zane.
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