Is Roy supposed to represent.... god?
As I was analyzing Roy's quote from the interview I spiraled into the conclusion you can see above. I don't really know how this fits into the whole narrative of dhmis as it doesn't tackle religion at all besides the inclusion of the cult from episode 3 but here is my analysis anyway.
Let's start by having a look at the quote itself. This is the only time we've actually seen Roy form a coherent sentence, and thus this quote should be very important to understanding his character and motivation (well, supposing it was not meant to be gibberish or a joke on the creators part). "My silly boy has allowed his eyes to grow arrogant and rude and for that I will send him on a trip to the punishland"
"My boy" part I think clearly shows us that it's about Yellow guy as "My" suggests relation and "Boy" a child. "My silly boy" indicates that Roy sees his son as innocent, naive, simple-minded and in need of guidance and protection from bad influence. "Has allowed his eyes to grow arrogant and rude" points us to the fact that Yellow guy has somehow pissed him off, and only he alone knows a reason for that as never in the show Yellow guy actually displays these qualities. Taking in the account Growing Up theory, I've heard the explanation that by talking about Yellow guy, Roy is also taking about Red guy by proxy, as Yellow guy is supposed to represent Red's inner child. In such case Roy could be perceived as a manifestation of Red guy's guilt/shame, or a memory of an abusive parent. "For that I will send him on a trip to the punishland" tells us that Yellow guy is being/will be punished for the perceived transgression. I don't believe that Roy has created this world, and the dream reading of the series in my mind makes more sense than a simulation or a hostage situation. For this reason I think Roy punishes Yellow guy by inaction rather than action. Becky's tweet which reads "Everyone has a special one, even Roy" under the picture of him and Yellow guy + the fact that he saves him in the end, makes me think that he doesn't despise him normally/on the whole and doesn't punish him purely for sadistic enjoyment. Although we can't call his attitude loving it's not hateful either, just cold and focused on discipline above all else. He's acting more like a preacher than a father. It almost looks like... this guy has a god complex.
Roy has turned out to have more god symbolism which I initially didn't notice.
1) His relationship with Yellow guy and other characters. The interview shows us that he's able to speak, or at least that he's able to communicate using words, and yet he consciously chooses not to speak or communicate with anyone. He can save them at any moment but chooses not to. He's omnipresent. He only passively observes till the very end. His motivations and grievances are unknown to everyone except for himself. He gives out punishments for perceived transgressions. You know, almost god's behavior is often described?
2) His role in the plots of both s1 and s2. Shit happens until in the end he shows up and solves the plot. You know, almost like he's a Deus Ex Machina?
3) The meta element of his character. His name shows up in the credits in both Special Thanks and Voice Actors section. Also the fact that he can appear both in reality and in the dream world. You know, like he is a being that exists beyond the reality of the show?
4) All the crazy unexplained powers he has. (Controlling the weather, the arm thing, the shit he does in s2) You know, almost like he can do miracles?
5) His name on the products and other stuff + him appearing in the background. This element I think is there to remind the audience of his presence. You know, almost like he's occasionally showing signs of his presence, as god is supposed to do?
6) The name "Roy" means shepherd (in a religious sense)/protector/ruler. This can still tie into the 'responsible adult role model' of the Growing Up theory, but the concept of god as a keeper and patron can add onto that, you know?
7) The fact that the figure of an absent father is very thematicaly interlinked with god in media and literature. You know, almost like Yellow guy's relationship to Roy is kinda similar to a religious person's relationship to god in a sense that he rarely appears, doesn't talk to you, sometimes punishes you for weird reasons but you're supposed to love him anyway?
8) We don't know for sure if Roy's the one singing in "Silly Sad Duck", so this one's quite flimsy. But if it was supposed to be him it's interesting that he had been depicted in a role of a narrator. You know, almost like he's omnipotent, like god?
However, the interesting thing is... ultimately, Roy is just an imaginary guy and he mostly doesn't matter, especially in s2. The characters largely don't care about him and don't notice his presence in the background. He's absolutely useless, until he shows up and makes Red do what he has been already aiming to do in s1. In s2 he does one thing once Yellow guy summons him (yellow guy is the only character who seems to be able to summon him on command interestingly) and then we see him presumably dead on the floor an that's it. Is he not only unreal in the reality but in the imaginary world too? Is/was Red guy religious? Was Red guy's father religious? Who knows? Idk, I just thought this all would be an interesting observation to share.
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