I love the 1897 storyline, but that one was rough on Dr. Hoffman.
(re-reads that and wonders what I'm comparing that statement to...)
She probably thought she had time to celebrate for all of ten seconds to learn the old arch-villain, Angelique, had been downgraded to Problematic Protagonist, but no, there was a whole new arch-villain waiting in the wings. Grayson Hall and Thayer David loved working together and their characters pitted off against each other beautifully here. This was also a real neck-breaker as they were playing 2 different roles each in the storyline: Magda and Sandor: Julia and Count Petofi, and Thayer did a third role as the voice of Professor Stokes.
HORROR’S NEXT TOP GENDER, ROUND THREE MATCH SIXTEEN: Dr. Julia Hoffman (Dark Shadows) vs. Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
choose.
Dr. Hoffman
Leatherface
Voting ended onJul 18, 2024
PROPAGANDA FOR DR. HOFFMAN:
"She wasn't originally going to be a woman, and in fact before she is actually introduced, she is referred to with "he" pronouns (by Dr Woodard). Therefore, ignoring the real-life reason for it, I think it is fun to see her as trans (she hasn't had a chance to come out to Dr Woodard yet at that point). I think she is already a very good and progressive character for the 60s; wouldn't it be even cooler, in this fantasy version of the 60s, if she was also a trans woman?"
PROPAGANDA FOR LEATHERFACE:
"To me bubba is gender fluid, and autistic. The masks she wears represent her current state of being, and are literally a way of masking. She enacts gender performatively for different events"
"Gender Fluid Royalty. Rustic butch who works with their hands. King of meat, queen of the saw. Rocks the apron and the suit. What gender are they on any given kill? Who's to slay!"
"Leatherface is gender in that real fucked up way only trauma genders can exist. He's put into the position of housewife by his family until the end of the movie when he's in a suit and tie. All the while wearing his characteristic mask."
"Genderfluid icon, switches gender by switching his masks depending on his mood, becomes a beautiful drag queen by the end of the movie (such a shame they didn't keep the scene of him showing off his makeup skills), likes to dress very fancy, enjoys jewelry.... etc etc.[...] He wears the face of different people, thus enbodying their identity. Each mask serves to express a part of himself, no matter the gender, age or appearance. Leatherface prefers to present and express himself through different genders. [...] All in all, Leatherface's gender is very ambiguous and fluid in the og movie, which gives me gender envy as a nonbinary person tbh."
Ask on the subject of Brau-1589’s knowledge, and Europol’s actions:
Regarding Brau1589, how did they know so much if they had no contact with the outside world? Is it because they're so advanced that they're able to garner signals from the other robots? Also, is it implied that when they removed the spear to kill Teddy, does that mean they die as well? Also on the subiect of Gesicht's child, Robita, what happened to them when Gesicht and Helena's memories were wiped? Were they dealt with by Europol? Is it something related to Adolf's brother's crime, on killing the robot children? Sorry for such a long ask, but I'm really glad to see another Pluto fan! I am overall really happy with the anime adaptation!
Don’t be sorry! I freaking love long asks! Here’s a long reply:
In volume 2 of the manga Brau-1589 learned about the outside world because Gesicht exchanged memory chips with him. Brau-1589 then knew everything Gesicht knew and even found the memories Gesicht couldn’t remember. Gesicht exchanged chips because he wanted Brau-1589 to tell him if his memory had been modified since Dr. Hoffman didn’t have an answer for him; Brau-1589 wouldn’t give Gesicht an answer but did freak him out by saying “500 Zeus a body” and then just started laughing at Gesicht. Gesicht was so overwhelmed by Brau-1589’s memory chip that he screamed in horror and quickly ejected the chip; his reaction afterwards was similar to someone getting sick and about to throw up. He tells Brau-1589 that he couldn’t read the data on the memory chip. In the conversation that’s also where Gesicht learns about Dr. Roosevelt. In the anime, Brau-1589 says that he knew Atom was awake, which Tenma finds impressive, but in volume 8 of the manga, Brau-1589 learns Atom is awake only after Tenma tells him.
Yes, it’s implied that Brau-1589 would die if the lance was removed, but Tenma could’ve fixed him up slightly, maybe? And we have Atom promising that they’ll see each other again, so I dunno... maybe he survived. I like the idea that he survived, but I also think it’s interesting that Brau-1589 would sacrifice himself to save humans by killing Teddy when, because he is/was the Blue Knight, he absolutely hates humans.
I think Europol would just send Robita to a scrap heap after they wiped his parent’s memory. Robita was tortured, molested (so others have told me, I don’t quite remember which volume or if that is actually implied), mutilated (while still alive), then killed by Haas. When Gesicht found Haas, there was the bag with the remains of Tobita’s body inside. Europol would need to do something which would leave no trace for Gesicht to find after his memory was wiped. It’s interesting to think what Gesicht did after he killed Haas. Gesicht might’ve taken Tobita’s body to Europol… or might’ve just been paralyzed in that alley, not knowing what to do, but just waiting for Europol to come find him. According to the manga, Gesicht wanted Europol to execute him after killing Haas… so I don’t know. The whole situation is depressing.
This scene is really sweet. Dr. Hoffman has genuine empathy for Willie. He has had very little of it in his life, perhaps none at all, so this is very moving to see. Even though Julia is a very clinical character in many ways, she isn’t without compassion. She knows Willie is torn between not wanting to be hurt or even killed by Barnabas himself but also wanting to protect David. She really is the only person so far who truly understands Willie’s exact predicament.
I just want you all to know that the Game Grumps’ take on Doctor Robert Hoffman from Trauma Center: Second Opinion is perhaps my longest standing favorite character from a playthrough of theirs, ever.
And that the line, “The International Cranberry Association of America -- AYE’KA’AAAAHH”, has never left my mind, once.
