Hi everyone! Gardener reporting in again! I propose we discuss a new topic today...of course it's connected to Babel's plot and puzzles -- "Managing relationships in the age of Time Travel". Yep! You heard right.
Don't turn away just yet based on how academically off-putting this sounds...what we're about to discuss is in fact quite plebeian...
Alright, so you all know "Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World"? First season in, the protagonist Subaru goes through tremendous challenges with the other characters as he travels through time, but at last, he builds a long-lasting bond with them. I couldn't help but wonder...Do these kinds of relationships really exist?
Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World
Subaru sure did keep all memories from the past...for the others, not so much, as they only have the freshest memory from their time. In other words, whatever happened in alternate universes wouldn't matter to them. Perhaps...Subaru's just a "newcomer" in their eyes. Who is this newcomer to these people? There is probably some interaction but nothing close to a long-lasting bond...
Sorta counter-intuitive...isn't it? What's really happened is...we're experiencing a few flashes of what happened in the show in our minds. And when we reminisce on the various dynamics between the characters, we can't help but be reminded of the critical moments. Thus, a sense of "profound" connection is formed. Voila! Yep...even though those things never happened.
"The newcomer" Subaru
It's as if we're blindfolded to have a greater sense of enjoyment for the story! I guess this is why we have a "cracked image" of history. Am I right? Well, for Subaru, people will probably see him as the most "familiar" stranger.
So how is all this related to Babel?
Well... isn't it clear? The keyword on Babel is "rewrite history", naturally, we'll encounter many questions related to time travel. For everyone on Babel, their "latest" memory stays with the most recent occurrence --- see the connection there? But in the eyes of the player...through rounds of rewinding and occurrences, the details become blurry, allowing us to reminisce on our interactions with the characters when we meet them "again".
The timeline recorded in the game as the story develops, but only as "updated" as what has played out already
In an earlier episode on Babel, one can gift this little girl a stick of cotton candy. As one proceeds unto other tasks and the story continues, this occurrence is buried and turns into something that has never happened before. When you traverse across time to come back to the very same point and see that the little girl already has the stick of cotton candy in her hands, which someone else gifted...while it is the first time you are meeting her...yet it feels as if you've known each other for a long time.
Head chef generously hands out candy, Lake swallows within three
This is a technique used widely on Babel...guaranteed to bedazzle you.
The same reason why people call screenwriters the magicians on paper! You have much to look forward to! *looking pleased*
Magic powers don't come easy, why not use it more?
So that's all for today, folks! Did you get all that?
Hard to believe I've gone on for so long on this theory...I guess I could find employment in teaching if all goes south! Fingers crossed that won't happen... we've got a long way to go for Babel! Catch you all later!