FORKNI-L

FORKNI-L Digest - 23 Aug 2002 to 24 Aug 2002 (#2002-251)

Sat, 24 Aug 2002

There are 2 messages totalling 68 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. FK parody of Highlander in "Hunted"?
  2. Possible defense mechanism?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 23 Aug 2002 17:29:06 -0500
From:    "B. Stone" <StoneB@g.......>
Subject: FK parody of Highlander in "Hunted"?

True, there are only just so many ways to fall over a railing.  But it's the
sommersault combined with the Highlander catchphrase, "It doesn't have to be
this way" that makes me think somebody was poking a little gentle fun.
Honestly, I heard that soooo many times on _Highlander_ that I began to wonder 
how long it would take Duncan to figure out that that particular objection never 
worked, that he really ought to at least try expanding on it a bit.  Then I saw 
"Turnabout" and went back to eating dinner at the table, away from the television, 
thus setting a good example to my daughter, who (alas!) continued to dine in the 
living room in front of the tube.

So, does this expansion change anybody's mind?  Or am I really reading too
much into this?

    B. Stone
    stoneb@g.......

------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 23 Aug 2002 12:31:28 EDT
From:    Lisa Knust <LthePoet@a.......>
Subject: Re: Possible defense mechanism?

Hi!
       Per one of my many review books, a "defense mechanism" from the
psychological/psychiatric standpoint is: an unconscious mental technique used
by the ego to keep conflicts out of consciousness, thereby decreasing anxiety
and maintaining an individual's sense of safety, equilibrium, and
self-esteem.  Valiant classified some as "mature" and some as "less mature".
Mature defense mechanisms include altruism, humor, and suppression (which
differs from repression).  Less mature mechanisms include acting out, denial,
repression, and intellectualization.
       Considering this definition, I think it likely, for at least some
vampires, that the superiority they assume toward mortals is a sort of
intellectualization defense.  Thus, if they explain to themselves that humans
are inferior to them, than it resolves the internal conflict as to the guilt
over killing said humans.  It seems to me that Lacroix may partially use this
mechanism, although I don't dismiss the possibility that he may just be
arrogant too.
       As for Nick, with his drive to "repay society for his sins", I think
he may be using sublimation, one of the mature defense mechanisms defined as
rerouting an unacceptable instinctual drive (e.g. to kill) into a socially
acceptable action (e.g. catching criminals).
       Of course, all just my 2 cents.  :)

Lisa Knust

LthePoet@a.......
"For the Blood is the Life"

------------------------------

End of FORKNI-L Digest - 23 Aug 2002 to 24 Aug 2002 (#2002-251)
***************************************************************