Replicant

Work Title: Replicant
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 2001
Writer(s): Larry Riggins
"Original" Writer: Yes Writer(s): Les Weldon
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from imdb.com Edward "The Torch" Garrotte is a serial killer who has a penchant for killing women and then setting them on fire. Another pattern to his murders is the fact that the women are all mothers. Jake Riley is a Seattle police detective who has spent three years trying to stop Garrotte. Just days before Jake's retirement, Garrotte strikes again, but Jake is off the case. A secret government agency hires Jake as a consultant on a project they have been working on. They have cloned Garrotte from evidence found at a crime scene, and they need Jake to help train this replicant (Jean-Claude Van Damme), who has some genetic memories from Garrotte, plus a telepathic link with him, but the replicant is like a newborn in many other respects. The Replicant has the body of a 40-year-old, but the mind of a child. Jake's job is to help use the Replicant track Garrotte down by using the memories stored in Garrotte's DNA. As the Replicant and Riley work to track Garrotte down, tension is constant. Jake feels that the Replicant could turn on him at any moment, because Jake thinks Garrotte's killer instinct may take over and dictate the Replicant's tendencies. The Replicant tries to understand the world and life, and tries to understand his connection with Garrotte. The replicant also tries to understand why Jake treats him so roughly. As they work together, the Replicant views Jake as either a friend or as family. Though Jake abuses him, the Replicant looks to him for protection and guidance as the two try to find Garrotte and stop him once and for all. Summary written by Todd Baldridge

Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

present day 2001

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Replicant
  • Description of the technology: The Replicant is a DNA match to a psychotic serial killer. The National Security Foundation used genetic material from the killer to create him. He is an adult male, but with no skills - can't speak or express himself. He is a fighting machine however (it is a Van Damme movie!). He looks human, but is not. He is a Replicant. He acts like a new born - he has no knowledge of the world or any experience, although he does share memories with the killer. he seems good natured, but can't really do anything but walk, sit, eat, and fight to protect himself.
  • Nature of task or activity: They spend the movei looking for the killer. The Replicant eventually leads the cop to the killer.
  • Performance of the Technology: It works well. and even reminds the cop the power of humanity though his innosence and dependence.
  • Description of creator(s): A goverment agency, the National Security Foundation, where the staff seems to be mostly white, male, and over 35. THey are tough.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To find the killer, and as a prototype in the fight against terrorism.
  • Description of users of technology: The cop, and the gov workers, are white, male, and older than around 35. The killer is white, male, and probably 40 years old, in excellent physical condition.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Confusing. Most people who think he is human seem to think he is mentally handicapped, because he cannot speak and is generally confused the entire movie. Or, they are being beaten to a pulp by him.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: The cop and gov workers are aware, but most people are not.
  • Valence of experience: Generally, unpleasant. Either is the Replicant is acting strangely or he's beating people up.
  • Specific responses: The cop learns that all humanity isn't naturally bad, but starts pure and innocent.
Long-term consequences:

Happy. the killer is caught.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University