Watchmen Club Session 2 Questions

Had a lot of fun, thanks CBG19 team! 💚💚💚

Cazzamatazz

In Chapter 3, we're introduced to the Black Freighter and the survivor. I felt like the survivor describing the Black Freighter was a reflection of the mindset of the Comedian's view of the world while talking to Moloch in Chapter 2. I also thought it captured some of the thoughts of Rorschach and his view of the world. Can you talk a bit about how you think the Black Freighter story ties back into the world of Watchmen and how it's being used to capture the characters with its parallel storyline?

In regards to how both Paul Atreides and Dr. Manhattan lament over the future while also letting it play out, do you think that no matter how omniscient or how all-powerful someone is, no one can change the course of history. Like the set of events that is chosen by free-will will always find a way to play out?

Daryn Wood

Is "Nova Express" a reference to the novel of the same name by William Burroughs? There are relative correlations between what the magazine does to Dr. Manhattan/truth/culture/reality and some of the things the novel is commenting on.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on why Genesis 18, 25 is quoted at the end of chapter III. I really enjoyed the use of Dr. Manhattan to explore the morality of a god-like being. The watchmen seems very subversive to established religion, and I don't know Moore's views on this.

Would you speak about the symbolism of the costumes of the various Minutemen, Crimebusters, and Watchmen? For instance we know that Dollar Bill, although he was a sincere hero, was sponsored by a bank and his costume reflected the bank's commercialism, and ultimately it actually caused his death. Dr. Manhattan, being essentially a god, doesn't have a costume, or even clothing, but he does glow blue and has the symbol of the hydrogen atom on his forehead. Silhouette dresses in black and seems to be hiding her true nature (which, once revealed, indirectly results in her death). Silk Specter dresses in a way that seems to be designed to draw attention (bright yellow as well as revealing). What are the aspects of the costumes of Ozymandias, Nite Owls I and II, the Comedian, Rorschach, etc and how do they relate to the deeper nature of the characters? For example, why is Hollis Mason impractically bare-legged? Is that really just for mobility, or is there some symbolism to it? Why does Hooded Justice wear a noose? Police officers wear clip-on ties so the tie can NOT be used to choke them; is Hooded Justice tempting fate by putting a noose around his own neck? Thank you!

Your comment about spoilers in Dune Club has me a bit worried about watching your LIVE broadcast of Watchmen Club. I understand that the book is 30 years old & it may be difficult to not discuss the book in its full scope, but I haven't read it before.

And why does Rorschach speak in a stunted, abbreviated way? Like he's reading bullet points. I think the walking dead copied it with the trash people

When Dr. Manhattan leaves Earth, why does he choose to go to Mars out of all the planets/moons/galaxies? Does he have some sort of a connection to Mars? Also, why didn't you like Watchmen the movie?

Do you think the title of chapter 4 "Watchmaker" is relevant to the Dr Manhattan character. Also, do you think the title is relevant, or ironic to the non-linear method of revealing the character's origin?

I think Doctor Manhattan has many Scorpionic traits to his personality. Powerful and intimidating in physical form and intellect, while struggling to find solid ground. He needs intense forms of isolation to process his thoughts and emotions. He is consciously tactful and direct at times, but clueless to the nuanced behavior of the average person in social situations. His ego should not be as fragile as it is given his intellect, yet he is easily overwhelmed emotionally. He is sensitive on an internal level, employing a lack of sensitivity towards the emotions of others. I also think his creativity in the bedroom displays a Scorpio’s sensibility when it comes to sex. I have compassion for him as a character because he suffers from his being. He suffers because his knowledge of physics (or “the composition of things”) has resurrected him to this tragic state of awareness to the construct of time and the insignificance of human life.. happy to see other club members drawing parallels to the Atreidian dilemmas of Dune. I share with you on your dislike of a Laurie as a character. Her behavior seems petty and ignorant most of the time. I view her as the lower form of self that foils Doctor Manhattan as the higher self. The Ignorant and the illuminated. In a lot of ways, Laurie is regrettably the most relatable because of how basic she is. We learn information through witnessing her conversations as a reader. Her statement made in in frustration at Dan’s doorstep about how she only knew superheroes immediately polarized her from the other heroes for me. It makes sense that she would turn to Night Owl. It serves as a downgrade to someone she can comprehend and be close to, gain more levels of control when meeting with, meeting on a mortal plane. One of my favorite aspects of this issue is just seeing how much care the watchmen will give and extend to other masked heroes... it’s something that’s always drawn me to admire the group despite their dysfunction. We learn this when we see how free Night Owl is to console Laurie and how he refers to the intruder as an old friend to the locksmith. I just appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on the material, here in Patreon. My questions are more abstract and personal for you CBG19. As you prepare your physical form to cosplay Dr Manhattan have you considered looking in to physics or watchmaking; any other kind of quantum interests? I know you’ve mentioned being around a lot of rocket scientists in Alabama. Have you experienced interactions with these kind of moody geniuses before? What do you think a character like that really needs? Is there a remedy for that kind of heavy information? What might you do if you had such knowledge, how would you try and comfort someone else with it? It seems that upon digestion of such information, one does need to consider their “terrible purpose” and try to move forward from there. I also find Doctor Manhattan to be an interesting blend of Space Brain and Robot’s skills and understandings... wondering if they could also share some feels on Doctor Manhattan. Thanks as always! Have a fab session! <333

Paul Atreides vs. Ozymadias! Who'd win?? Go! :O Thanks for this great book club, I probably read Watchmen about 10 years ago, so going over it now I agree, the knowledge I've learned through the years helps understand more of the themes, connections etc. Also I've given a lot of thought to what you said about how some consume but don't digest (media wise) which I definitely do, even after watching Altered Carbon as mediocre as it was sometimes, I gave it room to breathe. So thanks! Can't wait for your Rorschach black and white themed hair color XD