thread: 2008-02-21 : Holy crap dude
On 2008-02-22, Ron Edwards wrote:
I think you're right, but Lem presents a sad portrait to me, rather than a contemptible one. I once described him and Shane as "human dogs," meaning they relate to Vic and one another on a raw social level without thoughts of consequence or responsibility, just minute-by-minute approval. (To be fair to dogs, I was thinking of overbred German shepherds and golden retrievers, especially when raised poorly. So they have no hope that the approval will continue, or for what actions.)
The thing with Lem is that he thinks as long as "the team" persists, then everything is OK - he thinks being a cop and being part of this particular team are the same thing (pure dog, symbolically speaking). His biggest rebellion came when "the team" was split up - even trying to burn the money, I think, was his attempt to restore the team.
Within that framework, and let's not forget that he can be as thuggish as any of them as a team member, his good qualities can operate - compassion, conscience, good humor. But he has little ability to exercise those *against* the team, regardless of its (and his own) sins.
Cavanaugh may not have picked the best target after all. It all depends on whether Lem's conscience can apply outside the team context.
Lookit me geek out! I love thinking and conversing about this show.
