AEG: Dr. Lao and Woldercan

Dave Tallman · 21 Sep 2009, 15:41 · from 2009-September.txt.gz

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From: davetallman at msn.com (Dave Tallman)
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:41:54 -0600
Subject: (urth) AEG: Dr. Lao and Woldercan
In-Reply-To: <001001ca3a7f$df731800$e6d34a0c@rclackey>
References: <001001ca3a7f$df731800$e6d34a0c@rclackey>
Message-ID: <4AB79EC2.1080108 at gmail.com>

Roy C. Lackey wrote
> Then I was reminded that Wolfe used references from the Oz movie in FLF, so
> I may have been wrong to dismiss the possibility of him using the movie
> version of Dr. Lao as a source in AEG. If there are duplictes of humans on
> Woldercan, it eliminates the need for hypothetical time travel and other
> problematic solutions.
>   

I find that solution very unsatisfying. Even if Woldercan contains 
duplicates of everyone on Earth (highly problematic -- how could such a 
wild place support them?) or duplicates of humans who came there (a 
little better -- it could be the original or an impostor who returns), 
how could Cassie be sure that the double would love her, or be enough 
like Bill for her to love?

The movie does have  a feature that might be a clue. It's called "The 
Seven Faces of Dr. Lao" because Tony Randall plays seven parts. This is 
probably another indication that the main characters play multiple roles.

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