Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory

Scene from a memory

I’ve been on a search of the detailed story of Dream Theater’s “Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory” album. All I knew was that the entire album is about a girl who was murdered in 1928. She had had an affair with two brothers which led to her being murdered. The question was which brother had killed her. I Googled and came across different analyses. Well I think I got the answer but I’m left with a different Qs in my head. Till date I don’t think anyone has understood the real concept totally. I am sharing what I think is the analysis that came closest to the lyrics and videos (Not my analysis as I haven’t seen the videos yet). I’m just altering the manner of presentation of the story. The ending is what bumps you off, leaving you confused and wanting to find out more.

Brief History:
Metropolis Pt 2 is not a sequel of Metropolis Pt 1 (Images and Words album) but more of a modern setting of the latter. Part1 is inspired by the story of Remulus and Remus, two twin brothers, who fought for the city called Rome. The love for the city touched the darkest parts of their hearts that it would destroy them both. A major theme of the story was that the three Dances — Death, Deceit, and Love — go on for eternity.

The present:
Nicholas
The Hypnotist
The old man

1928:
Victoria
Senator Edward Baynes aka The Miracle
Julian Baynes aka The Sleeper

Act 1

Scene 1: Regression
Nicholas is entering a hypnotic state in search of truth in a regression therapy. The Hypnotherapist starts the countdown

“10, 9, 8, 7 You will enter a safe place where nothing can harm you…5, 4, 3, 2..If at any time you need to come back, all you must do is open your eyes…1”.

The lyrics of this song describe how Nicholas feels as he is being regressed to a previous time where he meets Victoria. The reason for the therapy is not yet known.

Scene 2: Overture 1928
This is a pure instrumental number. The title explains the year to which Nicholas is being regressed back.

Scene 3: Strange deja Vu
This scene tells us about the “pleasant nightmares” that Nicholas has been having. He is haunted by visions. He has this mixed feeling of love and pain every time he has this dream. He knows something terrible is going to happen, but he is so eager to find out what is it that has been haunting him. He sees a house (Victoria’s, but he doesn’t know her yet in this scene). He is drawn to that house and finds it very familiar. In a room at the top of the stairs, he sees a girl in the mirror. Her face becomes clearer with every dream that he has. He doesn’t know her but something seems very familiar to him. He asks her “Young child, won’t you tell me why I’m here”. Looking into her eyes, he senses a story locked inside her and tearing at her soul. She wants to break free. She says

I just can’t help myself
I’m feeling like I’m going out of my head
Tears my heart into two
I’m not the one the Sleeper thought he knew

He wakes up from his dream. Something was awfully familiar which makes him wonder if it was his past life. He is determined to find the link. He looks for help just as Victoria went to Edward.

Scene 4: Through My Words
In this scene, Nicholas realizes that he was indeed Victoria in a past life. They are sharing one eternity in two minds joined by a link impossible to break.

Scene 5: Fatal Tragedy
The dreams continue to haunt him and he is very disturbed which makes him all the more determined to find out what happened to that girl. He meets an old man who seems to be alone and whom he felt he could trust. The old man seems to know about the murder. He also seems to know who Nicholas is and what he’s looking for. He confirms that a girl was murdered there, but the murder was never resolved completely. He seems to know more than he’s saying but he’s leaving up to Nicholas to find out the rest.

Scene 6: Beyond This Life

Headline: Murder
Young girl killed
Desperate shooting
At Echo’s Hill

Dreadful ending
Killer died
Evidently
Suicide

A witness heard a horrifying sound
He ran to find a woman dead and lying on the ground

Standing by her
Was a man
Nervous, shaking
Gun in hand

Witness says he
Tried to help
But he turned the weapon
On himself

His body fell across that poor young girl
After shouting out in vain, the witness ran to call for assistance
A sad close to a broken love affair

Nicholas reads the newspaper account of the tragedy that happened on January 28th, 1928. The girl’s name was Victoria. As per the account, the witness found Victoria dead on the floor and Julian standing by her side with a gun in his hand. Julian then shot himself and fell over Victoria’s body. Victoria wanted to love Julian forever but he lost himself to gambling and alcohol. She couldn’t love a wayward man. She would have forgiven him if only he tried to change. This drove Victoria to Edward. This gives a hint that maybe Julian later found out about the affair of Victoria with Edward, and he decides to end both their lives. Nicholas plays with the idea that Julian contacted Victoria to get back together again. Victoria, thinking that he has changed agrees to meet. But maybe Julian had other plans: a murder-suicide from the start. Nicholas reads the description of the crime in the newspaper. There seemed to be a struggle, a fight, and a switchblade on the ground. Why would Julian carry a switchblade if he had a gun. So Nicholas thinks it must have been Victoria who carried it for self protection. But from whom or why? Also they found a note in the killer’s pocket which said

“I feel there’s only one thing left to do
I’d sooner take my life away than live with losing you”

One odd thing was that there was nothing said about hurting Victoria. The remaining lyrics of this song is trying to say that the deeds of the past life continues to plague “…what we have been is what we are”.

Scene 7: Through Her Eyes
Nicholas feels Victoria was caught into something she couldn’t escape from and injustice was done against her. He realizes that this had happened to him and the unfairness of it starts to nag him.

“In loving memory of our child
So innocent, eyes open wide”

Nicholas visits Victoria’s grave and reads the words on the tombstone. This helps detail her image as she died, eyes open wide, as if she was taken by surprise. Nicholas feels like he’s watching the grave of a part of him, which is actually true. He is overcome by sadness. On learning about Victoria’s death, he starts to appreciate his own life. He says goodbye to Victoria’s spirit, regains composure and feels he can now move on.

Act 2

Scene 8: Home
Now we are going back to 1928. Julian is talking about his obsession of gambling and drinking. He realizes that living this evil charade is getting him nowhere and he’s losing Victoria. He wishes to go back to her and rekindle their relationship. He is struggling to break free but the obsessions are trying to drown him.

Edward is talking about Victoria coming to him some time ago, with tears in her eyes. Probably she and Julian had a fight and she had come to him for help. He feels this desire of taking advantage of their damaged relationship and take her for himself. He is obsessed with her. He knows it’s wrong but he can’t resist. In the course, Victoria and Edward’s affair starts. He justifies himself by thinking Julian and Victoria were getting nowhere. He would make her his wife. Her love is worth betraying his brother.

Scene 9: Dance Of Eternity
Instrumental. The idea is that Death, Deceit and Love will go on for eternity and destroy all.

Scene 10: One Last Time
Nicholas is not aware of the happenings in Scene 8. He heard about a rumor told that Victoria had an affair with Edward. He also finds holes in the newspaper account of the murder-suicide tragedy and wants to uncover the truth. He wonders if Victoria broke up with Edward harshly and if that could play a role in the murder.

Victoria, in the past again, is telling Edward that this is their last meeting and she is ending the affair.

Nicholas goes to Edward’s house which seemed to hold many clues, finally confirming him what he has been thinking. Memories begin flooding in and he sees the house just as it was in 1928.

An open door
I walk on through
Into his bedroom

Feeling as cold as outside
The walls disappear
To some woman who’s screaming
A man pleads forgiveness
His words I cannot hear

Victoria is saying goodbye to Edward while he is pleading her not to go. [A catch here which is nagging me: Why does Nicholas see Victoria as “some woman” as he knows her face by now. And why would Edward plead for forgiveness?? I’m really confused with these lines ]

Scene 11: Spirit Carries On
Nicholas reflects on the lessons that he’s learned from Victoria. He realizes he may never understand what happened to Victoria and may never be able to prove the truth he knew, but he won’t give up. Victoria tells him to move on and not weep at her grave, but keep her in his heart and never forget her. He is no longer afraid of death. If he dies tomorrow, he’ll be alright because he believes that after we are gone the spirit carries on.

Scene 12: Finally Free
This scene opens with Nicholas being brought out of hypnosis followed by Edward at the crime scene. His hands are painted with blood and he feels bitter about Victoria leaving him for an ungrateful man. Sole survivor, no witness, he decides to act fast and plants the suicide note in Julian’s coat.

Then Victoria is talking about how good she felt when she ran into Julian. He wanted to get back with her. She wants to tell him that she always loved him. She would break free of “the Miracle”, it’s time for him to go. She worries that Edward would kill Julian if he found out.

They met at Echo’s hill. They thought it was a secret place no one would find. But Edward turns up. Edward and Julian struggle a little but Edward hits Julian. Julian pulls out the switchblade but Edward shoots twice at Julian. Victoria screams. Edward walks up to her and says

Open your eyes, Victoria.

Then shoots her twice.

Julian, with whatever breath left in him, drags himself towards Victoria. He finally pulls his body over Victoria’s and he dies. These were his words before dying:

One last time, we’ll lay down today
One last time, until we fade away
One last time, we’ll lay down today
One last time, we fade away

Transition is back to Nicholas. He feels free at last. No more torn between two. He tells Victoria they would meet again someday. He goes back home. The TV is on with CNN report on JFK Jr.’s death. He turns it off, makes himself a drink and turns on an old record player, phonograph to be specific. He is there sitting on a chair relaxing when suddenly the Hypnotherapist walks in and says:

Open your eyes Nicholas

Nicholas is startled and lets out a yelp. The phonograph is knocked over and a sound of static plays until the end of the track. The scene fades to black.

The End.

What happened? In one version of the DVD, it seems it is made clear that the Hypnotherapist kills Nicholas. Does it make sense??

Calvin & Hobbes

Inseparable

How I got obsessed with Calvin & Hobbes (C&H):
It was an ordinary day…I was at my workplace and boy! it was one of those days when you looked at your watch and got irritated that it’s just been 10 minutes since you last checked the time…yeah BORED! time was way slower than a turtle.

When suddenly I get a link from a God Sent friend (God Sent not only for sending the link but in every other sense). Anyways, the link contained the monthly edition of C&H comic strips right from 1985 to 1995. I got busy since that day, at least for few weeks 🙂 heh heh heh.

History about Calvin & Hobbes:
It is a comic strip by Bill Watterson about an imaginative six year old boy, Calvin, and his (according to Calvin of course) live anthropomorphic stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Bill Watterson was successful in publishing his first strip in 1985 and retired in 1995. Bill had considered allowing an animation on Calvin and Hobbes, but it quite never happened as Bill was “very scared” at the thought of hearing Calvin’s voice :). It seems he was neither comfortable nor confident about the voice actors and animation team… oops! :O.
I say maybe it was for the best because sometimes, words and emotions on paper is better expressed than in an act. I’ll forever be thankful to him and my God Sent friend for bringing so much laughter into my life. And I’m sure you feel the same way if you are already a fan.

About the Strip:
It pertains to Calvin’s life which includes (not exhaustive):
1. His friendship with Hobbes
2. His imaginations and obsessions with tyrannosaurs, dinosaurs, pterodactyls
3. His adventures and philosophical talks with Hobbes
4. His creativity which is not acknowledged by anyone.
5. His views on – political and cultural issues, girls, being a grown-up, rights of a six year old, scope of improvement in his father to be liked by six year olds.
6. His dislike of – being good, monsters under the bed, bath time, normal food, school, building character, Susie (his classmate and also a neighbor), Rosalyn (the sadistic kid hater or babysitter) and of course not being able to do what he wants 😀

Why I love Calvin & Hobbes:
To start off with, the humor catches on like fire in every strip…I laugh out loud when I get flashes of it in my head….The kid is just sooooo cute. I wish I had his imaginative power. He is so naive at times, when Hobbes or his Dad tells him things which he wouldn’t want to believe and my heart goes out to him :(. Have you ever been told that you were adopted or you were picked up from a market place or a drain when you were a kid??? X-( Hmph! I have been a victim of such pranks and things as such were told to Calvin by his Dad and Hobbes..poor kiddo :(. But at the same time, the kid has the most matured views on political, cultural and environmental issues.

His expressions out beats any other comic or real life expression. I’m head over heels in love with his disgusted “Blechh! Ackpth! Kokpachh!” look when his dinner is served. Well the dinner isn’t as bad as the look he gives (though, who likes healthy food anyway, right?? 😉 ). But if you tell him he has “Monkey Stew” or “Toxic Waste” for dinner, his face lightens up brighter than a shining star!! His look of horror when “his food wants to eat him up” instead of the other way round is also worth mentioning. At one point, he actually wanted to freeze his “Blechh!” face for God knows what so ever reason!!…hahahaha can you believe it?…yeah but that’s Calvin, you don’t understand how his mind works. He doesn’t have a single photograph with a proper smile…

The Photogenic Calvin

Calvin and Hobbes are always at each others throat for cheating and making up rules while playing a game. Reminds you of your childhood days with your colony friends ain’t it? Hobbes has a way of greeting Calvin when he (i.e. Calvin) is back from school. Calvin hates it cos it’s more of an ambush, but he also hates it when he is “NOT GREETED”. Calvin is always accused of the wrong doings of Hobbes. He tries to tell his parents that it’s not him and the parents are thinking “yeah Hobbes did that! whatever…” (poor guy :(). Calvin is very much disgusted with Hobbes for being nice to Susie and having an interest in girls (preferably ones with whiskers hee hee hee).

But in spite of all, this they are just inseparable. They are the best friends ever. They create/play games with their own rules. They have their own club G.R.O.S.S (Get Rid Of Slimy girlS)…How cute is that? Calvin doesn’t have any other friend besides Hobbes. He loves Hobbes and believes that animals are a good listener, have a better understanding, and not as selfish as human beings. As for Hobbes, he is content just being Calvin’s friend and doesn’t want anything more….except tuna fish. Hobbes is usually at Calvin’s rescue for homework. If there’s someone who knows what to say at the right time and the right place, it’s got to be Hobbes. I envy that quality in him. Well both are just adorable!!

The 3 women in Calvin’s life besides his Mom:
1. Mrs. Wormwood – The teacher, who just ignores Calvin.
2. Susie Derkins- The classmate and neighbor, who under certain obligation cannot ignore Calvin even if she wants to. Oh yes, she secretly likes him. But at the same time she can’t help hating him for being mean to her. I think Calvin also likes her but his ego overrides the love…..sob sob 😦 too bad!
3. Rosalyn – The babysitter, who has to put up with Calvin so that she can pay her college fees. I love the ideas Calvin comes up with to get rid of Rosalyn and to annoy her in every way. Best ones being, warning Rosalyn’s boyfriend and telling him to break up with her, calling the police, threatening to flush her science notes…I could go on..heh heh heh.

The parents? Well, when they think they’ve seen the worst of Calvin, they are always proved wrong. I admire the Mom’s courage and strength to bring up a kid like Calvin. The Dad is sure happy not to be the Mom.

Calvin’s imagination starts to run wild especially when he is expected to pay attention. The Spaceman Spiff, Stupendous man, Dinosaurs, Pterodactyl, Transmogrifier, Time Traveling Machine, Duplicator and CalvinBall are few of his creations. The amazing thing is how well these imaginations, linked to the current happenings around him, are illustrated. I have no words to express Calvin’s creativity on his snowmen so I’ll leave it to the pictures to speak on their own.

Calvin and his Snowmen

I really appreciate and am grateful to Bill for bringing Calvin and Hobbes into this world. But even so, I’m just a wee bit disappointed with him for never disclosing “The Noodle Incident”. As I read it somewhere, he purposely left it to the readers to cook up their own stories. Well Mr. Watterson, if only I had wild imagination like Calvin!! :(….There’s part of me that wishes I have a kid like Calvin and the other part that slaps right back saying “Do you have the nerve?” 😀 😀 heh heh..

There’s so much more to write about Calvin and Hobbes, but I better stop. If you are not familiar with Calvin & Hobbes, you have yet to find out lots more about them. I haven’t covered even half of what could be written about the comic strip. I hope you liked what I could put in about C&H. For those who have not yet developed a liking for C&H..okay maybe I’m being too optimistic..but for those who haven’t read the comic strip, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE!!

Why you should start reading C&H:
If you don’t, you are missing out on one of the most exhilarating, mind refreshing and solacing piece of art. It’s a great place to improve your vocabulary. This is one of those stories with no moral endings. Oh did I mention that Calvin also hates stories with moral endings? Except for those created by him for his Dad ;)….Well all I can say is, it’s a treat for your mind and heart.

Disclaimer: This is not a promotion of Calvin and Hobbes (because it doesn’t need one). Facts about the comic strip and Bill Watterson have been taken from a wikipedia. I am not responsible for any errors in them. The rest are my personal views. I respect every individuals perception and I hope you respect mine too. Apologies for spelling and grammatical mistakes.