At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
One favorite trope in speculative fiction is the alternate universe. Most sci fi shows do at least one episode where we get to see our main characters live lives almost like the ones in the main universe. If you know what I'm talking about, this question will be quite familiar.
What if you ended up in a parallel universe and discovered that you were now the villain of the story?
I'd do what I could to reverse that, knowing I wasn't a villain in my own timeline.
ReplyDeleteI would want yo get back to my own universe as quickly as possible.
ReplyDeleteBetty
How Star Trek! I wouldn't want to be in Uhura's outfit now because I would scare people. I would want to get back to my own universe
ReplyDeleteOh, I think every sci fi show has done some variation. Most recently I saw it on Dark Matter. It's a trope for a reason.
DeleteI would make a good villain. So I would love it!!
ReplyDeleteQuite a few people would enjoy this. Curious...
DeleteI would be so disappointed in myself. All this time there's been a more evil version of me out there. I do my best!
ReplyDeleteOoooh interesting! I'd try to stop her! :P
ReplyDeleteBut could you?
DeleteI'd wear a goatee. Like Spock did in that one Star Trek episode.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Austin, in addition to being loads of fun, is quite artsy.
Hmm...and I'm assuming in that circumstance, nobody would believe I was actually a good guy? I don't know what I'd do!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. I don't know (and if I didn't specify, you get to decide).
DeleteI might enjoy it really, cos all too often being the good girl is over rated.
ReplyDeleteSo many of you would enjoy this way too much. *gulp*
DeleteEnjoy it while it lasts?
ReplyDeleteWell, um, that's one choice...
DeleteOoh! I've certainly made some less-than-angelic decisions in life. Perhaps in another I would embrace them!
ReplyDeletePerhaps...
DeleteOoh! *breaks out the maniacal laugh* I just think that would be too much fun...as long as I could go back to visit and be the good guy sometimes.
ReplyDeleteIt might be fun to be evil for a while, as long as I don't have to hurt anyone nice, or any animals, or bring a plague or...yeah, I'd be looking for a way out before some rebel tries to kill me! Unless I could convince them of the truth and we could right all the wrongs...but then if I'm in evil's place, does that mean evil is in my place? And what would she do? Hmm, I could have fun with this...
ReplyDeleteI actually always love playing with this same idea. It's based on something I heard long ago, "No person ever believes they are the bad guy." which means simply: you very well may be the antagonist in someone else's story.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteI think I would make a very good villain. I would be evil and funny at the same time.
ReplyDeleteUm, okay...
DeleteI'd be a great villain! If parallel universes are actually a thing, I could certainly imagine that my alter ego wouldn't be as nice as I am here. ;)
ReplyDeleteUh oh...
DeleteIf I wasn't too evil (i.e. another Darth Vader) I might enjoy it at least for a while. And perhaps I would try to temper my fellow evil dooers. But after a while, I would probably want to try to get back home. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound very evil. Your counterpart will have to help you with the whole evil thing.
DeleteWell, if I was taking the place of my villain self in that parallel universe, I'd try to convince everyone I was good.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how well that would work. Everyone would just assume you were trying to lull them into a false sense of security before striking.
DeletePossessing dark side, I would enjoy planning and carrying escapades. I have an excellent poker face. My brothers taught me so much.
ReplyDeleteUh oh...
DeleteI find the concept of parallel universes fascinating, especially as some scientists think they could actually exist. I find it hard to imagine I would be a "villain" as it's not part of my DNA - at least not in this universe!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
But villains tend to be made, not born. So, something terrible might have happened to the you in that alternate universe.
DeleteI love all this hoohah about our universe being a simulation. I've been doing tons of reading on it. I could never be a bad guy, even my parallel universe persona would be too guilty and people pleasing.
ReplyDeleteAh, the simulation universe... Must do a question on that eventually.
DeleteLOL I wouldn't be surprised by that I dont think. I really wouldn't ;)
ReplyDeleteI think of that every time I kill a bug. lol. And yet I do it anyway. :) Totally worth it!
ReplyDeleteI don't think killing a bug makes you a villain, but then again, what do I know?
DeleteThat wouldn't be a happy thing! Although bad guys rarely see themselves as bad guys, right?
ReplyDeleteWe are all the heroes of our own stories.
DeleteAs you say, we’re all the heroes of our own stories. The antagonist never considers him or herself a villain. I think if I ended up in a parallel universe as a bad guy, I still wouldn’t perceive myself that way. I’d find some rationalization (no matter how flimsy) for choosing the dark path.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski