We should own the stars
Luv’s expression indicates that much like K, there’s something looming deep beneath the surface.– she’s an echo of K, an angel with clipped wings, capable of such great feats, but kept in the crumbling empire of Earth by dysfunctional parents.
This angel of death role is reflected by Luv in a later scene, in which she dispatches of Coco in a cold and brutal manner – the violence is quick but the result is shocking – Aasimov’s 3 laws of robotics are definitely not in effect here. This serves to highlight the fragility of human life, especially in comparison to the strength and durability of Replicants.
This begs the question: why did the newborn Replicant accept her fate at Wallace’s hand? In addition, why did Luv look on without reaction? What power does Wallace have over Replicants? They are clearly able to harm humans, as seen with Coco’s death, and Tyrell’s demise in BR82, yet she doesn’t protect her fellow Replicant from Wallace. What is most likely then, is that Wallace has promised something to Luv which bypasses her moral compass. Much like K, she is willing to betray her own species to further her own existence.
The implications of this scene are disturbing:
There is a sub species which is indistinguishable from, and subservient to the human race
Humans have complete apathy towards this groups’ plight
Humanity’s ‘savior’ has a twisted vision of progress, underscored by a perversion of science
Those that are able to stand against the injustice, turn a blind eye to it (to the detriment of their own existence)
These circumstances are an all too all too familiar pattern in humanity’s history, Wallace even references this himself:
Niander Wallace: “Every leap of civilization was built off the back of a disposable workforce.”
Dehumanization, slavery, oppression, betrayal. Technology has changed, but mankind hasn’t.
The hubris of mankind then summed up in Wallace’s ultimate goal:
Niander Wallace: “We could storm Eden and retake her.”
As lofty and grandiose as this sounds, it brings Wallace’s biblical character back to the mortal realm.
In his singular focus on expanding his power, he has failed to realize his base fault, one which is decidedly human.
Echoing their creator, Replicants also have this fault.
It is the error within all of humanity, at the very core of the human condition:
The hedonic treadmill.
There is a point at which money, fame and achievements cease to provide feelings of accomplishment or happiness.
At this point a new desire takes hold.
It’s programmed into our being to always want more. More than we have, need, or are able to process.
In Wallace’s case, he’s achieved an unimaginable level of wealth, saved humanity from starvation, and created a life form superior to humanity. What else is there for him to achieve?
The acquisition of power. Beyond money, beyond fame, beyond accolade.
Total, absolute power.
But to what end? The achievement of power in and of itself is all consuming. It causes empires to fall.
Wallace has clearly abandoned his moral and ethical compass in pursuit of his unattainable need. Viewers are left to wonder at what point he will achieve contentment, if ever. His plan is doomed to failure, all because of one overlooked aspect.
Despite an in depth understanding of the human condition, riches beyond comprehension, and achievements beyond mortal dreams, Wallace is no different from the broken people in K’s stairwell.
He too, has the core fault inherent in everyone.
It’s this fault which ultimately negates his aim.
His fault is that he is human.
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. ”
― Seneca