Discussion: Caroline Survives Without Her Memories... Even if Echo Doesn't Know It

"Yes, very well perceived. That's how a bunch of us have come to see it. Caroline has actually also involved through Echo. The original Caroline is a bit more naive, but through Echo she's learning more how to handle things without the bull-headedness she used to (like in Echoes in the flashbacks). "

"That's very insightful... I didn't even quite think of it I don't think, but you're probably right. It begs the question then, of whether Echo will ever get her full memory back, and if she does, whether it will be the only imprinted material she receives at that time. If she does get her memory back, and only her old memory back, what happens then? Does she regress to her more naive beginnings?

Then again," The Target" in particular showed her flashing directly back to previous memories - both from her previous imprints and one from her original life as Caroline - and other episodes, such as "Gray Hour" and even "Spy in the House of Love" show that this recalling or partial-recalling of details form previous sets of memory seems to be a pattern (notice how she quotes her own "I'm not broken" line from "Gray Hour" in "Spy" for instance, and IIRC, she references friendship with Sierra both in wiped and imprinted form in "Stage Fright" - notice that when she says she has to "save her", she is actually looking not at Rayna but a picture of Sierra). So, we already have evidence that the wipes aren't 100% effective, at least on Echo (and arguably, there's evidence it didn't quite work on Alpha in "Omega", and more obviously so when it comes to Novebmer, Sierra and Victor in "Echoes". Which seems to be most actives at this rate!).

So, is it possible that "Caroline" will eventually return, yet still retain some of the growth that she's undergoing as Echo? I would say it is, myself.
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"Her Echo personality is definitely influenced by Caroline. However it begs the question about the soul. Is she channeling Caroline or are those traits simply inherent to her soul? I personally go for the latter. Whichever personality you put in that special mind, it will show similar traits."

"You know, I just had an epiphany thanks to you!

I kept thinking that "Ghost" felt so out of place, and it was my least favorite episode as well, largely because of "how little of the myth arc is in it".

And it just occurred to me... THE MYTH ARC IS RIGHT THERE! O: It's hidden in plain sight! It's right there in Echo's... interpretation if you will, of the kidnapping negotiator's imprint. Her obsession to get the girl back at all costs fits with everything we know about Caroline's tendencies! I suddenly have a newfound affection for that episode, not to mention a bit of extra respect for Joss on that one. That's so subtle I almost didn't even notice it at all!

This also makes me want to take a second look at Sierra's imprints... someone once suggested after "Needs" that DeWitt imprints Sierra was tough chicks out of guilt because of what happened to her. Maybe it's the reverse; maybe DeWitt simply uses her for those imprints because she is better at them, because her original self had traits in common! Look at the similarities between her version of Taffy, and the SWAT member imprint... cool as a cucumber. Her version of Taffy is actually surprisingly different from Echo's considering it's supposed to be the same one... at first I thought it was just the actresses putting different spins on it, but is it possible they each have a "core" for their characters to work from? oooh. I love how this show makes me think on the little things like that. <3"

"You know that's funny, is that me being a science geek, part of me can't help but frame the whole "soul, which is probably unremovable" thing in sciencey terms, considering it's scifi. But there's a valid way of doing this (which makes me wonder if Joss will ever address such, or not): nature vs. nurture. Genetics, biology... brains are malleable, yes, but an adult brain such as the actives have is probably set in its hormonal ways as it were, it's used to feeling certain ways in certain kinds of situations. There's evidence out there to suggest for instance, that some people are just physically more prone to either avoiding or engaging in risk, or being able to to stand emotional trauma more than others and the like. Heck, if we believe some of the recent pop psych stuff, it's entirely possible that even things like a strong sense of justice (such as people like Caroline, or whistleblowers, have) might have evolutionary advantages and a certain level of inheritability.

Of course though, it's obviously much cooler in terms of a "soul"; more poetic! But it would explain how the original personality could inform all imprints very neatly fitting with scientific understanding. :)

Oh, I know. I'm such a nerd! But I can't resist. <3"

"Oh whoa! Deep! I'm starting to see why Caroline/Echo is so interesting now...I never thought of her as interesting. But with all of the "soul" implications...and the scientific backing...makes the show all the more awesome."

"Paul's such a corrupt dude, and he doesn't even know it half the time. That's why I don't like the guy; he doesn't give off the 'holier than thou' vibe, but I get that feeling from him. If I were to describe Paul in a word or two, I'd say hypocritical and righteous. He's not religious, but his moral codes (I have never cared too much for morals)...yeesh. Guy needs to hop off the 3:10 to Crazytown and purchase a chill pill ASAP!"

"You know, I just had an epiphany thanks to you! (.......)

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