Category:Silent Hill 2 - Theories section

SH 2 Theory Name: You're the Same as me ....
The characters in Silent Hill 2, to me, have always had a lot more significance to James then what would be perceived at 1st glance....... Let me explain.

The way that I see things, the power of the town called all the characters to the town at the same time by design. We can only look at this through James' POV ( obviously ) but the connections are there. It seems like every character shares a common theme with James. Especially when we are talking about the multiple endings. 1st Angela's connections/similarities to James ......



I regard this ^ as a very important scene in establishing that connection/similarity/ and overall theme between James and Angela.

I find it quite intriguing that, at the same time, Angela and James are both looking into a mirror. Angela uses the knife blade as a mirror and James so happens to meet Angela in a room with a massive mirror covering an entire wall. At the end of this scene James takes the knife from Angela suggesting that both may be thinking about ending their lives (consciously and/or subconsciously) because of their plight. In this scene Angela already has gained some knowledge about James.

When James suggests,

I don't know what you are planning, but there is always another way.

Angela's reply is,

Really ??? But you're the same as me. It's easier just to run, besides it's what we deserve.

James immediately replies, saying

No, I'm not like you.

Angela says in a mocking tone of voice,

Are you afraid ....?!?!

It is immediately apparent that Angela is very aware that James is carrying the same type of " burden of guilt" she is. As Angela was in town before James, we can suggest that she a lot further in her journey through Silent Hill than James is.



^After James saves Angela from Abstract Daddy, Angela is not at all grateful, and suggests that the only reason James saves her is because he wants some sort of sexual encounter/favor from her, or something of that nature. She also becomes repulsed during that thought pattern when suggesting that James could just force himself on her like her father did. Referencing, that in some way, Angela is aware of James' sexual frustration and that is one the reasons he is in Silent Hill. After that Angela seems to aggressively question James, already knowing the answers.

Angela: You said your wife Mary was dead,  right ?

James:  Yes, she was ill...

Angela:  Liar! I know about you... You didn't want her around anymore. You probably found someone else.

Again, another shared theme, but this time Angela has gathered a lot more knowledge about James and obviously does not trust him because of it. Although both characters share a theme here, they seem to be at opposite end of that themes spectrum in Angela's eyes.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">In their last scene together, it seems like this running theme between the 2 characters has come full circle.

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<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Angela thanks James for saving her, but this time it seems like Angela is very aware of James' failure to take care of a loved one as she mocks him once again.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Angela Or maybe you think you can save me? Will you love me? Take care of me? Heal all my pain...?

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">James drops his head down in an admission of guilt via body language and doesn't respond.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Angela follows up by saying, That's what I thought.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Then Angela looks to retrieve the knife James is holding for her and suggests that James is saving it for himself. Once James refuses to give it to her she climbs up the staircase to her own demise.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">The relationship between these 2 characters seems to coincide with the In Water ending. As both share common themes, James seems destine to meet Angela to ultimately realize if he will be able to take his own life as Angela does right in front of him. Notice that James does nothing to save Angela this time, as it is understood that this is her fate. And just like the mirror and knife, James could in fact share that very same fate as well.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">On to Eddie. The themes shared between Eddie and James seem a lot more simplistic to me. James watches Eddie become a killer each and every time James encounters him.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">The 1st shared theme is denial.

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<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Right off the bat it seems that both characters ( consciously and/or subconsciously ) are in denial about what they have just done. It is apparent to me that Eddie had just killed ( or thinks he killed ) his 1st victim, the dead person in the kitchen. But emphatically denies it while throwing up. At the same time, James is in denial about the murder of Mary. Telling everyone she died 3 years ago because she was ill. The connection between the two characters is quite clear.



<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">The next encounter with any real substance as far as Eddie is concerned is in the prison. In the beginning of the scene, Eddie is literally just sitting in the dark with a corpse. Now Eddie says it was not his fault, shifting the blame on to his victim. This scene may echo one of the common lines that we hear James say during multiple endings in which James suggests that Mary wanted to die. Using this thought pattern, making an excuse for his actions. And because of this he can go on with being able to deny that he murdered Mary in cold blood. The same way Eddie leaves in this scene, saying he was just joking, and found the corpse like that.

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<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">In the last few scenes with Eddie and James, Eddie has completely lost it. Justifying his murderous rampage with references of the verbal abuse he had endured, driving him over the deep end. The similarities between the 2 characters is abundantly clear again. Both have committed murder in part due to the heavy amount of abuse they have endured. Eddie's loss of sanity makes that abundantly clear. This coincides with that fact that James uses another line multiple times in multiple endings.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">James I hated, you. I wanted you out of the way.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">For me, this connection rings most true when tying it to the Maria ending. During this ending, it is Mary that accuses James that the reason he killed her was because of hate.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Mary Don't make excuses, James. I know I was a burden on you. You must have hated me. That's why you got rid of me.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">James' reply It's true... I may have had some of those feelings. It was a long three years... I was... tired.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Mary And that's why you needed this 'Maria' person?

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Just before the final fight between Eddie and James they give us this exchange:

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">James You think it's okay to kill people! You need help, Eddie!

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Eddie Don't get all holy on me, James. This town called you, too. You and me are the same. We're not like other people. Don't you know that!

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Both characters share very common themes, and in one instance, the Maria ending, it seems like James is in fact the same as Eddie. Embracing what he has done, and continuing to live in his delusion, meeting Maria in the park. Choosing her. In this specific scenario, Eddie and James are very similar, as they have both embraced ( consciously and/or subconsciously ) that they are both cold blooded killers.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">I believe both Maria and Laura are connected to multiple endings. Here is why.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">1st Maria.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Maria's construct, IMO, is derived from multiple sources. 1st the towns power, but more importantly I believe her make up consists of both James desires and Mary's "footprint" left in the town during her stay. We know the towns power can reach far outside the town itself, making it easy to believe that Mary's thoughts and emotions were still being "collected" by the town.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">This explains why Maria has such a connection to Laura illustrated by this statement.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Maria: I never met her before. I just feel sorry for her. She's all alone... And for some reason... I feel like it's up to me to protect her.



<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">I believe Maria is connected to 3 different endings. The 1st ( no surprise ) the Maria ending. This is obvious so I will not elaborate on it.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">But I also believe that she is connected to the Leave ending as well. This is because it is Maria ( Mary's thoughts and emotions ) that ensure James searches for Laura. But the statement above runs much deeper than what it seems on the surface. Especially the latter part of it. As they may mirror the thoughts and feelings of Mary herself. Not only about Laura, but of her own situation as far as her thoughts and feeling on being sick and alone waiting for James to come and comfort her/ protect her. These feelings, in a way, are projecting the type of selflessness that is ultimately displayed by James in the Leave ending. Using this thought pattern, we can see that Maria's example of selflessness is, in turn, an example for James, giving him a second chance to redeem himself from the selfish act he committed. I will touch on the third ending at the bottom of this post.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Now on to Laura,

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">The appearance of Laura may baffle some as to what the hell is this innocent little girl doing in a story heavily soaked in adult themes. When James 1st meets Laura, he is reaching through some bars that block a hallway and Laura steps on his hand, kicks the key that he was reaching for away and mocks him. She does this to a man that she hasn't even met before.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">This small scene is rather important .To me, Laura is another representation of Mary. But because Laura seems "defiant" towards James I have always connected her to 2 different endings as well.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Obviously Leave, so I will not touch on that. I believe she is also connected to the Maria ending. During the encounters between James and Laura, it is evident that Laura is a representation of the negative emotions and feelings Mary had for James when James would visit her. Laura confirms this during this scene.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Laura's continuous abuse of James is another opportunity for a second chance for James. Here's why. James is forced to act like the adult during their interactions. Using selfless understanding all the while not taking anything Laura does to him "to heart" so to speak. In the scene below, James seems to garner an understanding of how this works. Making sure he keeps his cool while Laura is still non co-operative. Seen here.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">This is just another example of how James should have acted towards Mary when she was abusing him. Removing himself from some of the heartless things that were uttered from Mary, becoming much more understanding to the fact that he may have been her only outlet for her anger towards this illness that was sucking the life out of her. Laura's connection to the Maria ending is the obvious abuse delivered towards James by her, and if James cannot "rise above" it he will look just as selfish as he did when he took Mary's life.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Both Maria and Laura share common themes with James, all the while, in their own way become examples and/or catalysts for him if he chooses to redeem himself.

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<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">As far as Rebirth is concerned ..... To me, Maria most likely represents this ending. The most obvious common theme is the constant re-spawning of Maria after she is killed multiple times. But, in this ending, James slides deeper into his delusion than he would be if he chose Maria. As now he believes that he can bring Mary back to life.

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<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">It seems like the fog becomes thicker, and James' voice has a catatonic like overtone. ( if there is such a thing ). This may represent the fact that James may in fact believe ( because of how deep he is in his delusion now ) that he will be able to resurrect Mary, and this will in fact be a much better result than what the town has originally offered him in regards to Maria already being present. The connection between Maria and this ending is that both are offered as a supposed better option than the latter and James sinks deeper and deeper into his own delusion.

<span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">Ultimately all of the characters in the story share common themes. Some are a lot deeper than others. This is why I believe all have been called at the same time by design. IMO it is no coincidence that Laura meets Eddie and they both end up in Silent Hill. <span style="color:rgb(209,182,156);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;line-height:19.6px;">

Theory by Otherwurld (talk) 14:57, December 17, 2015 (UTC) link