Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:19 pm by endzem
I agree that sometimes people tend to analyze things a little too much and we need to say to ourselves, "Dude, it's just a movie!" But as for this thread, I think it's not over analyzing something from the movie in particular, it is more speculation about what goes on "outside" the movie, in the BR universe in general.
Here's my take on this. This is all MY personal speculation:
I think initially, replicants were allowed on Earth. It makes sense to think that they did well here on Earth (as servants, pleasure models, workers, and soldiers) and someone decided they could be useful Off-World.
Nexus 5's could still be allowed on Earth (in 2019). Maybe they have synthetic looking skin (kind of rubbery or yellow like Data from Star Trek---hence the slang "skin job"--perhaps even yellow eyes or something) and so the N-5s could be easily be recognized by humans. Moreover, they were devoid of human emotions and were relatively mundane in intelligence. They do not pose a threat.
Now comes Nexus 6 (I?d say maybe around the year 2011). Visually, it?s biologically identical to real humans (organic skin), have the capacity of being at least as intelligent as their creators, and can display basic emotions. Why give them emotions? As a worker/labor: develop ?pride? in what they do and be more productive. As a soldier: perhaps develop patriotism for their faction and be more effective combat machines. As a pleasure model: well...if she (or he) is really ?feeling? aroused instead of simulating it, knowing this would definitely enhance the other persons experience.
At this point, N-6?s didn?t have expiration dates, but shortly after being introduced (4 to 5 years later), some began to display erratic behavior, which eventually leads to the N-6 bloody mutiny (year 2015?). Tyrell Co. realized that it?s because of the basic emotions. N-6s are now made with a 4 year life span and are declared illegal on Earth because 1) it?s high risk because Earth contains much more people than any given Off-World colony. 2) Earth has far less surveillance / check-points to keep them in place.
Now maybe all the old N-6s were recalled and retired. Maybe some escaped off world. But I think Roy, Pris, Zora, and the others were probable the first batch of N-6s with expiration dates (created around 2016).
In 2019, Tyrell creates Rachel with implanted memories in an effort to eliminate the problem becoming erratic and potentially dangerous like the previous N-6s models.
As for the Blade Runner unit: I think these may have existed long before Nexus 6s. They are a ?special police squad? unit, so they would handle the more dangerous, and more delicate cases, and whenever something needed to be handled with discretion. The Nexus 6 problem would appropriately fall into their jurisdiction.
Well, I?ve said enough. That?s my personal take on all this.
btw...Welcome to the forum, Citizenchris!