Within cells interlinked - Interrogation Scene(s) in Blade Runner 2049

[Jayman]

Hi everyone,

 

Don't know if anyone has seen Blade Runner 2049 or it if you have did you like it?  It's not for everyone, a real slow burn.  I LOVED it and I've seen it three times already (See it in IMAX).  To me it's one of the best science fiction FILMS ever made.  

 

So there are two scenes in the film where Ryan Goslings Character, K, a Replicant and Blade Runner, has to be subjected to a Post Trauma Baseline Test every time he "Retires" a rogue Replicant. This is similar to the Voightt Kampff test in the first Blade Runner but way more intense.  Now this test is a series of rapid fire questions and answers to see if K has developed an emotional response for basically committing murder.  Whats so interesting is that these questions and answers are intertwined with a passage from one of my favorite books, Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov (He also wrote Lolita).  

 

I'm curios to see what others thought of the film and these scenes in general.  I've committed the first Post Trauma Baseline Test (Interrogation) scene to memory. Here it is verbatim.

 

 

Interrogator: "Officer K-D-six-dash-three-dot-seven, let's begin. Ready?"

K: "Yes, sir."

Interrogator: "Recite your baseline."

K: "And blood-black nothingness began to spin... A system of cells interlinked within cells interlinked within cells interlinked within one stem... And dreadfully distinct against the dark, a tall white fountain played."

Interrogator: "Cells."

K: "Cells."

Interrogator: "Have you ever been in an institution? Cells."

K: "Cells."

Interrogator: "Do they keep you in a cell? Cells."

K: "Cells."

Interrogator: "When you're not performing your duties do they keep you in a little box? Cells."

K: "Cells."

Interrogator: "Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "What's it like to hold the hand of someone you love? Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "Did they teach you how to feel finger to finger? Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "Do you long for having your heart interlinked? Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "Do you dream about being interlinked... ?"

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "What's it like to hold your child in your arms? Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "Do you feel that there's a part of you that's missing? Interlinked."

K: "Interlinked."

Interrogator: "Within cells interlinked."

K: "Within cells interlinked."

Interrogator: "Why don't you say that three times: Within cells interlinked."

K: "Within cells interlinked. Within cells interlinked. Within cells interlinked."

Interrogator: "We're done... Constant K, you can pick up your bonus.”

 

I myself think, even though Blade Runner 2049 is not doing well at the box office, its going to become a cult classic and these two scenes are an example why.

[theDumbMule]

I have seen it and I think I liked more than the 1st one which I also liked. I agree it's slower pace than most sci-fi films (like the 1st one) and it's not for everyone but it is a really good movie.

[Jayman]

I have seen it and I think I liked more than the 1st one which I also liked. I agree it's slower pace than most sci-fi films (like the 1st one) and it's not for everyone but it is a really good movie.

Hi tDM,

I'm glad someone else liked this film.  I usually hate everything I see and this film spoke to me.  It went way above and beyond my expectations.

 

I picked up The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049.  It's a great oversized book about the films production.  Lots of beautiful concept art, photos and tons of information on the film.  

 

One thing I found interesting was that Ryan Gosling wrote the Post Trauma Baseline Test scenes.  The original script just had K reading a passage from Pale Fire.  Gosling hired a vocal coach and she taught him the technique of "Dropping In".  This technique explores each word of the text by exhausting every context in which the word can be used.  The original exchange he wrote was 8 minutes long.  When this scene was shot the filmmakers realized how unique and powerful it was.  Once in editing they fine tuned it and cut it down to emphasize its percussive aggression.  The whole thing is an attack on K's psyche.

[Mistress Kang]

Jayman- Saw it twice, once in IMAX, both times in the reclining chairs because I knew I'd start squirming sitting in the regular seats that long. I liked the movie and agree it'll become a cult classic. The second time I saw it I took notice to the fact that they use very deliberate lighting and the element of water throughout the movie. The third time I see it I'll pay closer attention to *how* lighting is used and how it relates to the story and characters.

I want to know more about K's baseline test though. How does repeating the words in such a seemingly random order determine whether he's been compromised or not?

[Mistress Sophia Katz]

I am surprised Blade Runner 2049 is not doing very well.  From the people I know who've seen it, they say it is a really great movie.  (Then again, the original Blade Runner didn't do too well, either.)  Eventually I will go and see the movie.  It looks really amazing.

[Jayman]

Jayman- Saw it twice, once in IMAX, both times in the reclining chairs because I knew I'd start squirming sitting in the regular seats that long. I liked the movie and agree it'll become a cult classic. The second time I saw it I took notice to the fact that they use very deliberate lighting and the element of water throughout the movie. The third time I see it I'll pay closer attention to *how* lighting is used and how it relates to the story and characters.

I want to know more about K's baseline test though. How does repeating the words in such a seemingly random order determine whether he's been compromised or not?

Hi Mistress Kang,

The lighting is insane in this film.  Roger Deakens said lighting the interiors of the Wallace corporation was a nightmare.  They built this circular lighting apparatus with 286 incandescent lights that would move to simulate artificial sunlight.  I liked how Luvs office and the staircase leading to Wallaces office were underneath the water.    Another thing I liked was  Luvs wardrobe.  You notice that it gets progressively darker the more unhinged she becomes.  

As for the Baseline test, when I saw what Ryan Gosling actually wrote he used every word of K's baseline.  It's really long and repetitive.  I could see it having a trance inducing effect and  its a little unsettling.  To me it seams like a process of psychological erosion in an attempt to expose K's emotional state.

[Jayman]

I am surprised Blade Runner 2049 is not doing very well.  From the people I know who've seen it, they say it is a really great movie.  (Then again, the original Blade Runner didn't do too well, either.)  Eventually I will go and see the movie.  It looks really amazing.

Hey Mistress Katz,

 

Please let us know what you thought.  I'm very interested in other peoples opinions on this film.  I absolutely loved it and was surprised when certain people attacked it so vehemently.   

[Jayman]

Jayman- Saw it twice, once in IMAX, both times in the reclining chairs because I knew I'd start squirming sitting in the regular seats that long. I liked the movie and agree it'll become a cult classic. The second time I saw it I took notice to the fact that they use very deliberate lighting and the element of water throughout the movie. The third time I see it I'll pay closer attention to *how* lighting is used and how it relates to the story and characters.

I want to know more about K's baseline test though. How does repeating the words in such a seemingly random order determine whether he's been compromised or not?

Oh and one more thing that I forgot to mention.  Pale Fire is the book in K's apartment that Joi asks him to read her.  So that could mean a plethora of things in regards to the Baseline test since a passage from the book is the foundation for the questioning. 

[Mistress Kang]

Oh and one more thing that I forgot to mention.  Pale Fire is the book in K's apartment that Joi asks him to read her.  So that could mean a plethora of things in regards to the Baseline test since a passage from the book is the foundation for the questioning. 

Interesting..

 

Where can I find the stuff that Gosling wrote?? Is it available online somewhere? Do you have access to it with all your behind-the-scenes knowledge? :-)

[job1617]

I can't wait to see it. Loved the original especially The Final Cut. My favorite cinematographer Roger Deakins shot this film.

[Jayman]

Interesting..

 

Where can I find the stuff that Gosling wrote?? Is it available online somewhere? Do you have access to it with all your behind-the-scenes knowledge? :-)

 

Here you go Jessy,

I must be a glutton for punishment (But you know that already).  That and I just want to please my Domme/Top/Boss/Buddy and save her the time from having to look things up.  I typed this out from The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049 last night.  It took a while but this is Goslings original Baseline test that was written in that book.  It felt like my eyes were going to explode in my head while typing it.   The whole thing is written over a photo of the white wall with the camera thingy K is looking at during the test.   I'm not sure if it's the entire script but It's a lot and it's really frigging long.   You can see why it was edited down for the film.  I do hope that they include the full scene in the extras when the Blu-Ray is released.

 

Interrogator: Officer K-D-six-dash-three-dot-seven, let's begin. Ready?

 

K: Yes, sir.

 

Interrogator:  Recite your baseline.

 

K:  And blood black nothingness began to spin….  A system of cells 
interlinked within cells interlinked within cells interlinked within one stem….  And dreadfully distinct against the dark, a tall white fountain played.

 

Interrogator:  Let's move on to system.

 

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Feel that in your body, the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  What does it feel like to be part of the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Is there anything in your body that wants to resist the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Do you get pleasure out of being a part of the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator: Have they created you to be a part of the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Is there security in being a part of the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Is there a sound that comes with the system?

 

K: System.

 

Interrogator:  Cells.

 

K: Cells.

 

Interrogator:  They were all put together at a time. Cells.

 

K: Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Millions and billions of them. Cells.

 

K: Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Were you ever arrested? Cells.

 

K:  Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Did you spend much time in the cell?  Cells.

 

K:  Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Have you ever been in an institution? Cells.

 

K:  Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Do they keep you in a cell? Cells.

 

K:  Cells.

 

Interrogator:  When you're not performing your duties do they keep you in a little box? Cells.

 

K:  Cells.

 

Interrogator:  Interlinked.

 

K:  Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like to hold the hand of someone you love? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Did they teach you how to feel finger to finger? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

 

Interrogator:  Do you long for having your heart interlinked? 

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Do you dream about being interlinked?

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Have they left a place for you where you can dream? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like to hold your child in your arms? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like to play with your dog? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Do you feel that there's a part of you that's missing? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Do you like to connect to things? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  What happens when that linkage is broken? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Have they let you feel heartbreak? Interlinked.

 

K: Interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Did you buy a present for the person you love? Interlinked.

 

K:  Interlinked

 

Interrogator:  Within cells interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Why don't you say that three times? Within cells interlinked.

 

K: Within cells interlinked. Within cells interlinked. Within cells interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Within.

 

K: Within.

 

Interrogator:  Where do you go when you go within?

 

K: Within.

 

Interrogator:  Has anyone ever locked you out of a room? Within.

 

K: Within.

 

Interrogator:  Where do you go to when you go within?

 

K: Within.

 

Interrogator:  Where is the place in the world you feel the safest? Within.

 

K: Within.

 

Interrogator:  Stem.

 

K:  Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Do you have a heart?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Did you pick asparagus stems?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  What comes from something else?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Have you been to the source of a river?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  When's the first time you gave a flower to a girl?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  What did she look like?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Is it a slang word for people's legs?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Have you planted things in the ground?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Have you ever been in a legal battle?  Stem.

 

K: Stem.

 

Interrogator:  Within one stem.

 

K:  Within one stem.

 

Interrogator:  Dreadfully.

 

K:  Dreadfully.

 

Interrogator:  Is that an old fashioned word?  Dreadfully.

 

K:  Dreadfully.

 

Interrogator:  Did you ever want to live in the nineteenth century? Dreadfully.

 

K:  Dreadfully.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like to be filled with dread? Dreadfully.

 

K:  Dreadfully.

 

Interrogator:  Do you think you could find out all the answers to all the questions? Dreadfully.

 

K:  Dreadfully.

 

Interrogator: Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator: How good are your eyes? Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator:  Do you have a particular personality? Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator:  What separates somebody from somebody else? Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator:  Who do you admire most in the world? Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator:  What was your most shameful moment? Distinct.

 

K:  Distinct.

 

Interrogator: Dreadfully distinct.

 

K:  Dreadfully Distinct.

 

Interrogator:  Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Were you afraid of the dark when you were little? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like to hide under a bed? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Did they keep you in a drawer when they were building you? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Was it dark in there? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Do you have dark thoughts? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Did they program you to have dark thoughts? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Do you think it's some kind of corruption these dark thoughts? Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Maybe it's a spot of rust or something? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Who's the darkest person you know? Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  What is it like when someone gives you the silent treatment. Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Who did you get your darkness from?  Dark.

 

K: Dark.

 

Interrogator:  Against the dark.

 

K: Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  What kind of power do you have against the dark. Against the dark.

 

K:  Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  Do you think there is such a thing as evil? Against the dark.

 

K: Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  Do you think you can protect people against the dark. Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  Why are these things happening?  Against the dark.

 

K:  Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  Do you prefer the day or the night?  Against the dark.

 

K:  Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  When is the last time you saw a starry sky?  Against the dark.

 

K: Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  What's your favorite part of the moon?  Against the dark.

 

K:  Against the dark.

 

Interrogator:  Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Have you seen the Trevi fountain in Rome? Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Have you ever seen the fountain in Lincoln center? Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.  

 

Interrogator:  Have you seen fountains out in the wild? Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.

 

Interrogator:  What's it like when you have an orgasm. Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Have you read the Fountainhead? Fountain.

 

K: Fountain.

 

Interrogator: White fountain.

 

K: White fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Is it pure white? White fountain.

 

K: White fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Is that a metaphor? White fountain.

 

K: White fountain.  

 

Interrogator:  How did the white fountain make you feel? White fountain.

 

K: White fountain.  

 

Interrogator:  A tall white fountain.

 

K:  A tall white fountain.

 

Interrogator:  When you were little did you ever fall into a fountain? A tall white fountain.

 

K:  A tall white fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Do you like fire, earth, air or water? A tall white fountain.

 

K:  A tall white fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Do you like skipping around in the water? A tall white fountain.

 

K:  A tall white fountain.

 

Interrogator:  Within cells Interlinked.

 

K: Within cells interlinked.

 

Interrogator:  Recite your baseline.

 

K:  And blood black nothingness began to spin….  A system of cells 
interlinked within cells interlinked within cells interlinked within one stem….  And dreadfully distinct against the dark, a tall white fountain played.

[Mistress Zora Jin]

Everyone that has seen the movie told me to go watch it! I remember my professor showing us the original Blade Runner film after we read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep for our Mod Lit class. I have to admit I've put off watching the new one since the old one was so good. But this thread has piqued my interest. I'll give the new movie a chance.

[Jayman]

Everyone that has seen the movie told me to go watch it! I remember my professor showing us the original Blade Runner film after we read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep for our Mod Lit class. I have to admit I've put off watching the new one since the old one was so good. But this thread has piqued my interest. I'll give the new movie a chance.

Hi Mistress Jin,

 

Please, if you do see it, let us know what you thought.  I'm curious to hear opinions on it.  Especially from female viewers.  

I'm actually bringing a friend of mine who has been sick for about a year and a half to see it in IMAX tonight.  The original is his favorite sci-fi film and he's  never been to an IMAX theater so i'm very excited for him.

[job1617]

I saw the film today. I enjoyed it. They really nailed the look of the first film while telling an even deeper story. This is one of those films that gets better with repeat viewings. Best Sci-Fi I have seen since Ex-Machina.