I have to admit, I do find Erek's actions in the last two books odd, considering his past actions. He might be physically incapable of violence, but it would be wrong to say he was peaceful. He actively seeks out the ability to do violence. He keeps a Yeerk imprisoned in his head. His gives active support to people who are, essentially, guerrilla fighters. And he actively works towards getting an entire race killed for revenge. These are not the actions of a peaceful being. These are the actions of a violent being. Erek didn't refuse the ability to be violent because of any belief in it being wrong, he refused it because he personally couldn't handle the consequences of that.
In essence, programming aside, Erek is a violent little Chee. So it's puzzling then, that he apparently decided that he should be preventing harm to others instead. Perhaps there are indeed reasons for this - perhaps Erek resented Jake's manipulations, and his powering down of the pool ship's weapons was more in the form of a childish act of revenge. That still doesn't sit right for me though, so I'm undecided.
Personally, I liked Erek's storyline more before this final act. The idea of a being that cannot commit physical violence actively aiding a war effort is interesting, and the inherent contradictions are interesting. He was also a much more sympathetic character then - you know and understand where he comes form, even when he's manipulating others into committing genocide. Whereas his actions at the end are so unexplained it's hard to have any sympathy for him - it just looks like Erek is stubbornly being difficult, despite having aided the Animorphs before, and Rachel pays the price for it.
On another note, who else has wondered what the real Erek King is doing now (and more importantly...is he still an Animorphs fan? :P)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-10-12 04:32 am (UTC)In essence, programming aside, Erek is a violent little Chee. So it's puzzling then, that he apparently decided that he should be preventing harm to others instead. Perhaps there are indeed reasons for this - perhaps Erek resented Jake's manipulations, and his powering down of the pool ship's weapons was more in the form of a childish act of revenge. That still doesn't sit right for me though, so I'm undecided.
Personally, I liked Erek's storyline more before this final act. The idea of a being that cannot commit physical violence actively aiding a war effort is interesting, and the inherent contradictions are interesting. He was also a much more sympathetic character then - you know and understand where he comes form, even when he's manipulating others into committing genocide. Whereas his actions at the end are so unexplained it's hard to have any sympathy for him - it just looks like Erek is stubbornly being difficult, despite having aided the Animorphs before, and Rachel pays the price for it.
On another note, who else has wondered what the real Erek King is doing now (and more importantly...is he still an Animorphs fan? :P)