Duality of H.G. Wells
H.G.'s character is the embodiment of the concept of duality - in a million different ways (e.g., good and evil, male and female, traditional and non-traditional, bisexual, etc.).
When H.G. was living in the 19th century, she led a double life because she had to. So many of the things that defined her also made her "dangerous" at that time - having a career, being bisexual, being physically strong, being unmarried, engaging in and enjoying casual sex, refusing to defer to men in any situation, preferring non-traditional clothing for women, excelling in academic and scientific pursuits, etc. Her life was characterized by "otherness" and she lived, what I believe to be, a very solitary existence. In 3.05: 3...2...1, when we see H.G. in the 1800s, there is no one with which she has an open and close relationship. Her brother was an idiot, enjoying the benefits of being known publicly as "H.G. Wells," while H.G. has to appear in a traditional dress and parade in front of Charles' fans as the demure sister. H.G. seems closer with fellow agent Wolcott, as he knows all of her capabilities and proclivities, but he still seems more in awe and/or fear of her at times. H.G. and Wolcott were certainly not hanging out/enjoying each other's company outside of work. There were romantic affairs going on as well, but none that ever appear to be meaningful or substantive.
When H.G. was living in the 19th century, she led a double life because she had to. So many of the things that defined her also made her "dangerous" at that time - having a career, being bisexual, being physically strong, being unmarried, engaging in and enjoying casual sex, refusing to defer to men in any situation, preferring non-traditional clothing for women, excelling in academic and scientific pursuits, etc. Her life was characterized by "otherness" and she lived, what I believe to be, a very solitary existence. In 3.05: 3...2...1, when we see H.G. in the 1800s, there is no one with which she has an open and close relationship. Her brother was an idiot, enjoying the benefits of being known publicly as "H.G. Wells," while H.G. has to appear in a traditional dress and parade in front of Charles' fans as the demure sister. H.G. seems closer with fellow agent Wolcott, as he knows all of her capabilities and proclivities, but he still seems more in awe and/or fear of her at times. H.G. and Wolcott were certainly not hanging out/enjoying each other's company outside of work. There were romantic affairs going on as well, but none that ever appear to be meaningful or substantive.
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H.G. just accepted that her double-life was how it would always be and she expected to perpetually go it alone and rely on no one but herself. The time period and her experiences justify this outlook on life. Men were part of the system that was oppressing her, and, as she states in 2.01, they always let her down. In 2.01: Time Will Tell, as she predicted, James MacPherson was ready to turn on H.G., but she stopped him before he was able to do so. Even in 3.05, we see Mr. Crowley, the man H.G. was having an affair with at the time, betraying her trust and trying to use her for his own purposes.
As to women, the only interaction we see H.G. have with them during the 19th century was her being forced to politely endure their inane worship of her brother. Similar to the men, the women were active participants in the patriarchal society stifling H.G., and she clearly had no respect for those women who chose to conform to the expectations and roles that society placed upon them.
What all of this adds up to is: H.G. on her own. She had no equal, no person she ever felt a mutual respect or affection for, and that's just how things were. By the time H.G. is debronzed in 2010, she understandably is used to trusting no one, keeping all of her feelings and thoughts to herself, and fighting against the world in which she lives. No wonder H.G. is the person she is in Season 2. When you live your life in such a dichotomous manner, you cannot just change it instantly.
On the show, we witness two different H.G.s: 1) the very capable and very dangerous H.G. who is able to dupe anyone and everyone, without remorse and with a self-confident smirk on her face; and 2) the very vulnerable and somewhat hesitant H.G. who desperately wants to believe and trust in others, and who wants to believe in the good of the world around her.
The Myka Bering Effect
What is the difference-maker between the two H.G.s? Myka Bering. Whether you see their relationship as platonic (seriously?) or more than that, it does not matter. Myka triggers the change in H.G. and is the reason H.G. even has a shot at regaining her humanity and her true self. Myka is this trigger because she upends every premise about the world H.G. has had up until the moment she meets her. Myka is a single, career-oriented woman who is lauded for her intelligence and strength. She backs down
As to women, the only interaction we see H.G. have with them during the 19th century was her being forced to politely endure their inane worship of her brother. Similar to the men, the women were active participants in the patriarchal society stifling H.G., and she clearly had no respect for those women who chose to conform to the expectations and roles that society placed upon them.
What all of this adds up to is: H.G. on her own. She had no equal, no person she ever felt a mutual respect or affection for, and that's just how things were. By the time H.G. is debronzed in 2010, she understandably is used to trusting no one, keeping all of her feelings and thoughts to herself, and fighting against the world in which she lives. No wonder H.G. is the person she is in Season 2. When you live your life in such a dichotomous manner, you cannot just change it instantly.
On the show, we witness two different H.G.s: 1) the very capable and very dangerous H.G. who is able to dupe anyone and everyone, without remorse and with a self-confident smirk on her face; and 2) the very vulnerable and somewhat hesitant H.G. who desperately wants to believe and trust in others, and who wants to believe in the good of the world around her.
The Myka Bering Effect
What is the difference-maker between the two H.G.s? Myka Bering. Whether you see their relationship as platonic (seriously?) or more than that, it does not matter. Myka triggers the change in H.G. and is the reason H.G. even has a shot at regaining her humanity and her true self. Myka is this trigger because she upends every premise about the world H.G. has had up until the moment she meets her. Myka is a single, career-oriented woman who is lauded for her intelligence and strength. She backs down
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to no one, male or female, and is the most physically dominant member of the Warehouse team. Yet, this does not make Myka an outcast or her own island in the world. Instead, Myka is still deeply caring and close with her fellow Warehouse agents and even the general population at large. Myka believes in the good of all people, dedicating and risking her life to continuously save them day in and day out. She is fun; she is admired; she lives her life openly and without apologies; and she is happy. For H.G., this has to be intensely earth-shattering. Finally, H.G. has found an equal and this person does not have to engage in any of the secretive behavior or defensive modes H.G. resorted to. Besides that, H.G. actually likes Myka as a person - finding her funny and just comforting to be around. This is why H.G.'s not-so-nice plans fail and why a monumental shift occurs internally for her character -
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because of the one factor she could have never expected or planned for - Myka.
H.G. is used to people constantly breaking their faith with her and shunning her for all of her differences. With Myka, she finds a woman who is undyingly loyal to H.G. and who believes in all of her heart that H.G. is a great human being, even when H.G. doesn't believe it. Myka goes to extraordinary lengths time and time again to stand by H.G., even after H.G. has betrayed her. This has to shock H.G. and make her rethink everything she thinks she knows and believes.
When Myka is around, the ego disappears; she is trusting; she lets herself care about others; and she allows others to see her vulnerability and in a more honest light. It's not as easy as "Myka is here, so now H.G. is fine." Not by a long shot, but the growth you see in H.G. from Season 2 to present can only be seen as a direct result of her relationship with Myka. Things will never be simple for H.G., but with Myka next to her, the possibility of a good life, a happy life, are attainable.
H.G. is used to people constantly breaking their faith with her and shunning her for all of her differences. With Myka, she finds a woman who is undyingly loyal to H.G. and who believes in all of her heart that H.G. is a great human being, even when H.G. doesn't believe it. Myka goes to extraordinary lengths time and time again to stand by H.G., even after H.G. has betrayed her. This has to shock H.G. and make her rethink everything she thinks she knows and believes.
When Myka is around, the ego disappears; she is trusting; she lets herself care about others; and she allows others to see her vulnerability and in a more honest light. It's not as easy as "Myka is here, so now H.G. is fine." Not by a long shot, but the growth you see in H.G. from Season 2 to present can only be seen as a direct result of her relationship with Myka. Things will never be simple for H.G., but with Myka next to her, the possibility of a good life, a happy life, are attainable.
Artifacts
Used by or on H.G.
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Invented or created by H.G.
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