As time marches on, the enigmatic Doctor Manhattan from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal Watchmen resonates more deeply. It’s not about aspiring to be a colossal, blue, and nude being with omnipotence (though the power would be tempting!). The real connection lies in that poignant scene where Doctor Manhattan chooses solitude on Mars, turning his back on humanity. While I cherish human connection, the allure of Martian isolation certainly has its moments.
Doctor Manhattan’s motivations for abandoning Earth are often simplified as detachment and a loss of faith in humanity. However, after revisiting Watchmen Chapter 1, particularly the interview scene, a different interpretation emerges. Could his departure be rooted in something far more human than cold indifference?
The Watchmen narrative has evolved through comics, Zack Snyder’s 2009 live-action movie, and now, animated adaptations. Each rendition offers a fresh lens on this iconic story. The televised interview with Jon Osterman, for instance, while consistently depicting the same event, subtly shifts in pacing and performance, providing new perspectives on a familiar scene. The recent animated film, Watchmen Chapter 1, is particularly insightful in this regard.
Alt text: Doctor Manhattan being interviewed on television in Watchmen Chapter 1 animated movie, highlighting a key scene for understanding his character.
Watching Watchmen Chapter 1, the interview scene, perhaps due to the animation’s briskness, felt notably faster than in the original comic. This altered pacing sparked a reconsideration of Doctor Manhattan’s flight to Mars, prompting a re-evaluation of Jon Osterman’s character arc. This is a testament to the power of DC’s animated adaptations to revitalize classic narratives.
For those unfamiliar, Dr. Jon Osterman, a nuclear physicist, transforms into the god-like Doctor Manhattan after a lab accident. Initially a superhero, he becomes a government operative when vigilantes are outlawed. Watchmen Chapter 1 portrays Jon’s growing alienation. He immerses himself in science, neglects his relationship with Laurie Juspeczyk, and appears emotionally vacant even amidst crises. It’s easy to interpret his Mars departure as a final, emotionless rejection of humanity. However, the evidence suggests a more nuanced, human motivation. His decision to leave Earth may stem from his humanity, an emotional response masked as detachment.
Alt text: Doctor Manhattan in Watchmen Chapter 1 animation, looking contemplative, hinting at the emotional depth beneath his detached exterior.
Before his Martian exodus, Jon visits an Arizona bar, pausing at a bulletin board. There, he sees a photograph of his human self with ex-girlfriend Janey Slater. He takes this photo to Mars. Does this action align with emotional detachment? Doctor Manhattan, with his godlike abilities, could recreate the photo or simply relive the memory. Instead, he seeks out a tangible link to his past human life. This photograph, his sole worldly possession taken to Mars, reveals nostalgia and wistfulness – profoundly human emotions, contradicting the image of a detached being.
Janey Slater’s presence in Jon’s thoughts is understandable. During the interview, he learns of her terminal cancer and the implication that he caused it. His departure from Earth isn’t simply weariness of humanity’s conflicts. He believes his presence is causing cancer, including Janey’s. Jon leaves to protect Laurie and others from similar fates. While disillusionment with humanity may be a factor, it’s likely a facade. His primary driver seems to be a twisted form of protection, born from guilt and fear.
Alt text: Close-up of Doctor Manhattan’s face in Watchmen Chapter 1, conveying a sense of worry and inner turmoil, suggesting his emotional burden.
Remarkably, even with cosmic power, Doctor Manhattan experiences fear. Confronting villains is different from confronting human emotion. Since his transformation, his powers became a shield, creating distance. But the interview shatters this wall. He is uncertain about human relationships, yet he believed he controlled his powers, until confronted with the devastating consequences – his powers harming those around him. This revelation strips away his perceived control.
Doctor Manhattan’s flight to Mars, therefore, appears to be a panicked reaction, an extreme fight or flight response from an extreme being. While my interpretation might be debated, that’s the enduring magic of Watchmen. Published in 1986, it continues to spark new conversations. Its characters and themes offer endless layers for dissection.
While Mars isn’t a solution to our problems, perhaps solutions can be found within the complexities of Earthly existence.
Watchmen Chapter 1 is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms. Watch for Watchmen Chapter 2 later this year.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies, and comics for DC.com… (author bio omitted as per instructions)
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery… (note omitted as per instructions)
