One Final Thought - Is Deckard Gaff's Replicant Replacement?
Gaff is another police officer who works in the Blade Runner department. He's the one sent to bring Deckard out of retirement and appears again at the end to congratulate him and leave that foil unicorn. Walking with a cane it's clear he's past his prime, which prompts an interesting idea; if Deckard is a replicant, is he a replacement for Gaff. Essentially the theory is that Deckard is a new replicant created to track down the rogue Nexus 6, implanted with Gaff's memories of being a Blade Runner. Importantly it answers the question of why there'd be a replicant Blade Runner out there anyway - the best Blade Runner is not only retired, but injured - but it also explains some of the two characters' interactions. Gaff knows about the unicorn dream because it is one of his, he is rude to Deckard because he dislikes the idea of being replaced and "you've done a man's job" is a sign of his acceptance. When we first meet Deckard (minutes before Gaff's first appearance) he slumped by a window reading a newspaper while an overhead blimp talks about "a chance to begin again". This is in reference to off-world colonies, but in the setting of Chinatown could it be invoking the concept of reincarnation? Ray's journey is all about gaining more life, some semblance of immortality, so another form life-beyond-death would fit right in the film. What do you make of our evaluation of Blade Runner? What film would you like to see us dissect the ending of next? Let us know down in the comments.
