Cinematic Parallels: Dr. Harcourt and Elsa Wolcott (Wilson's Heart VR)

Cinematic Parallels: Dr. Harcourt and Elsa Wolcott (Wilson's Heart VR)

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN: September 2023

DISCLAIMER: I am not a psychiatric professional. I do have a degree and spent years studying the intersection between the mental health and correctional systems, but I am not a clinician or an individual with a lot of clinical knowledge. I am also aware that the source media is not something that is widely known or something that is meant to be read into (as the game is simply a mash-up of various classical horror tropes). However, I really enjoyed the source media and feel like there is stuff there to explore / play with.

CONTENT WARNINGS: Discussions of Spousal Abuse, Child Death, and Overt Themes of Manipulation / Grooming

I’ve been thinking about this for a hot minute, but I only just remembered it again and felt like sitting to write it out… But the whole dynamic between Anakin and Palpatine, right? Especially the opera scene from Revenge of the Sith?

That’s how Harcourt and Elsa’s dynamic was prior to everything that led to Wilson’s Heart. At least, that’s how I envision it based on the little we do hear about them in game.

I skimmed through a no-commentary playthrough of the game again, and here’s everything that’s said about them and their dynamic (both between them, and the wider family):

NOTE: it’s important to remember that Elsa is an unreliable narrator, to a degree. She leads Robert and the others on to achieve her goal of resurrecting Andy. That said, I don’t think she ever lied about Harcourt’s actions, just their relationship dynamic (re: initially telling Robert they were colleagues, not spouses).

But circling back to the original concept of this post… The build-up to this conflict between Elsa and Harcourt.

Given the time period, the age differences, and the later abuse, I believe that Elsa was manipulated and groomed by Harcourt from the get go. They seem to have a lengthy relationship, and given I imagine Elsa to be in her mid-30s, it’s likely she was in her early to mid-20s when they’d become acquainted. So there is already a power dynamic, but it seems like there was another factor as well.

Harcourt is easily able to find a position as a head doctor in this hospital, meaning he has experience. Elsa seems to have similar experience, though on the side of clinical research, meaning it’s likely that Elsa could have worked under Harcourt as an intern throughout her later education. Being someone in a higher position, it’s not unlikely that (prior to their interpersonal endeavors) Elsa idolized Harcourt as a mentor and authority figure.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? That’s the dynamic Anakin had with Palpatine, and the one that ultimately led to Anakin turning to the Dark Side. The one that ultimately led to Elsa becoming willing to kill people, and use them not unlike Harcourt used her.

And we see the seeds being planted in that aforementioned opera scene. The way that a subtle sense of doubt is created to lessen the trust held toward the Jedi Order. Just watch:

The part that really inspired this, too, is when Palpatine tells Anakin to search his feelings and explore what trust is held between all the involved parties. Especially the line:

“ They asked you to do something that made you feel dishonest, didn’t they? ”

More headcanon for Elsa, but I imagine she always did believe in the supernatural. That’s why she was eager to work alongside Harcourt, too. He used that to bait her in. But how? Well, again… looking at the time period (and even to a degree, today’s beliefs), if someone says they believe in the supernatural or mysticism, what is the reaction? Mockery. Ostracization. Out casting.

If Elsa had ever expressed her beliefs, or the type of research she would wish to delve into, she’d just as quickly have to bury it. To be dishonest with herself, her feelings, and those around her. Harcourt would have been one of the few people who would listen to her grievances, if not the only one. It would have been easy for him to use that to his advantage.

And I just think their dynamic is so… interesting. Awful and tragic. But interesting to delve into and try and develop from the bread crumbs that the game gives us.