My Thoughts - What happened between TP2001 & IOTH

Before getting too much involved with the realization of IOTH photosets and gifs, I wanted to share some thoughts about the lapse between the two movies.

1. I believe that a few months passed between the movies. The first was released in January 2001, the second in December 2001. A year passed between the movies and I think this lapse is reflected in both story-lines, too. Maybe not a year, but at least 5-6 months, during which Jarod isolated himself from the Centre to do some research about the symbol (the Crazy Eights) and at the same time to put some distance between himself and Miss Parker. I think he might have been a bit confused after his confrontation with Alex and after hearing his words about Miss Parker being 'the most important person to his world'. I'm also sure that Jarod often thought about it and started to wonder why he was so willing to try and save his huntress' life and why he behaved that way when he realized Parker was in real danger because of Alex.

2. And this leads straight to my second point. I believe that Jarod reunited with Zoe after TP2001. She certainly wanted to know everything about the Centre, Lyle and Cox and perhaps Jarod decided to tell her the truth. I imagine him, saying something like, 'It's complicated', to her. I also think that Jarod warned Zoe and chose to distance himself from her, if nothing else to protect her. Knowing Jarod as we do, he probably "lied" to her, telling that he just wanted to keep her safe, but he actually had at least another good reason to get away from Zoe, Miss Parker. Jarod is a good man, he would never joke with a woman's feelings just to 'have some fun', if he's certain that he's in love with another one. He's used to be alone, it's not loneliness he's afraid of, but to hurt people he loves. And he did love Zoe, just in a different way. So, I'm sure he ended up dumping her and saying something like, 'It was great between us, but I have a complicated-sick-twisted-relationship with another woman and I must understand what I actually feel for her, I can't stay with you if I think I may be in love with someone else'. In fact, nobody can deny that Jarod really understood (remember?) what he felt for Miss Parker after the whole Alex-affair, after Alex told him that she was important to *his* world, that he didn't even know *how much* important she really was.

His reaction to those words (let's face it, he looked like a mad man when he stood up and punched the iron gate!) was evident. He'd always known that Miss Parker was safe and sound at the Centre because of her father's presence. But Jarod realized that Alex had kidnapped Mr. Parker, so the woman he'd always been in love with might have been in danger for the very first time.

3. I already mentioned here what I think about Ethan and the fact that Jarod didn’t look so worried about his disappearance. My other thought, in fact, is that Jarod knew where Ethan was and that after Alex's death his brother called him and went back to his lair. I'd like to think that Jarod sent Ethan to find his dad, his clone and Emily.

...Jarod & Ethan Selection... [The Pretender 2001]

...Ethan Selection... [The Pretender 2001]

Parker: What? Jarod: It’s Jarod. Parker: Consider yourself lucky to be sure of even that. Jarod: Did they find Alex’s body? Parker: Not as far as I know, but I don’t often get told the truth. Jarod: You sound as worn down as I feel. Parker: The word is "lost" Jarod and it’s getting dark fast. For starters, I don’t know where Broots is and Ethan is gone. I don’t if he left or if he was taken- Jarod: Taken? Parker: He started a note he never finished but there’s no sign of struggle. [The Pretender 2001] I don't know if it's just me, but Jarod doesn't look so much worried about Ethan's disappearance. Yes, he looks a bit surprised, and he says "taken" in a whisper, but his eyes don't look so "scared" as they should. He's not even angry, and we're talking about another brother taken from him! And then he suddenly changes the subject. So at times I think that maybe Jarod actually knew where Ethan was. Maybe, after the whole Alex-affair, Ethan called Jarod and went back to his lair. Maybe they found each other and Jarod decided not to tell Miss Parker because he didn't totally trust her, or most probably because he didn't trust the Centre and the telephone line, because there could always be somebody listening. Maybe Jarod sent Ethan to find his dad and his clone. Maybe he wanted to tell Miss Parker only when he was sure that she would be ready. I don't know, but I really like this way of thinking...

Ethan: Hello? Jarod: Where’s Miss Parker? Ethan: South side shipyard. [The Pretender 2001] Well this is another moment I love particularly. And it lasts...I don't know, ten seconds? And yet, ten seconds are enough when it comes to realize how much Jarod is worried for Miss Parker. He calls Ethan, doesn't even say, 'Hello', he just wants to know where she is. He doesn't have to ask why or with whom or to save who. He just knows she went on her own, because he knows Miss Parker too well, he knows that she's going to need his help against Alex. Now Jarod knows that Alex wants to kill Parker to hurt *him*. This moment is so beautiful. It goes on almost unnoticed, but it's *great*.

Ethan: Sounds like she was an amazing woman. Parker: She always was to me. That’s why it’s so important that I find out what she meant about my father knowing all the secrets. It may sound strange but I I’ve always felt that she was looking out for me, like a guardian angel. Ethan: She has been. Parker: What? Mr. Parker: It’s me angel. Parker: Daddy, I’ve been so worried. Mr. Parker: Listen to me, I need you to come to the south shore shipyard, twenty, five o’clock and I need you to come alone. Parker: I will but- Mr. Parker: You’re my last hope angel. Parker: Daddy. Daddy! [The Pretender 2001] Oh, Alex. The best evil man, ever! =)

Parker: Why did you come for me? Ethan: Mother’s voice told me to. Parker: She told you to save me? Ethan: Just to go. Even though I’d been there before, sort of. Parker: What do you mean? Ethan: Well, ever since I can remember, I’ve had this repeating vision. I’m in a burning room and this woman emerges from the smoke to save me. She’s wearing this ring...and the reflection off the ring is so bright that I’ve always thought of it as like a beacon for her. Parker: She’s our mother. Ethan: Yes, I know that now because you look just like her. Tell me everything that you can remember about her. Please. [The Pretender 2001] This scene reminds of Harry Potter. He's been told so many times that he looks like James except for the fact that he has Lily's eyes. And whenever someone he doesn't know tells him that, he feels almost a bit disappointed. And yet, when Sirius tells him so, he looks so content and pleased. It looks like this happens here, too. Miss Parker looks so glad that it's finally someone she truly cares about to tell her that she looks like her mother. She is told by her half-brother, a brother she *truly* loves, that she looks like Catherine, and she's ecstatic. And her smile when Ethan asks her to tell him everything about Catherine is just lovely. I think this reaction only happened one time before, when Angelo told her that she looks just like her mother at the end of Bloodlines (2.22). That was her best smile, ever. And she was glad to tell Angelo about Catherine, too. She didn't know that Angelo wasn't her brother, yet. And their conversation was lovely.

Parker: Where’s Broots? Sydney: Bad news all around I’m afraid. Broots never got back or called. As for Raines, he was gone when I got back here several hours ago. Parker: Probably got one of his werewolves in training to drag his butt out of here. No doubt he’s holed up in the woods somewhere licking his wounds until the next full moon rises. Sydney: Any luck finding Dr. Thompson? Ethan: No. We went to the second Thompson address. There were police cars there and an ambulance pulling away. Sydney: You don’t think that Broots- Parker: Let’s hope not Syd. You’ll keep me posted if you hear from him? [The Pretender 2001]

Parker: Oh my God. Perfect. Oh. Here! I’m over here! Ethan: Miss Parker! Miss Parker! I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. Parker: I don’t understand. How could you be- Ethan: Give me your hand. Parker: It was a premonition, not a dream. Ethan: Tommy Thompson’s not here. Parker: Then he must be at the other address. Ethan: Let’s go! [The Pretender 2001]

Jarod: Jarod. Ethan: I found Tommy Thompson. Jarod: Where? Ethan: Two addresses in Westbrook, Maryland. I’m faxing them to you right now. Jarod, I’m going. Jarod: You’re going where? To Thompson’s? Ethan: No, to see Miss Parker, my sister. She’s in trouble, I have to warn her. Jarod: To warn her about what? Ethan: I can’t explain it right now, okay? I love you brother, I have to go. Jarod: Ethan! [The Pretender 2001] Ok, let me tell you why this moment is great. Jarod is having a 'normal' conversation with his brother, who just found Tommy Thompson’s addresses. Suddenly everything changes because Ethan tells Jarod that he must go to save his sister, Miss Parker, who's in trouble. Jarod's face instantly turns white. A second before he is curious and interested, a moment later he gets worried and frightened. He knows that if Ethan feels that Parker is in danger, she *really* must be in danger, so he's scared. And I love the fact he doesn't have the time to ask Ethan why, because he stops the conversation and hangs up just answering, "I can’t explain it right now, okay?". Jarod tries to call him back, but Ethan's already gone. I just love this scene. I'm sure Jarod would have done something to help Parker, if only Alex hadn't called at that very moment!

Jarod: I couldn’t save him. Ethan: Alex died? Jarod: Or so I thought. Jarod: It’s not fair. Ethan: About Alex? Jarod: I can’t imagine what the last five years have done to him. [The Pretender 2001]

Jarod: Three of us escaped that night. Me, Eddie and a third pretender named Alex. Ethan: And you think is Alex is the chameleon? Jarod: A ghost is the chameleon. [The Pretender 2001]

Ethan: It’s like a big riddle Jarod. All these things seemed to be tied together. Maybe the photos are just about your face, maybe the messages on all this other stuff. Jarod: No, that would be too obvious. The chameleon knows it. He said this was a game. He wanted me to dig for answers. Look at that, his hand is forming the sign language equivalent for the letter "G". "H". "O". "S". "T". The chameleon is trying to tell me he’s a ghost. [The Pretender 2001]

[The Pretender 2001]

Jarod: Is "Double T" a project, a case file, or does it have something to do with me? Sydney: Not to my knowledge. Jarod: Well find out...and I want the truth. Parker: So do I. Broots: I’m on it. Ethan: Why didn’t you tell them about the chameleon? Jarod: It was need to know. They don’t. [The Pretender 2001]

Ethan: "Double T". Jarod: What did you say? Ethan: "Double T". The voices, her voice keeps saying "Double T". Parker: "T T". I heard it too. Ethan: Miss Parker. Parker: Ethan. Ethan: I’m glad you’re alive. Parker: I’m glad you’re alive too. Jarod: Don’t you know that nobody dies at the Centre. Ethan: My mother...our mother Catherine did. And somehow the answers are tied to "Double T". [The Pretender 2001] I know I keep repeating the same thing, but I just love this scene. The whole interaction between Parker, Sydney, Jarod and Ethan is amazing. First, Sydney looks at them with *that* smile on his face. He's finally peaceful because now he knows that Jarod is alive. And surely he just loves seeing Miss Parker acting so tenderly towards her half brother. Second, Ethan, so young and yet so wise. He shouldn't know a thing about his siblings, and yet he knows them better than anyone else. I'm sure he also knows what they really feel for each other. And finally Jarod and Parker. Jarod looks so lovely when he sees Miss Parker on the screen, if you look carefully you can see him sigh in relief, it's almost imperceptible, but it's all there to contemplate for us shippers. And when Ethan mentions Catherine's death, and Parker lowers her gaze in regret, Jarod looks at her intensely, also the camera indulges in a long close-up to capture his inner thoughts. He's so aware of Miss Parker's real feelings and of the pain she still feels for losing her mother. Moreover, Jarod is the only one who actually lived that pain with her when they were young. Catherine was a mother to him, too...

Sydney: Jarod! You’re alive. Jarod: And because of that wonderful fact, I get to enjoy another day being chased by the Centre. I’ve gotta hand it to you though, pin up posters as bait this time was truly inspired. Sydney: Inspired? We weren’t even sure you had survived until this very moment. Jarod: Well someone in Centre wonderland has manipulated an ID photo I made for an arson investigator pretend that I did several years ago. Sydney: Well let me check the archive. I assure you none of us have misused your image. Jarod: Somebody did and I need to find out who. Sydney: I’ll see what I can do Jarod. [The Pretender 2001] Ok, one thing. Miss Parker's face when she realizes that Jarod is the one calling. Watch her carefully and then come and tell me that it ain't relief. She looks finally at ease and she stands up immediately, almost like if she doesn't believe it's really him. I love it.