Understanding Seamus Zelazny Harper

[Maigrey]

I've written a few essays, posted them to the slipstream and on my site. I'd like to get as much feedback and your opinions as well! This is my latest, what do you think?

I for one can understand Harper and how he has become the person we see today, sometimes wisecracking, some times hostile. He can be your best friend, the boy next door - yet bitter and volatile. He is a genius, and all geniuses are well known for their borderline insanity.

Did circumstances make Harper what he is today? We know Harper was born on Earth, not genetically enhanced. He had to survive the Magog raids and Nietzschean attacks, famine, plagues etc. 'That which does not kill us, makes us stronger', but only in certain circumstances. It doesn't make Harper stronger healthwise, he doesn't have the benefit of enhanced genes - and is prone to illnesses that others wouldn't have to deal with.

He is angry, even if for the most part he hides it. It's seen in An Affirming Flame, after Trance is 'killed'. [I'm thinking a really big bomb]. Again in To Loose The Fateful Lightening upon learning the kids had destroyed the Dyhedra System where the Magog lived. [You know what? I say good on them [the kids]]. And again in Angel Dark, Demon Bright - where he plans to sabotage the Andromeda and use a device of his own making to destroy the Nietzschean fleet the moment it appears from slipstream.

Did the attacks he suffered through create the genius he is today? He can look at any machine and instantly know what it is, how it works or how to build it - opening the doors of the Andromeda, building minibots, FMS, fusion catalyst devices, or just affecting repairs. Does he channel his anger at the universe into his work? I think so, being so inferior healthwise - I believe Harper has done everything possible to enhance himself knowledge wise.

He's quick to jump to risky solutions, aka flooding the Maru's AP tanks with protons. As Beka says, 'Harper, you little pyscho, did you do what I think you did?' So it's apparent she knows or has been witness to his antics before. Not to mention his going AWOL to attend the Pan-Galactic Surfing Competition on Infinity Atoll [10,000 insane surfers? Yep and our engineer is one of the craziest].

The World According To Seamus Harper: The Universe Hates You, Deal With It. Apparently this is something he truly believes in. While he hates the Magog and Nietzscheans, he works closely with both Rev and Tyr. He looks up to and admires both Dylan And Beka [parental figures perhaps?] and Trance is almost sister-like to him [their chase through Andromeda when she discovers his plan - note the way Trance smirks behind Dylan's back].

Harper lives his life on the edge, to the fullest as if trying to cram as much life as possible into the time he has. He believes in Dylan and his ideals - to a point. If he could have changed history [wiped out the Nietzscheans] and made money off his knowledge of history, he would have.

He's lived through a lot of pain in his life, the Magog Rape of his twin cousins Declan and Siobhan, living in a refugee colony and has survived because of his quick wit and intelligence. Yet he tries to hide his pain with smart-comebacks and comments.

Harper is a very complex person, in Angel Dark Demon Bright, when he is finally allowed to use his fusion catalyst device - he discovers that his victory is hollow. Yes - he got what he wanted, but at the cost of 100,000 lives. He has a good heart and a conscience, but when push comes to shove - Harper is out for himself.

I think Harper is a character many of us can relate to, and will help bring a 'human' angle to Andromeda.

[Curupira]

Maigrey that was excellent. You're right, Harper went through some really bad stuff and yet survived it all, which is something even Tyr must admire about him I'll try to remember this whenever Harper makes a particularly rude or sarcastic comment that drives me nuts

[Lonewolf89]

Good job, you described him very well. He does give a little humanity to the show.