Yay!! I finally added my Detroit charm up in my store… Idk why I like these two so much despite the game’s writing and controversy… I think I just really like cop shows and dystopias so this was the perfect niche thing I’ve been craving haha
Just before Markus deviates, Carl tells Markus not to retaliate when Leo gets violent which Markus goes on to deem unfair. Which is true, it is unfair, but I also think there’s quite a bit of reasoning as to why Carl tells Markus this.
Markus is a caretaker, yes, but he’s also an RK prototype custom built by Kamski. It’s very likely that Markus is a bit stronger and more durable than the average android. Kamski probably even informed Carl of this when he gave Markus to him. Carl probably reasons that Markus can withstand Leo’s attack without Markus coming to too much physical harm.
Carl also knows the cops are on their way, so Markus would only have to withstand Leo for a very short time. However, Carl underestimates just how much he would be emotionally affected by Leo bullying Markus, and clearly underestimates how agressive Leo was going to get. And if Markus chooses not to retaliate, it’s even stressful enough to killCarl.
Another thing to factor in is that Carl is probably at least vaguely aware of cops’ extreme prejudice in any situation involving androids. Androids are seen as nothing more than faulty machinery to be destroyed if they are seen doing anything even slightly out of line. He knows that if Markus does anything at all to defend himself, Leo will most likely make out that Markus is dangerous and Markus will be killed, which surprise, surprise, is right on the fucking money if Markus does choose to defend himself.
It’s an impossible situation that Carl tries to control through Markus but the one thing he didn’t really consider is how Markus would feel about the situation. For someone so insistent on cultivating Markus’ right to feel and be his own person, it’s quite a huge oversight.
