#Stephen Stanley

theterroramc
puppyf4g

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Dr Stanley having a normal one in the background of the Gore surgery scene...

Stanley's behaviour really grabs my attention in this scene, because we have two very different PTSD responses. Fitzjames is very emotional and confused, but still tactile and willing to help, whereas Stanley is exactly the opposite. He is closed off in the scene, stood stock still, often spacing out and yet also alternating between a panicked state of high observation. He seems to be experiencing severe detachment, to the point where he dreamily watches them all struggle with Silna as if he's not really aware of the gravity of the situation. When Sir John addresses him at the end it takes a considerable effort for him to shake himself from his "trance". Stanley's behaviour in other scenes is very calm and glacial, so this contradiction to that really stands out. Yes, you could argue that this is all because he is a emotionless prick, but even so there are reasons as to why he might come across that way- the character has depth. I just really enjoy watching the acting choices in this scene.

stephen stanleythe terrorhe experiences most of this through his nostrils for later analysis
theterroramc
puppyf4g

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Alistair Petrie interviewed for The Terror (in costume). X

"I think that [Dr Stanley] is prepared in terms of what he sees. If you had given him a list of the injuries that he would have to deal with [...], some pretty brutal injuries start to appear [...] and so, the interesting dynamic to that is it doesn't shock or surprise him because he has seen it before. He has an odd reaction to the brutality that happens, there's a certain coldness to it, but when you take it in context of a man that has served in wartime then there's a certain kind of logic and a sense to it, because that emotional side of him has been, sort of, blunted [...] by what he has previously experienced. So from a sort of character point of view, it's an interesting dynamic. Why isn't he as emotionally engaged and curious about these strange [injuries] that are appearing? It's war. He's seen it. He's been there."

alistair petriestephen stanleybehind the scenesThe Terror