[WiltsAKGirl17]

Originally Posted by pitbulllady

All that pretty much falls into place with what Nina said herself in the movie-many children have a conscious reason for creating an Imaginary Friend, but also an SUBconscious one. She gave a specific example of her creating Eduardo to protect her from the bullies and gang-bangers in her neighborhood, but while he did do that, he fulfilled many other roles, too, that turned out to be even more important. He was a playmate, a gentle babysitter for her baby brother, and most of all, through his cowardice and childlike nature, he inadvertently taught HER to be brave and stick up for herself, so she could ultimately become a tough, no-nonsense police officer. In Jordan's case, he wanted someone to show him how to become a better basketball player, but his actual NEED went way beyond simply needing someone who could teach him how to play basketball. He also needed someone who could help him develop his own self-confidence and build his own self-esteem, and to teach him to, in Jordan's own words, "become a better PERSON". That would mean teaching him things like manners, respect and humility, among others. Traditionally the task of teaching such things to young boys fell upon the father, or if he was not present, an uncle or other close male relative, so given that Wilt became the primary male role model in Jordan's life at that point, it can be reasonably assumed that Jordan's real father was not present. Either his father was deceased, or in the case of Mac and Terrence, had simply abandoned his family, or perhaps he had a job which required him to be absent from the home most of the time, like active duty military, or in the South Carolina Low Country, a commercial fisherman/shrimper. Whatever the case was, Jordan had a strong subconscious NEED for an adult male mentor/role model, i.e., a father figure, and that's where Wilt came into the picture. So much of Wilt's behavior reflects that of a father, from that slightly-condescending manner in which he tries to explain to Goo why a badger version of Mr. Herriman won't do in "Bus the Two of Us", to his blatantly fatherly "Alpha" stance in "The Bloo Superdude and The Potato Of Power"-now who among you HASN'T ever had a parent, especially your dad, tell you, "BECAUSE I SAID SO" when you asked why you had to do, or couldn't do, something? You don't usually hear that from your peers, just from adults in charge. I believe that IF the writers were to really show more of Wilt in upcoming episodes, and let his character development really progress naturally, he will become even more "parental", as his inhibitions and hang-ups about disappointing others or going against the grain start to vanish, finally. Even though it was seen through Bloo's interpretation in "TBSDTPOP", and we just got a glimpse in "Nightmare On Wilson Way", I think what we saw there was the REAL Wilt, the Wilt that Jordan and his brother and neighborhood would have known "back in the day", before that game with Foul Larry.

pitbulllady

I think that all IFs are created for a purpose, obviously. Nina explained that fantastically in GWH, like pbl said-- there?s a conscious reason for the IF?s creation, but there?s also a subconscious reason-- Nina created a defender, a babysitter and friend, but also someone who helped her become brave: Eduardo. It would almost be like if I created Wilt-- I would have a friend, but also someone who would help me get my lazy butt off the couch or computer watching TV or writing stories and playing a sport.

There?s definitely an undercurrent of complexity and depth when Wilt is involved in any way, and Jordan is not exempt. He created a coach, true; what he got was that and an amazing friend and LIFE coach. I find it extremely hard to believe that someone could grow up with someone like Wilt and not come off a good person. Wilt trained Jordan well, and not just on the court-- what we saw of Jordan in GWH, you could tell he was humble despite his superstardom and he was very warm. It?s very plausible that Jordan?s father was an absentee figure in his life-- it?s rather doubtful that Jordan would have developed such an intense attachment to Wilt if there was a male figure in his life. In any case, I can very strongly see Jordan creating Wilt as a father-role; I would equate this with me creating a strong female IF after my mother died when I was eight.

I wholeheartedly agree that Wilt is very father-like. He?s extremely patient and helpful, which would be like a father trying his son (or daughter) to ride a bike, throw a curveball, etc. I also agree with the ?Because I SAID SO? line as being highly fatherly-- I?ve heard that line very frequently, often from my father or stepmother. (I will occasionally say this to my friends, but not seriously, as Wilt did in ?The Bloo SuperDude??)

I hope very much that in season 6, the writers put Wilt in more episodes than they did in season 5 and really develop his character. Perhaps placing Wilt in some type of leadership position and letting him grow that way? I would immensely love to see Wilt?s fatherly side come more and more into play, and to see him not be so hung up on making others happy before his own. When I described Wilt to my friend Lauren, I told her that Wilt would bend over backwards for you, even if it killed him, or something to that effect. Hopefully, someday, I?ll be able to tell her that he?s gotten to the point where he?s not so? eager-to-please, for lack of a better word.

If the parental side of Wilt is the real Wilt, as you mentioned, pbl, I?d very much like to see the real him developed and explored. (Obviously, I have high hopes for what I hope to see of season six?)