The Church of the Third Revelation: Virtual Viewing Party: Reel 1, Scene 1

I finally got my DVD yesterday, and after I did my homework assignment of watching the first reel, I felt so glad to have seen it a few times on the big screen.  Alas, it's too pretty for tv viewing.  The scenery is as much a character in this film as Daniel is and I expect the perceptions of many who will only see it on the small screen will be different from ours.

That's why my first viewing of it was on my 19" widescreen LCD monitor. Very high res. Movie looked fantastic.

I'm working on the analysis and have come up with some pretty interesting findings, especially when you consider that DDL probably just wrote the signatures any old way. Or did he?

I've consulted some graphology books and here's what I've gathered about the two signatures of Daniel Plainview. What I've found is pretty interesting.

I should warn you--these are my own conclusions and should not be substituted for the analysis of a professional graphologist. (Some of my statements are actual paraphrases from a graphology book.)

The 1898 signature:

The over-sized capital letters indicate that in regards to sex, the writer is interested only in self pleasure, not in giving pleasure to others. The writer is also conceited and prone to anger if not shown respect. The writer is never self-critical and cannot accept criticism.

The given name refers to the private self, while the surname refers to public self.

The sharpness of the handwriting indicates an ability to quickly understand matters, but a lack of the ability in theorizing about them. This writer accepts the surface value of things, propounds his own ideas, is at odds with himself and others, and feels rejected by others.

The overall form of the letters indicates an aptitude for mathematics and the applied arts.

The capital "P" indicates an interest in material pleasures.

The connected letters indicate calmness.

The large capital letters indicate megalomaniacal tendencies, an inflated view of abilities, rudeness, and a tendency to magnify the self and downgrade others.

The narrow spacing between letters--the way they are closed upon themselves--indicates the writer rejects anything from others.

The name "Daniel" rises upward, an indication of optimism and arrogance.

The name "Plainview" stays flat along the line, indicating strength of will, self-control.

The second "I" is missing a dot and is shielded, as it were, by the "A" and the "N," as if the writer is trying to hide something. It is interesting that the thing the writer is hiding is the middle "I."

The overall right slant of the handwriting indicates an ability to absorb other people's ideas and experiences.

"I's" dotted to left indicate a resentful temperament.

The small "L's" with closed loops indicate secretiveness.

The tall, hooked starting stroke in "N" means arrogance.

The 1927 signature:

Thick, muddy writing indicates confused, muddled ideas and thinking.

Distorted writing indicates difficulty in concentrating and assimilating facts, rigidity in affections, pessimism, and sadness.

Both names are the same size, indicating the public and private selves are the same--at least in the view of the writer.

The surname slopes downward, which is an indication of depression and failed hopes.

The "P" in that form indicates self-interest.

The second "A" is open, indicating ambition.

The "W" curved inward indicates a need for protection.

The omitted dots from the "I's" indicate carelessness, negligence, poor memory, indecisiveness, and poor attention to details.



I told you what I'd do.

Yeah, about the first ten minutes into my research I started saying, "What the hell...?"

Yes, the Guggenheim Fellowship for Milkshake and Drainage Studies!

I have an autograph from Daniel that he just signed as "DDL".