Turns out the reason I couldn't find the key to room 202 was because I hadn't triggered the cutscene on the third story (making James try to reach for a key through the bars only for a little girl to kick them.out of his reach LOL), which in turns triggers Pyramid Head's appareance in the northern hallway, beyond the bars, in the second story. Subsequently, upon entering room 209, you can finally find the dead body that was smashed against the tv, with the blood stain still on it and the blood smeared on the floor from dragging the couch. Since I had entered that room many times trying to find the key, I did find it unsettling lol I think there's something interesting about how both in sh1 and sh2, you're tasked to reach a certain location (the school, the park) and to do so, you intrude into the realm of "the private". I was inclined to dismiss it as a game design need to create a puzzle to unlock the route, but the eclipse keys revealing a world of darkness to Harry as he must walk towards the school (heightened if you turn off your lantern, which is preferable since there's way too many enemies on the way to) is a really good fucking way to somehow recreate Alessa's feelings as she nears the school.
In regards to James, I think the emphasis of the presence of violence in the domestic sphere is telling. Especially when sitting in the couch to watch tv is supposed to be relaxing. Being caught off-guard and vulnerable where you're supposed to be able to unwind, being violently killed when doing so. It's really good given what I know of the game. Also. I won't lie. I laughed when the most unsettling experience for James so far has been in room 202, having to put his hand into a hole as harsh music thunders on. Like okay, no projections on female sexuality here. It felt akin the fears of emasculation present in vagina dentata given he flinches once before reaching deeper into the hole for the key. The room is very good with the butterfly ornaments. I'll have to think about it more.
