Lords in black very (not) original analysis
From all the lords in black, I think Pokey is the most horrifying one. Hear me out.
Wiggly and Blinky both directly act to twist their victims' behaviour. The former in a way that complete strips their autonomy and memory, and the latter in a more 'twist your mind and make you crazy' though able to be pushed through and resisted (while also having memory of what youve done). Tinky as far as we've seen doesn't really play with his food as much and mostly tricks them into doing what he wants. Nibbly only intensifies the desires and feelings that were already there.
Pokey however not only takes your autonomy away, but completely strips away your dignity. He mocks what you were and makes a sick imitation of it, by using his victims' flesh suits like puppets to play with. We see this with Alice in 'Not Your Seed' where Pokey makes her act in a classic angsty teenager way - exaggerating her behaviours, while also (in my own little headcanon) imitating her last moments before she died (in the 'why does it hurt to love you' part).
We also see this process in 'Let It Out' where Pokey tries to basically twist Paul into the perfect tragic hero 'Ive never been happy/wouldnt that be nice?' Basically trying to rid every bit of what made Paul the person he was (Since according to him he's always loved Hatchetfield and what's exciting about that?). This aligns with Pokey in Nightmare Time which basically reveals that his sole desire is for everyone to be part of the Singular Voice.
Let it out truly tells us all we need to know about Pokey:
"And I know it's a singular voice, Paul/You've just got to give up your choice"
"Is my integrity worth anything at all?/(But happiness can’t come before its fall)"
And of course we see in Inevitable the way Pokey makes Paul's corpse dance and smile, mocking his core existence.
I'd also like to point out that in both examples Pokey also uses his victims' corpses to torment their loved ones one last time. Making Alice's corpse directly confirm Bill's worst fears with the ultimate goal to make him off himself, making Sam's corpse mock every hope Charlotte had to reconvene with her husband, making Paul's corpse torment Emma's feelings by having Paul basically have her questioning if he's really dead before he kills her.
Pokey's actions feel much more like a personal vendetta than just sadistic cruelty. Like he relishes in proving his victims' wrong and punishing them for daring to resist him. Wiggly's ultimate goal is to get power, Blinky wants to be entertained, Nibbly to feed, Tinky (perhaps a different case worthy to be analysed as well since i havent put much thought into him) wants to trick and mock his victims.
Pokey's motivation is also selfish and self fulfilling yet he goes out of his way to brag on his successes simultaneously with his actions. Why does he feel the need to? Is it just arrogance? (which could align with the stereotype of thespians -says me currently making more assumptions as I go on to think deeper about all things Pokey. This also would align with that stereotype since he's described by Webby as 'the most uncompromising of the bunch' which in fiction directors in theatre are usually haughty and arrogant and uncompromising)
Anyhow. I'm curious to hear what the rest of the fandom thinks. This has been my not so original analysis of Pokey. Enjoy.
