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Number 12 Looks Just Like You - Questions about the Ending


For many reasons, Number 12 Looks Just Like You is my favorite episode; I especially like that it so accurately predicted the future (the episode is set in 2000) and is still relevant.

What I don’t understand, however, is the ending. Marilyn is apparently trying to escape from the hospital. However, when she sees a door at the end of the hallway, she backs away in fright and suddenly ends up in the “transformation room” where two doctors are waiting for her. One of the doctors takes a piece of paper from Marilyn’s hand and says something like “She has chosen number 8”.

Why is Marilyn suddenly backing away from the door at the end of the hall?
And where did the note in Marilyn’s hand come from? Has she decided on a number? If so, why is she trying to escape (with the note in her hand, at that)?

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If you look back to the scene when she wakes up in the room and talks to Lana and Val, you will see the #8 pinned to her hospital gown. She didn't make the choice; either the doctor or Lana did. When she gets upset that no one understands what she's saying, she pulls the number off her gown and crumples it up. It's still in her hand when she accidentally backs into the operating room while trying to escape the bureau.

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But why does she keep the note in her hand as she tries to escape if she just crumpled it up? If indeed someone else picked a number for her I think it’s a pity the episode doesn’t show that more clearly. The doctor just says at the end “She chose number 8.”

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She probably just wasn't thinking about it. Once she stopped crying she decided to escape and just got out of the bed and went into the hall with it still in her hand. Of course, Dr. Rex and the nurse know full well she didn't choose it, but they're pretending she made a choice like everyone else does.

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