ONA
Description
Dr. Emma Nora Darwin Barlow is a Darwinist scientist and a central figure within the British military-scientific establishment. She holds the position of head keeper of the London Zoo and is renowned as one of the original fabricators responsible for creating many of the unique species aboard the airship Leviathan. Her scientific pedigree is notable, as she is the granddaughter of the legendary naturalist Charles Darwin. Dr. Barlow is introduced as part of a secret diplomatic mission, boarding the Leviathan with a mysterious cargo that proves crucial to the war effort. She is typically seen in fashionable attire, never without her distinct bowler hat, and is often accompanied by her animal companion, Tazza.
In terms of personality, Dr. Barlow is exceptionally proper and maintains a cool, composed exterior that can make her seem almost emotionless. However, this surface calm belies a shrewd, clever, and fiercely determined mind. She possesses an intense awareness of the power and influence her famous name carries and is unafraid to use it, whether to bully, harass, or intimidate the ship's crew, or even to engage in shouting matches with the captain. To her core, she is a scientist who deals in facts and empirical evidence, firmly stating that she does not deal in surmise. Despite showing genuine concern for the welfare of younger characters like Deryn Sharp and Prince Aleksandar, she is not overly sentimental or motherly. When provoked, her controlled demeanor can shatter, revealing a capacity for sudden rage. She is confident to the point of hubris and makes a conscious effort to never appear surprised.
Dr. Barlow's primary motivations are rooted in her duty to the British Empire and the advancement of Darwinist science. Her secret mission to the Ottoman Empire is a pivotal part of the story, as she carries genetically engineered creatures, including the perspicacious lorises, intended to serve as diplomatic tools or, failing that, weapons. She is deeply invested in the success of her creations, becoming visibly distressed when one of her precious eggs is destroyed. Her role on the Leviathan evolves from being the leader of a secret mission to a key advisor and problem-solver. She is often the one to discover critical secrets, such as the true identity of the young prince Alek, and to arrange complex deals, like swapping herself as a captive for a Clanker officer. She consistently uses her scientific knowledge to devise plans, from suggesting hot spices to root out saboteurs to fabricating vitriolic barnacles as a destructive backup plan.
Her key relationships significantly shape the narrative. With Deryn Sharp, a young woman disguised as a cabin boy, Dr. Barlow forms a unique bond. She immediately recognizes Deryn's abilities and seems to prefer her company for important tasks. While she keeps Deryn's secret for a long time, she hints that she knows the truth long before it is openly acknowledged. She eventually offers Deryn a position as her assistant, encouraging her not to give up fighting against a world not yet ready for women like them. She plays a similar mentoring role with Prince Alek, facilitating the hatching of the loris Bovril so it becomes attached to him, which ultimately helps Alek find a new purpose. Her relationship with Count Volger, a Clanker nobleman, begins with mutual suspicion but develops into a quiet exchange of information, with Volger referring to her as an interesting woman. Her interactions with Captain Hobbes are often strained, as he is uncomfortable with having a powerful woman on his ship who holds a degree of authority over him.
Throughout her development in the series, Dr. Barlow demonstrates significant adaptability and resourcefulness. When her initial plan to use the loris eggs fails, she immediately pivots to a more aggressive strategy involving the vitriolic barnacles. She is shown to be a master manipulator of both biological systems and political situations. Her confidence never wavers, even as her official mission concludes and her direct influence on the ship's operations diminishes. In later episodes, she shows a more personal and reflective side, particularly during a heartfelt conversation with Deryn about her late uncle, George Darwin, revealing that her scientific drive exists alongside deep personal loss and a commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Dr. Barlow possesses several notable abilities. She is a master fabricator, having been instrumental in the creation of the Leviathan's living ecosystem and the intelligent perspicacious lorises. She is also a skilled diplomat and polyglot, speaking multiple languages including Latin, French, and German. Her scientific acumen is vast, covering everything from bacteriology to the analysis of complex equations. She also proves to be a capable strategist, able to see the larger political and military picture and devise plans that take advantage of her unique biological creations. Her intelligence is her primary weapon, allowing her to outthink opponents and allies alike to achieve her objectives.
In terms of personality, Dr. Barlow is exceptionally proper and maintains a cool, composed exterior that can make her seem almost emotionless. However, this surface calm belies a shrewd, clever, and fiercely determined mind. She possesses an intense awareness of the power and influence her famous name carries and is unafraid to use it, whether to bully, harass, or intimidate the ship's crew, or even to engage in shouting matches with the captain. To her core, she is a scientist who deals in facts and empirical evidence, firmly stating that she does not deal in surmise. Despite showing genuine concern for the welfare of younger characters like Deryn Sharp and Prince Aleksandar, she is not overly sentimental or motherly. When provoked, her controlled demeanor can shatter, revealing a capacity for sudden rage. She is confident to the point of hubris and makes a conscious effort to never appear surprised.
Dr. Barlow's primary motivations are rooted in her duty to the British Empire and the advancement of Darwinist science. Her secret mission to the Ottoman Empire is a pivotal part of the story, as she carries genetically engineered creatures, including the perspicacious lorises, intended to serve as diplomatic tools or, failing that, weapons. She is deeply invested in the success of her creations, becoming visibly distressed when one of her precious eggs is destroyed. Her role on the Leviathan evolves from being the leader of a secret mission to a key advisor and problem-solver. She is often the one to discover critical secrets, such as the true identity of the young prince Alek, and to arrange complex deals, like swapping herself as a captive for a Clanker officer. She consistently uses her scientific knowledge to devise plans, from suggesting hot spices to root out saboteurs to fabricating vitriolic barnacles as a destructive backup plan.
Her key relationships significantly shape the narrative. With Deryn Sharp, a young woman disguised as a cabin boy, Dr. Barlow forms a unique bond. She immediately recognizes Deryn's abilities and seems to prefer her company for important tasks. While she keeps Deryn's secret for a long time, she hints that she knows the truth long before it is openly acknowledged. She eventually offers Deryn a position as her assistant, encouraging her not to give up fighting against a world not yet ready for women like them. She plays a similar mentoring role with Prince Alek, facilitating the hatching of the loris Bovril so it becomes attached to him, which ultimately helps Alek find a new purpose. Her relationship with Count Volger, a Clanker nobleman, begins with mutual suspicion but develops into a quiet exchange of information, with Volger referring to her as an interesting woman. Her interactions with Captain Hobbes are often strained, as he is uncomfortable with having a powerful woman on his ship who holds a degree of authority over him.
Throughout her development in the series, Dr. Barlow demonstrates significant adaptability and resourcefulness. When her initial plan to use the loris eggs fails, she immediately pivots to a more aggressive strategy involving the vitriolic barnacles. She is shown to be a master manipulator of both biological systems and political situations. Her confidence never wavers, even as her official mission concludes and her direct influence on the ship's operations diminishes. In later episodes, she shows a more personal and reflective side, particularly during a heartfelt conversation with Deryn about her late uncle, George Darwin, revealing that her scientific drive exists alongside deep personal loss and a commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Dr. Barlow possesses several notable abilities. She is a master fabricator, having been instrumental in the creation of the Leviathan's living ecosystem and the intelligent perspicacious lorises. She is also a skilled diplomat and polyglot, speaking multiple languages including Latin, French, and German. Her scientific acumen is vast, covering everything from bacteriology to the analysis of complex equations. She also proves to be a capable strategist, able to see the larger political and military picture and devise plans that take advantage of her unique biological creations. Her intelligence is her primary weapon, allowing her to outthink opponents and allies alike to achieve her objectives.