Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Teddy/Past Leonard

Teddy

Teddy certainly seems like a mentor. He's an undercover cop who's helping a poor man with a memory problem track down his wife's killer. He keeps Leonard grounded in the present by helping him piece together his past. He lets Leonard tell him all about Sammy Jankis over the phone, and he's even there to help with the whole Dodd situation.

The only problem, of course, is the teensy little fact that Teddy's lying to Leonard and using him for his own designs.

Past Leonard

No one helps out Leonard more than his past self. His past self is kind enough to leave notes, get tattoos, take pictures, and condition him through repetition. Past Leonard is a real swell guy (unless he falls asleep or can't find a pen). Because of his condition, Leonard is the only one Leonard can trust.

But ultimately, Past Leonard manipulates Leonard just like Teddy does… so maybe there's no true mentor after all.