Oof, I'd forgotten that in the end Harrison declares himself emperor. That does kind of lend towards the "satire of both sides" interpretation. With that lens

Oof, I'd forgotten that in the end Harrison declares himself emperor. That does kind of lend towards the "satire of both sides" interpretation. With that lens, kind of reflects the 20th century nerd experience; The tall-poppy nerd kid who is "handicapped" in school and, escaping into adulthood, becomes an arrogant and overbearing prick.