The difference between good and evil seems to be mostly appearance, with evil looking old (Cohegan) and bald (Richter), representing the dying patriarchal system, and a weak phallus . The embodiment of the renewed patriarchy is the good-looking, hyper-masculine Quaid, whose phallic power can even withstand repeated kicks to the phallic palace. So while we see the patriarchy collapse with Quaid's victory, we also see a new patriarchy arise in which a white male still speaks on behalf of women and minorities. The new patriarchy is even stronger, because we like this patriarchal figure: he is strong, hyper-masculine and, above all, a hero. And so we see Quaid, in control of his woman, and acting as savior of the helpless, and we can see the White Male's Total Recall.