i think the horror in Elias’ body being stolen isn’t just the fact that it’s stolen, but the fact that nobody cares. It’s feels like a step-up from the NotThem because at least with the NotThem everyone except one has the privilege of forgetting the real person- not with Elias, though. no. Everyone knew, including the audience, and nobody bothers to refer to Jonah as his real name. Instead of unknowingly forgetting, they’re doing so willingly.
Peter acknowledged the fact that Jonah steals bodies, he even knew him when he was James Wright, and still verbalised his choice to call him Elias. Gertrude knew, and possibly knew the actual Elias too, and still spat out the name Elias right before she died like it’s an insult. The audience is well aware, and yet it’s jonelias, not jonjonah. when it’s not lonelyeyes it’s peterelias, not peterjonah. Both in and out of the universe, the original Elias is gone.