retro_eidas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
retro_eidas) wrote2003-12-12 11:09 am
retro_eidas) wrote2003-12-12 11:09 am
random "X3" BSing
I've been musing quite a bit on Rogue/Jean lately. Rogue and Jean (Phoenix, anyway) are two of my favorite female characters of the X-M. So I fully admit all the below - heh, if you couldn't guess - is based totally around my own bias. FYI, the following also pretty much spoils "X2", so if you haven't seen it yet (Where the hell have you been and why are you reading this when you could be watching it?!)... wouldn't suggest reading the rest.
What I'm thinking our intrepid filmmakers could do, specifically in the areas of romantic debacles and Jean's inevitable changes, is show how being with Cyclops made Jean feel safe and in control.... while her attraction to Wolverine relishes her inhibitions. Jean Grey vs. Phoenix (Dark Phoenix). Jean successfully fights her attraction to Wolverine in the first two movies (For that alone, she's a much stronger woman than I'd ever be...uhm.. if I were a superpowered mutant and in the X-Men). She doesn't (and can't) feel out of control... this is only in regards to the romantic entanglements, but undoubtedly this could be shown in various (more substantial) ways, as it should be since obviously these films aren't all about love triangles and soapy messes (thank god).
Jean relinquished herself to power she was afraid of and possibly had prior knowledge of manifesting. Remember at the beginning of "X2" Jean says her "dreams are getting worse"? My belief at the moment is that the dreams were prophetic. She was seeing the future, but it had been such a jumbled mess (just like her power-lapse in the museum) she didn't understand what her dreams were telling her until the end of "X2" (when key events started unfolding. Professor X's forced use of Dark Cerebro, Pyro defecting to the Brotherhood, the breaking dam... and possibly actions she will commit?). This can also possibly further symbolized (rather anviliciously imo) with Jean getting consumed by the tidal wave she could no longer hold back. Her powers overwhelming her like the water (Her powers destroying her?). Jean "made a choice" (echoing Professor X's words) to not only relinquish herself to this frightening power (since it was the only way to lift the X-Jet *and* hold back the lake), but she also tried to alter the future she saw in her dreams by removing herself from the equation. Unfortunately, Jean didn't realize that by giving in to that massive power, she essentially negated her attempted suicide. Although having a lake fall on her would have easily killed Jean Grey, it won't stand much of a chance against something like Phoenix (much less, Dark Phoenix).
In "X3", we'll see exactly why Jean (of before) valued safety and control so very much as she progressively unravels becoming Dark Phoenix. It's probable the Jean we see in "X3" won't be Jean anymore (She's theoretically dead at the bottom of Alkali Lake). This "new" Jean will already be on a rapid cascade to hell.
Running parallel to Jean's story - something they *could* do with the movies but isn't as much a possibility as the Phoenix/Dark Phoenix thing - is Rogue's storyline. Rogue is also evolving or evolved, and not necessarily for the better. Maybe because, like Jean, she was also affected by Magneto's machine (of the two, Jean was effected, but Rogue was actually at the core of the machine. Her changes are just more belated). One might speculate, like Jean's powers in "X2", Rogue's were also fluctuating. In "X1", Rogue barely touched Wolverine and it knocked him out. Rogue touched Pyro longer in "X2", he still managed to stay standing... and in all accounts he's not nearly as resilient as Wolverine (with his healing factor). Why was Rogue able to touch Pyro for so long without it killing him? In "X3".... Rogue's mutation can now manifest without physical contact (she can absorb without touch), but at the same time is losing control of the rapidly growing amount of presences within her mind due to her stronger abilities (shout-out to Comic!Rogue's madness which was a fairly major means of transforming the character). However, unlike the (at least initial) benefit and glory of Jean's return and transformation... Rogue's change, from the start, is seen as unfortunate, a hinderance and lethal. Rogue is the pitied (powerful) creature, while Jean is this powerful goddess. When in truth, while the characters' changes on the surface are dissimilar, at their core, they're completely identical.
Because of Jean's return, Rogue's deterioration into insanity (possibly tinged with paranoia, bitterness and/or jealousy because of the attentions Jean gets and always got) is unfortunately overlooked, even by Xavier... until it's too late. Rogue has now become a danger to herself and those around her. Little do the X-Men know (although their given rather blatant clues Jean isn't right from the beginning), Jean herself isn't well. Although they're either in denial or when they finally confront the situation, like Rogue, they're once again too late (or they never had a chance to begin with. You can't stop evolution).
This could very well be a build up to Dark Phoenix vs (Dark) Rogue.
What's worse? The part of Rogue with some semblance of control (or the conscious part of her) doesn't feel she has much to live for, which is why she takes on Dark Phoenix. She may have broken up with Bobby, so that relationship is gone. She has no more control of her mutation than she had before when it wasn't stronger. So even if she lives on, with the danger she is to those around her, she still has to stay isolated from the rest of the living world. She feels she's alienated everyone who's ever cared for her (with her loss of control) and in her anger/frustration, she may have deserted the X-Men and sided with the Brotherhood (another shout-out to the comics since Comics!Rogue started off as a villain, not part of the X-Men)? Her knowingly unrequitted, impossible love (Logan), is unrequittedly in love with another woman. She also can't control the voices in her head. The Rogue that we might see being reborn is just an empty, but powerful, shell of the Rogue that had once been... but nonethless a parallel to Jean in almost every way.
Mutant against mutant. Evolution itself turning against mutants. And the X-Men (and any other mutants and humans who've joined the melee) are helpless to watch it unfold before them.
One might ask why Xavier particularly would have let the situation get so out of hand with Rogue *and* Jean Grey. Although I love Professor X, he's a fascinating character... there is a rather major flaw to him IMO. At least a major flaw in regards to situations like this. He feels he can fix everything. He's an eternal optimist. He also takes things upon himself, but isn't always ready to disclose his actions to others (He knew about Logan's past with Stryker, but didn't tell Logan about it. Most likely with good intentions, but nonetheless he didn't say anything. Believing Logan would figure things out on his own). This makes him such an interesting nemesis for Magneto. I feel they both suffer from a certain amount of arrogance. Magneto doesn't believe "humanity" can be fixed, the strong shall dominate the weak and he's violently proactive in this opinion. Xavier - although he too is equally knowledged with Darwin and evolution - believes in a much more slow, natural course (all humanity will eventually evolve, but not for thousands/millions of years).. but he's equally confident in his belief that humanity and mutants can live in peace. He might feel that both Rogue and Jean will come to terms with their powers on their own since he "knows" them so well (at least Jean anyway. Rogue might be seen as just an unfortunate consequence that Xavier felt he could never "control", but he never really had "control" over Jean's mutation either. Although he convinced himself he did and has helped her control it) ... but if they don't, he'll just flip on Cerebro and "fix" them both. But in reality, this situation is far beyond anything he can control and he will be in denial of it... or maybe he does face it, but those around him (Cyclops, Wolverine, etc), those who are closest to Rogue and Jean, won't let him face the truth (they won't let him "give up") that he can't help either woman. The consequences of the events of "X2" have been weighing on him and he himself has grown somewhat angry and frustrated at his lack of control of the rapidly deteriorating situations around him. At first he refuses to face any potential failure in regards to Rogue and Jean, but he's still a smart man and will inevitably be forced to face it (whether because he has to fight his own demons or make the X-Men face the truth that Rogue/Jean need a miracle).
It's the "mutant terror" so many humans are afraid of. The horror of evolution. However, this not only will effect Xavier and the X-Men, this dichotomy will also sideswipe Magneto. Magneto who values "evolution" so very much, and although he might revere (or maybe even use) Jean Grey, or Rogue and her/their change(s) (since he was basically responsible for "changing" them both) ... this will inevitably turn against him. He's no longer the top of the food chain. It's these young "novice" gods (or goddesses) and he's become the insect. A reality he'll be none-too-happy to face. If this turn on Magneto really wanted to be drilled home, Dark Phoenix and/or (Dark) Rogue may target one or both of Magneto's children, Scarlet Witch or Quicksilver (Who I could see coming into "X3". It would be interesting to see a more human side of Magneto). In a very roundabout way, it would be his fault his children were targets by "Dark Phoenix" and/or "Dark Rogue", since he was essentially responsible for creating their massive strength. His beloved evolution turns on the only two things he cares about - more than his Brotherhood and mutant ideology - in the world.
Rogue, Jean or both are sacrificed? They find some way to save themselves? The X-Men save them in the end? Who knows?
What I'm thinking our intrepid filmmakers could do, specifically in the areas of romantic debacles and Jean's inevitable changes, is show how being with Cyclops made Jean feel safe and in control.... while her attraction to Wolverine relishes her inhibitions. Jean Grey vs. Phoenix (Dark Phoenix). Jean successfully fights her attraction to Wolverine in the first two movies (For that alone, she's a much stronger woman than I'd ever be...uhm.. if I were a superpowered mutant and in the X-Men). She doesn't (and can't) feel out of control... this is only in regards to the romantic entanglements, but undoubtedly this could be shown in various (more substantial) ways, as it should be since obviously these films aren't all about love triangles and soapy messes (thank god).
Jean relinquished herself to power she was afraid of and possibly had prior knowledge of manifesting. Remember at the beginning of "X2" Jean says her "dreams are getting worse"? My belief at the moment is that the dreams were prophetic. She was seeing the future, but it had been such a jumbled mess (just like her power-lapse in the museum) she didn't understand what her dreams were telling her until the end of "X2" (when key events started unfolding. Professor X's forced use of Dark Cerebro, Pyro defecting to the Brotherhood, the breaking dam... and possibly actions she will commit?). This can also possibly further symbolized (rather anviliciously imo) with Jean getting consumed by the tidal wave she could no longer hold back. Her powers overwhelming her like the water (Her powers destroying her?). Jean "made a choice" (echoing Professor X's words) to not only relinquish herself to this frightening power (since it was the only way to lift the X-Jet *and* hold back the lake), but she also tried to alter the future she saw in her dreams by removing herself from the equation. Unfortunately, Jean didn't realize that by giving in to that massive power, she essentially negated her attempted suicide. Although having a lake fall on her would have easily killed Jean Grey, it won't stand much of a chance against something like Phoenix (much less, Dark Phoenix).
In "X3", we'll see exactly why Jean (of before) valued safety and control so very much as she progressively unravels becoming Dark Phoenix. It's probable the Jean we see in "X3" won't be Jean anymore (She's theoretically dead at the bottom of Alkali Lake). This "new" Jean will already be on a rapid cascade to hell.
Running parallel to Jean's story - something they *could* do with the movies but isn't as much a possibility as the Phoenix/Dark Phoenix thing - is Rogue's storyline. Rogue is also evolving or evolved, and not necessarily for the better. Maybe because, like Jean, she was also affected by Magneto's machine (of the two, Jean was effected, but Rogue was actually at the core of the machine. Her changes are just more belated). One might speculate, like Jean's powers in "X2", Rogue's were also fluctuating. In "X1", Rogue barely touched Wolverine and it knocked him out. Rogue touched Pyro longer in "X2", he still managed to stay standing... and in all accounts he's not nearly as resilient as Wolverine (with his healing factor). Why was Rogue able to touch Pyro for so long without it killing him? In "X3".... Rogue's mutation can now manifest without physical contact (she can absorb without touch), but at the same time is losing control of the rapidly growing amount of presences within her mind due to her stronger abilities (shout-out to Comic!Rogue's madness which was a fairly major means of transforming the character). However, unlike the (at least initial) benefit and glory of Jean's return and transformation... Rogue's change, from the start, is seen as unfortunate, a hinderance and lethal. Rogue is the pitied (powerful) creature, while Jean is this powerful goddess. When in truth, while the characters' changes on the surface are dissimilar, at their core, they're completely identical.
Because of Jean's return, Rogue's deterioration into insanity (possibly tinged with paranoia, bitterness and/or jealousy because of the attentions Jean gets and always got) is unfortunately overlooked, even by Xavier... until it's too late. Rogue has now become a danger to herself and those around her. Little do the X-Men know (although their given rather blatant clues Jean isn't right from the beginning), Jean herself isn't well. Although they're either in denial or when they finally confront the situation, like Rogue, they're once again too late (or they never had a chance to begin with. You can't stop evolution).
This could very well be a build up to Dark Phoenix vs (Dark) Rogue.
What's worse? The part of Rogue with some semblance of control (or the conscious part of her) doesn't feel she has much to live for, which is why she takes on Dark Phoenix. She may have broken up with Bobby, so that relationship is gone. She has no more control of her mutation than she had before when it wasn't stronger. So even if she lives on, with the danger she is to those around her, she still has to stay isolated from the rest of the living world. She feels she's alienated everyone who's ever cared for her (with her loss of control) and in her anger/frustration, she may have deserted the X-Men and sided with the Brotherhood (another shout-out to the comics since Comics!Rogue started off as a villain, not part of the X-Men)? Her knowingly unrequitted, impossible love (Logan), is unrequittedly in love with another woman. She also can't control the voices in her head. The Rogue that we might see being reborn is just an empty, but powerful, shell of the Rogue that had once been... but nonethless a parallel to Jean in almost every way.
Mutant against mutant. Evolution itself turning against mutants. And the X-Men (and any other mutants and humans who've joined the melee) are helpless to watch it unfold before them.
One might ask why Xavier particularly would have let the situation get so out of hand with Rogue *and* Jean Grey. Although I love Professor X, he's a fascinating character... there is a rather major flaw to him IMO. At least a major flaw in regards to situations like this. He feels he can fix everything. He's an eternal optimist. He also takes things upon himself, but isn't always ready to disclose his actions to others (He knew about Logan's past with Stryker, but didn't tell Logan about it. Most likely with good intentions, but nonetheless he didn't say anything. Believing Logan would figure things out on his own). This makes him such an interesting nemesis for Magneto. I feel they both suffer from a certain amount of arrogance. Magneto doesn't believe "humanity" can be fixed, the strong shall dominate the weak and he's violently proactive in this opinion. Xavier - although he too is equally knowledged with Darwin and evolution - believes in a much more slow, natural course (all humanity will eventually evolve, but not for thousands/millions of years).. but he's equally confident in his belief that humanity and mutants can live in peace. He might feel that both Rogue and Jean will come to terms with their powers on their own since he "knows" them so well (at least Jean anyway. Rogue might be seen as just an unfortunate consequence that Xavier felt he could never "control", but he never really had "control" over Jean's mutation either. Although he convinced himself he did and has helped her control it) ... but if they don't, he'll just flip on Cerebro and "fix" them both. But in reality, this situation is far beyond anything he can control and he will be in denial of it... or maybe he does face it, but those around him (Cyclops, Wolverine, etc), those who are closest to Rogue and Jean, won't let him face the truth (they won't let him "give up") that he can't help either woman. The consequences of the events of "X2" have been weighing on him and he himself has grown somewhat angry and frustrated at his lack of control of the rapidly deteriorating situations around him. At first he refuses to face any potential failure in regards to Rogue and Jean, but he's still a smart man and will inevitably be forced to face it (whether because he has to fight his own demons or make the X-Men face the truth that Rogue/Jean need a miracle).
It's the "mutant terror" so many humans are afraid of. The horror of evolution. However, this not only will effect Xavier and the X-Men, this dichotomy will also sideswipe Magneto. Magneto who values "evolution" so very much, and although he might revere (or maybe even use) Jean Grey, or Rogue and her/their change(s) (since he was basically responsible for "changing" them both) ... this will inevitably turn against him. He's no longer the top of the food chain. It's these young "novice" gods (or goddesses) and he's become the insect. A reality he'll be none-too-happy to face. If this turn on Magneto really wanted to be drilled home, Dark Phoenix and/or (Dark) Rogue may target one or both of Magneto's children, Scarlet Witch or Quicksilver (Who I could see coming into "X3". It would be interesting to see a more human side of Magneto). In a very roundabout way, it would be his fault his children were targets by "Dark Phoenix" and/or "Dark Rogue", since he was essentially responsible for creating their massive strength. His beloved evolution turns on the only two things he cares about - more than his Brotherhood and mutant ideology - in the world.
Rogue, Jean or both are sacrificed? They find some way to save themselves? The X-Men save them in the end? Who knows?