Alien Covenant Analysis - Rosenthal's Head in the Water

Ati

Ophelia by John Everett Millais dated 1851–1852:

Ophelia is a painting by British artist Sir John Everett Millais, completed between 1851 and 1852. The painting depicts Ophelia singing while floating in a river just before she drowns.

The scene is described in Act IV, Scene VII of Hamlet in a speech by Queen Gertrude. The episode depicted is not seen onstage, but exists only in Gertrude’s description.

Alien Covenant movie still showing Rosenthal's head floating in water:

Ophelia’s pose—her open arms and upwards gaze—also resembles traditional portrayals of saints or martyrs, but has also been interpreted as erotic. There have been many paintings inspired by the part of the play, Ophelia has been inspirational to many artists.

Ridley Scott’s decision to keep all female deaths off scene is an ongoing homage to Dan O’Bannon’s vision to only go after the men in the audience, although we may catch a glimpse of the impending doom we are not present to watch it.

In the cut scene of Rosenthal’s Prayer her pose replicates that of Ophelia:

Source:

https://muthur9000.tumblr.com/post/164434661085/ophelia-by-john-everett-millais-dated-18511852

I.Raptus

After reading half of Alien Covenant: Origins her death is now such an unfitting end.

Its almost sad to read the novel knowing how brushed aside some of the Covenant security team become :(  

dk

In a strange way, it reminds me a bit of Newt's doll from Aliens.

Ati

IRaptus - 'After reading half of Alien Covenant: Origins her death is now such an unfitting end.'

It means that the Foster novel is well-written. :)

I.Raptus

Ati indeed. Im enjoying it so far, especially the focus around the Weyland and Yutani merger.

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading about Hideo Yutani and his company's struggle against the Chinese Combine Jotou who were the competitors for the Weyland asserts. Interesting stuff.

Hideo Yutani is a grand character, and after reading this Im almost certain he will have be in the next film 

sherris

i have not purchased a copy of the origins novel. i have to wonder though, what is the reason for it being a prequel ?

(other than time constraints)

would it of been more exciting growing with the characters rather than knowing they will die? linear story

BigDave

@DK    Ha ha lol

@Sherris

Its a interesting take on a direction for sure, prior to the release of AC, when ADF had announced he was working on a Novelization for the Movie and a Prequel i think a lot of people assumed the Prequel would have covered the Period of time between the End of Prometheus and what Events led up to what became of Dr Shaw and ending with David maybe setting up the Signal that the Covenant eventually came across.

And this would have explained why the Movie did not have to cover this period, as the fans who wanted answers would maybe get it in the Prequel Novel...

But alas... the interesting thing is the Prequel Novel is regarding the Covenant Mission and not David/Dr Shaw etc, and it appears the Novel (which i have yet to get) will introduce some back ground around the Covenant Mission, its objective, the crew and also it will gives us some answers to what perhaps happened to the Weyland Company so that it became Merged with Yutani.

Certainly would cover some clues to the W-Y company, and whats more interesting is it appears the Novel will cover some conflict/conspiracy surrounded Parties who are not pleased with the Take Over and also Parties who want to Sabotage/Destroy the Covenant Mission

I would assume any Book in the future that covers what happened around the Crossing Prologue would most likely have the Prometheus: prefix...  and maybe even be The Crossing in the Title.

I do hope that FOX allow ADF to write a book to cover these events.

I.Raptus

BigDave from what I've read so far in the ADF novel Im getting the impression we might be being introduced to some of Ridleys "3 or 4 other players" he mentioned for Awakening; but i will refrain from speculating until I have finished reading it.