“Somebody’s covering their Ash,…”
Ingeniero
MemberPraetorianJan-27-2018 1:26 PM“Somebody’s covering their Ash,…”
Ripley’s inquest related to the Nostromo destruction near LV-426 was comprised of eight individuals on the official board of inquiry. This board consisted of “the feds”, Interstellar Commerce Commission, Colonial Administration, and “insurance company guys”.
“The insurance investigator was possibly the unhappiest member of the board.”
Aliens novelization, page 27.
As seen in the film, Van Leuwen chides Ripley on blowing up the interstellar freighter and then on cue the insurance rep barks out the monetary figures for the equipment lost. The absence of progress in any fashion was not lost on Ripley and it shows in the film as well as described in depth in the novelization.
The book goes on to describe Ripley’s realization that she has already lost this argument before the inquiry even started and that she just needed to keep quiet and stay away from the media to get her pension while her pilot’s license is indefinitely suspended.
“She looked down the length of the table, and now she did grin. ’Somebody’s covering their Ash, and it’s been decided that I’m going to take the muck for it. Okay, fine. But there’s one thing you can’t change, one fact you can’t doctor away.’
‘Those things exist. You can wipe me out, but you can’t wipe that out. Back on that planet is an alien ship, and on that ship are thousands of eggs. Thousands. Do you understand? Do you have any idea what that implies?”
Aliens novelization, page 31.
Companion Dallas
In the novelization, Ripley and Dallas were involved personally and professionally.
“Trembling with frustration, she turned to leave the room. As she did so, her eyes fastened on the picture of Dallas that was staring blankly back down from the video screen. Captain Dallas. Friend Dallas. Companion Dallas. Dead Dallas. She strode out angrily.”
Aliens novelization, page 32.
As they were making their way from the meeting, the corporate reptile Burke said “you had them eating out of your hand, kiddo.” on page 33. He was such a great scumbag and I think Paul Reiser nailed that part.
Ati
MemberPraetorianJan-28-2018 9:33 AMExcellent article, Ingeniero, thank you.
Beyond doubt, Foster was informed how to to form the hidden (?) background of the story. Probably the 'somebody' in question will be an AI.
I think it would be a good idea to see Noomi Rapace again in the Alien Covenant sequel in the role of an android looking like Elizabeth Shaw. Working in the background...
Ingeniero
MemberPraetorianJan-29-2018 6:24 AMThank you Ati. I hadn't thought of an angle like that regarding Dr. Shaw....I guess I'll take what I can get.
Foster did quite well with the previous Alien novelizations I've read and Aliens' novelization is great. I read it years ago and I'm going back through it now. I saw this gem below in the film.
I just caught what one of the board members was doing while Ripley was pleading for her livelihood...a newspaper crossword puzzle. Awesome.
Ati
MemberPraetorianJan-29-2018 3:46 PMIngeniero - 'I hadn't thought of an angle like that regarding Dr. Shaw....I guess I'll take what I can get.'
Ok, let's imagine that Noomi Rapace is in the Alien Covenant sequel...
Then we have three possibilites:
A - Shaw is alive, she's been hiding on Planet 4, she joins Walter...
B - Shaw returns as a clone...
C - Shaw returns as an android...
I don't like flashback scenes at all. In Alien there are no flashback scenes!!! In Aliens there are no flashback scenes!
So... yes... I'd vote for version A, without doubt!
Ati
MemberPraetorianJan-29-2018 3:56 PMIngeniero - As for the 'gem' you have found, it is awesome! :D
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And there is another member who seems to be bored, too. I think he is drawing... a face.
Ingeniero
MemberPraetorianJan-30-2018 10:09 AMThat's great Ati. Thank you for the images.
Drawing a face, half eaten donut...that scene is done well. In the book, Ripley said it would just be easier if she read what they wanted to hear while they read out loud what they wanted to say for the record to save time. So very easy to believe.
dk
MemberTrilobiteJan-30-2018 7:59 PMThe crossword puzzle- great find! "17 down- 5 letters, rhymes with witch. Hint- Ripley's address to the Alien Queen."
Ingeniero
MemberPraetorianFeb-05-2018 9:52 AMThank you dk.
"They put Ash on board to monitor things for them and to make sure we followed something Mother calls Special Order 937."
Ripley from the Alien novelization, page 233.
The meeting was a formality for the record so they could collect insurance money for the lost Nostromo and it appears that the Company knew all along what to expect on LV-426 when steering the Nostromo towards the planet.
