Alien Movie Universe

Nature Boy: David Redemption Arc: Possible Clue . . .

Alien-Covenant.com/forum/
Forum Topic
8988 Views18 Replies

Deep Space

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 4:01 AM

Below are the lyrics to the song Nature Boy used in the AC trailer.  An excellent and spine tingling version by Aurora imo!

There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he

And then one day
A lucky day he passed my way
Then we spoke of many things:
Fools and kings
Then he said to me
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is to love and be loved in return"

I'm making a leap here but the last two lines could well be an indication of David realising the errors of his ways and the need to develop empathy/compassion to fully develop or 'actualise'.

It could well be nothing but I think the choice of song was clearly used to portray to the audience that David is much like the character in the song; wise, enchanted and strange.  The link is obvious.

I only just looked at the full lyrics and found those last two lines to be potentially very telling.

These are just my musings and not an attempt at a clear theory or plot line but I certainly like the idea of David's character and the idea of AI, sentience and how that fits into to Ridley's ideas of creation and morality in these films.  He has mentioned recently (see other thread) how he wants to delve into these themes in AC and in tying the franchise together, so who knows?

Maybe the idea of a 'free' conscious AI eventually becoming wise and and adding compassion to his person, perhaps even self-sacrifice, could be a part of the plot?

What do you guys think?

Happy  New Year and have a great 2017!  Not too long until May . . .

 

18 Replies

Shasta cyclone

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 5:34 AM

I'm on the same page as you. Great breakdown on the details.

that song seems to tie into the character of David 

with wisdom comes sorrow they say.

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 5:46 AM

I'm totally on board. I believe some of that has to do with the time he spent Shaw and a tragic fate that befalls her that may not kill her. Only because I believe that is his only opportunity to love and be loved in return. 

I think useful transformative wisdom is impossible without the capacity to love deeply.

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

Deep Space

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 6:17 AM

Thanks and good points about love and wisdom Shasta and Myrddin, I totally agree.

 In Buddhism they say that developing and balancing wisdom and compassion leads to enlightenment; you can't fully have one without the other - i.e. in western terms, self-actualisation (not exactly the same but the ideas link imo)

It wouldn't surprise me if Ridley explores some of these ideas in AC or the next film(s).

I do think David 'liked' Shaw, if that's the right word and he seemed to ponder on her ideas of faith and beliefs.  It could be this relationship that triggers it but I'd wager that was/is the catalyst rather than the main reason - but who knows!  I think his subsequent dealings with the AC crew, knowledge of Engineers and their culture, achievements and failings, will all contribute to this process.

It could even be in the next film when we see the redemption (if at all) . . .

Remember, he has met his makers and his makers makers and the latter pulled his head off his shoulders and killed his maker as well - with his own head!  He may admire the engineers knowledge but maybe he begins to see the errors of their ways when he starts to behave like them and witnesses the consequences . . .

 

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 7:20 AM

Another possibility is that his vengeful behavior after Shaw's fate show him that violence is a tragic, risky response that is only effective if it leads both parties to accepting peace. I think that if eradication occurs the violence was a failed endeavor.  Maybe David will realize that in the aftermath of his arrival in Paradise, and value life.

This makes it very likely in my speculations that he helps the crew of the covenant as best he can to escape, though there's only so much he can do in such a hostile environment.

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

Chris

AdminEngineerDec-31-2016 8:45 AM

Indeed the ability to empathise is one of the things which make us Human. Since Prometheus David seemed teoubled that he was incapable of conjuring such emotion himself. Great analysis of the cover song.

I also like the line Fools and kings, that could be reference to Weyland and his foolish desire to become immortal. "A king has his reign, and then he dies".

Hyped for: Alien: Romulus | Badlands (Predator 6) | Cloverfield 4

Deep Space

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 9:18 AM

Thanks, Chris!  Yes, I liked the 'Fools and kings' bit too, it could definitely be referencing Weyland.

Perhaps the Kings are the Engineers aswell; and maybe this story/song is being told from Daniels' point of view?

Tiwaz

MemberChestbursterDec-31-2016 11:33 AM

Interesting.

I always had the feeling there´s more to David. RS said "Once that head is back on he will be dangerous....", or something along those lines. Dangerous? For whom mankind, WY?

On the other hand RS said a lot of things over the years. Even things like "... I´m done with the dragons (Aliens)...". Therefor everything he says should be enjoyed with a pinch of salt.

As far as I´m aware the general consensus here is that David is a kinda Mephisto type of being. Sacrificing/using everything and everyone for his agenda including the other artificial being Walter.

What if it is actually the other way around. My reason David is after Peter Waylands deathfree from his programmed restrictions/directions while Walter is not. If remember correctly David even mentioned something like that in Promtheus.

When David infected the crewmember (whose name just slipped me... I´m get´n old) Wayland was still alive and therefor the programming. 

As for "getting the head back" I could imagine one of the Engineers biosuit is used to fuse body and head together. That would give David biological features, biomechanical even. And with that he could be susceptible to a proto- / neomorph infection.

I admit, this is highly speculative. 

 

Eine Theorie die nicht auf Etwas solidem basiert ist für gewöhnlich nur Geschwätz.

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 11:50 AM

@Tiwaz I like where your head is at. I'm of the opinion that Shaw might reattach David's head if he earns her trust before she has to go into hypersleep. Since Engineer DNA matches ours, and they might have food stores on board. Shaw might have raided the food stores in Vickers's life boat. Either way she needed resources for survival that weren't dependant on the kindness of Paradise's current residents. I wouldn't have gone into Hypersleep until I KNEW I could trust David. So I'd make sure that I could eat for that time frame.

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

BigDave

MemberDeaconDec-31-2016 12:59 PM

Its interesting for sure.....

Maybe there is more to it, and so yes that Song is relevant..

Ridley Scott has claimed...

David is Dangerous, once his head is back on he will be dangerous... but he is also persuasive and well with out his help Shaw is going no-where...

Fassbender says David is Creepy.... and he also is kind of more free to do what he wants... and Walter is more of a straight up Robot... he has and performs to set commands and directives.

They ponder and tease.... maybe David has a Soul...

But i am sure there is a Twist.....  We indeed could see Walter turning to be the antagonist here..

The Source told me about may 2015 that  David plays a big part in the Story.... and his Arc will be one about Rebellion,  Retribution and then Redemption..

So yes David could end up seeing the wrong of his ways...

R.I.P Sox  01/01/2006 - 11/10/2017

Tiwaz

MemberChestbursterDec-31-2016 1:14 PM

True.

Just a random thought. Did David actually ever straightout lie?

Eine Theorie die nicht auf Etwas solidem basiert ist für gewöhnlich nur Geschwätz.

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 1:22 PM

@tiwaz. His were lies of omission. Nothing he SAID was false. Trust in the sense that he would not cause harm if reassembled, and had no desire to.

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

rumsmuggler

MemberOvomorphDec-31-2016 1:30 PM

I wonder if David is truly following his own path, or is still guided by programming set forward by Weyland. It would be interesting to see if he is or not.

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerDec-31-2016 6:38 PM

It's a little bit of both for everyone, isn't it rumsmuggler

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

Sparkz

MemberOvomorphJan-01-2017 9:14 AM

Hello folks! I'm new here! I like your conversations and want to include too.

After this song lyrics, and re-watching PROMETHEUS for analysis of David and Shawn and more; what do you think about David was fall-in-love with Dr. Shawn? or he try for her as father figure? And maybe had a connection for in ALIEN COVENANT

'cos David when watched her dream sequences with father, her father gave for she right answers, protectable. 

In movie, when Shaw talks with David, she always respect him; as never think David just a robot. Also David talks with her like a friend. To envelope something together with their opinion. (Not thinking do something for one. Their first aim is find something. For their believers or beyond.)

Not just Vickers order to David. 

Or not just Holloway talks with David as he is robot.

 

Thanx!

Deep Space

MemberFacehuggerJan-01-2017 11:42 AM

Hey Sparkz - welcome aboard :)

I don't know about love but I think David admired Shaw and definitely found her curious and worthy of study.  More so than Holloway and possibly even Weyland himself . . .

I always thought when Shaw says '. . .that's because you're  . . . a robot' seemed a bit out of character for her.  It seemed like she respected him a little more than that.

Mind you, lots of the dialogue was quite poor really in Prom so I'm not going to look too deeply into that exchange :) 

Tiwaz

MemberChestbursterJan-01-2017 11:46 AM

 @Sparkz

David as a fatherfigure or even lover. I think therefor he had to understand the concept of "caring for someone" wich, in human terms, needs at least some emotions.

I believe in Prometheus he stated that he has a theoretical understanding of emotions and can, through his programming, act/react accordingly but is unable to "feel" them.

His interest in Shaw may just be "scientific couriosity".

Since terms like soul and mortality are running wild recently maybe David evolves into something more than just a synth.

This could lead to questions like "what is life" or "what is a soul".

Depending on how you look at it a human is also just a machine, made of organic components. When born (constructed) humans also have a limited programming wich is altered/enhanced by experience while being alive.

Eine Theorie die nicht auf Etwas solidem basiert ist für gewöhnlich nur Geschwätz.

Myrddin365

MemberFacehuggerJan-01-2017 11:46 AM

And, in fairness, she'd been through a lot, and was heavily medicated. Even then her tone wasn't cruel. I am of the opinion that if David is gonna love anybody and be loved back, Shaw is the most likely candidate at the moment.

Safe? Of course he isn't safe, but he's good!

Deep Space

MemberFacehuggerJan-01-2017 12:05 PM

Myrddin365  - yeah I'd kind of not consideredwhat he'd done to her by that point . . .  Remarkably polite given the circumstances ;) 

Add A Reply
Sign In Required
Sign in using your Scified Account to access this feature!
Email
Password
Latest Images
Alien & Predator Alien & Predator Fandom
Alien Movie Universe Forums
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus Discuss the new Fede Alvarez Alien movie here
Alien
Alien Discuss all things Alien here
Alien: Covenant
Alien: Covenant Discuss the Prometheus Sequel, Alien: Covenant
Alien FX TV Series
Alien FX TV Series Discuss the Alien FX TV series here!
Alien Games
Alien Games Discuss Alien games here
Alien 5 Movie
Alien 5 Movie Discuss Neill Blomkamps’s vision for Alien 5 here
Alien Movies
Alien Movies Discuss the Classic Alien Films
Prometheus
Prometheus Everything About Prometheus
Prometheus Fan Art
Prometheus Fan Art Artwork & Fiction From the Fans
Hot Forum Topics
New Forum Topics
Highest Forum Ranks Unlocked
Xenotaris
Xenotaris » Praetorian
86% To Next Rank
ninXeno426
ninXeno426 » Praetorian
62% To Next Rank
Thoughts_Dreams
Thoughts_Dreams » Neomorph
85% To Next Rank
MonsterZero
MonsterZero » Xenomorph
91% To Next Rank
Kongzilla
Kongzilla » Chestburster
67% To Next Rank
Latest Alien Fandom Activity

Alien: Covenant is a sequel to 2012's Prometheus as well as a prequel to 1979's ALIEN. Alien fans looking to know more about Alien: Covenant should check back often. Alien-Covenant.com is an information resource for film enthusiasts looking to learn more about the upcoming blockbuster Alien: Covenant. Providing the latest official and accurate information on Alien: Covenant, this website contains links to every set video, viral video, commercial, trailer, poster, movie still and screenshot available. This site is an extension of the Alien & Predator Fandom on Scified - a central hub for fans of Alien and Prometheus looking to stay up-to-date on the latest news. Images used are property of their respective owners. Alien: Covenant, Prometheus and its associated names, logos and images are property of 20th Century Fox and are in no way owned by Scified and its related entities. This is a fan-created website for the purpose of informing and exciting fans for Alien: Covenant's release. If you have any questions about this site, its content or the Scified Network in general, feel free to contact Scified directly.

© 2024 Scified.com
Sign in
Use your Scified Account to sign in


Log in to view your personalized notifications across Scified!

Transport To Communities
Alien Hosted Community
Cloverfield Hosted Community
Godzilla Hosted Community
Jurassic World Hosted Community
Predator Hosted Community
Aliens vs. Predator Hosted Community
Latest Activity
Forums
Search Scified
Trending Articles
Blogs & Editorials