Is Shaw the Facehugger?

Hi!

Long time Lurker, First time Poster! This might be a long wittering post...so bear with me and be gentle!

I've been a huuuuge Alien fan since I was about 9 when I first saw Aliens - we're talking over 25 years of fandom! 

I've seen lots of discussion on here about Shaw's fate - whether she's been egg-morphed, whether the remains of the goo/genetic material are still in her body, whether she dies at the hands of David...etc etc....but I haven't seen any theories that particularly went with the concept of Shaw actually being the facehugger, rather than the egg....

(Weirdly and on a side note, I have a strange LOVE/HATE relationship with her character....I didn't feel she was particularly relatable to or likeable in the same way I've rooted for other characters in the Alien Franchise. I can't help feel this is partly due to Naomi Rapace and her terrible "British" accent (sorry any Rapace fans!)...)

...and for some reason I really do care about what has happened to her.... and, although I fear it's inevitable she's met a grisly end, I kind of feel sorry for her and the predicament she ended up in.

Anyway....

Giger's surreal biomechanical artwork and creature design were what sealed the deal for me with the Alien films - I was instantly in love....terrified, but in love!

He used the fusing and twisting of flesh, machine and the theory of 'The Other' to give the Xenomorph it's truly alien and terrifying appearance; part of the terror and horror of the beast is the frightening sexual aspects of the Xenomorph's life cycle.

It takes the human anatomy, something we're all closely attached to and aware of, and transmutes it into a nightmare - something very closely humanoid, but totally alien and sinister.

In particular, Giger's art has deeply erotic themes and imagery - to quote: 

"Giger’s creature is a filthy, primal parasite whose very survival is contingent on it’s continued rape and exploitation of other species."

"To Giger, sex and birth could be pain and even kill. Every life, he posited in his piece Birth Machine, carries the potential for suffering. In Necronom IV, we see the phallus and the monster depicted as one, a fusion of a symbol of life with its inherent potential for pain and trauma.

Giger’s message was very clear: That thing between your legs is also an instrument of evil."

The Horrible Philosophy

So when this image of the larger than normal facehugger with seemingly extra legs was leaked....

...and everyone on the internet lost their shiz and went "Ermagherrrd! Massive Vagina! Teehee!"...

It was kind of understandable in context of what it looks like, what Giger's work looked like and his obsession with sex, death and the human body.

But something bugged me about this facehugger and it's been at the back of my mind for a while....ruminating .... but then Ridley Blabbermouth Scott said something in an interview and I've finally found the courage to post on here!

I think what we're looking at here is a proto-hugger made from Dr Shaw's body... in particular from her actual genitals and reproductive organs.

Stay with me here.

I can't help but see this is her actual nether regions for a few reasons:

- similarities with Giger's work (see above quote for the idea!)

- similarities in the shape of the huggers "saddlebags" (for want of a better word!) matching to the inner flanks of a human thigh and if youlook closely enough you can see tendons of the inner thigh here which we haven't seen in facehuggers before

- the seemingly double orficies (which I don't think we've ever seen before in a facehugger) and the lowest one looking distinctly like an actual vagina 

- the size - i mean this thing is HUGE

- the extra legs and spinal column-like nubs where they connect to the main body (which reminds me of a human rib cage, ripped open centrally and the ribs morphed and jointed perhaps?)

- Finally Ridley "I Can't Stop Spoiling Your Favourite Films Before You See Them" Scott and this quote:

We've known for a while that Rapace would return in some form for Covenant, but how and in what way remains a mystery. So we asked Scott how, exactly, Rapace would return.

"Yes, in a way," he said, confirming she'll be in the film. "Not fully, but in a way. She was integral to what David carried out later." 

Based on those comments it would appear David did something to her or used her in some way that will prove to be a central plot point as far as what David has been up to since we last saw him. 

You'll see!" Waterston added. "There are certain things you don't want to know. You don't want to know that!"

Shaw's Fate

Are we actually staring at Dr Shaw's deformed body here and in particular her genitalia?

Did the goo entering her body via "dirty, filthy sex" with Holloway leave behind not only the Trilobite, but also slowly alter her biology and physiology and is this all that remains of her?

Rapace obviously filmed some scenes to warrant being on set for such a long time - which are I'm assuming flashbacks...as I doubt they would need her to fly and stay for a few weeks to take a cast of her "Ladygarden" as it's not like we needed it for continuity!

But Scott saying: "Not fully, but in a way"

and Waterson's: "There are certain things you don't want to know. You don't want to know that!" (which is written like it sounded as if she was saying audiences would be uncomfortable with Shaw's appearance or contribution, and as a woman I imagine this would make you feel rather uncomfortable - your bodily functions being exploited in this manner, hence her reactive sounding quote).

What do you all think?

Anybody think I could be on the money here? ...or is it time for my medication and a nice lie down in a dark room again??

I hope I've posted all these links and images correctly - apologies if not!

 

I'd be interested to hear what you think of my theory!

=0)

 

Final note - it brings a whole new element of body horror to the franchise...as when that thing jumps on you and attaches itself to your face.... that ain't just an alien critter you're getting a mouthful of.....