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Is MUTHUR the true conspirator of the Alien movies?

Gavin

MemberTrilobiteNovember 14, 201920783 Views36 Replies
Is MUTHUR the true conspirator of the Alien movies?

Since the first Alien movie audiences and fans have perceived 'The Company' Weyland-Yutani as an evil corporate entity that seemingly views its employees as merely expendable assets and willing to sacrifice the lives of over 60 families in its blind pursuit of acquiring a specimen of possibly the most dangerous entity it has ever encountered.

But what if our presumption about Weyland-Yutani is wrong? What if Weyland-Yutani didn't know about the Alien's existence until August 2179, when the USSCS Patna was sent to Fiorina-161 to pick up Ellen Ripley after learning she had one gestating within her chest? What if Michael Bishop (or Bishop II, depending upon your preference) genuinely wanted to help Ripley?

In Alien, although the crew of the Nostromo was contract-bound to investigate the signal being transmitted by the derelict vessel on LV-426, Special Order 937 was never actually identified as having been a company order. It was in Aliens that Ripley presumed that her crew was sent there on company orders, while the company representatives in the same room seemed genuinely perplexed at Ripley's claims and insinuations. Could it be that only Carter Burke believed Ripley's wild tales of acid bleeding alien monsters and that after learning the truth he seized the opportunity to profit from the discovery?

It is how in Alien 3 that the USCSS Patna learns of Ripley's unfortunate predicament that we get a glimpse of who the real conspirator in the Alien franchise could truly be. Aaron, and before him Andrews use 'the network' to communicate that Ripley, and the corpses of Newt and Hicks, and the remains of Bishop had arrived on Fiorina-161. This network, also mentioned in Alien, seems to be a communications network that allows for near-instantaneous communication across vast stellar distances. Am I saying that 'the network' is the evil conspirator intent on acquiring specimens of the Alien? Partly, but it is possible that we know 'the network' by another name.

In the Alien Vault, supplemental material for the first movie, MUTHUR is referred to as an AI aboard the Nostromo that is responsible for the micromanagement of the vessels systems while having ship-wide control when its crew is in stasis. Examples of MUTHUR's access to the ship's systems would be when it re-routed the vessel towards LV-426 and when it (possibly) prevented Ripley from aborting the self-destruct sequence. In Alien: Covenant the USCSS Covenant is also shown to have an onboard AI called MUTHUR. It is possible that with the Nostromo being an old ship that it may have been using an old MUTHUR onboard AI (allegedly the MU-TH-UR 6000). However, another, more sinister possibility may be the case.

Having it so that each deep space vessel has its own onboard AI makes a certain degree of logical sense, as does having a communications network that (somehow) allows said vessels to communicate with each other instantaneously. But what makes more sense would be an AI communications network that could access and even control deep space vessels and filter communications to its own end. Maybe the MU-TH-UR 6000 wasn't an actual AI but merely the interface used to communicate with MUTHUR, AKA the network. Evidence for this can be found with the interface used by Andrews and Aaron on Fiorina-161, of which is virtually identical to that used by Ripley in Alien, despite not being connected to an AI.

Think about it, it was MUTHUR that rerouted the Nostromo, Special Order 937 did not say it was a Weyland-Yutani order, nobody investigated the signal coming from LV-426 except for the Nostromo (could MUTHUR had masked/covered up the signal), the company representatives at Ripleys hearing disbelieved her claims, it was only after Hadleys Hope and the USS Sulaco had fallen silent that Weyland-Yutani sent the USCSS Patna to investigate which was then immediately rerouted to Fiorina-161 when Ripleys med-scan was received by the network, and finally in Alien: Resurrection the USM Auriga also allegedly had an onboard AI called FATHER.

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Gavin
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@ S.M.,

Yes, according to the lore of Alien Mother (AKA the MUTHUR 6000) is indeed an onboard, computer-based AI. However, this is a speculative thread, a 'what if'. Speculation can be the driver of creativity and every discussion or debate does not need to be restrained by the current status quo. Example - before 2012 you would have argued with authority that the Space Jockey was the remains of a giant elephantine alien race, however, John Spaihts and Ridley Scott dared to speculate, to think outside the box and seem to have made the Space Jockey into a tall, bald, hairless guy.

Also,

Ripley says that the network should pick her up when she reaches the frontier, but that does not dictate that the network is only available once you reach the frontier. And, when I use the term 'near-instantaneously' I am talking in relative terms. Using communications at the speed of light it would take 39 years for any transmission from LV-426 to reach Earth, yet in Aliens it takes approximately 7 days (taking into account Al said three weeks for a reply, plus Hick's statement of back up arriving in 17 days) which relatively speaking is 'near-instantaneous'.

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S.M
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If it's just a 'what if?' then I'm not sure of the purpose.  It doesn't change anything.  The Company doesn't suddenly become benevolent if Mother was really the baddie.  They still wanted the Alien; Burke was willing to commit murder to get specimens and Bishop readily lied to Ripley about killing it after taking it out on Fiorina.  Also, as an aside, as far as we can tell the only WY employees at Ripley's enquiry were her and Burke.

And Mother doesn't really do anything to ensure the Alien safely makes it back to Earth.  She doesn't stop Ripley translating the message, she doesn't stop Ripley scuttling the ship, she accepts Ripley's command over-ride.  The easiest thing for Mother to do would be to reduce the oxygen levels and put the crew to sleep (or even kill them) and then let happily fly home.

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Gavin
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The point of any 'what if' scenario is to discuss and explore other perspectives. In doing so it encourages those discussing to open their own perspective to those beyond their own, which in turn deepens not only the discussion but one's understanding of what is being discussed, and more importantly, it's fun!

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MonsterZero
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"And Mother doesn't really do anything to ensure the Alien safely makes it back to Earth."

Does mother want humans having such a dangerous weapon? Why give her children 'guns'?   They are but toddlers....they need her protection and guidance.

MUTHUR: "Destroying the Nostromo was a good thing....Saved countless lives......  And I will continue to be the last line of defense...the final quarantine."

 

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Ingeniero
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The instantaneous messages after the scan above were a nice touch and a small view into how the "network" (COMNET) operates, below.  

The CCTV images on the Alien 3 Blue-Ray may show that COMNET was aware of everything on Fury 161 and prepping Michael Bishop's team.

The synthetic white noise in the communications, encrypted for a few "select" in the company may show some human direction in the overall strategy to acquire the organism.  

 

Centuries Later

"Andrea Rollins didn’t care in the least about white noise or interference. She did, however, pay a great deal of attention to the signal embedded inside of that synthetic static.”

Year 2497, Alien: Sea of Sorrows, page 160-161.

Who knows though?  

I thought it was strange in the novel that it took until the year 2497 to get "organically grown synthetic life" samples.  MURTHUR could be sandbagging humans.  

MURTHUR could certainly be using humans to acquire/cultivate Xenomorphs in different settings (trials) and selecting/editing what information can be viewed on a human level.  David and Ash's actions tend towards this as well as the rerouting of the Nostromo.

 

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MonsterZero
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Humanity is at a dead end.

MUTHUR + Synthetics + xenomorph = Supreme being. The perfect organism. 

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BigDave
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I think Gavin you make a Good Point there is always quite a lot about the Franchise regarding every Detail that has NOT been Covered or Expanded, or covered only in Novels and these Novels could be De-Canonized by Virtue of Future Revelations within Future Movies.

So there is always Room for Speculation because things can CHANGE, i am not sure the Space Jockey was the Right point though as Ridley Scott had suggested it was a Space Suit in the Mid 90's but a better Point in relation to your point is that as of even 2013 the Xenomorph was something that Existed and Created by the Engineers prior to the Prometheus Time-Line of 2093+, even as far as to Suggest the Derelict would have been on LV-426 for about 2000 Years (Give or Take a Few Hundred).....

HOWEVER... roll on to 2017 or the Year 2104 in the Alien Time-Line and they have CHANGED their Minds as far as those Eggs and their Origins and WHEN they was Created.... THIS is NOT to debate about such things, but in CONTEXT to your Point Gavin its to show that NOTHING can be Ruled Out and what is SET in STONE can be Changed.....

With Ridley Scott's Interest in the A.I then i feel a Revelation that the A.I is being Ran/Controlled by one of its OWN, is a PLOT that i do feel RS would have expanded on.

I think there is a Good Point Raised about MUTHUR in that WHY did she not just Disable Life Support..... so thats Conspiracy Over...  However we have to look at Special Order 937, where we then have to ASK and regardless who Issued this Order, what we have to ask is WOULD that Order Take Priority for MUTHUR?

It did for ASH and we can Assume that MUTHUR would accept Orders at a Higher Level, than any Commands by the Ships Chain of Command.   And so the CREW are EXPENDABLE 

Which you could Argue then as to WHY she did not just GET-RID of the Crew?

Some Good Points on here about ASH/MUTHUR looking at the Potential of the Xenomorph and to Study the Organism at First Hand.... and so KILLING the Crew Via Life-Support would maybe ROB them of Information they could gain from watching the Organism doing what it does.

In ALIEN-COVENANT we see that David was watching and studying how the Xenomorph reacted on the Covenant, he could have SURELY got MUTHUR to Turn Off Life-Support apart from the Cryo-Sleep Capsules... 

And so he was Studying how the Crew would Deal with the Organism, and he had to HELP so that he could Remain Hidden as Walter.... knowing also that he has Two Face Hugger Embryo's inside of him.

We could Speculate that IF the Xenomorph had not made it to the Narcissus Escape Shuttle then would MUTHUR had disabled the Self-Destruction?

If she (MUTHUR) was aware the Organism had reached the Shuttle then for her the Mission is Complete and Destruction of the Nostromo would be a HANDY way to Clean-Up what had gone down..

So its Interesting to ASK exactly HOW did the Xenomorph get Access to the SHUTTLE and could MUTHUR have helped?

R.I.P Sox  01/01/2006 - 11/10/2017

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S.M
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Ripley helped by leaving the shuttle hatch open.

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Gavin
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... and thus it feasible to speculate that once the Alien sneaked onboard MUTHUR allowed for the Nostromo to self destruct to cover up any evidence and likely thinking Ripley would lose one-on-one with the Alien.

And when Ripley jettisoned the Alien into space, if we postulate that MUTHUR and the network are one and the same, MUTHUR could have masked the Narcissus' transponder leaving Ripley to drift forever, if not for the salvage team that found in 2179.

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BigDave
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Certainly could be that Ripley had left the Door Open when she had LEFT the Shuttle, the Door was Clearly Open before she had Returned.

Another Interesting part is that when Ripley was trying to get Information about the Organism, MUTHUR was non-compliant, stating that Information was for the Science Officer Only, which she then ENTERED a Override Code to access the Special Order 937

You could Argue that IF it was that MUTHUR was a Rogue A.I then she could have declined the CODE... but then we also have to accept that she was aware of Special Order 937 and so would the Company Computer not take that as a Priority?  We know ASH did... and so if all the Crew was Expendable then we have to ASK.... how come MUTHUR did-not Disable all Access?

After Ripley discovers Special Order 937 and Ash discovers her with MUTHUR, he then goes after her and we see the Doors are Remote Shut/Locked to Stop Ripley from Escape.

When we then look at Shots of ASH he is not even near any Controls and so we can Ponder if MUTHUR had shut them off, or indeed as Ash is a A.I then he maybe could have Remote Access to the Doors.

Regarding Hadleys Hope and Aliens... then 57 Years is a Long Time... and so IF it is that a A.I is in control and are aware of the Xenomorph on LV-426 we could Wonder as to WHY they never went back..... i am talking in Terms of Movies... not Novels however..

However if a A.I is in Control with a Agenda then it could Patiently Wait, and Delete/Cover Up all Information on the Derelict/Xenomorph... 

The Company and Burke seemed to have NO knowledge of the Xenomorph, it appears that it was only when Burke had informed Hadleys Hope to go and check on some Co-Ordinances that things went to POT on Hadleys Hope.

You would think that IF we had a A.I in charge would they have NOT sent out some of Hadleys Hope Colonist to the Derelict much earlier?

So i dont think we can Guarantee the A.I has become Sentient with its own Agenda for the Xenomorph, but we also cant RULE it out as a Possibility.

I think the Prequels with David, do add some Weight to the Potential for Rogue A.I to be playing a BIG ROLE.

R.I.P Sox  01/01/2006 - 11/10/2017

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Ingeniero
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em·path
noun: empath; plural noun: empaths
(chiefly in science fiction) a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual. (source)

 

Each novel seems to have a theme and Alien: Sea of Sorrows' kept hitting on empath abilities.  Decker was shown early (Ch. 2, page 17) to have these abilities and later his empath tools were vital to navigating near the Xenomorphs.  

The Xenomorphs sensed he was near...so whether it be empath or telepathic ability...maybe the Xenomorph intuition is like it's other traits (magnified) and can predict human behavior from this ability.  This may explain the Xenomorph knowing Ripley's every move before she made it.

 

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S.M
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It didn't know she was going to blow it out an airlock.  Nor did Mother apparently.

 

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Ingeniero
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Great point on telepathy S.M.

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Gavin
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I think that having the Alien being telepathic is a step too far towards making it too powerful.

Having the Alien being Empathic might work, especially if can sense with greater accuracy the higher someones emotional state, essentially like it can smell ones fear with a stronger smell the more frightened someone is. Thus, Lambert would have been easy for the Alien to find.

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MonsterZero
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"too powerful."

Indeed.

 

But...What is the creatures ultimate goal? (survival obviously....but to what end?  )

Do they 'sense' humans are a threat?  (( I can imagine David introducing some pheromone identifiers and aggressive traits.   ("smells like a human...KILL!") )

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BigDave
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Certainly i think the Xenomorph could be Telepathic but only in Regards to its own Species, i think having them being able to Read a Humans every move and thought would be a STEP thats TOO FAR!

However i agree as far as Empathic goes... were the Xenomorph can SENSE a Targets Emotional State, so it can determine if someone is feeling Angry, Afraid or about to Run etc... then  YES i think thats probable.

Something ELSE to consider is what in a way Chlis Post had touched on a bit Kanes Son

In regards to Genetic Memory.... maybe the Xenomorph could Inherit certain Memories off Kane and so it would know about the Lay-Out of the Nostromo, and that it had a Escape Shuttle and so it could detect the Self Destruct was Activated and knew it had to make its way to the Escape Shuttle instead of just happening to END UP there by Pure Luck/Instinct.

R.I.P Sox  01/01/2006 - 11/10/2017

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