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In 1979, one of the most seminal sci-fi films ever made was shown for the first time on the big screen. Ridley Scott’s Alien is a dark, disturbing and downright terrifying addition to the Hollywood Hall of Fame.
2019 marks 40 years since Alien was born (or possibly ripped from a stomach), so we thought it was a fitting time to look back at this epic series of films and to celebrate one of our favourite kick-ass heroines of all time – Ellen Ripley.
This entire film is an examination of reproduction, and as Lucy notes multiple times throughout the episode – a perfect example of Kleinian theory in action. Don’t worry, if you aren’t up on your Kleinian philosophy, neither were we. Just think of it as an early-onset oedipal complex. You can explore Melanie Klein’s work at the Melanie Klein Trust.
Films and television mentioned in this episode include:
- Star Wars
- Forbidden Planet
- Barbarella
- Star Trek: The Original Series
- Galaxy Quest
- Star Trek: Into Darkness
- The Thing
I enjoyed your discussion of Alien, insightful and entertaining. Though you mention class briefly in relation to the whole crew I was surprised that it didn’t come up in the comparison of Ripley and Pricess Leia.The princess was born into wealth and entitlement whereas the crew of the Nostromo were basically “Space Truckers”, not from an economically and socially privileged background. I think Han Solo would have used the term “Your Highness” in a sardonic or partonising manner in the same way to a male “royal” because in his world you gain respect from your actions, not arbitrary titles. OK, he continued being patronising even after she had shown her worth, but I think that was just to emphasize the “Uptown Girl” trope. Ripley was presumably a working-class woman made good who’s authority comes from being good at her job, and Parker & Brett’s attitude is just “winding up the boss”, not specifically sexism.