#alien powers

Me? Done with plot speculation? Never!

So we know from spoilers that Michael and Isobel are going to get new powers, and I’m so here for it. I’m just trying to figure out what those new powers will be. I’m at a bit of a loss for Iz since she’s already managed to use the most powers in the Pod Squad. I’m just going to cross my fingers for her to get her Dreamwalking, because it’s one of my favorite of the alien powers from the source materials. (I was hoping for shape-changing/morphing but I’m going to wager they’re leaving that power out completely. Otherwise I feel one of the aliens in the flashbacks would have used it already.)

But my biggest spec is actually for Michael’s new power.

We know from season 2 that Project Shepherd did experiments at Caulfield to try and give human aliens abilities that led to the humans dying. And we know that Maria’s grandmother (Patricia Harris) was part of these experiments.

But we aren’t given details on how they were trying to “give” them powers. So, I actually have a theory on that.

N38.

What if the ability of N38 was some sort of power transfer? But it proved deadly in those who lack the protein found in the aliens?

So maybe that’s what actually happened to Jim Valenti? It would explain all his mysterious writings and drawings if he was having some sort of visions. And we know he interacted with N38 before that happened.

We know that both Mimi and Maria, Patricia’s daughter and granddaughter, get visions. And that this talent is destroying their minds. Similar but not identical to what happened to Valenti.

We also know that the alien in cell N39 was Nora. Michael’s mother. And the only member of the Pod Squad we’ve seen having anything remotely similar to visions… is Michael. The reason he finds Isobel the night Rosa is murdered is he saw Kate and Jasmine dead. The reason he realizes Max and Isobel are in danger from Noah is he again has something very similar to a vision.

For the next several posts I’ll be wrapping up what we learned in season 1 with particular attention to how that information may be used in the story going forward. In other words, I won’t be listing every single thing we know every main character, but I’ll be pointing out places where there’s room for more story - should the writers decide to take advantage of the threads they’ve already woven into Season 1. 

I’ll leave an index here and edit in links as I make each post, then reblog the index once it’s complete. :)

Topics:

Alex’s Mom

Alien Psychic Powers

Alien Symbol (The Map)

Alien Origins/Backstory

Diego (Liz’s ex-fiance)

Flint Manes

Grant Green

The Government

Jenna Cameron

Jesse Manes

Jim Valenti

Mimi Deluca

Mrs. Ortecho

Rosa Ortecho

Sheriff Valenti (Kyle’s Mom)

Wyatt Long

Okay, Time for some speculation regarding the '47 flashbacks.

I found it very interesting that Nora was the first one out of the ship. (Personally, I feel like her alien name is Mara, and Nora was just the name she took because of living among humans for a year. Same with Louise. But I'm just going to use Nora so as not to be confusing.)

Nora looks kind of hopeful when Hector Valenti asks if she needs help. Her reaction to the unknown alien who then attacked the soldiers seems almost fearful, and it's clear she's upset by the attack. However, nothing in her stance seems surprised by his appearance or actions.

Speculation time, I'm convinced the alien who initiated the attack was The Stowaway that Noah references in 01x12. He says he crashed the ship, so it would make sense he was awake and among the first out of the ship. However, Nora being actually first and her reaction to him leaves me with two theories.

One, that the way the Stowaway gained access to the bridge of the ship was by taking Nora hostage. We see in the latest flashbacks that Nora built the pumpkin launcher and had drawn up plans to build a spaceship for them. It's possible that Nora was actually a member of the crew of the ship - and that the Stowaway made her go out before him under threat.

Second? That Nora was actually working with the Stowaway in some capacity. That's why they emerge first, and why she is unsurprised by his actions. You all know I love speculation based on the book series - so I'm going to throw a spoiler in here about that. In the books, Michael's family were members of the rebellion and worked for...yep, The Stowaway. So there is precedence for this being the case from the source material.

I'm loving all the alien powers. Nora's telekinesis, Louise's sonic scream, the fire attack from the unknown alien, the telepathic communication between Nora and Louise, Louise reading Roy's mind, and finally growing the corn overnight. I asked for more alien powers this season, and I am getting them in droves. I'm so happy about that.

However one thing does stand out to me - Nora and Louise had the power to grow the crops, but they did not heal one another. That strikes me, because it again shows Max being the only alien so far to heal. Noah called him both an abomination and a savior at the end of season one. However, he also said all three of the Pod Squad were bargaining chips to get a ride off world.

So have some more of the group's bond...

And bringing one of their own back to life by combining their energies...

Shapeshifting

In the OG series only Nasedo fully shapeshifts. (Though Michael is able to change his fingerprints if I remember right.) So it was interesting to see it used in the books not only by Ray but by Max.

Alien Powers 4/4 "You have no idea what you're capable of."

For much of s1 we are led to believe that the aliens only have one power each. Even in Caulfield, it seems as though only one power is recorded per alien. Noah turns that notion on its head in the finale. He can not only control minds and drain lifeforces, he can even reach into Max's body with his telekinesis and mess with his internal organs. He tells Max here that they have been limiting themselves to one power - it has nothing to do with their true abilities.

Alien Powers (1/4) Apparently I'm making more slideshows today because I rewatched the scenes where Noah talks about their powers and their past.

On the rewatch I find one turn of phrase Noah uses here interesting. "Destruction makes us feel better. Physically at least."