"AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D." - Raina's Transformation

[LJones41]

Why did Raina on “AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.” transform from this …

to this ?

The thing is . . . her new physical appearance had nothing to do with her new ability.

So, why did Mutant Enemy and Marvel allowed Skye/Daisy, Elena Rodriguez, Lincoln Campbell, Joey Gutierrez and others to retain their original appearances following terrigenesis, yet have Raina’s appearance change so drastically, despite the fact that her new appearance had nothing to do with her ability?


Why did Mutant Enemy and Marvel allowed Skye/Daisy, Elena, Lincoln, Joey and others to retain their original appearances, yet have Raina’s appearance change, despite the fact that her new appearance had nothing to do with her ability?

 

[Reverend]

There's no rule that states any outward physical changes *must* reflect their powerset. What did being big blue and hairy have to do With Lash's ability to project energy blasts?

From a meta-perspective it's all purely thematic. For Lash it was the old "beast within" trope. With Gordon it was "the man that can see more without eyes and go anywhere." With Raina it was all tied up with the "rose & thorns" imagery. Remember she was introduced as "Girl in the Flower Dress". Also shades of "be careful what you wish for" and "beautiful on the outside, ugly on the inside", the latter of which seems to get inverted with her transformation. Pre-terrigenesis she was a deeply selfish person and yet after the change, she ultimately died because of a selfless act.

In-universe it seems physical "scarring" or mutation is relatively rare anyway. Of all the Inhumans we've seen, only a handful can't pass for human in the outside world.

 

[LJones41]

That explanation does not make sense, considering that Daisy's mother, Jiaying never transform outwardly, despite embracing evil. So, this idea that Raina was being punished for her "sins" is a load of garbage to me.

Come to think of it, Andrew and Gordon's transformations made no sense to me, as well. I think Mutant Enemy's reasons for allowing them to outwardly transform is at best, shallow.

 

[cylkoth]

The majority of the Inhumans created in the comics over the last 4 decades, are not outwardly different from normal humans. Same as the Mutants. Only a small fraction have an physically transformed appearance.

 

[Gaith]

Why are some humans born with physical deformities?

 

[LJones41]

Why are some humans born with physical deformities?

This is the explanation?

 

[Reverend]

That explanation does not make sense, considering that Daisy's mother, Jiaying never transform outwardly, despite embracing evil. So, this idea that Raina was being punished for her "sins" is a load of garbage to me.

Come to think of it, Andrew and Gordon's transformations made no sense to me, as well. I think Mutant Enemy's reasons for allowing them to outwardly transform is at best, shallow.

Where exactly did I say that all Inhumans *must* have physical deformities that mirror their character?
Like I said, the ones we have seen are only thematic from a meta-perspective. Why them and not others? Because it's not real, that's why.

You keep assuming the nature of these things must somehow make sense when the very premise of terragenesis is utterly implausible. Swallow some gas and suddenly you can defy the laws of thermodynamics? Sure! That all makes total sense!

 

[Beagleman]

Where exactly did I say that all Inhumans *must* have physical deformities that mirror their character?
Like I said, the ones we have seen are only thematic from a meta-perspective. Why them and not others? Because it's not real, that's why.

You keep assuming the nature of these things must somehow make sense when the very premise of terragenesis is utterly implausible. Swallow some gas and suddenly you can defy the laws of thermodynamics? Sure! That all makes total sense!

Yep, case closed.

 

[LJones41]

There is no "case closed". I've read all of these excuses and I have yet to encounter one that can truly explain why only a handful of Inhumans - namely Raina, Gordon and Andrew - were the only ones who physically transformed. I haven't encountered one excuse that truly makes sense.

I see that unless someone can come up with a good excuse, my only option is to regard Mutant Enemy's decision to physically transform Raina and the other had nothing to do with the story. Okay, I do realize that Lash came from the comics. But Raina and Gordon? Yeah, the whole idea that their appearances were a reflection of their inner self doesn't wash with me, considering that Mutant Enemy failed to use the same plot device with Daisy's mother.

 

[DimesDan]

Why are some humans born with physical deformities?

Indeed, I am classified as being disabled under the law (namely back home, the equality act 2010) even though from outward appearances, I am not, where as there are individuals who due to "physical deformities" do clearly come under that classification, so I see nothing different with the question posed.

 

[cylkoth]

These new Inhumans are descendants of the original test group of humans that the Kree jettisoned back into the larger population when they thought their attempts to create genetically altered soldiers failed. They purposely sought to create different varieties of powered warriors, with varying abilities and capabilities. For use on alien planets with different environments. So not all of the originals were engineered to be exactly the same, and the genes that they have passed on, thoughout all these centuries, will no doubt vary from descendant to descendant.
If you abosolutely need an explanation, then some of these people may possess a greater amount of their ancestor's dna than others, and terrigensis causes some-but not ALL, to suffer transformations.

And you needn't focus on Whedon's production label so intently. This show is a production of Marvel/ABC Studios, and the Inhumans here are being treated exactly as they have been treated in the comics for the last 40 years or so. Mutant Enemy isn't making up the human looking to physically transformed ratio willy-nilly.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

It's doubtful that we will get others to trnbsfom physically if there is no deanatic reason simply for budget concerns.

Same reason all demons in shows like Supernatural or Charmed look like ordinary humans most of the time.
They can't afford it.

If they had it in the budget at least some of them would get a different skin color and maybe a funny forehead sometimes.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Visually, Raina seemed to be inspired by Naja. That's probably part of the reason. The bigger reason is that Terrigenesis is an unpredictable process that often involves physical change (Lash being a big example).

Narratively, it was done because it was about the crushing of Raina's hopes and dreams. She spent her whole life thinking Terregenesis was her destiny that would make her great. Then she was transformed and felt like a pariah. She ended up completely bitter about this, feeling betrayed and all that.

 

[sojourner]

The writers felt it was important to the character's story. 'Nuff said.

 

[Reverend]

There is no "case closed". I've read all of these excuses and I have yet to encounter one that can truly explain why only a handful of Inhumans - namely Raina, Gordon and Andrew - were the only ones who physically transformed. I haven't encountered one excuse that truly makes sense.

I see that unless someone can come up with a good excuse, my only option is to regard Mutant Enemy's decision to physically transform Raina and the other had nothing to do with the story. Okay, I do realize that Lash came from the comics. But Raina and Gordon? Yeah, the whole idea that their appearances were a reflection of their inner self doesn't wash with me, considering that Mutant Enemy failed to use the same plot device with Daisy's mother.

Again you misunderstand. It's not about literally "showing their inner selves" it's just a way to thematically echo what's going on with that character. And in case you still have trouble grasping the concept: "from a meta perspective" means that's it's only supposed to be apparent to the audience, not the characters. To them it's just a random, if somewhat ironic mutation.

But whatever, if making mountains out of molehills makes you happy, by all means mole away! It's just amusing that you'll accept "because that's what they looked like in the comics" as a valid answer but not "because that's what the show runners chose to do." I mean it's basically they same answer, deferred by one degree of separation, no?

 

[Tosk]

why only a handful of Inhumans - namely Raina, Gordon and Andrew - were the only ones who physically transformed.

Some people are physically transformed by the process, some aren't. Simple as that. Just like with Mutants. Or other methods of getting superpowers, for that matter.

 

[Greg Cox]

Yeah, I don't think the show literally meant that their physical transformations reflected their inner selves, but it worked symbolically in terms of the story. Especially since the whole point of Raina's arc was indeed "be careful what you wish for." If she just gained powers, without any unexpected twist, there wouldn't have been any ironic comeuppance.

Chalk to it up to artistic license--that also happens to be consistent with the Inhumans as they been portrayed in the comics from Day One. Why does Crystal look human but her sister has crazy Medusa octopus hair? Why does Black Bolt look human but his cousin Triton is green and scaly? The Terrigen mist works in mysterious ways . . . that are often colorful and visually interesting.

It's as simple as that.

Meanwhile, I'm amused that Ruth Negga, who played Raina, is likely to get an Oscar nomination for her performance in LOVING . . . after playing a porcupine-woman not to long ago. That's an impressive career trajectory!

 

[The Old Mixer]

Mutant Enemy

Mutant Enemy

Mutant Enemy's

Mutant Enemy's

Mutant Enemy

This is the explanation?

Hey, you missed one!

 

[Greg Cox]

Some people are physically transformed by the process, some aren't. Simple as that. Just like with Mutants. Or other methods of getting superpowers, for that matter.

Exactly. Why are Nightcrawler and Mystique blue and alien-looking, but Cyclops and Jean Grey are not? Why did radiation turn the Hulk green, but didn't turn Spider-Man a different color? Heck, look at the Fantastic Four. Why did the cosmic rays only make Ben orange and lumpy?

To paraphrase CHINATOWN: "It's comic books, Jake."

 

[sojourner]

I would say Ben and the Fantastic Four are an edge case. When using their powers they definitely don't look like normal humans. Ben's power just happens to be stuck "on" all the time.