Defending Rogue’s Decision In X3

 

Most superhero  and chosen one type stories all boil down to the same idea of accepting who you are and what you can do and how you can’t change that so man the fuck up and kick some evil (insert your choice of baddie, mutant, demon, whathaveyou) ass instead of whining about it. While mostly a great idea and life lesson in general, in regards to mutants and people whose powers result in them doing some serious harm to others or themselves, or the way they appear, it is like they are stuck there. They are stuck accepting, which is bullshit. I’m thinking of Rogue here from X3. Say what you will about the movie itself, it did present an interesting argument in the realm of mutants who want the cure and those who didn’t. Characters on both sides and audience members believed the idea of a cure as the idea that there is something wrong with them. Of course they were the ones with the cool superpowers.

Many characters throughout the X-Men universe, while considered mutants based off of their genes, aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to fight any organizations and groups. Why? Simply put because their power is not necessarily combative or beneficial for them. I return once more to Beak. Though not in the film, the character of Beak has to be one of the saddest cases of a crappy mutation making life itself even crappier. Essentially his mutation was to be half man, half bird with only limited flying abilities. In universe he does eventually get to a human form, after a few reality switches, but before he became rather buff and handsome he suffered years of torment, at the hands of other mutants who are all in favor of their rights, but put down the guy who kind of resembled a chicken because of his. If I had Beak’s mutation, I’d be first in line for a cure.

Choir, another mutant whose ability was basically super ventriloquism that manifested by having multiple pairs of lips. Useful for a gang bang porno, but not much else and it was probably annoying having to buy multiple pairs of Chap Stick and to wear a scarf all the time just to avoid people staring.

And then there is Rogue. Though her mutation did not manifest itself in a way that was physical and she can walk the street without anyone knowing that she can do incredible, but terrifying things. Her power takes memories and other abilities from mutants, but leaves them unconscious and if she touches them for too long, comatose or dead. The first time she does this was during her first kiss which is traumatizing enough, but then of course she is further persecuted because of it. Add in a new love interest and the realization she cannot touch people without hurting them. Add in the everyday hormones of being a teenager in love and you have yourself a problem. This is why there shouldn’t have been one when she chose to use the “cure” that had been developed.

It’s easy to tell somebody that they should not have to change for society, that there is nothing wrong with them when you are not experiencing the same issues. While someone who can lift a fridge, or turn into animals, or control the weather may see nothing wrong with mutations or them as people- characters like Beak, Choir, Rogue, and to span the entire marvel Universe, ones like Thing from Fantastic Four do not have the same issues. For two just two out of the four finding someone sexually attractive o them would be difficult, and then add in the physical aspects of a relationship and their mutations, while giving them superpowers, are also preventing them from living in a way they want or in a way that is healthy. Without the “cure” Rogue would never be able to have sex, and as such, not have children. She can’t receive a simple hug, a kiss, a handshake. There was no reason for so many people to be against her in receiving medical alternative to just not wanting to hurt other people when she just wants to hug them.

That is perhaps one of the biggest flaws with the world in X-Men and in the life lessons it teaches. The protagonist group is all about accepting who you are, what you can do- that there is nothing wrong with being different. But when somebody doesn’t want their power, because throughout the world of X-Men there are many other mutants with many other useless, harmful, and unpleasant mutations, they should have the right and ability to change that. They should have been equally supportive if someone wants to change who they are for the better.

After all, you don’t see anyone who is deciding to lose weight being told “Hey, you accept who you are! You don’t have to change!” because maybe they want to. And maybe in some cases, it is for the better.

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