Alien: Things You Might Not Know About Ellen Ripley

Key Takeaways

Ripley’s origins on Luna add depth to her character, highlighting her resilience and adaptability in tough situations.
Ripley’s lengthy time in hypersleep sets a galactic record, showcasing her unintentional but noteworthy achievements.
Ripley’s complex personal life, from failed marriages to cloned versions, adds layers to her character beyond just being an alien killer.

As a hardened spacefarer who’s seen more than my fair share of cosmic dust, I find myself drawn to the tale of Ellen Ripley – a woman who braved the unfathomable horrors of the alien menace time and again. Her life was one marked by loss, isolation, and an unyielding courage that echoes through the cold vacuum of space.

In the solitary aftermath of the fated voyage aboard the vessel Nostromo, Ellen Ripley, accompanied by her feline companion, emerged as the remarkable protagonist in the cinematic masterpiece titled Alien. Directed and conceived by Ridley Scott, and powerfully portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, Ripley became one of the iconic action heroines of her era. Her tale of resilience significantly contributed to the enduring appeal and success of the film, ultimately leading to a sprawling Alien franchise.

The extensive xenomorph collection encompasses numerous forms of media, such as comic books, video games, TV series, and iconic films. The latest addition is titled “Alien: Romulus“, where Ripley, though not directly present, continues to leave an impact through her enduring legacy. While she was the original Alien hunter, there are several intriguing aspects about her that may surprise even dedicated fans.

7 Born In Olympia

A Lunar Colony On The Moon

Alien: Things You Might Not Know About Ellen Ripley

Her birthday is January 7th, 2092, making her a Capricorn.

2092 saw the birth of Ellen Ripley in Olympia, a settlement on Earth’s moon, now commonly known as Luna. After her birth, the colony experienced turmoil due to a virus-induced lockdown that lasted 16 years.

2094 saw the discovery of the XMB Virus within the colony, keeping Ripley confined for the majority of her existence until she managed to test virus-free and depart. With such an extended stay in isolation, it’s no surprise that her eagerness to journey to Earth and beyond was palpable.

6 Earned A Master’s In Engineering

A Degree For A Space Traveler

Ripley had a distinguished academic and early spacefaring career.

Ripley graduated with a Master’s degree in Engineering from New York Aeronautics University and then began working for the United States Merchant Navy. In the fictional world of the Alien franchise, it is common for individuals to leave Earth or work off-planet due to its deteriorated state compared to the past. The Bladerunner series, also set in this universe, vividly portrays this desperation.

Initially, Ripley served as a co-pilot aboard the spaceship Zelazny. Over time, she was given an extra role, that of a Civilian Liaison. When she signed up for her mission on the Nostromo, this is the title she held.

5 Holds The Hypersleep Record

Not On Purpose, But It Still Counts

Hypersleep was never intended to last for decades.

In the Alien and Aliens movies, there’s debate about how long Ripley spent in hypersleep: 57 years according to a dream she has upon waking, or 20 years as hinted when it’s revealed that the colony on the neighboring planet was destroyed. This discrepancy arises depending on whether one has watched the Director’s Cut.

In the Director’s Version, there’s a scene where Ripley learns her daughter has already passed away from old age, confirming that the dream sequence duration is correct. What makes it puzzling is that the length of time spent in hypersleep sets a galactic record. Originally, Ripley had planned her journey to last only a few months and end on Earth, but a malfunction caused this to span decades instead.

4 Rank Of Warrant Officer

A Civilian Designation

Ripley is responsible for safety and security.

In the movie Alien, when Kane was returned aboard the ship with a face-hugger still clinging to him, the rest of the crew focused on rushing him to the medical facility. However, Warrant Officer Ripley was the one who advocated for them to stay in decontamination for 24 hours prior to that.

1. Ripley’s position wasn’t military, but civilian, so it was easier for other officers to disregard her commands without much resistance. Kane, who had been brought to the medical bay, woke up when the alien creature that attached to him died and fell away. Assuming everything was fine, the crew decided to have a farewell meal before resuming their sleep, and events unfolded as we know them now.

3 Married Twice

Neither Marriage Was A Happy One

Life in the future is a lonely one.

In this era, with most individuals holding jobs that keep them away from Earth and often isolated, it’s no wonder that relationships aren’t very common. Ripley, as portrayed in the films, does speak of her daughter, but she doesn’t disclose that the pregnancy contravened Weyland-Yutani Company regulations regarding employees.

As an ardent fan, I’d like to share a piece of Ellen Ripley’s personal history. Her first spouse was Alex, who was Amanda’s father. However, when Amanda was just three years old, Alex abandoned them. Later on, when Ripley mysteriously went missing, her second husband, Paul Carter, took care of Amanda. Unfortunately, the relationship between Ripley and Paul was fraught with tension due to Paul’s alcohol addiction and destructive lifestyle.

2 Has Descendants

Amanda Ripley Had Children Of Her Own

Alan Decker appears in part of the novel trilogy Alien: Sea of Sorrows.

Few devoted followers realize this, but the offspring of Ripley bear a unique genetic trait that xenomorphs can identify. This intriguing tidbit forms the basis for the storyline in the novel “Alien: Sea of Sorrows“.

Alan Decker is unaware of his well-known forebearer, yet he recognizes that telepathic talents passed down from his father reside within him. Over time, these abilities link him with a secretive group of extraterrestrials hidden beneath the recently established Earth colony of New Galveston. Similar to other relatives, his quest for the truth puts him at odds with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, who prove to be more menacing than the feared xenomorphs.

1 Cloned Eight Times

Although Only One Of Them Made It

Fans of the movies might already know this detail.

In the initial three films of the Alien series, the story reaches a conclusion as Ripley meets her end in Alien 3. To prevent the queen alien within her from causing further destruction, she selflessly chooses to die. This event is recorded as her official death date on August 11, 2179, by Weyland-Yuanti Corporation’s records.

Since her passing, Ripley’s character has reappeared on several occasions, such as in the movie “Alien: Resurrection”. This came about through the scientific process of cloning and the dark intrigue of the United Systems Military, which is approximately 200 years after her actual demise.

In Alien: Resurrection, the story revolves around the USM’s plan to harvest the living queen from her cloned body, a scheme that ultimately leads to disastrous consequences. The six earlier clones were so deformed they failed to reach maturity and had to be terminated. The seventh clone was slain by “Ripley 8,” the main character of the film and the only successful clone to survive.

2024-08-25 06:03