Author's Notes & Vickers' Alternate Death Scene

There were a couple of things I didn't comment on as some things I saw just as artistic licence. Other things, like Shaw being able to run around after having massive abdominal surgery, I didn't mind as they could claim that there may have been medication that aided a very speedy initial recovery rate- even though it was quite severe. I would have changed the operation slightly myself. The incision would have been smaller, the tools used to take out the 'squid' would've been more sophisticated than something you'd find at the fairground, and while the grabbers were taking out the parasite, they would have moved about while inside her as they took hold of the thing, causing her greater pain, but less physical trauma and a smaller scar, making her fast recovery more believable.

I've heard some people connected to the film say how great Vickers death was, being squished by a rolling alien ship. Are you kidding me?! It was the second worst death scene since Mad-Eye Moody in Harry Potter... and we don't even get to see that one. Brendan Gleeson must've been over-the-moon to hear he wouldn't even get a death scene. Even Dobby got a death scene and he was just a computer generated house-elf.

But hey, at least Ridley Scott didn't mess it up totally and kill off the ONLY good character in the film like George Lucas did with Darth Maul in Phantom Menace.

Knob-end.

I love Star Wars: I despise George Lucas. (In how many different Formats, Cuts and Box Sets can he release his bloody films? Has he not got enough money yet? Has he not yet exploited the fans enough? And why did no one stop him from putting Jar-Jar Binks in the first film? Hesa son-of-a-bitch, okieday.)

Well, at least Ridley Scott only decapitated David. And as with the Six Million Dollar Man: We have the technology- we can rebuild him!

For what it's worth, this is how I believe Vickers' end should have been. (There are also a few elements of Ridley Scott's own alternate ending in it):

Vickers' Alternate Death Scene

The alien ship crashes to the ground and begins rolling in the direction of the two women.

Vickers, who has an injured leg from the heavy landing in the escape pod, is limping badly, stumbling as she tries to run. The ship is getting closer; crushing everything in its way.

Shaw, who has managed to get clear, sees that Vickers is struggling. She won't make it.

Reluctantly, she runs back to help the woman who killed her boyfriend and just manages to get them both out of the way, but as the ship comes to a rest, it dislodges rocks, which fall on to her, trapping her under their weight.

Vickers sees Shaw is stuck but it's announced by the computer that her oxygen is running low. She decides to leave the woman who just saved her life, to whatever fate deals her.

Vickers limps back to the life boat, Shaw calling out after her to help her.

Shaw's oxygen is running down.

Eventually, she pulls herself free, but by now is struggling to get her breath.

On the life boat, Vickers goes over to the bar and pours herself a few drinks to calm her nerves, before deciding she needs to get to the Med Pod to get her ankle repaired.

She is about to open the door-

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Shaw calls over making Vickers jump.

"Oh, and why not?" She doesn't take advice from anyone.

There is a thrashing sound and a loud slap against the door as the huge squid-like parasite tries to attack.

Vickers recoils away, surprised at the power of the thing.

Shaw is shocked to see just how much the monster has grown in the hour since it had been taken out of her.

Vickers looks at Shaw knowing she should apologise for what she's done and maybe say thank you for saving her, but it just isn't in her nature to do so.

A silence falls in the room. Vickers is unrepentant.

Shaw is fighting the urge to scream at her. "You would've left me out there. Wouldn't you? You weren't even going to come back for me."

"Get over it, Shaw." Vickers is unmoved by her attempt to make her feel guilty.

Shaw is on the edge of a tearful rage. "You killed Charlie."

Vickers doesn't respond.

There are no words between the two women. There is only tension.

"Miss Vickers? Doctor Shaw?" It's David. "Can anybody hear me?"

"David?" Says Vickers; glad to hear his voice and realising her chances of survival just rose greatly.

"Miss Vickers- you're alive. How about Doctor Shaw?"

"I'm alive. Everyone else is dead." Says Shaw flatly.

"Get over here. I need you right away." Orders Vickers.

"I'm afraid that may not be possible." David responds, almost light-heartedly. "You have to listen closely: the Engineer survived the crash. He's coming for you. You must get out if there is time."

But there isn't. Vickers selects a display on the wall which shows the outer hatch is open. The Engineer is inside the ship.

Vickers' expression quickly changes from cold steal to fear.

Shaw is defiant, though knows she has to take cover.

They both hide and wait, Vickers is visibly more nervous as she waits behind the drinks counter.

The Engineer enters and looks around, quietly enjoying what he sees on board. It's far more aesthetically inspiring than the functional ships he is used to. He watches the small girl mutedly playing violin on the large screen. He finds her idyllic surroundings pleasing.

Suddenly, David's voice can be heard again, cutting into the silence: "Can anybody hear me? Miss Vickers? Doctor Shaw?"

Vickers struggles to silence her speaker.

She holds her breath, until finally, the Engineer emerges from over the top of the counter. They make eye-contact.

Vickers struggles to find words. She's shaking; her eyes wide. Her mouth moves, but nothing comes out.

From the other side of the room, Shaw lets out a mighty yell as she runs at the Engineer with the axe, swinging it wildly at him.

She strikes him down the side cutting into his flesh, but he grabs hold of the handle and swipes at her with the back of his hand, knocking her back, disorienting her.

Vickers runs towards the door, but is quickly caught by the Engineer. "NOOOO!" She screams, raising her hands to stop him.

He pushes her against the wall, as though she was ragdoll and roars as he punches her ferociously in the face. The bones crunch horribly as her face caves in and she falls to the floor, dead.

He turns towards the other human and attacks.

As he lifts her by the neck and pushes her high against the wall, he pulls back his arm to throw the death blow. She slams her elbow against the door control, opening the door to the Med Lab, the squid-like creature grabbing him immediately by the elevated wrist and neck, allowing Shaw to escape...

[The film continues same as original cut]

Better or worse than Vickers' original death scene? Vickers' demise is much more memorable here I think, and far less runny-away and silly-squashy.