Sigourney

During my second semester in college I had a English professor who one day in class somehow got on the topic of Sigourney Weaver being naked at the end of Alien. It was kinda awkward.

I hadn’t seen the movie at that point, although I had seen the sequel, Aliens.

Anyway, this professor was going on and on about it. It started with how her nudity represents vulnerability, and how it makes the moment that much more suspenseful, etc. And then he ended up talking about how Sigourney Weaver was a beautiful example of womanhood.

That was the awkward part. I mean, if he had started drooling and giggling uncontrollably, it wouldn’t’ve seemed out of place, ya know. Well, maybe out of place in the classroom, but not in his bit about Sigourney.

So, here’s the scene.

The thing is, she’s never actually naked.

Sometime later, when I actually did watch the film, I was disappointed. Thanks to this professor, I was expecting a naked Sigourney Weaver at the end of the film. In my disappointment, I didn’t think the moment was about creating more suspense; I thought it was about how the studio wouldn’t pay what she was asking to go topless.

Oh well, she’s naked in some other movies, or at least topless. So, I got over the disappointment.

So now, thinking back, the professor made a valid point...two, actually. A character facing some danger while unclothed, or, perhaps, scantily clad, might be more suspenseful. While clothing itself may not be heavy enough to provide substantial protection from some alien monster or whatever other threat one might face, being uncovered, all that skin, would probably make one feel exposed, vulnerable. 

AND, Sigourney Weaver is a beautiful example of womanhood.

Of course, in my freshman year of college, I wasn’t able to truly appreciate either point. To me, then, it was: naked lady??? Yes, please!!! But, Sigourney Weaver? Eh...she’s a little old isn’t she?

Yeah, I was kinda stupid. As I have matured, so have both my understanding that nudity isn’t just a sex thing, and my feeling that Sigourney Weaver isn’t too old. She’s still hot.

Well, okay...she’s clearly had a bit of work done here.