6 burning questions we have after 'Avatar: The Way of Water'
Avatar: The Way of Water sure was a wild ride, wasn't it? Between glorious space whales, explosive fight scenes, and all the bioluminescent goodness you could hope for, it was a delight to return to Pandora. But that doesn't mean we don't have questions we'd like future Avatar installments to answer.
From queries about parentage to confusion about humans' involvement on Pandora in the first place, here are the six burning questions we have after watching Avatar: The Way of Water.
Who is Kiri's father?
The parentage of Na'vi Kiri, the daughter of scientist Grace's avatar body, is by far the biggest mystery that Avatar: The Way of Water sets up. How did Grace's avatar get pregnant? How did it sustain a growing baby? Who is the father? It would take a whole article to get into our thoughts and theories about the truth behind Kiri. Luckily, we've got one for you right here.
Who is Spider's mother?
This one we can answer, although it's not in the movie. The answer is actually in the graphic novel series Avatar: The High Ground, which serves as a direct prequel to Avatar: The Way of Water.
In Avatar: The High Ground, we learn that Spider's mother was Paz Socorro, a pilot for the Resources Development Administration (RDA). The graphic novel doesn't reveal that Miles Quaritch is Spider's father, but since Paz flew in his squad there was plenty of opportunity for their relationship. Paz was the first human to give birth on Pandora, but she died in the RDA's attack on the Tree of Souls, aka the climactic battle of Avatar.
What happened to the interest in unobtainium?
In the first Avatar, the villainous RDA is all about finding and mining the precious (and hilariously named) unobtainium. In Avatar: The Way of Water, unobtainium might as well be called "who cares"-ium, because any interest in it appears to be gone.
Maybe the RDA is still mining it out in Bridgehead, and the film doesn't make a big deal about it. Or maybe they just don't want to put any more effort into obtaining the unobtainable. I can't blame them for calling it quits — although I can blame them for all their other crimes against nature!
What other miracle resources are on Pandora?
Speaking of unobtainium, let's talk about the hot new resource the RDA is clamoring for: a substance in the brain of tulkuns that supposedly halts aging. What other treasures is Pandora hiding? Will every new Avatar movie introduce a cool new resource? And most importantly, what horrendous acts will the RDA be willing to commit to get their grubby paws on them?
What are the Omaticaya clan doing while Jake and Neytiri are gone?
In this Avatar sequel, we never see the Omaticaya clan again after Jake and Neytiri leave them, and to be honest, I'm worried about them! Are they okay? Do they continue the insurrection against the RDA? Has the RDA wiped them out, or have they given up on them now that Jake is somewhere else?
After Kiri's brush with death, Norm briefly reappears. So, we at least know he's doing fine. But it's definitely frustrating that the film completely abandons the clan we spent the entire first Avatar getting to know. Maybe they'll show up in a future film and team up with the Metkayina. Forest and reef people united? Could be awesome.
Why are humans colonizing Pandora when we can't even breathe on its surface?
Yes, yes, I know humans are colonizing Pandora because Earth is dying, but that seems wildly impractical given that we can't breathe its air! Those masks can only do so much, even though they do appear to be able to withstand an enormous amount given the fact that Spider wears a mask throughout the brutal third act.
At this point, human activity on Pandora seems limited to mining and whaling — surefire ways to kill Pandora faster than we killed Earth. But is anyone trying to make the planet habitable for humans? Or are we just continuing to pillage its natural resources? Are there active, non-RDA terraforming efforts elsewhere? Is anyone working to change the atmosphere?
That sounds like something the Na'vi should put a stop to and fast. Otherwise, the humans will truly be on Pandora to stay. Well, until we ruin that planet too. I see what you're saying, James Cameron
Avatar: The Way of Water is now in theaters.