Discussion post: Nebula's arc

[sholio]

Let's talk about Nebula's arc through the movies! That kind of arc is absolute id catnip for me and it's so rare for female characters to get the kind of development she gets. She starts out as a fairly one-dimensional antagonist, and I would have been happy if we'd just gotten the development she got in GotG2 when she levels up to shades-of-gray antagonistic ally, but THEN IW and Endgame happened, and she got to journey onward on her villain-to-hero arc, from the bitter, angry person she was, to someone who is starting to learn how to have friends!! and is solidly on Team Hero in the last few fights. I never dreamed we'd get this much Nebula content!

What do you think of her arc now that we have four movies' worth of development? Favorite parts? Least favorite parts? Any missed opportunities, or things you'd do differently?

Or just anything Nebula-related you want to talk about; that's good too. :D

Comments

[sixbeforelunch]

I really like her! I didn't expect to post-GOTG1, but she grew on me in GOTG2, and by Endgame I was fan.

I'm really impressed with the thematic bookending of the Gamora and Nebula relationship. At the end of GOTG1, Gamora is the one who wants to save her sister and have a relationship with her, and Nebula hates Gamora. By Endgame, the dynamic has totally flipped, with Nebula trying to save a Gamora who has never experienced what "our" Gamora did. I'm hoping we get to see how this plays out in the next GOTG movie.

Also, I'd love recs for Nebula on Earth fic if anyone has any. Gen preferred. (Background canon ships are fine.)

[sholio]

Yeah, I really had no particular feelings for her after GOTG1, aside from being into the sister relationship from Gamora's end, but then movie #2 happened and her development was just so good, and Endgame gave her more development than I ever dared to hope. :D

I do really like the bookending too. I didn't like losing "our" Gamora (understatement of the year) but it does set up a very interesting dynamic with Nebula, now that she's the functional one and the one who really wants to have a relationship! I agree with you, I hope that'll be developed in the next movie.

Sadly I have no recs for you off the top of my head - I haven't been reading much in that area lately - but I'll keep my eyes open. :D

[bold_seer]

Pretty much what you said about Nebula (and Gamora)!

This isn't maybe quite what you were thinking, but I thought it was lovely, anyway:

Gamora & Nebula, double drabble - https://archiveofourown.org/works/18082394

[sixbeforelunch]

It was lovely, thank you for the rec! :)