Discussion Post: Cosmic Culture Clashes

[scioscribe]

The cosmic movies have a lot of fish out of water moments and culture clashes (and cross-cultural connection), from Thor smashing a coffee cup on the floor of a diner to Talos not knowing what a cat is to Peter Quill's constant deflation over people not getting his pop culture references. These usually get played for humor, and usually involve Earth characters interacting with cosmic ones or vice-versa. What are some of your favorite examples of these jokes? What's the funniest--or the most illuminating about characterization or worldbuilding?

And it's possible to imagine variations on this theme that the films haven't worked with as often. What kind of culture clashes would you like to see that are exclusively cosmic? A reformed Kree being a fish out of water in a Skrull settlement? The Guardians having completely different ideas of etiquette? It's a big galaxy out there, and it must be filled with tons of cultures that are more alien to Earth norms than the ones we've seen--and that are plenty alien to each other. And what are some culture clashes that would provide serious dramatic conflict, not just laughs? What huge differences can you imagine in terms of how different parts of the galaxy deal with big-picture issues of life, death, love, and social behavior?

Plus, are there any characters you particularly like to see thrown off their game in a new environment? Are there any worlds whose culture you'd especially like to see in depth? Any general problems or rewards in cross-cultural exchanges that you think the movies should explore more often?

Comments

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

I think we have seen some differences, like Peter as an eight year old boy may have considered the Raveners 'cool' for not having all sorts of rules regarding Boring chores regarding changing clothes etc. There are the questions opened up about who is considered culinarily appropriate to eat. How much was Peter not grasping it was a unreal threat versus Raveners do eat 'people'?

[bold_seer]

How much was Peter not grasping it was a unreal threat versus Raveners do eat 'people'?

That's a good point! I think the audience was divided, as well.

[lynnenne]

One of the funniest culture clash moments is when Thor walks into a pet store and declares, "I need a horse!" When the baffled clerk explains that they only have dogs, cats and birds, Thor replies, "Then give me one of those large enough to ride." Hemsworth delivers the lines with such great comic timing, it makes me laugh every time.

My favorite character moments involving a culture clash is Tony teaching Nebula how to play a game when they're stranded in space. "I had fun." Awwwww! Their comradery was one of my favorite things about Endgame.

[bold_seer]

That was a great moment (he's so serious, full of purpose!), probably my favourite joke in the movie. Nice reminder! :D

Science Fiction Dr. Liz Shaw is here for Galactic Women

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

It's a wonderful character moment for both of them. Nebula, who wanted a sister and was carved into Thanos' desires when she lost, learned that a game could be a game. And Tony learned that sometime one has to modify the rules for utter 'newbies' so they don't lose interest before they gain competency. This probably helped him, Pepper and Morgan immensely.

[luthienberen]

I agree on both your choices! Tony and Nebula's scene was deeply touching. Thor's comment was so hilarious and perfectly showed how a "basic" Earth fact might be bewildering for someone not of Earth.

[luthienberen]

I am fascinated by the concept of culture clashes in Marvel, not only from humans meeting aliens but as you say, Kree among other nations and vice versa.

Considering how varied Earth culture is across nations (and it would be great to see more cultures from Earth going to space!), I wonder for example, how different the Kree are from each other, any difference in culture between the Skrulls and the Xandrians with each other.


I am actually curious how alien Carol found Earth culture upon her initial return. The film glosses over this to an extent considering time constraints, but there must have been moments where Carol said or responded in a Kree fashion and surprised Maria and/or Monica. How much does Carol recall even with her memories restored? Is there a clash within herself when ingrained Kree norms smack into remembered/re-learnt American norms?

Otherwise, I do wonder about Peter's time among the Ravagers. Peter himself in the first film refers to them as his only family, so it can't have been utterly horrible. However, things like being terrified of eaten makes me wonder to what extent Peter understood it as a real threat versus a joke, or whether he wavered between the two. The shock of being among aliens must have been startling initially, but Peter was a child (not sure of his age?) and children can adapt fast and in Peter's case he would have needed to.

I do feel sorry for Peter and his references to Earth culture among the Guardians - what sort of musical references instead do the Xandrians, Kree and Ravagers have? Is music considered important, religious or personal, or does it depend on the culture in question?

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

I think Peter watching Babylon 5 would be Hilarious.

[luthienberen]

I had to look up Babylon 5 but yes! It would be amusing to see what Peter thinks of the series. In fact any of the sci-fi series, such as Star Trek which is so different in set-up to the galactic stage he endures.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Farscape.

[sholio]

I do feel sorry for Peter and his references to Earth culture among the Guardians - what sort of musical references instead do the Xandrians, Kree and Ravagers have? Is music considered important, religious or personal, or does it depend on the culture in question?

This is something I'd like to know about too! I wish we knew more of pop culture and music among the other galactic cultures - I mean, the cultural exchange had to be a two-way street, not just Peter holding onto his own cultural references and sharing them with his alien friends, but him absorbing theirs as well.

[luthienberen]

I completely agree. Peter must have absorbed some of the cultural mores of the worlds he was exposed to, especially since he was a child when taken. Maybe we shall be lucky and have more the cultural aspect, including music!, explored in the next GoTG film...or we'll have to resort to fanfic ;)

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Having rewatched Captain Marvel, I want to know what predicated Mar-Vell's apparent interest in American pop-culture.

Do the Kree have consumer goods with ephemera decoration? Were Vers quarters so minimalist because of some Starforce monastic norm or is Hala just short on everything except conquest?