← Older revision
Revision as of 12:20, October 9, 2016
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It also seems that not all victims of Facehuggers are rendered unconscious; on [[Bouvet Island]], the mercenary [[Mark Verheiden (mercenary)|Mark Verheiden]] remained conscious for at least part of the implantation process, as evidenced by his attempts to shout for help (rendered futile by the proboscis down his throat). It has been theorized that hosts cocooned in a [[Hive]] may not be rendered unconscious simply out of redundancy, owing to their inability to move or fight back. This may explain why many cocooned victims are aware that they have been impregnated and request to be killed, whereas others attacked in the open have no memory of their ordeal.
It also seems that not all victims of Facehuggers are rendered unconscious; on [[Bouvet Island]], the mercenary [[Mark Verheiden (mercenary)|Mark Verheiden]] remained conscious for at least part of the implantation process, as evidenced by his attempts to shout for help (rendered futile by the proboscis down his throat). It has been theorized that hosts cocooned in a [[Hive]] may not be rendered unconscious simply out of redundancy, owing to their inability to move or fight back. This may explain why many cocooned victims are aware that they have been impregnated and request to be killed, whereas others attacked in the open have no memory of their ordeal.
−
Whilst subdued, victims have been known to experience vivid and distressing dreams, often concerning smothering of the face.<ref name="A1" /><ref name="OOTS260">{{cite book|title=[[Alien: Out of the Shadows]]|author=[[Tim Lebbon]]|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|year=[[2014]]|page=260}}</ref><ref name="AIComic">[[Alien: Isolation (comic)|''Alien: Isolation'' comic]]</ref> It is unknown if this is directly linked to the Facehugger's presence, although given the typical subject matter, it seems likely. Such dreams may not be universal to all victims,
however.
Many
of the Facehugger victims during the initial stages of the
Acheron
infestation were noted to have woken up screaming, suggesting that
while not victims experience such nightmares,
there is a majority that do.<ref name="OOTS260">{{cite book|title=[[Alien: River of Pain]]|author=[[Christopher Golden]]|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|year=[[2014]]</ref>
+
Whilst subdued, victims have been known to experience vivid and distressing dreams, often concerning smothering of the face.<ref name="A1" /><ref name="OOTS260">{{cite book|title=[[Alien: Out of the Shadows]]|author=[[Tim Lebbon]]|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|year=[[2014]]|page=260}}</ref><ref name="AIComic">[[Alien: Isolation (comic)|''Alien: Isolation'' comic]]</ref> It is unknown if this is directly linked to the Facehugger's presence, although given the typical subject matter, it seems likely. Such dreams may not be universal to all victims,
although
many
of the Facehugger victims during the initial stages of the
[[Hadley's Hope]]
infestation were noted to have woken up screaming, suggesting that there is a majority that do.<ref name="OOTS260">{{cite book|title=[[Alien: River of Pain]]|author=[[Christopher Golden]]|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|year=[[2014]]</ref>
Given the size of a Facehugger, humans, Predators or other humanoid-sized victims are the most compatible hosts. It has been suggested that a Facehugger would likely not be able to use a host any smaller than a [[cat]].<ref name="Alien3book220">{{cite book|author=[[Alan Dean Foster]]|title=[[Alien 3 (novel)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]|page=220|year=[[1992]]|publisher=[[Warner Books]]}}</ref> However, there is evidence that even [[Engineer]]s, which are significantly larger than humans, have been impregnated by a Facehugger.<ref name="A1" /> Similarly, it is not unknown for oxen to be successfully impregnated by Facehuggers.<ref name="A3DC">{{cite video|people=[[Vincent Ward]] (writer), [[David Fincher]] (director)|title=[[Alien 3|Alien<sup>3</sup>]] [[Alien 3 Assembly Cut|Assembly Cut]]|year=[[2003]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|medium=DVD}}</ref> Facehuggers are also known to attach to [[Oswoc]]s, [[Kurn]]s and [[Kritic]]s. It is possible that a Facehugger does not need to entirely envelop a host's head to implant a Xenomorph, but merely needs to subdue it and insert the infant through the host's mouth.
Given the size of a Facehugger, humans, Predators or other humanoid-sized victims are the most compatible hosts. It has been suggested that a Facehugger would likely not be able to use a host any smaller than a [[cat]].<ref name="Alien3book220">{{cite book|author=[[Alan Dean Foster]]|title=[[Alien 3 (novel)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]|page=220|year=[[1992]]|publisher=[[Warner Books]]}}</ref> However, there is evidence that even [[Engineer]]s, which are significantly larger than humans, have been impregnated by a Facehugger.<ref name="A1" /> Similarly, it is not unknown for oxen to be successfully impregnated by Facehuggers.<ref name="A3DC">{{cite video|people=[[Vincent Ward]] (writer), [[David Fincher]] (director)|title=[[Alien 3|Alien<sup>3</sup>]] [[Alien 3 Assembly Cut|Assembly Cut]]|year=[[2003]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|medium=DVD}}</ref> Facehuggers are also known to attach to [[Oswoc]]s, [[Kurn]]s and [[Kritic]]s. It is possible that a Facehugger does not need to entirely envelop a host's head to implant a Xenomorph, but merely needs to subdue it and insert the infant through the host's mouth.
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===Removal===
===Removal===
{{Quote|'Surgically removed before embryo implantation. Subject: Marachuk, John J., died during the procedure.' They killed him taking it off.|'''[[Lance Bishop|Bishop]]''', reading from '''[[John Marachuk|Marachuk]]<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''s medical chart (from {{A2}})}}
{{Quote|'Surgically removed before embryo implantation. Subject: Marachuk, John J., died during the procedure.' They killed him taking it off.|'''[[Lance Bishop|Bishop]]''', reading from '''[[John Marachuk|Marachuk]]<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''s medical chart (from {{A2}})}}
−
While Facehuggers have been removed before embryo implantation has taken place, the process is ostensibly fatal for the host.<ref name="A2" /> The Facehugger's combination of vice-like grip, ability to administer sedative chemicals and highly acidic blood makes them essentially impossible to remove safely. For example, if a live Facehugger senses it is likely to be detached by external forces, it will invariably kill the host with either a chemical overdose or through direct strangulation (or a combination of the two) rather than allow them to survive.<ref name="AWYR17">{{cite book|author=[[S. D. Perry]]|title=[[Alien: The Weyland-Yutani Report]]|page=17|year=[[2014]]|publisher=[[Insight Editions]]}}</ref> At least one medically documented case of a Facehugger killing its host with an overdose during removal exists — that of [[John Marachuk]] at
[[
Hadley's Hope
]
].<ref name="AWYRMarachuk">{{cite book|author=[[S. D. Perry]]|title=[[Alien: The Weyland-Yutani Report]]|insert=Marachuk, John J. autopsy report insert|year=[[2014]]|publisher=[[Insight Editions]]}}</ref> Attempting to kill the Facehugger before removal to prevent chemical overdose will likely also kill the host, either due to the creature's blood spilling or simply by way of collateral damage. Even in the very early stages of an attack, before the Facehugger is securely attached to the potential host, very few victims have managed to remove the creature before being subdued. Even {{Pred}} and Engineers (both being notoriously strong) are apparently unable to fend one off once it is attached. It is possible a Facehugger's legs may "lock" once wrapped around a host's head, possibly in a manner similar to rigor mortis, which would make simply pulling it off almost impossible. While a victim could conceivably lift the creature off like a helmet, the Facehugger's powerful tail prevents this.
+
While Facehuggers have been removed before embryo implantation has taken place, the process is ostensibly fatal for the host.<ref name="A2" /> The Facehugger's combination of vice-like grip, ability to administer sedative chemicals and highly acidic blood makes them essentially impossible to remove safely. For example, if a live Facehugger senses it is likely to be detached by external forces, it will invariably kill the host with either a chemical overdose or through direct strangulation (or a combination of the two) rather than allow them to survive.<ref name="AWYR17">{{cite book|author=[[S. D. Perry]]|title=[[Alien: The Weyland-Yutani Report]]|page=17|year=[[2014]]|publisher=[[Insight Editions]]}}</ref> At least one medically documented case of a Facehugger killing its host with an overdose during removal exists — that of [[John Marachuk]] at Hadley's Hope].<ref name="AWYRMarachuk">{{cite book|author=[[S. D. Perry]]|title=[[Alien: The Weyland-Yutani Report]]|insert=Marachuk, John J. autopsy report insert|year=[[2014]]|publisher=[[Insight Editions]]}}</ref> Attempting to kill the Facehugger before removal to prevent chemical overdose will likely also kill the host, either due to the creature's blood spilling or simply by way of collateral damage. Even in the very early stages of an attack, before the Facehugger is securely attached to the potential host, very few victims have managed to remove the creature before being subdued. Even {{Pred}} and Engineers (both being notoriously strong) are apparently unable to fend one off once it is attached. It is possible a Facehugger's legs may "lock" once wrapped around a host's head, possibly in a manner similar to rigor mortis, which would make simply pulling it off almost impossible. While a victim could conceivably lift the creature off like a helmet, the Facehugger's powerful tail prevents this.
However, there have been limited examples of Facehuggers failing to subdue a host. On [[Acheron (LV-426)|Acheron]], [[Ellen Ripley]] was able to impede a Facehugger by shielding her face with her hands as the creature attacked, and while she would inevitably been rendered unconscious in short order, with immediate assistance she was able to remove it. Similarly, on the {{USM|Auriga}}, [[Ripley 8]] successfully removed a Facehugger unaided, although due to her partially-Xenomorph DNA she had physical strength in excess of a typical human, and also an apparent immunity to the creature's acidic blood.<ref name="A4">{{cite video|people=[[Joss Whedon]] (writer), [[Jean-Pierre Jeunet]] (director)|title=[[Alien Resurrection]]|year=[[1997]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|medium=DVD}}</ref> It is unknown if being submerged in water aided in this instance, as it could have either discouraged the Facehugger due to the host potentially drowning after detachment following a successful implantation, or prevented it from sedating its host by chemical means altogether. Had Ripley 8 been attacked out of water, it is unknown if she would have been able to successfully defend herself. Another example is Captain Mike McCubbin, who partially wounded a Facehugger with a golf club and then removed it with assistance before it fully attached.
However, there have been limited examples of Facehuggers failing to subdue a host. On [[Acheron (LV-426)|Acheron]], [[Ellen Ripley]] was able to impede a Facehugger by shielding her face with her hands as the creature attacked, and while she would inevitably been rendered unconscious in short order, with immediate assistance she was able to remove it. Similarly, on the {{USM|Auriga}}, [[Ripley 8]] successfully removed a Facehugger unaided, although due to her partially-Xenomorph DNA she had physical strength in excess of a typical human, and also an apparent immunity to the creature's acidic blood.<ref name="A4">{{cite video|people=[[Joss Whedon]] (writer), [[Jean-Pierre Jeunet]] (director)|title=[[Alien Resurrection]]|year=[[1997]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|medium=DVD}}</ref> It is unknown if being submerged in water aided in this instance, as it could have either discouraged the Facehugger due to the host potentially drowning after detachment following a successful implantation, or prevented it from sedating its host by chemical means altogether. Had Ripley 8 been attacked out of water, it is unknown if she would have been able to successfully defend herself. Another example is Captain Mike McCubbin, who partially wounded a Facehugger with a golf club and then removed it with assistance before it fully attached.
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===Intelligence===
===Intelligence===
−
Facehuggers do not appear to possess any higher form of intelligence like their adult Xenomorph counterparts, which is especially evident in their single-mindedness and relentlessness while in pursuit of a host, even when at obvious risk of death. However, at the very least they seem to possess a sense of cunning, and have been known to ambush their victims at opportune moments, such as when they are distracted, alone or otherwise vulnerable. They also seem to
know
how much acid to use when melting through helmets or other obstructions to reach a victim's face, given that
hosts
never seem to be harmed or have any acid burns upon their faces after implantation.
The
acid
that
Facehuggers
use
to
penetrate
obstructions
such
as helmets presumably
neutralizes at a much faster rate than
the
adults
considering that as noted above
,
a host's face never bares any burns or scars and
the
speed
in
which
a
Facehugger melts through glass visors is rapid, meaning there should still be acid residue on the parasite's underside
.
+
Facehuggers do not appear to possess any higher form of intelligence like their adult Xenomorph counterparts, which is especially evident in their single-mindedness and relentlessness while in pursuit of a host, even when at obvious risk of death. However, at the very least they seem to possess a sense of cunning, and have been known to ambush their victims at opportune moments, such as when they are distracted, alone or otherwise vulnerable. They also seem to
possess and ability to gauge
how much acid to use when melting through helmets or other obstructions to reach a victim's face
without causing the host itself physical harm
, given that
victims
never seem to be harmed or have any acid burns upon their faces after implantation.
It
is
also
possible
that
the
acid
secreted
by
Facehuggers
neutralizes at a much faster rate than
typical
Xenomroph
blood
,
considering
the
lack
of
damage
to
hosts
.
==Alternate Forms==
==Alternate Forms==
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===Behind the scenes===
===Behind the scenes===
<gallery>
<gallery>
−
FacehuggerGigerConcept.jpg|[[H. R. Giger]] concept for the Facehugger. The creature's appearance in the [[Alien (novel)|novelization]] of
<nowiki>
{{A1}}
</nowiki>
conforms to this sketch.
+
FacehuggerGigerConcept.jpg|[[H. R. Giger]] concept for the Facehugger. The creature's appearance in the [[Alien (novel)|novelization]] of {{A1}} conforms to this sketch.
Preds with Facehuggers.jpg|Behind the scenes photo of Predators carrying Facehuggers in ''Alien vs. Predator''.<ref>http://www.studioadi.com/bsf.php</ref>
Preds with Facehuggers.jpg|Behind the scenes photo of Predators carrying Facehuggers in ''Alien vs. Predator''.<ref>http://www.studioadi.com/bsf.php</ref>
Facehugger BTS.jpg|Behind the scene photo of a Facehugger.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=346057322180739&set=a.346054932180978.78876.100003294225459&type=3&theater</ref>
Facehugger BTS.jpg|Behind the scene photo of a Facehugger.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=346057322180739&set=a.346054932180978.78876.100003294225459&type=3&theater</ref>