# OK, I've seen The Avengers - open spoilers! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 8, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234 "2012-05-08T01:37:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/221 "2012-05-13T08:31:24Z")
Thanos is powerful - mentally and physically. Combine Thor and Stark, and you’ve about got it. He (IIRC) has some superpowers as well; he’s a super villain born of an advanced, non-human race from Titan. So, lots of power, lots of science, lots of tech. …and lots of motivation. Thanos is in love with Death - the actual personification of Death. That’s why he grinned so delightedly when he was told that to mess with humans was to court Death - 'cuz that’s exactly what he’s doing. He gives Her little presents when he can… ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/222 "2012-05-13T09:08:42Z")
I was going to enter this thread to ask that very question. So the answer is Thanos, though as a periodic but not ultra-faithful Marvel reader in my youth, I don’t remember him. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/223 "2012-05-13T13:19:34Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I saw it in Sweden where it was subtitled as “fitta” which is the direct translation of “cunt” with the same power, attitude and connotations. There was an audible gasp in the audience. In Finland it was subtitled something way less offensive, though I can’t remember exactly what - maybe “crybaby” - and obviously the audience didn’t react at all. I had no idea of the magnitude of the insult before I read this thread. Finnish subtitles in general seemed a bit weak for this movie, which was strange given how big a movie it is. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/224 "2012-05-13T13:31:30Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Thanos is powerful - mentally and physically. Combine Thor and Stark, and you’ve about got it. He (IIRC) has some superpowers as well; he’s a super villain born of an advanced, non-human race from Titan. So, lots of power, lots of science, lots of tech. > …and lots of motivation. Thanos is in love with Death - the actual personification of Death. That’s why he grinned so delightedly when he was told that to mess with humans was to court Death - 'cuz that’s exactly what he’s doing. He gives Her little presents when he can… It would be much more fun if he was in love with this [Death](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7nfjxmZiEQ). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/225 "2012-05-13T13:40:31Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > OK, non comic reader here: what’s so cool about Thanos? As noted, Thanos is a heavy in his own right; he’s fought the Silver Surfer to a standstill without any extra magical powers. He’s smart, ruthless, strong, has access to magicky stuff, and in general is a badass. And then there’s his motivation. He’s attempted to wipe out half of all sentient life in the universe, tried to become a veritable god, and so on, just to win Death’s affections. That’s why he was grinning when the (whatever the fuck its species’ name is) talked about courting death; that’s Thanos’ whole schtick. They also had the Infinity Gauntlet as one of the treasures in Odin’s vault during the movie Thor, although I wouldn’t wager on them having the IG plot arc for the next movie. But it should be a lot of fun for the next Avengers movie to have a villain like Thanos who doesn’t want to rule, doesn’t want to be worshiped, doesn’t want power, or money… he just wants lots, and lots of death. Think the Joker, but less ‘fighting for Gotham’s soul’ and more ‘let’s vivisect Gotham and check out its soul.’ ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/226 "2012-05-13T13:55:23Z")
Funny, I heard that ‘‘quim’’ line and decided it must have some kind of alternate meaning. Nope, he really was talking about a whiny vagina. I have a question as someone not too familiar with the Avengers - what’s in Black Widow’s past that puts red in her ledger? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/227 "2012-05-13T14:11:07Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I have a question as someone not too familiar with the Avengers - what’s in Black Widow’s past that puts red in her ledger? They explained it, with examples. IIRC one of the specifics was a hospital full of folks she’d slaughtered, or something of the sort. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/228 "2012-05-13T14:24:11Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Forgot to ask earlier: After Thor crashed to the Earth in the vacuum-sealed chamber from the helicarrier, did he try to lift Mjolnir… and fail? Were we meant to think that he was, at least briefly, unworthy once more? Warning: Overage Fanboy Words ahead: Really…no I mean I REALLY wanted to see Captain America pick up Mjolnir in the movie. Just to show that what the Hulk couldn’t do Cap could. Because he was worthy of it. Strong, honorable, and so forth. It would have impressed the hell out of Thor, I betcha. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/229 "2012-05-13T15:18:51Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > They explained it, with examples. IIRC one of the specifics was a hospital full of folks she’d slaughtered, or something of the sort. Well, I assumed killing was involved, but I meant more along the lines of why, in what context, etc. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/230 "2012-05-13T15:23:25Z")
Oh. They pretty much explained that too. She’s got only one skillset (makin’ folks stop breathin’) and she applied it without regard to who paid her. She was a Soviet assassin, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/231 "2012-05-13T15:24:56Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Warning: Overage Fanboy Words ahead: > > Really…no I mean I REALLY wanted to see Captain America pick up Mjolnir in the movie. Just to show that what the Hulk couldn’t do Cap could. Because he was worthy of it. Strong, honorable, and so forth. It would have impressed the hell out of Thor, I betcha. Me, too. I was explaining it exactly that way to the wife after the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/232 "2012-05-13T17:08:26Z")
I’d’ve been okay with Hulk making the Mjolnir shiver a little, like it was _just_ on the verge of being lifted, close-up of Thor’s eyes widening a little in surprise, then an explosion or something distracts them and the issue is left unresolved. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/233 "2012-05-13T18:15:43Z")
I’m sure Cap will lift it in a sequel. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/234 "2012-05-13T18:26:37Z")
drastic quench: > [@](#): > > I’m sure Cap will lift it in a sequel. Why? Has he ever lifted it in the comics? I haven’t been into Marvel in a long time, but last I remember he had never done so. I realize there’s some comfort in the idea that someone like Captain America, with his simple, pure-hearted heroism, would be “worthy” of Mjollnir. However, I find it likely that the ancient Viking (or, if you prefer, Asgardian) notion of “worthiness” is very different from the modern Western idea of “worthiness” and that Cap isn’t likely to pick up the hammer. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/235 "2012-05-13T19:02:33Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > I’m sure Cap will lift it in a sequel. I think we can pretty much depend on it, and at the most dramatic moment possible. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/236 "2012-05-13T19:03:12Z")
Am I the only comic fanboy who’s a little bit aquiver over Infinity Gauntlet, in the Ultimates universe, as a possible sequel? Then again, with Whedon, the entire movie may have just been an excuse for that mid-credits scene. I will admit that I had a great big “Oh, my crap!” moment when I realized it was Thanos… ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/237 "2012-05-13T19:33:56Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Thanos is powerful - mentally and physically. Combine Thor and Stark, and you’ve about got it. He (IIRC) has some superpowers as well; he’s a super villain born of an advanced, non-human race from Titan. So, lots of power, lots of science, lots of tech. > …and lots of motivation. Thanos is in love with Death - the actual personification of Death. That’s why he grinned so delightedly when he was told that to mess with humans was to court Death - 'cuz that’s exactly what he’s doing. He gives Her little presents when he can… I don’t know that the movie Thanos will give much history, especially the official history. The comic canon is that Thanos of Titan is the son of Mentor, leader of the Titan Eternals. Titan Eternals are much more powerful than humans (but less powerful than Earthbound Eternals), and Thanos is a _mutant_ Titan who has supplemented his already great power with magic and bionics, to the point where he is the most powerful Titan Eternal. He has been shown to be able to go hand-to-hand with several of the strongest characters in the Marvel Universe simultaneously, in addition to possessing vast and various energy manipulation powers. And I agree. It will be a nice change of pace that the villain is a nihilist, whose ultimate goal is the death of all living creatures. It is a change of pace from the standard would-be conqueror. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/238 "2012-05-13T19:36:51Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Why? Has [Captain America] ever lifted it in the comics? I haven’t been into Marvel in a long time, but last I remember he had never done so. [Apparently.](http://marvel.wikia.com/Thor_Vol_1_390) ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/239 "2012-05-13T20:04:43Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > [Apparently.](http://marvel.wikia.com/Thor_Vol_1_390) Huh. I’d have conceded Cap’s worthiness, but thought he was way short on the necessary might. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234/240 "2012-05-13T20:20:18Z")
Yeah, like I said in the other thread, I was expecting him to lift it with effort, perhaps commenting on how heavy it is. He wouldn’t be able to _wield_ it effectively, but he can lift it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ive-seen-the-avengers-open-spoilers/621234.md?page=13)