9. The Sting Of Old Memories
Marvel StudiosBlack Widow's flashback is frightening, but it takes her conversation with Bruce to clarify what we see in it: she was sterilized to "complete" her training to kill without remorse. Because of both these violations, she thinks of herself as a monster and, therefore, that only another monster might suit her as a life partner. Yet Captain America: The Winter Soldier suggests her scars go even deeper. When the Captain asks who she is in that film, she replies, "Whatever you want me to be." This suggests a spy's iron discipline, but also deeper problems with honesty and trust, far more mental than physical. An after-credits scene could have shown a bit more of Natasha's memories of her training and the root of this attitude, which would have given the movie's relationship arc even more of an ache to it. Why It May Not Have Happened: Marvel has always failed to throw Black Widow the same amount of love the fans do. While her romantic turn in this movie was controversial, the amount of screen time she got reflects Whedon's influence more than Marvel's. More to the point, it's a dark, depressing way to end what's basically a fun popcorn flick.
T Campbell
Contributor
T Campbell has written quite a few online comics series and selected work for Marvel, Archie and Tokyopop. His longest-running works are Fans, Penny and Aggie-- and his current project with co-writer Phil Kahn, Guilded Age.
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