2. What is The Black Liquid?
The Engineers are cosmic creators who revere structural perfection, with a worldview that is intensely corporeal. The black liquid is a genetically engineered super fluid that, at its core, utilises the potent genetic material of the ancient and now presumably extinct xenomorph. The seemingly subjective nature of the liquid has been the subject of much speculation. I think that there are 2 variants, and the ultimate function of this super fluid can best be summed up by the statement that David provides to Shaw when assessing why he thinks the Engineers want to return to Earth with container after container of the liquid: sometimes, in order to create, you must first destroy Variant 1: this variant is seen in the opening scene and is used by the Engineer to seed planets, in this case what appears to be Earth around the time of the Cambrian period. The genetic compound breaks down the cells of the consumer (in this case the Engineer), combines them with a mutagen and acts as an evolutionary expedient, with the resulting product ultimately evolving to exhibit the characteristics of the species that initially consumed this black liquid variant. This is why we resemble the Engineers. Variant 2: as seen used on LV-223 in large quantities. This genetic concoction rather than breaking down the cells of the consumer- moves directly to the mutagen/ evolutionary expedient phase. The consumers cells combine with and are acted upon by the evolutionary expedient, with the resultant product ultimately taking on the characteristics of- and note the crucial difference to variant 1- the
xenomorph. Key variables that will impact the properties exhibited will be the manner of ingestion, and the amount of fluid ingested. During the course of the movie we see various examples of organisms reacting to this variant of the fluid: the worms become large, strong and develop acidic blood; Fifield appears to gain super strength. The fluid also appears able to revitalise dead cells- eg: Shaws reproductive organs. Other thoughts: I can't lie- my nagging doubt is that the black liquid may well just be a cheap plot device used to steer the narrative of the movie in the required direction and help things progress from scene to scene. Ridley and Damon may well have no idea what it is and are hoping that some geek like me comes up with a not-too-ridiculous answer prior to the
Prometheus sequel moving into pre-production: it may well be the Lindelofian smoke monster of Prometheus! Obviously I hope that the former and not the latter is the case...