Now that Captain Marvel is out I really need to talk about THAT SCENE with Yon-Rogg. And since it’s International Women’s Day, I think it’s a really good day to talk about it.
This may get long, but it’s important. I’ve tagged this with spoiler warnings, but if you haven’t seen the movie yet and don’t want to know some of the big twists, come back to it later. Here’s a gif of Brie Larson conveying so many emotions in a single moment of blowing her hair out of her face.
Before I get to the scene in question, it’s important to note Carol’s backstory and how it unfolds during her big confrontation with the Supreme Intelligence. (This sequence represents her going up against the system, while her exchange with Yon-Rogg is more personal.)
What we see in that scene is a replay of all the moments in her life where she fell or failed or crashed in the wake of harsh words from those around her. “You can’t…” “You aren’t…” “You don’t…” She’s had similar flashes of memory throughout the movie, but it just seems to be a confirmation of what she’s been led to believe for as long as she can remember: that she is too emotional, too undisciplined, basically nothing without the power bestowed on her by the Kree. This is, of course, completely false. The Kree have been inhibiting her power, lying to her, and controlling her for their own purposes. She’s been gaslit by an entire race.
The truth is, in her former life on Earth, she couldn’t help but be influenced by a culture constantly reminding her that she was not enough, didn’t have what it took, would inevitably fail. And sure, she did fail at times. BUT, what she realizes in this moment is that she never let that stop her before. She overcame those doubts. She got back up. That is the answer to the question she’s been asking all along: who am I? She is Carol Danvers, who gets knocked down and then gets right the fuck back up again. And from that moment on, she never doubts herself again.
Now, let’s get to the most insidious five words in the entire film. “I’m so proud of you.”
This comes during her fight with Yon-Rogg, when it’s clear she has the advantage and will surely defeat him. Now that her power is at full strength – the very thing the Kree have been afraid of and trying to avoid this whole time – he knows he can’t beat her through sheer force. But rather than admit that and accept his fate, he makes one last-ditch attempt at self-preservation. And what an attempt it is. He puts down his fists and says in the most patronizing way, “I’m so proud of you.”
This is him trying to take away Carol’s agency, to give himself credit for all of her growth and power. “I’m so proud of you” is such a poisonous, condescending phrase in this context. “I’m so proud of you” establishes an authoritative dynamic in which he is firmly on top and she is his inferior. It’s an unequalizer. And it’s not even true. He’s not proud of her. He’s terrified of her. Terrified of the power that’s finally been set free, of those emotions he’s been trying to keep in check.
But she’s already had her epiphany and she knows who she is now. She’s not having it. So he tries one last gambit. He dares her to prove herself without using her powers. Conveniently (actually, by design) this levels the playing field for him. His only chance at winning this fight is if he convinces her to hold herself back. And once again, this fails spectacularly. Because she finally sees his bullshit for what it is. And that’s when we get that sure-to-be-iconic line, “I have nothing to prove to you,” as a last fuck you to her former oppressor. After which, she literally drags him across the desert and sends him home in dishonor with a warning to the Kree that she’s not playing anymore.
And that’s why this film is so important and so special, for women in particular. It teaches us to trust ourselves, and when that’s too hard, to trust that other women, like Maria Rambeau (loved her!), will have our back. It encourages everyone to use their powers to the fullest extent, to not be afraid to be guided by emotion, to never let someone else’s false boundaries define you. That’s such a powerful message.
And no one, not even whiny fanboys, can take that away.
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