The movie The Mitchells vs. the Machines’s protagonist, Katie Mitchell, means a lot to me. (I just watched the movie today). She’s a queer character who simply is. It’s not the main focus of the plot, nor does it need to be. Her coming out story is not the focus of the movie and her parents accept her wholly.
It’s very important, for young people especially, to have rep in shows and movies. Maybe seeing her when I was young would’ve helped me come to terms with my sexuality.
This introduces kids to sexuality in the perfect way. She likes Jade - that’s just a part of her. She proudly wears a pride pin and talks about her.
This movie is important to young queer kids, or just young kids in general. But to me especially. I don’t know about you.
Summary:
Months after the Mitchells saved the world, Linda gets a phone call asking if she’s seen two defective Pal MAX bots. Powerful people are after Eric and Deborabot 5000, and it’s up to the Mitchells to protect them.
There was no word to describe just how unprepared Katie was to deal with this. Nobody’s taught what to do in the event that a freaking CIA Agent comes knocking at your door in search of your missing robo brothers. Ro-bros, if you will.
Katie stepped aside to let her in out of sheer intimidation.
“Hey, um, is it urgent?” She dared to ask timidly as Agent Ward ventured further inside. “See, it’s kinda late and I’m expecting someone-”
“As a matter of fact, it is urgent.” The woman snapped, making Katie jump. “So I’m afraid you’ll have to cancel any plans. Now shut that door please, we need to discuss sensitive information.”
Katie did as she was told though in her heart she was very annoyed. As much as she wanted to help the bots, she’d been hoping that dinner with Jade would help distract her from her concern for them and her family. Guess that wasn’t happening any time soon.
Once the door was firmly locked with a click, Agent Ward spoke up again.
“Yesterday you made a phone call to Pal Labs claiming that you’d seen the missing Pal MAX robots. I’ve been sent by my boss to follow this up.”
“Yeah… cool.” Katie had to make conscious effort to stay calm and collected and not betray her inner panic. But at least this lady wasn’t the boss or anything. That made it a little better.
“So first of all,” the agent continued, “I have to ask if you have any proof of what you ‘saw’.”
Judging by the tone of her voice, Agent Ward didn’t sound like she believed Katie a single bit and was annoyed to even be there. Probably because she could tell it was all a lie and was good at her job.
Oh, how Katie was excited to prove her wrong.
“I sure do!”
As soon as she’d hung up on that original phone call, she’d rushed to her laptop and opened Photoshop. She already had a bunch of photos (some clear and some not so clear) of places both around town and around the campus, and she also had a decent collection of photos of the bots. It wasn’t too hard to add hints of the bots onto her pre-existing pictures and make them look natural enough to pass off as realistic.
Putting all her skills to the test, she’d even managed to forge a short Snapchat video with one of the bots hiding in the background.
Whoever said going to film school was useless?
(Her Dad used to, but that wasn't the point.)
Concealing her smug smile, Katie pushed her phone into the agent’s hands and pointed at the screen.
“These were all taken this week,” she said, “it felt like I was being stalked. It was kinda scary.”
She held her breath as Agent Ward carefully swiped through her expertly-crafted pictures, examining each one closely.
“Pictures at these angles were never released to the public…” She muttered, and Katie had no idea if that was addressed to her or not. She decided to stay quiet.
“There’s something I have to tell you.” Agent Ward said a little louder once she'd seen them all, so Katie knew for sure that she was supposed to respond. “Seeing these photos just confirmed our suspicions.”
“What is it?” Katie asked nervously.
“We have reason to believe that you and your family are in a lot of danger, and that these two remaining robots are seeking revenge on you for stopping their plans.”
Even though Katie knew for a fact that this wasn’t true, the agent had said it so darkly that it sent a shiver up her spine. Maybe in another universe, one where Eric and Deborahbot never joined their family, she would be terrified for her life right now.
...Would they have even been able to save the world in that universe?
“Really?” Her shock was only half-faked.
“I’m afraid so.” Agent Ward confirmed. She then paused and bit her lip for a moment, leaving Katie to watch her in suspense.
Eventually, she spoke again.
“You’re going to have to come with me.”
“What?!” Katie couldn’t help but exclaim. “I just wanted to help you find them, not get involved with whatever you guys are doing! I’ve got school tomorrow!”
She had dinner with Jade tonight!
“Your safety is more important. You can ride in the helicopter with me to get back to this project’s base of operations. We’ll send people to fetch your family too.”
“My family’s not home!” Katie blurted out and the agent raised an eyebrow. “They’re uh… on a road trip. I dunno where they’ve gone exactly.”
“Dammit.” Agent Ward cursed quietly. “I guess you’ll have to do for now. Pack some things quickly- the sooner we leave the better.”
Her glare was hard enough for Katie to start to rush to grab her belongings.
“Are you sure there’s no other way?” She called as she grabbed her backpack from next to her chair.
“Sorry, but yes.” Replied Agent Ward with no remorse whatsoever.
It didn’t take Katie too long to grab supplies. A couple pairs of clothes, her toothbrush and hairbrush, her laptop and charger, etc. All the while she tried to stay positive and think that she could at least help her family with their mission if she was in Silicon Valley too.
“Ready to go?” Ward asked. Katie nodded and followed her out of the door.
Only to be met with Jade approaching them down the hall.
“Katie!” Jade called, her eyes wide with confusion and concern and probably fear at the big scary woman leading her away. “What’s going on?”
Katie wished she could tell her everything. She would even drop her entire backpack if it meant she could take Jade with her. But she couldn’t, and it was best if Jade didn’t know too much. For her own safety more than anything.
Especially if the CIA really were the bad guys.
“I’ve gotta go, J.” She answered sadly. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Jade seemed to understand that Katie was in over her head and acted confident for both their sakes. She loved Jade for that. “Alright." A beat. "Dinner’s off, I guess?”
“Yeah,” Katie laughed, “dinner’s off. Sorry.”
Jade smiled, though Katie could tell she was secretly very worried. Typical Jade.
“Don’t worry about it.” She smiled, keeping her gaze away from Agent Ward as she ran in to give Katie a hug.
“Take care of yourself.” She whispered into Katie’s ear. “See you soon.”
Katie tried to hold back tears that were pricking her eyes.
“Hopefully.” She replied before they pulled apart and she was led away.
