I think I can finally put into words why the actions of most of the heroes in Infinity War bothers me so much.
It’s because they ring so very hollow.
There is a selfishness in the actions of so many of the heroes that is … disappointing even if it is understandable on a certain level.
We have Vision, a being of logic and possessor of the Mind Stone itself, who despite everything that’s happened decides that it’s perfectly fine to turn off his transponder and go dark to meet up with Wanda. There’s no consideration as to what could happen if he was/is needed and is unable to be reached.
Then we have Steve Rogers, Captain America himself, who says the words “we don’t trade lives” after he was willing to trade numerous lives and relationships to help one man. (And Bucky’s innocence isn’t in question here, what Steve was willing to do in order to hide the truth/protect him is) Steve who moved the battlefield to Wakanda in order to try and save Vision and, in turn, traded the lives of numerous Wakandans for a chance that, in the end, didn’t even pan out. Steve who says “we don’t trade lives” but obviously means “we don’t trade our lives”. Steve who loses in the end anyways with Bucky crumbling away to dust despite everything and everyone he sacrificed on the alter of saving his oldest friend.
(And that’s not even counting how Wakanda itself was portrayed in IW)
There’s Rhodey who shows us the depth of his heroism in Civil War by looking at his injuries, at all he’s sacrificed in the face of what he considered right and said ‘yes, this was worth it, my pain, my loss, was worth it because we did good’ only to have that moment stolen from him by the narrative having him backtrack on his stance. Even if this can be chalked up to his worry over Tony disappearing there were other, better, ways to frame it. Ways that would have shown his worry and his fear and his willingness to work with whoever he had to in order to get his best friend back without re-framing his outlook on things.
And we have Wanda who despite railing against Stark’s selfishness and willingness to destroy for his own greed and ego cannot even entertain the idea of losing Vision no matter the losses others will surely pay. Wanda who rails about the death of her parents and the destruction of her home country but cannot fathom putting the rest of the universe first. Wanda who refuses to act until she’s staring down the barrel of a gun named Thanos and then it’s too late.
There’s Peter Quill who promises Gamora one thing and then cannot deliver. He loves her and can’t bear to hurt her and that’s understandable. It’s just unfortunate that in doing so he also invalidates her choices and leaves her to the one fate she never wished to face. Dying for Thanos’ goals, sacrificed by his twisted version of love.
Even Thor who chooses revenge over a direct kill. Who wastes an opportunity to take Thanos out in one blow in exchange for the chance to make him suffer.
Infinity War shows us the selfishness of so many of the heroes and then juxtaposes them against the unselfishness of the others.
Peter Parker who goes to space only because it’s the right thing to do. Because he wants to help, wants to be a hero and save people. Because he sees something going wrong and he can’t not try and help.
Gamora who is willing to die to keep Thanos from reaching his goals but is murdered instead as a part of those goals. His twisted version of love validated in a way even as she protests it.
Tony Stark who sees his worst nightmare laid out in front of him and faces it head on. Who is willing and ready to die right then and there to keep the Time Stone out of Thanos’ reach.
Stephen Strange who has his sworn duty but sets it and his own life aside for a chance to settle Tony into the correct endgame.
And what happens to most of the unselfish heroes besides Tony?
Infinity War shows us heroism on the deepest levels and then it kills them for it.
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