i mean im crying but yk why i really wish this scene existed in the film??
because a lot of people taking the knee, are so powerful
bending the knee for someone, even in modern culture, is such a submissive and meek position; its pledging your allegiance to someone
and look at who’s taking those positions
T'Challa, King of Wakanda
Okoye, General of the Dora Milage (this btw is extremely important because Generals are expected to only have allegiance to their king)
Carol Danvers, a former member of the Kree (who probably understands more than anyone what it means to fall on one knee)
Brunnhilde, a Valkyrie (someone who swore to never bow to anyone ever again)
and notice how everyone bends differently
Clint bends first, quick and smooth; because he’s still reeling from the loss of Natasha- and because he never expected to lose someone else this quickly. He never got to honour Natasha, because they were working on a timeline- but Tony, Tony he can honour
T'Challa is more abstract, he probably only knew Tony by reputation and interactions during Accord negotiations. But there’s a level of respect for him, and even though he’s King; he can bow to Tony Stark
Carol is visibly confused for a second, probably because she can’t comprehend whats happened. I don’t imagine she’s used to losing people, not during her time in the Kree, and certainly not after she came into her powers. But she knows the kind of strength it takes to make that call, and for that she will bow
Steve, Steve crumbles to the ground; barely steadying himself on one knee. Unlike T'Challa and Clint; who’ve bowed their heads- Steve can’t bear to look as Tony dies. He’s almost punishing himself, forcing himself to look as someone very close to him loses their life.
Peter (Quill) is almost like Clint. He’s fought alongside Tony, he’s known the risks Tony takes to win- the sacrifice he’s always been willing to make. But Tony survived the last Snap, and he’s coming to terms with the fact that he won’t survive this one
Nebula is stoic. She’s always known what Tony was made of, and there was never any doubt in her mind. She’s almost proud, as if to say “you thought he was a selfish bastard and he’s proved all of you wrong today”
Brunnhilde is more submissive, she knows what it’s like to lose your life fighting a tyrant, and she can’t not respect that. In her mind, I’m sure she sees Tony next to all her sisters who lost their lives fighting Hella.
Strange bows his head before he bends the knee, and I imagine that its guilt. Guilt that he essentially set Tony up as a pig for slaughter, spared his life knowing full well that Tony would die 5 years later. Guilt that will probably stay with him forever
Both Sam and Bucky have their head bent down, which I assume is a habit from their days in the Army. Sam is a bit more closed off, because he knew Tony in passing- but Bucky is more open in his stance, since he only ever knew Tony by reputation
Both Shuri and Wendy take the position of a fallen comrade, and they’re almost closed in on themselves. Yes they won, but look at what they’ve lost
Okoye takes the knee of a General, of someone who proudly fought alongside someone so noble and brave. She also, doesn’t bend her head, because she won’t do Tony Stark the disservice of looking away from his death. He has died to save all of them, and she will not turn away for her own comfort
Tony Stark died saving the universe, and he deserved an Authurian goodbye
i will stay forever mad that this scene got cut it should’ve been in the movie