Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The Cardinal by Blogger Lhaaheim

Thanks to Lhaaheim for this wonderful article on our new bad guy (or good guy). Enjoy!

The beautiful, brightly painted red bird visits us each winter as the snow softly falls, to remind us of the spring that is to come. It brings with it a lovely song, that if were lucky, will stay near us until spring. This bright and cheerful bird not only sings us a pretty song but unlike other birds, it even has a little heart for romance as it ceremoniously feeds its mate. Birds, including the cardinal are generally given positive traits of symbolism; however as we all know things related to Alias can often be twisted.

Red is the most predominant feature the cardinal offers. Throughout the world red can symbolize many different aspects of life. In some countries it is the color of mourning, or a symbol of pride if placed on a countries flag. It also warns of danger, tells us to stop, and for some it can be a great sign of comfort to see a big red cross on it’s way to help you. It conveys warmth, and reminds us of achievements we’ve made. Red has even become a sacred color and is often associated with the Christian religion. However red does have its split personality, it is often angry, gruesome, and deceitful, conveys monetary loss, and at the very least is distracting.

Cardinals are most often associated as the bringer of news, because their vibrant color and song demand our attention. It is said to awaken us with its important message and that if respected it has the power to lead us home. Cardinals are more commonly associated as the omen of renewed vitality or an indicant of a life changing or altering event. In either case it is important to note that the symbol of a Cardinal is always trying to teach us something or it bears something we can learn from.

Believe it or not, but cardinals are associated to one of our favorite Alias numbers. The number 12! Here is why: Cardinal eggs hatch in about 12 days, it’s a year round resident and presides in roughly the same area for a year (or 12 months!!) and symbolically the message or event the cardinal has arrived to tell you of should occur in 12 days, 12 weeks, 12 months or at the 12th hour of the day.

Obviously, all this symbolism is not grounded in fact or hard evidence but much that happens on Alias has the same folly. And as we remember from a previous post by Girlscout, the writers of Alias have often used bird symbolism when naming people. Sydney has been a phoenix and a bluebird, Renee a raven, Katya a sparrow and Rachel a mocking bird. Who fits the description of a cardinal? Whose life has been renewed or transformed? If we look at it from an evil stand point Anna Espinoza would be a strong choice, but how would that fit with Grace? It really doesn’t, yet if Elena had herself doubled or was doubled as someone else, as some have theorized, could it be her? Conversely what if the Cardinal is someone good, Vaughn perhaps? His liveliness has certainly been renewed. And what about Vaughn’s father, many of us hope and believe he may still be alive and he certainly has a strong connection to P5. Is Bill Vaughn the Cardinal?

So, who do you think the Cardinal is? Is it someone mentioned above? Do you think it’s someone new or could it actually be a real Catholic Cardinal and the bird metaphor is simply to throw us off. If P5 has infiltrated the world’s most powerful governments certainly they could infiltrate the worlds most organized religion. Is it possible that someone has given themselves the name of Cardinal because they believe they fit the traits above when in fact they don’t? It’s important to note that many terrorists in general and the Rambaldi fanatics on Alias truly believe they are doing the right thing. So who do you think it is? Personally, I feel that Bill Vaughn is the Cardinal. Am I right or wrong?

10 comments:

SKlaft said...

Well done, Liz!

The transition from examining the literal to the metaphorical was very smooth. I like it.

Anyway, I tend to agree that it is Bill Vaughn. Either that, or someone involved with P5 that we have not met. I thought it would be cool if it was McKinas Cole, but I do not find that theory to be very realistic. Unfortunately, I'm not finding much evidence for any solid choice yet. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

-Robetron, a.k.a.: "Robby,"
a.k.a.: S. Klaft

SRM said...

Yes, good article! I like the idea of the Cardinal being a "good" person (possibly Bill Vaughn). I think the natural assumption from the circumstances is that the Cardinal is another enemy, especially since some theorize Grace as a mole, but it would be a cool twist for it to actually be a good guy.

Anonymous said...

I agree with both of you. Wonderful article with some great insight. I love the idea of the Cardinal being good. I love that this may be a person that can help, instead of hurt. I really hope that Grace isn't the mole, but we know he has a secret and that Jack knows what it is.

SRM said...

hello hellosark! :)

mom - I don't know what she meant exactly by "destroying" Syd, but I was amused that she offerred Anna a "long term under cover op", that's pretty under cover!! P5 didn't intend to kill Syd by luring her in w/ Will, they intended to double her to fulfill the Prophecy. And yes, I think Sloane was foreshadowing the end of the eppy.

SRM said...

p.s. robby you inspired me to finally upload a picture haha

Girlscout said...

SRG- how cute are you??!! Nice to "see" you! Also, um, I accidently logged in as hellosark- it was my screen name before. But thanks for the welcome. Hahaha!

We just have more and more questions the closer we get! WHAT IS GOING ON!!??

SRM said...

LOL, thanks GS, that picture is a little deceiving since I actually have curly hair but I thought it would be nice to finally show my face. :)

I know, SOOOO many questions!!

Girlscout said...

Oh Jenn, we love pics, old or new. It's always nice to see who we are talking to! Hahaha!I need a new pic- to the camera phone Batman!

Girlscout said...

That was my original theory- Katya as the Cardinal.

SRM said...

yeah if I remember correctly, Katya got all the charges against her dropped in exchange for helping them find the real Irena in s4.