Uncharted Waters: What if the Apes of New York Were Mutants Instead?
Uncharted Waters: What if the Apes of New York Were Mutants Instead?
In the iconic 1968 film The Planet of the Apes, the astronauts, led by Taylor, are faced with the awe-inspiring and terrifying discovery of an Ape city. However, what if their journey had taken a radically different turn? What if they had stumbled upon the ruins of New York City and encountered Mutants instead? Let's explore this intriguing scenario and its potential outcomes.
Discovery of the Mutants
In this alternate timeline, Taylor and his crew find the remnants of New York City, now a desolate and frightening landscape, populated by the Mutants. Much like Brent, a captive in the original movie, the Mutants are initially subjected to torture and imprisonment. This treatment is both out of fear and a misunderstanding of the Mutants' origins. The astronauts might see the Mutants as a threat and seek to subdue or exterminate them, similar to the nuclear brinkmanship that led to apes taking control in the film's climax.
The Decision to Use Nuclear Weapons
Given the juxtaposition of an advanced but now decaying technology and the brutal Mutants, it's plausible that the astronauts would have resorted to their nukes. The Mutants, being a product of genetic experimentation and radiation, might be seen as a direct threat to the survival of the remaining human civilization. This scenario paints a bleak picture of humanity resorting to brutal measures in the face of the unknown, mirroring the film's themes of survival and the benevolence or savagery of differing species.
Alternate Path: Unsuccessful Capture
Suppose the astronauts avoided capture and stumbled across the Statue of Liberty, a now-sandlogged landmark. This newfound knowledge of the truth might provide a twist to the plot, but it wouldn't provide any clarity regarding the apes. The astronauts might begin planning to locate the remnants of their own civilization, such as bunkers and installations. However, the geography of the world may have changed drastically due to the nuclear war, including the displacement of vibrant coastal cities like the Statue of Liberty. This could lead to the astronauts discovering other areas of interest, such as missile silos and underground bunkers.
The Cult of the Missile and Further Exploration
Given the nuclear theme, it's possible that the astronauts might come across the cult of the missile, as mentioned in a potential future installment of the franchise. They could be searching for remnants of the missile sites just as they would have been looking for other human structures. The presence of the cult could suggest a survivalist or extremist group dedicated to the idea of recreating or protecting the remnants of their nuclear legacy.
A Chance Encounter with the Apes
Regardless of the path the astronauts take, the Mutants and the apes are ultimately connected through their shared history and fate. The astronauts might still stumble upon the apes, much like in the original film. The discovery of New York City and the Mutants in no way equips the astronauts with superior preparation for the apes, highlighting the theme of unexpected encounters and the fluid nature of survival in the post-apocalyptic world.
Conclusion
The discovery of the ruins of New York City and the Mutants instead of the Ape city in The Planet of the Apes would have drastically altered the narrative. It would have led to a cycle of fear, confrontation, and possible brutal measures from both the astronauts and the Mutants. Yet, the core themes of survival, the unknown, and the intersection of different species would remain intact. The uncharted waters highlighted by this alternate scenario underscore the film's enduring relevance and its exploration of humanity's potential for both cooperation and conflict in the face of catastrophe.