What was the xeno doing in Alien at the end???

Yes. The human side of the creature was "checking her out"...animalistic instinct...she was bare for the first time that the big creature could see...

But seriously what was it doing? The creature knew Ripley was there, so why not go and slaughter her. . .

It was explained, you got the correct explanation and yet you still think you need some sort of answer. Ridley made it 100% clear, they had/have a 4 day life cycle maximum and that particular Xeno had entered the Narcissus for the sole purpose Of quietly Dying, & Ripley did not comply with it's wishes.

Didn't Ridley Scott say it had crawled in there to die... Since it has such a short life span?

Yeah that's the only explaination that I've ever heard! Ever wonder why this xenomorph was so intelligent compared to other ones?? (Apart from Queens?. . .

What otto said. :D

Before reading Scott's take on the alien's lifecycle, I always thought that is was basically taking a nap, and when it notices Ripley it really doesn't feel the need to kill her for whatever purpose, because it is not hungry or doesn't perceive her as an immediate threat.

It always seemed to me that it was at once curious about her and simultaneously considering her, what it should do with her.....the way some animals seem to tactically observe the kill before they pounce....

@Sparty I've heard the rumors, but did Ridley specifically say it went there to die because it had a life span of exactly 4 days? I know I heard him mention this before, i just don't remember him saying it was 4 days.

It is In the Alien Vault and numerous other places I will try to dig up the exact quote for you but he makes it perfectly clear it went in there to Die, nothing more and nothing less. Not rumours, now confirmed "canon" as they say {g-d I hate the freaking word though}

From an earlier thread I made here... According to "The Alien Vault" which I have been finishing up this past weekend, the Original Xeno was preparing to die in the Narcissus and thus the location of the spot it chose to hide in. It did not PLAN on confronting Ripley apparently, it just worked out that way. And as we all know now had Ridley Scott been allowed to continue down that path as he wanted to, it would have then done the most amazingly spontaneous and horrifying things of any creature in Film history. But 4 Days, it has 4 days of life once it turns

Thanks. You don't have to dig it up, I believe you. I remember hearing it, i just don't recall where or the part about the exact time of the life span.

Fox would not let him so the final act, although completely story boarded was never shot...and like I said you all know that story... right?

In hindsight, what an idiotic alien it was. It went to die right on the Narcissus. There were three full decks available and the ship was about to exlode. If it stayed on the Nostromo it would have had its wish fulfilled without any hassles.

@Xenophobe Quote: "Ever wonder why this xenomorph was so intelligent compared to other ones?? " You touch on the heart of the matter - this thing was never meant to be some idiotic roach. The question isn't really how come the Alien was so intelligent, but how could those who took the idea over have made all the little xenomorphic wannabe's that followed the Alien so stupid.

I always viewed it as shifting into some sort of hibernation or simple resting mode, as someone said, taking a nap or just holing up for a while

if you refer to the film makers themselves at FOX responsible for it's development and Rape as far as I am concerned after that first film, I agree completely !!!

If it is officially 'canon' that it was crawling in to die, I can believe that. Before, I always thought it was just 'yawning' at the end; getting ready for a good nap.

It Is Newtella I wouldn't lie to ya you know that, come on now!

@Spartacus: I _believe_ you, honest. I'm just giving you the explanation my logical child-mind gave when I first saw the film @ 7 years old. I wuz purty darn smart in dem days.