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Xenopedia

Michael Bishop Weyland is an employee of Weyland-Yutani in the late 22nd century and bore a striking resemblance to his ancestor Charles Bishop Weyland, co-founder of Weyland Industries. In 2179 Michael Bishop was employed as a synthetic component designer and engineer for the Weyland-Yutani corporation and was dispatched to Fiorina 161 to retrieve Ellen Ripley from the Fiorina 161 Correctional Unit.

Biography

Early History

Not much is known about Michael Bishop Weyland's early life, but what is known is that at sometime prior to 2179, Michael was employed at Weyland-Yutani eventually becoming a Synthetic Component Designer. During this time, he designed several synthetics including the 341-B series that resembled him. In 2179, Michael was sent on a retrieval mission to acquire a xenomorph specimen for the Bio Weapons Division and to talk Lt. Ripley into cooperating, due to her having encountered one of his creations in the USCM.Michael Bishop was born on May 5, 2127.He was born in New York,UA. If you do the math, he could very likely be the descendent of Peter Weyland (grandson perhapse) who was 106 80 years before the insedent on furry 606. This may suggest he is 50 years old if Peter was technically 95 in Prometheus.

Retrieval Mission and Failure

"Ripley! Think of all we could learn from it! It's the chance of a lifetime! You must let me have it! It's a magnificent specimen!"
Michael Bishop, to Ripley

I am not a droid

Michael after being assaulted by Francis Aaron.

He arrived after the Dog Alien was destroyed by Ripley. He tried to convince the Lieutenant to come with him and have his team of doctors remove the Queen Alien gestating in her. Bishop was assaulted by Francis Aaron with a wrench and nearly had his ear ripped off. The security detail with him shot and killed Aaron for the incident. Michael then shouted that he wasn't a droid. Michael then let his cover slip telling Ripley he must have the creature and told her "think of all they could learn from it". Ripley refused to go with Bishop and committed suicide by gracefully falling into the furnace of the foundry. Michael shouted to no avail. He left with the team and the last survivor of the incident, prisoner Robert Morse.

Creations

Bishop LV-426 copy

One of Michael's creations.

Michael was a synthetic component designer at Weyland-Yutani in the late 22nd century. He was known to have designed at least one line synthetics after his likeness. The synthetic Bishop (341-B) was one of those models.

Personality & Traits

Michael was known to be manipulative; particularly when he was sent to Fiorina 161 to "rescue" Lt. Ripley, stating that he wanted to destroy the creature inside her and that he was going to take her home. His bluff was called when Ripley; determined to destroy the creature in her and keep it out of the company's hands commited suicide to end it. Michael pleaded with her that it was a magnificent creature and he "must have it" revealing his selfish nature. Bishop was selfish and he thought the xenomorph species was a good bio weapon and he didn't care what he had to do to get that weapon.

Behind the Scenes

Human or Android?

Although Micheal Bishop Weyland's status as human is assumed for this article, it is highly debated by fans that he may in fact be just another android like Bishop (341-B) albeit a more advanced model however he did appear to have human blood and claimed he was defiantly human.

Reasons for human status include:

  • Bishop II claims his human status to Ripley.
  • He bleeds red blood.
  • He shows emotion in response to Ripley's decision to kill herself along with the Queen embryo.
  • It could be possible that the ear which come off is some form of plastic surgery or a fake ear, as Bishop objects to a press photographer taking a picture off him with his ear hanging off. However, this point could also work to prove he is an android.

Reasons for android status include:

  • The cast list in the credits and dialogue from characters on screen give him no actual name; the credits list him as simply "Bishop II".
  • Although he claims his human status on screen, he has lied to Ripley about other things as well.
  • His red blood could be colored circulation fluid.
  • He survived a wound that would have quite possibly killed a human of his physique.
  • In an interview with Lance Henriksen by Steven Horn, the studio at the time kept the issue open as to whether Bishop II was human or android because they did not yet know what they would do with his character in the future.[1]Henriksen believes Bishop II was an "advanced model" android. The link for the interview can be found here: http://movies.ign.com/articles/513/513443p1.html

Appearances

References

  1. "I am not a droid!" Alien 3
  2. Alien 3
  3. Alien 3
  4. Alien 3
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