Warning: This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS for Jurassic World: Chaos Theory season 3!
After three seasons,Jurassic World: Chaos Theorysurprised me by completely changing my mind about a major character I used to dislike. Since the beginning, I’ve felt excited about the animated Netflix show, both as a critic and a lifelong fan of theJurassic Parkfranchise.Jurassic World: Chaos Theory’s dinosaursand exciting characters create a compelling story that’s, in my opinion, better than the Jurassic World trilogy movies. Despite having unreasonably high hopes, the third season somehow surpassed all my expectations.
One of the most significant ways it succeeded is in moving the characters forward in surprising and interesting ways. Although they could’ve focused solely on the Nublar Six, the character growth applied to the supporting and returning characters as well. By theend ofJurassic World: Chaos Theoryseason 3, one character I previously disliked became my new favorite character.
I Really Disliked The Handler Before Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 3
I Wanted To Like The Handler But Her Lack Of Character Development Made It Difficult
When the Handler is first introduced inJurassic World: Chaos Theory, she’s easy to dislike both from a narrative standpoint and as a character.She’s a villain whose only known motivation is killing the Nublar Six, sending the atrociraptors after them. She never displays any qualms about murdering six young adults who she doesn’t know. As such, her presence onscreen immediately elicits negative emotions. The Handler is also highly underdeveloped as a character before season 3.
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While some might be frustrated by her flat affect and lack of speech, these traits actually made me connect to her. However, that didn’t prevent my irritation at her lack of development. Her backstory is non-existent inJurassic World: Chaos Theory. She’s rarely shown in a context outside of her atrociraptors attacking, so I knew very little about her as a person. Ultimately, her scenes always left me wanting more information about this mysterious woman.Luckily, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory season 3 changed my perspective on the Handler, who’s now thecoolest and scariest character in theJurassic Parkfranchise.
The Handler Is The Most Morally Complex Yet Empathetic Character Of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 3
Jurassic world: Chaos Theory Season 3 Gives The Handler The Most Complex And Emotional Storyline
Jurassic World: Chaos Theoryseason 3 forces the Handler into a tragic predicament that brings out both the best and the worst of her. Soyona Santos reveals that she’s selling Tiger, Ghost, Red, and Panthera as weapons to the highest bidder. Although the Handler is okay with using the atrociraptors on Santos’ behalf, she can’t bear the thought of actually losing them.
I teared up a little bit when she proved to Santos that her connection to the atrociraptors was more than just obedience.
The thought makes her desperate, sad, and angry.She’s willing to do anything, including working with Brooklynn, to get her babies back.When Brooklynn turns on her, she becomes bloodthirsty for the first time. When acting as an assassin, the Handler comes across as uncaring. It never felt like she actually hated the Nublar Six. However, her anger towards Brooklynn after the betrayal is palpable.
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None of this changes her horrible behavior from before. She’s undoubtedly morally complex, and her sense of right and wrong is on a sliding scale. I can’t write off her willingness to murder people who haven’t done anything wrong. Still,I also can’t help but feel for her as she fights for her children, for all intents and purposes.
Although the Handler never speaks in Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Sumalee Montano is listed as the voice actor for the character onIMDb.
Moreover, I teared up a little bit when she proved to Santos that her connection to the atrociraptors was more than just obedience. They seem to have a true familial love for one another. I loved that the dinosaurs could override their instincts when instructed to kill the Handler. Unfortunately, as proven by the Carnataurus, that instinctive connection doesn’t apply to all dinosaurs. Although the Handler tried to befriend the gigantic reptile, it gobbled her whole at the end ofJurassic World: Chaos Theoryseason 3.
The Handler’s Death At The End Of Season 3 Puts An End To Her Character Arc
After developing a connection with the Handler inJurassic World: Chaos Theoryseason 3, I’m distraught by the fact that she won’t appear in future seasons if Netflix picks up more. Her fight for her atrociraptors ended up being fruitless, considering she and Ghost both perished. I understand that her death fits with the idea that nobody is ever truly safe from dinosaurs – a message that’s rooted all the way back toJurassic Park. The death, in conjunction with Santos’ comment about “not this again,” also makes excellent meta-commentary on the silliness of the hand-control thing from Jurassic World.
“There Was A Lot Of Debate In The Room”: Jurassic World Chaos Theory EP Discusses The Twists & Turns Of Season 3
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Executive Producer Scott Kreamer speaks with ScreenRant to discuss Brooklynn’s arc in season 3 and humanizing villains.
Regardless, the Handler was, in the end, a better and more sympathetic villain than Soyona Santos. Thoughhuman Jurassic Park villainstend to be one-dimensional, the Handler became a fascinating and well-developed antagonist after the shift inJurassic World: Chaos Theoryseason 3. I wish they had turned the dinosaurs on Santos rather than taking out the Handler. Still, under the circumstances, it’s nice that we were able to get to know this woman and her internal motivation as a character before her demise.
