While Dr. Kelson saves Spike and Isla from the Alpha in 28 Years Later, he decides not to kill it. The newest movie in the 28 Days Later franchise shows how the infected have evolved and introduces Alphas, who are responsible for the scariest and most anxiety-inducing moments in the film.
Surprisingly, 28 Years Later has divided critics and audiences. However, even though some reviews for 28 Years Later have been somewhat mixed, everyone agrees that Alphas are an amazing addition to the franchise, since they are much bigger and stronger than the other infected and can even command them.
On his first mission on the mainland, Spike learns how dangerous Alphas and the other infected are, but this doesn’t stop him from sneaking away from Holy Island to bring his mother to Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson. Since he is a doctor, Spike is hoping Kelson can save his sick mother. However, before he examines Isla, Dr. Kelson first saves her and Spike from an Alpha in 28 Years Later.
Dr. Kelson Doesn’t See The Infected As Monsters To Be Killed
Dr. Kelson Has Lived Among The Infected For Years
After Isla helps an infected give birth in 28 Years Later, she and Spike are pursued by an Alpha. They make it out of the abandoned train but unfortunately stand no chance against the Alpha in an open field. Thankfully, right before the Alpha gets to them, Dr. Kelson shoots it with a morphine-laced dart.
Unlike practically all the survivors in the 28 Days Later franchise, Dr. Kelson still views the infected as human.
Dr. Kelson introduces himself to them and informs them that he refers to this specific Alpha as Samson. Finding out Dr. Keslon has named the Alpha is one of the most surprising moments in 28 Years Later, but it quickly becomes clear that he has a unique perspective of the world.
Unlike practically all the survivors in the 28 Days Later franchise, Dr. Kelson still views the infected as human. Since he still sees some humanity in them, he does not want to kill the infected. Therefore, in situations where they need to be subdued, he resorts to shooting them with a morphine-laced dart, which stops all of their motor functions.
Kelson Only Believes In Death As Part Of The Natural Order Of The World
Even Though They Were Exposed To The Rage Virus, The Infected Are Still Alive
This is a very interesting way to deal with the infected. In this specific scenario, Dr. Kelson easily could have killed Samson and never would have had to worry about the Alpha again. However, since he’s a doctor, he believes that it is his job to help and care for people, not kill them.
Of course, Dr. Kelson ends up killing Isla near the end of 28 Years Later. Although, he only does this because she wants it to happen. Since she has cancer and is going to die soon anyway, Isla decides that she would rather have a peaceful death than experience more pain. In contrast, the infected cannot consent to their deaths, which is why Dr. Kelson chooses not to kill them.
This is a fascinating worldview in the 28 Days Later franchise, and shows how Dr. Kelson is way different from other survivors, such as Jamie. In 28 Years Later, it’s clear that Jamie only views the infected as monsters who need to be killed, whereas Dr. Kelson still sees them as human and allows them to roam freely.
28 Years Later’s Sequel Could Prove Dr. Kelson Right
Will A Cure Be Introduced In The Sequel To 28 Years Later?
After Isla’s death, Samson actually ends up attacking Spike and Dr. Kelson. This scene proves that Dr. Kelson’s worldview is risky, since he could easily be killed by an infected at any time. However, there’s a chance that the upcoming 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and the third film in the trilogy will prove that he’s right to view the infected as still human.
28 Weeks Later previously teased a potential cure. While the plot of The Bone Temple is still unknown, perhaps it will bring this idea back into the franchise. If this does happen, then it’s possible that all the infected in the U.K. could be turned back into their normal selves by the end of the trilogy.
Perhaps that is what Cillian Murphy’s role will be in the 28 Years Later trilogy. Since Dr. Kelson emphasizes that the infected shouldn’t be seen as monsters in 28 Years Later, this potential storyline wouldn’t necessarily be surprising. Therefore, after 28 Years Later, I’m curious whether Dr. Kelson’s unique philosophy will ever be proven right.
