Strength and Conviction in Immortal Monday’s Unlikely Mother – Selene

The Good Mom Recipe: Love, protectiveness, strength, conviction and understanding.

Immortal Monday is celebrating Mother’s Day a day late. We hope that you all had a special weekend and enjoyed your day, be it with your children or mother. Today’s topic: the most unlikely of mothers, Selene from the Underworld film series.

For those of you who don’t know, Selene is a vampire and a Death Dealer. Death Dealers are an elite group of specially trained vampires that hunt and destroy the Lycans (werewolves). It’s something she’s good at, and actually enjoys. I know this is really out there, but this is Immortal Monday and I thought we’d have a little fun with it.

If any kick-@ss immortal  female were to get my attention it’s going to be Kate Beckinsale’s Selene. I’m a huge fan. But not because she’s a vampire or a Death Dealer, for other reasons all together. And let’s face it, she’s super hot in that outfit. The ice blue eyes and Goth styled filming used in the movies don’t hurt either. Plus I simply love her boot and jacket. They should be mine!  😉

She is a survivor. She embodies strength and conviction.

Selene is the sole survivor of her family, if you can call being turned into a vampire surviving. She doesn’t let that destroy her. Instead she grows stronger. She uses what she knows of her past to fuel the person she becomes – a warrior. For six centuries she served with strength and conviction.

It’s this strength and conviction I admire and honor. Even more admirable is her independent thinking. That’s right, she’s not a drone. She doesn’t blindly follow the Vampire Elders when things don’t look right. She questions and follows her gut, and eventually, her heart.

She believes in ideals and possibilities to which the elders are too stubborn and set in their ways to open themselves up. Because in order to do so would require leaving a part of themselves exposed – vulnerable. But I believe it’s that exposure and vulnerability that makes her a stronger opponent in the end.

We may not be fighting supernatural beings on a daily basis (except in our imaginary worlds), but Selens’s conviction is a good model worth considering when we look to our own lives. We need not be dealing with life and death to apply strength and conviction to our course.

She believes and fights for love and truth.

She fights against the odds for love, a love that would join the species – a paranormal Romeo and Juliet, if you will.

She also fights for truth. A truth that has been buried and hidden for far too long, unwilling to be led along and fed the lies in order to live a happy life. Truth trumped the happy existence.

How about you? Would you prefer to live like an ostrich, sticking your head in the sand or would you want to know the truth? Does truth trump all? And does love always deserve a chance? Selene may be a vampire, but she exhibited emotions, acting on feelings like any one of us could easily do.

She’s beautifully imperfect.

She may be an immortal, but she’s not infallible. She still feels, and like any of us, she doesn’t get to choose who her heart falls for. She makes mistakes along the way, but sharp thinking and quick wits give her an edge when she mistakenly falls for the wrong guy pitting her against the rest of the vampire clan.

It was a hard choice, but a strong one, choosing love over everything she had known for centuries.

She’s a protector and fighter.

It’s already been established that Selene’s a fighter. An excellent one at that. When she awakens from a fifteen year captivity to find she’s now a mother, she takes on the role of protector and will do anything in her power to keep her child safe.

I think many mothers can relate. This humanizes her. It’s an instinct seen time and time again in many species. Vampire and Lycan are not immune. And when her child expresses hurt over their reunion, how things had not gone as she’d imagined – Selene understands and comforts.

Her child. A concept she had a little trouble swallowing at first, since she slept through so many years. It was like a slap in the face. But the child has her father’s eyes and Selene’s core being wins out. She puts dealing with her pain of loss to the side while embracing her new found love at the forefront.

Can you think of anyone in your life who has done something similar? Your mother, yourself maybe? Mothers have a tendency to self-sacrifice often. The love for a child overcomes all reason.

But Selene would not be a stand out character had it not been for her determination. Her perseverance, strength, conviction, and fight for love and truth. Forget for a minute that she’s a vampire. Individuals like this are always worthy of our admiration, whether they be fictional or not. Don’t you agree?

Establishing that Selene is a vampire and dependant on blood as a food source, her supernatural abilities are…

 ~oOo~

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35 thoughts on “Strength and Conviction in Immortal Monday’s Unlikely Mother – Selene”

  1. Christine AshworthChristine Ashworth

    Awesome. I’ve seen bits and pieces of these movies, but not a whole one. They’re going on my list!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Selene is a wonderfully strong female character. I don’t think you will be disappointed. 😀

  2. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    Yes, definitely admirable! And very kick ass. I love characters that motivate me!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Same here! Motivation is key, is it not? Otherwise we are likely to switch the channel, turn off the set or leave the theater. Thanks, Coleen.

  3. Lisa Hall-WilsonLisa Hall-Wilson

    I’ve seen all the Underworld movies in the theatre. Love them all. Selene inspired a historical fantasy WIP I’ve resurrected lately. Great post.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you, Lisa. Your WIP sounds intriguing. I missed the latest film on the big screen. Had to wait for the DVD release. I was so bummed. 🙁

  4. Jennifer Lewis OliverJennifer Lewis Oliver

    I definitely agree with you, Debra! I do admire those types of people and I strive to be like that. Which is probably why I’m drawn to female leads that show these qualities – like Selene.
    I love these movies, and she is one of my favorite characters of all time. She’s strong, independent and shows vulnerability but she doesn’t fall victim to it. She fights for her beliefs and has an inner strength that pulls her through the dark times.
    The biggest turn off for me in a move or a book, is when the lead female character is shown as a twit and helpless. It completely annoys me and I will not finish the book unless there is another character that has my attention. Though it does give me a good example of what not to do with my own characters. 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I’m right there with you, Jennifer. Weak characters that run screaming, that require a slap to the face, are like nails on a chalk board. I want to walk out of a movie when I see them. Dekota Fanning’s character in “War of the Worlds” made me feel that way. My husband kept touching my arm and saying, “She’s just a kid.” LOL

  5. susielindaususielindau

    I saw this advertised. It was one of the reasons I cut off all of my hair! It looks like a great film!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Great character to be inspired by. 😀 Of course, I think you are totally kick-@ss all on your own chickie!

  6. prudencemacleodprudencemacleod

    Yes Selene kicks ass, and she is one of my favorite characters, but… I really want those boots.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I can see you are a woman of good taste. 😉 Them there are some FINE boots! And knowing what I do of you, Prudence, I am sure you would have some wisdom to share with Selene that she would find invaluable. 😀

  7. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    Selene sounds like one of those invincible characters I find hard to relate to. Her having a child could go a long way to alleviate this, and now I’m curious about the movie. Thanks for another fun Immortal Monday!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      You’re welcome. Sounds like you prefer to find a few more flaws in your characters. I can understand that. I should warn you, her kid can be a little scary. LOL

  8. Natalie HartfordNatalie Hartford

    She’s totally kick-ass. Hubby and I have watched the series many times and I LOVE it! She’s fierce. Fierce in every single thing she does in life and we could all stand to use a little more of that in our own lives I think. LOL!! GREAT post Debra!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Thank you my lady! I totally agree. We could stand to use a little more fierce in our lives on occasion. Maybe a fraction of what she dishes out though. LOL. Wouldn’t that be something if we were actually capable of such feats? Dang!

  9. tedstrutztedstrutz

    I agree, D, and I have always been in love with Selene. Kate in real life is quite a mother herself, based on an interview whit Letterman.

    Last night, witnessed a motherly moment from Cersei… don’t know if that was intentional, being Mother’s Day and all…

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      Yes, well, if I didn’t go for boys I would be in love with her too. She’s a total hottie!
      That was an interesting motherly moment with Cersei on GOT, wasn’t it? I wonder if that was planned.
      BTW, did you stop by Friday’s post and pick up your award? Grab the pic for your blog. 😉

  10. EmmaEmma

    OK, now I have to go and buy the latest film. I don’t know I didn’t go see Selene’s last outing but I missed it. Great post.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      LOL. That’s what I did. I was going to rent it, but then our latest movies showed up and the timing was all off. We got new rentals in the mail just as the latest Underworld was released. I simply was not waiting till we watched and returned our Netflix. We are so slow at that process. Buy it I did. I’ll probably use it multiple times for research in some form or another anyway. 😉 Thank you, Emma.

  11. August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin

    Beautiful post, Debra! I definitely see my mom as a heroine. She had to go against the grain in many ways in order to marry my dad and raise us kids without the rigid rules and belirfs she endured.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      It takes a strong woman to do that. But I’m not surprised to hear that about your mom after all I’ve heard already and knowing what I do about you. I suspect the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. 🙂 The beautiful woman had a beautiful daughter. Thanks for your wonderful comment, August.

  12. Tameri EthertonTameri Etherton

    Her outfit is totally rockin’ and I love her fierce spirit. This was one of those movies my Hubs rented and I just lurked in the shadows, but before long I was totally engrossed in the story.

    Hope you had a fantastic Mother’s Day!

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      What! You lurk? 😀 Her outfit is totally rockin’! There was a time when I would have totally strut that. Um, several miles ago. LOL.

      I hope your Mother’s Day was totally amazing! I got a new toy and the kids are busy plotting how it will change the posts on this blog around. 😀

  13. Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

    Hmm. I don’t know if I’ve ever even heard of the movie. Kind of have to watch more television than I do to see trailers. But now you’ve got me curious as to how a vampire becomes a mother so I may have to check it out. 🙂

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      There is a lot of inspiration to be found for story elements in movies and television shows. My husband and I come from a movie background so it is a big part of our lives. But like tonight, I found myself unable to focus on anything so I sat in a funk in front of the television watching a movie. I found myself analyzing all the relationships, the little things and taking internal notes. So you never know where any little idea might come from. I didn’t have any breakthrough tonight, but there have been times when something lit a spark and I needed my pen and paper right away.

      • Kristy K. James...Living, Loving, LaughingKristy K. James...Living, Loving, Laughing

        I keep meaning to watch more stuff, but I just never get around to it. I did order three movies today though. I decided I needed a DVD copy of Awakenings, and I loved The Majestic and The American President. Maybe I’ll get inspiration from them. If not, I’ll sure enjoy watching them again. 🙂

  14. lynnkelleyauthorlynnkelleyauthor

    I haven’t seen these movies. I’ll have to watch it now. Thanks, Debra!

  15. Reetta RaitanenReetta Raitanen

    Underworld movies kicked ass and Kate Beckinsdale was a great Selene. I missed the latest installment but Selene having a child and being gone from her life for a long time makes a really fascinating premise. A must see.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I felt the same way Reetta. That’s why I made sure to get my hands on it as soon as the dvd became available. I am now curious to see if they decide to follow up with yet another movie. Hmmm. Can we get too much Underworld?

  16. Marcy KennedyMarcy Kennedy

    I love this post! “It’s that exposure and vulnerability that makes her a stronger opponent in the end.” I really believe that. When we ignore our areas of vulnerability, then we’re weak, easy prey for the villains in this world. When we acknowledge our areas of vulnerability, embrace them and learn from them even, then I think we become stronger people for it.

    • Debra KristiDebra Kristi

      I agree with you completely Marcy. We leave ourselves completely exposed when we refuse to admit our areas of weakness. And lets face it, everyone has them, somewhere. So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by!

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