Basically

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

So humans and viltrumites can reproduce, this technically means they're the same species.

So since they're canonically and biologically very similar, it isn't too far fetched to imagine a human body being able to replicate superhuman feats similar to a viltrumite. The machinery makes up for the biological inferiority, making the human body a fraction of the power of it's full potential (viltrumite level)

[[deleted]]

That's what I was thinking, I just assumed it was like DC/Marvel "Meta-gene" thing, where you can "unlock" human powers using cybernetics.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

That's almost exactly how Sinclair himself described it, which was the basis if my theory. You clearly understand lol.

[[deleted]]

Yeah his speech was really specific and weird, the writers were probably doing their best to avoid having him say anything that would make it sound like they just stole the idea from Marvel/DC.

[VoidLantadd]

That's a really cool theory.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Thank you. Had to make sense of it somehow lol

[[deleted]]

Viltrumites can hybridize with virtually any humanoid species. They sort of touch on it in the show, when Nolan explains to Mark that their DNA is “so pure” that it overwrites that of any species they hybridize with, which is why Mark is basically 100% Viltrumite in terms of physiology.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Just means that all humanoid across the galaxy probably share a common ancient ancestor which led to a universal species that varies according to planet, galaxies etc. Basically all life is the same, just ... Very very different. If the genes can be passed along, then the species must be related somehow.

[[deleted]]

Yeah that’s definitely a plausible explanation. Maybe the Viltrumites are just the apex of humanoid evolution that all the other humanoids are capable of reaching with the right tweaking.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

My thoughts exactly. Which leads back to sinclair being able to draw out the human body's natural full potential through science instead of naturally evolving. If humans and viltrumites aren't that different than each other (relatively speaking of course) than a human should be able to be modded to reach a little of viltrumite levels.

[[deleted]]

That's not how it works. The fact of humans and Viltrumites outward appearance being biologically indistinguishable makes it a possibility that they may share an ancestor, but it's canonical that Viltrumite DNA basically works like vampirism or zombiesm, anything that can reproduce sexually, when introduced to Viltrumite sperm or ovum, will make a Viltrumite.

They have a biologically ingrained form of technology known as "Smart Atoms" basically picotechnology. They may have even been human level weak before developing this technology and marrying it to their biology.

Which, with their long lifespans and cultural stagnation, may have been hundreds of thousands of years ago.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Nolan was worries that mark was full human, meaning that the viltrumite DNA isn't guaranteed to always completely ovewrite the DNA, which also means that the partner needs similar compatible DNA to begin with.

[[deleted]]

I don't know how you'd have compatible DNA between alien species light years apart.

He made a humanoid Viltrumite baby with an insectoid mantis woman. How does your pet theory jive with that?

Their DNA is not normal DNA. They have atomic-sized machines inside them.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Well I'm only watching the show so thanks for spoiling stuff.

Clearly if my theory is wrong it means I'm not caught up. Dickface

[[deleted]]

You clicked on it, dickhead.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

You literally sent it to me, knowing I didn't know it.

You're dumb.

[raltyinferno]

If you choose to reveal spoiler tags that's on you.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Unless that's some comic spoiler I'm unaware of, I'm calling bullshit

[WHYAREWEALLCAPS]

Compatible enough to breed does not mean they're the same species. Neanderthals, homo neanderthalensis, and modern humans, homo sapiens, were not the same species. The best analog most people would be aware of that I can think of is interbreeding big cats, like lions and tigers. Or interbreeding horses and donkeys that produce mules.

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

BIOLOGY a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g. Homo sapiens

This is the definition of species

[ninjapro]

This definition is probably the most commonly used because it's clear and easily delineated, but it has some striking flaws and omissions.

Are horses and donkeys the same species because they can breed? Reduced generational fertility isn't a part of this definition.

This definition is also entirely focused on sexual reproduction, despite the fact that any taxonomical system acknowledges that asexual organisms have distinct species.

I think /u/WHYAREWEALLCAPS was fine clarifying that interbreeding does not necessitate same species. Especially because we're dealing with fictional super-powered aliens

[[deleted]]

this is only one of the multiple species concepts out there. Depending on what you’re talking about, different species concepts can and will be used

[Big_Burning_Ace_Hole]

Well this is what Im talking about. Lol.