Just got around to reading back through everyone else's and noticed this one... the funny part about Ripley's character... was the actress didn't actually like her.
Weaver is a pacifist and didn't actually want to KILL any of the aliens, strangely enough, despite coming out as a very strong female character while still maintaining feminine traits such as maternal instinct and such.
Also, Sigourney Weaver's favorite scene in Aliens was edited out... being where she's given a picture of her granddaughter and told she's died a few months earlier at 80 years old, meaning she literally has no ties left to anything she left behind anymore. This got edited from all but the longest of versions, as it was only relevant to the characters' personal story, and motivations, and not important enough to change the impact of the movie as a whole.
Kind of a shame really.
In any case, still always found that odd, even though the character and actress are both still <3
Still sticking to Naomi Armitage for mine though despite Ripley being pure win.
To quote the above:
"Just got around to reading back through everyone else's and noticed this one..."
I think that is why Ripley fascinates me so much. I have found myself often in the same position. Leading a bunch of desperate people only to go back and wonder if I should have let circumstances play out naturally? I find her strength and vulnerability intriguing.
Thank you for your thoughtful responses on this.