The Complex Motivations Behind the Kree's Constraints on Carol Danvers' Power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Carol Danvers, the protagonist of the Captain Marvel movie, has been a pivotal character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her immense powers, a result of her exposure to the Tesseract and her Kree heritage, make her a formidable force. However, there is a complex undercurrent of reasons why the Kree do not want her to fully utilize her abilities.

Subjugation and Control

The Kree, a militaristic race, have a fundamental fear of individuals who possess exceptional power. This fear is rooted in the understanding that these individuals can pose a significant threat to their control and dominance. As Fear of Power illustrates, the Kree often view Carol as a weapon rather than an individual. This perspective leads them to suppress her abilities. By keeping her in check, they ensure that she remains a tool for their agenda, never fully realizing her true power.

Manipulation and Suppression

Yon-Rogg, a prominent figure among the Kree, and the Supreme Intelligence manipulate Carol to align with their purposes. They constantly remind her that her powers can be taken away at any moment, but in reality, this threat is hollow. When Carol is mentally strong and confident, the Kree cannot take anything away from her. Instead, her powers were given to her through an accident. They gave her Kree physiology, but the powers that they desire for their arsenal came to Carol as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

Identity and Memory Suppression

The Kree suppress Carol’s memories of her past and true identity to limit her understanding of her powers' full potential. This suppression restricts her growth and ensures that she remains reliant on the Kree, preventing her from realizing her true strength. By withholding information, the Kree deny Carol the opportunity to fully connect with her powers and the implications of her abilities.

Political Motives

The Kree-Skrull conflict is deeply rooted in political and ideological differences. The Kree aspire to maintain their dominance, and allowing Carol to use her powers freely could disrupt their plans. The Kree employ various psychological tactics to keep Carol compliant. For example, the Kree want her to believe that her powers can be taken away at any moment, creating a sense of powerlessness and dependency. This mindset serves to keep her in a subordinate position.

The Photon Inhibitor and Carol's Powers

The Photon Inhibitor, a device worn around Carol's neck, is a testament to the Kree's efforts to control her powers. The device reminds Carol of the Kree's false narrative, that they have given her her powers. However, this is a known lie. The Supreme Intelligence told her that she was part of a Kree research project attacked by the Skrulls. She would learn more when she earned the right to know more. This statement is partially true, but the full story is different.

Carol's powers are not just tied to the Photon Inhibitor, but she can also override it with the powers she is allowed by the inhibitor. The factor that the Kree did not anticipate is Carol's mental strength and determination. When she is mentally strong, she can ignore the inhibitions imposed by the device. Her powers, therefore, are a result of both her accident and her resilience against the Kree's attempts to suppress them.

In conclusion, the Kree's desire to restrict Carol Danvers' powers stems from a combination of fear, manipulation, and control in a larger conflict. Despite their efforts, Carol's mental fortitude often allows her to overcome these constraints, highlighting her true potential as a powerful force within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.