Shaving

[FlicCity]

I have decided to make it my vocation to post silly questions to this board. :shrug:
Can Captain Scarlet grow a beard? Several people seem to think that being Mysteronised means that his hair will always stay the same length... how would that affect his ability to grow a beard? I don't recall ever seeing him with a five-o'clock shadow (if someone else does, tell me which episode, and I will beg forgiveness for wasting everyone's time) but is that just because of his rigid adherence to military rules about personal appearance, or because it would be impossible?
Enquiring minds wonder...

[Scarlet Lady]

I have a time when I remember seeing him with a 5o'clock shadow - Special Assignment!

[FlicCity]

Thank you, Scarlet Lady. I apologise for wasting everyone's time.

[Marion]

I don't think his hair would stay the same length - why else would Colonel White - albeit in Attack on Cloudbase - tell him to get his hair cut?
In fact, the consensus seems to be that Scarlet's hair - and beard - grow faster than is quite normal
And you haven't wasted anyone's time... at least it makes us all think when someone asks a question...

[Doc Denim]

I think that shaving is the sort of thing that falls into the same category as tanning - growth of hair is a 'normal' bodily function, and so long as we can agree that Scarlet is an exact copy of a normal human being, then he can grow a beard as easily as the next guy....

But just as something additional to think about, this is the sort of thing that can be logically extrapolated to even the most minute of physiological functions - and just to be extreme to make the point, if Scarlet were unable to grow a beard (remaining in his 'original' copied state by whatever method) then he'd probably also be unable to do basic things like breathe - he'd be "locked" into that moment. That's not what we've seen.

This does, however present Spectrum (though they haven't thought of it yet) (ahem, I have, it's coming in future fic...) a potential window on Scarlet's retrometabolic processes - if, just for for speculation) he were to die at some point with his hair a tad too long and due for a bit of barbering, would he wake up with the hair still too long, or with the haircut he originally died with in the Saloon car, presuming that the retrometabolism returns him to his prior state?

A possible benchmark of sorts to measure by, to my mind.

Have fun!

Doc Denim

PS - this also brings to mind a point I saw somewhere about Scarlet being unable to get drunk - I happen to think he's as able as anyone to get drunk, simply because that too, is another 'normal' metabolic happenstance. He may get over it sooner, but I think he'd still have to go through the experience the same as the rest of us. (also another point to come in future fic...)

[Marion]

I think he can get drunk - and probably does from time to time - but it takes a LOT more to make him drunk and the after efects don't last very long... (lucky sod.... )

[Captain Indigo]

I did consider the beard thing a while ago. This is the kind of thing I do in my spare time. Sad, yes, I know.

I came to the conclusion that he would in fact be able to grow a beard, and his hair, as it is, as other people have pointed out, a normal bodily function. However, it would probably be at a slightly accelerated rate due to his retrometabolism. The 5 o'clock shadow thing (or lack thereof) could be explained by the fact that he might be one of those guys who naturally DOESN'T grow facial hair quickly. I have a friend who can go a week without shaving, so this is actually something that does happen to guys, perfectly normal. The retrometabolism could just speed up a naturally slower-than-normal process...

As to getting drunk, I came to the conclusion that alcohol would be considered an unnatural substance by his body and be broken down almost immediately. However, if he were to do something stupid, such as drink a full bottle of whiskey/vodka etc., this could overwhelm his immune system and actually allow him to become drunk.

I've just realised that I spend FAR too much time thinking about the science of retrometabolism, and not enough time actually doing uni work...

[Marion]

I recently acquired the DVD boxed set and have been watching the episodes again - to make sure the merchandise is all working - you understand... .
The quality of the pictures is superb and one thing I have noticed as a consequence is that Captain Scarlet does sport a 5 o'clock shadow more often than I had ever realised. (Its amazing what freeze-frame allows you to notice.... )

[Carrie]

Marion, I second that..having also just received said DVD set and of course, like your good self...just had to check out that all was in perfect working order.
In fact..Scarlet seems to be the ONLY Captain that sports said shadow...maybe all that dying and saving the world gets in the way of personal grooming....

[Marion]

What a thought! Smelly Scarlet... poor chap, he has a bad enough time of it. But you could be right, Carrie - all that 'daring-do' must play havoc with his 'quality personal time'... that would explain why Colonel White has to order him to 'get his hair cut!' in 'Attack on Cloudbase'.

Slightly off topic - the DVDs do allow you to a lot more detail. I'm sure I've seen some of the other 'characters' looking as if they had designer stubble.... and in 'Codename Europa' I never realised before that Captain Blue gets such a super black eye!

[Kambei]

I think we can take a leaf out of the Highlander book here. When an immortal 'dies' for the first time, they retain the physical appearence of their age at the time of their death, but they can still grow their hair, dye it, grow their nails, etc.

[MMK]

Considering what you lot have said about Scarlet getting drunk and it not lasting very long....



....I was thinking...



...is it possible for him to get drugged?...

[chrisbishop]

The same conditions would apply, I think, for any foreign body entering his bloodstream (alcohol, drugs, any kind of medecine, poison...)

Regarding pain killers, I think it would be a blessing, then that he seems to be either unconscious or asleep when he recovers... or the pain at some time could be unbearable

[Kambei]

This does, however present Spectrum (though they haven't thought of it yet) (ahem, I have, it's coming in future fic...) a potential window on Scarlet's retrometabolic processes - if, just for for speculation) he were to die at some point with his hair a tad too long and due for a bit of barbering, would he wake up with the hair still too long, or with the haircut he originally died with in the Saloon car, presuming that the retrometabolism returns him to his prior state? ...)

Been thinking about this. Let's say that he could age normally and the war of nerves was over. At age 70, he is involved in a car crash and 'dies'. Would he then revert to his physical age/charcteristics at the time of the saloon car crash? I know that there has been speculation that he will not age because of the retrometabolism, but either way, it would render him virtually immortal

[Carrie]

As Hazel Kohler has very nicely explored in her excellent story SIQ

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/siq.htm

not exactly on subject, I know, but I couldn't resist the plug...