Let's talk about Bishop

[Xenomrph]

So the topic of Bishop came up on another forum I frequent, and it got me thinking. What, exactly, is his role and where does he fit in within the organizations we see in 'Aliens'?

He seems to be USCM "property" based on how the Marines have experience with him and he has knowledge of how to drive the APC and pilot the dropship, but he's not a combat unit and is programmed not to hurt humans. He's got a serial number and dog tag like the other Marines, and the novelization says he's an "executive officer", but doesn't clarify what that means or what his duties are. He (presumably) drives the APC when the Marines first land on LV-426, but he stays behind with Ferro and Spunkmeyer when the Marines drive to the Atmosphere Processor (in fact, who was driving then?). His dog tag also says "EOA", and Xenopedia says that means "Equal Opportunity Advisor", but doesn't cite where it got that info or what it means (I think it's more likely that it stands for Executive Officer something). The old official Alien series website says he was sent with the Marines "due to Company and military regulations, the Bishop android is sent with the Marine squadron to LV-426 to record events and act as Science Officer."

Bishop and his role and responsibilities seem a bit all over the place. If he's a science officer, why is he driving/flying USCM equipment? Burke goes to Bishop before anyone else when he wants to preserve the live facehuggers; is that because he thinks Bishop is malleable enough to go along with it, or does he view Bishop as a Company "asset"? As an "executive officer" does that mean he's a glorified administrative assistant and technician?

I dunno, just some thoughts based on another discussion.

[SiL]

He does seem to just do ... Whatever.

[Local Trouble]

I wouldn't be surprised Bishop is there to cut costs on crew.  He can probably do the jobs of multiple specialists, but his behavioral inhibitors prevent him from replacing the marines themselves.

[judge death]

First: frost drove the apc to the atmosphere processor, Bishop was left at the colony.

We know from what they say in the movie and EU that a android is always sent with each space marine platoon and I think the reasons are the following:
1: Androids wont stress and panic and can act as support and react to situations normal humans wouldnt think clearly in.
2: He can store data and record the events so if the group of marines get killed, the rescue troops can just find the android and access its memory and get a picture of what happened.
3: Androids are stronger and faster etc than humans and can be programmed to any role, medic, science officer etc, he can replace those roles if the normal soldier is knocked out.
4: Science and is able to do all technical roles with ease, hence we see him do mostly science research and driving the apc and flying the drop ship etc.

So he is a jack of all trades and is a safety net for the troops he follows and for the marine corps as its easy to get a view of what happened and control the situation.

[SM]

He's ECA who performs technical tasks like piloting the Sulaco/ dropship/ APC as well acting as a de facto science officer.

[Local Trouble]

Could the EOA on his tags have been a misprint?

[SM]

Maybe.  Or it stands for Exec Officer Artificial?

[Xenomrph]

First: frost drove the apc to the atmosphere processor, Bishop was left at the colony.

I'm just curious, but how do you know?

He's ECA who performs technical tasks like piloting the Sulaco/ dropship/ APC as well acting as a de facto science officer.

Also curious, how do we know he's ECA?

[Gentleman Death]

First: frost drove the apc to the atmosphere processor, Bishop was left at the colony.

I'm just curious, but how do you know?

He's ECA who performs technical tasks like piloting the Sulaco/ dropship/ APC as well acting as a de facto science officer.

Also curious, how do we know he's ECA?

After Hudson finds the colonists Apone says, "Frost, you're driving!" Ending that scene and beginning of them heading into the station.

[Local Trouble]

He's ECA who performs technical tasks like piloting the Sulaco/ dropship/ APC as well acting as a de facto science officer.

Also curious, how do we know he's ECA?

It's all in the script, isn't it?

[SiL]

The ship is fully automated in interstellar flight so

        there is no crew, except for EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ECA) Bishop,

        who supervises planetary maneuvering.

[Xenomrph]

First: frost drove the apc to the atmosphere processor, Bishop was left at the colony.

I'm just curious, but how do you know?

He's ECA who performs technical tasks like piloting the Sulaco/ dropship/ APC as well acting as a de facto science officer.

Also curious, how do we know he's ECA?

After Hudson finds the colonists Apone says, "Frost, you're driving!" Ending that scene and beginning of them heading into the station.

Huh, I never noticed that. Thanks!

The ship is fully automated in interstellar flight so

        there is no crew, except for EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ECA) Bishop,

        who supervises planetary maneuvering.

Been a while since I checked the script, I should have checked that first. Thanks!

[Local Trouble]

I've also wondered if Bishop is the same model on every ship.  Unless Burke made a habit of accompanying the marines on their other missions, how would he know that Bishop "never missed" when he did the thing with the knife?

[Xenomrph]

In the EU there are multiple Bishop units (notably Aliens: Colonial Marines), although the CMTM implies that the Bishop from the movie is in some way unique.

[Local Trouble]

In the EU there are multiple Bishop units (notably Aliens: Colonial Marines), although the CMTM implies that the Bishop from the movie is in some way unique.

Was that his special egg-fetching DLC?