Alternate Reality: 2008’s 'Doomsday' If Glasgow Had Been Nuked by the U.S.

In the 2008 movie Doomsday, Glasgow becomes a central player in the global zombie apocalypse due to the Reaper Virus. However, what would happen if Glasgow had instead been targeted by a nuclear strike dropped by the United States? Would the story take a darker and more violent turn? Let's explore this alternate reality.

The Immediate Consequences of a Nuclear Strike

Initial Sterilization - The blast area of the nuclear strike would indeed be sterilized, leaving behind a desolate wasteland. In the original film, the protagonist and his team were able to survive due to being evacuated before the strike. However, with Glasgow facing a nuclear strike, the immediate impact would be catastrophic. The city would be transformed into a nuclear wasteland, making it impossible for anyone to survive near the blast radius.

Retaliatory Measures - Glasgow is known for its notorious reputation. Angered residents of the Govan area would likely retaliate. In the original film, a punk from Govan got into a fight with soldiers as retaliation. Imagine the scale of retaliation if the entire Govan area were sent to Washington D.C. and provided a violent response to the U.S. government's actions. Not only would the White House face severe physical destruction, but the U.S. military would also face a wave of urban warfare and civil unrest.

The Spread of the Reaper Virus

Virus Endemism - In both the original film and our alternate scenario, the Reaper Virus plays a critical role. The virus acts quickly and turns the infected into aggressive, mutated humans known as "Reaper zombies." Even if Glasgow were nuked, the virus could still spread through other means. The virus could continue to exist in non-resistant communities, remaining endemic and finding a small number of hosts to continue the infection. The only question would be whether the virus would find enough new hosts to sustain itself in the absence of the infection's initial hotbed in Glasgow.

Search for Survivors - The main character, Sol, would still likely be part of a team sent to find survivors resistant to the Reaper Virus. However, the search would not be within Glasgow itself. Instead, the team would need to expand their search to other virus-resistant communities. Cities like Edinburgh or Aberdeen might serve as potential alternative havens for survivors. In both scenarios, the search would be fraught with danger as the Reaper Virus continues to spread.

The Cargo of Horror

Reaper Zombie Horde - Glasgow being 'glassed' (nuked) would remove the primary hotspot for the Reaper Virus. However, it wouldn't necessarily eliminate the virus entirely. In our alternate scenario, the virus could carve out a new niche in non-resistant communities. Sol's team might find that they are dealing with a new wave of Reaper zombies, possibly originating from Glasgow's remaining residents or the people sent to Washington D.C. This new wave would present a fresh challenge for the survivors.

Cannibalism and Medievals - In the original film, Glasgow's culture of thrifty cannibalism plays a significant role. In our scenario, the Govan residents sent to Washington D.C. might return with a new set of skills and attitudes. If they have time to adapt to their new environment, they might embrace cannibalism or adopt more medieval-like behaviors as a form of survival. This could result in Sol and his team facing a new breed of Reaper zombies—some enhanced with cannibalistic tendencies or behaving like medieval warriors.

Conclusion

The 2008 movie Doomsday captivated audiences with its unique blend of survival horror and the survival of the fittest. If the British government had allowed a nuclear strike on Glasgow, the story would have taken a darker turn. It would still involve the Reaper Virus spreading and survivors needing to find a new way to resist it. However, the added element of Glasgow's notorious residents retaliating and the potential for a new wave of Reaper zombies would add an unprecedented level of brutality to the narrative.

From a storytelling perspective, this alternate reality would be a more intense and grim take on the original film, highlighting the unpredictable and dangerous world that emerges from a global catastrophe.