Originally posted by Raistlin
Jenova didn't do any violence? She wiped out the Cetra!
I meant, after she got dealt to by the Cetra. She was uniquely destructive before then, but rather inert afterward.[q=PhoenixAsh]I stand by the idea that SYNTHESIS is more than just the head, the name alone suggests it is the first part of the reunion. The later bosses indicate the final steps in the reunion, after merging with Sephiroth (one of the last main sources of Jenova left to be joined).
[/q]And that stands to reason, too. However, take a look at SYNTHESIS - it's more than just the head, certainly, but the head is the only distinct part of it. The rest is mainly empty space... After the defeat of Jenova.DEATH, there was nothing left of Jenova's body, hence Sephiroth's timely assertion that "this body has no more use". SYNTHESIS, I believe, includes all the cells released from the bodies of the clones that actually made it to the crater. BIRTH, LIFE and DEATH are made of bits of Jenova's main body, dropped off in an attempt to thwart the party. They were killed, then apparently ceased to be. The Clones, however, were able to make it to the North Cave - because there was an actual mind they could influence and drive. I doubt a piece of brainless matter on its own could do a heck of a lot; the Clones were essential to the Reunion process - as were Cloud and Sephiroth.[q=PhoenixAsh]As you said Jenova's power are largely passive (though she's still damn tough physically). Doesn't this suggest though that instead of Sephiroth being the brains behind the muscle of Jenova, it was in fact the other way around?[/q]Jenova's psychological influence, too, appears to be somewhat passive. The Clones, because of their Jenova cells, were susceptible to Sephiroth's summons; Jenova's powers were widely used by the main foes. But Jenova didn't appear to make many conscious decisions for Sephiroth. She gave ideas, he followed, but appeared to be in control of himself. As Jenova is a part of him, so too would he share her natural impulses. If your father likes swords and you do too, then that's a sign of inheritance or upbringing rather than direct manipulation. Jenova appeared content to let Sephiroth handle his grand schemes for divinity and conquest, since he was equally determined to bond with her after becoming the new "God". That part of his desire may well have been her doing, whether actively or passively is less important. She could just bide her time, waiting to be re-assembled, waiting to become whole and powerful again, once her son had defeated all those who had defeated her before.