In old greek plays you would also see the gods discussing the events unfolding below them from the stage's balcony (many stages had two stories and the top usually represented Olympus). Towards the end of the play they would come down from their balcony and pull the hero out of a tight spot. This is where Deus Ex Machina comes from. The Gods from the Machine (the machine referencing the pully system from which the gods were lowered). It was a common plot device that worked very well, because putting the hero in a situation where he cannot escape is far more interesting dramatically... The fact that the Gods appeared earlier didn't matter, it was still characters pulling the main character out of a situation he could not get out of on his own.
Wikipedia provides a clearer definition as to its use in modern times: "Deus ex machina is a Latin phrase that is used to describe an unexpected, artificial, or improbable character, device, or event introduced suddenly in a work of fiction or drama to resolve a situation or untangle a plot"
The fact that the Fantastic Four would play a part in the arc was practical, as they are aware of the events that were unfolding (as gods would as they looked down from on high)... The improbable, unexpected part was that they showed up at JUST THE RIGHT moment at which Peter would not be able to escape losing his powers and May was likely to not reach medical help in time (likely to die). It also seems to have prevented the conflict between the CIA and SHIELD for the time being.
I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS AN INAPPROPRIATE USE OF THE DEUS EX MACHINA PLOT DEVICE!
I just don't think you can deny that the fact that they were used SPECIFICALLY as a Plot Device to bail Peter out of the situation they had gotten in. This is further evidenced by the fact that their appearance did little to advance their subplot...
This IS a Deus Ex Machina. That doesnt make it a bad use of it, I just really hope that at the end of this arc we finally get to see Peter follow through on something, without SHIELD having to bag the bad guy. The last time I think Peter fully handled something on his own without interference, or a Deus ex Machina, was when he threw Carnage down the smoke stack, and confronted Dr. Conners in the Carnage storyarc....... Or when he asked Kitty out (Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 is still one of my absolute favorite comics in the last few years, if only because it made me really happy).
The Arc isn't over yet, and I hope we get some resolution. Or is that bashing Bendis too? Should I not expect resolution and character development in the comics I pay for? Is that me being unreasonable and hurtful, despite the fact that Bendis is one of the best character writers in comic books today?
As I said before the Deus Ex Machina point was the THIRD of three criticisms I commented on on the Bendis Boards... Bendis couldn't respond to the first two points because of the events of the rest of the Ultimate Clone Saga. I understand and respect that... I just find it absolutely hilarious that this tiny point was the one that set off such a huge debate... The only reason I pointed it out is because having two bulleted arguements is kind of weak. Three makes a point. Heh.
This is rediculous. People are associating Deus Ex Machina with bad writing, which isn't necessarily true. The bits with the Fantastic Four were some of the BEST in the issue. That doesn't make their appearance NOT a Deus Ex Machina.
