The Amazing Spider-Man Promises

[flickchick85]

I see both sides of this argument. But to counter this argument, if it's just about him learning Captain Stacy's lesson the hard way (i.e., by doing this you're going to endanger your loved ones into getting hurt), how will it look when he starts dating MJ after Gwen dies? In the comics, the takeaway of Gwen's death wasn't spelled out so ominously as a foregone conclusion like what Stacy said. It was a risk, one that MJ was willing to take as she knew Peter was Spidey (and the only other major girlfriend after Gwen was fellow crimefighter, risk-taker Black Cat).

In this film's series, we see him ignore Uncle Ben's lessons and Ben dies. We see him then still ignore Ben's lessons after Ben dies and go for vengeance until Captain Stacy sets him straight. He then is given an emphatic warning of the future by Stacy and promises to keep Gwen out of it, and then five minutes later in the movie breaks that promise with a smile. If Gwen inevitably dies as a result in the sequel, will Peter learn that lesson if he willingly puts Mary Jane in the exact same danger that killed Gwen after Captain Stacy warned him this is exactly what's going to happen?

I've thought about this as well, and I think they could do some really interesting things with this. For example, in this movie, he pretty much told Gwen he was Spider-Man first chance he got. He was much more reckless with his "secret" identity than we're accustomed to. With MJ, the lesson learned from Gwen's death could be a motivating factor for him to keep the secret from her. It's his way of not letting her in too close and risk her life. I think, ultimately, MJ will have to be the one to pursue Peter romantically, because I don't see him making the same mistake twice. She may have to figure out he's Spider-Man all on her own, and in the end, she will refuse his refusals, lol. But I'm sure no matter what happens, after Gwen dies, he'll be much more cautious about other people finding out his secret (and therefore discovering who his loved ones are).

But I agree that if, after all that happens with Gwen, Peter jumps right into a relationship with MJ or ends up actively pursuing her romantically, it will not look good. They've set up a good coming-of-age conflict for him, so hopefully they'll follow through on the foundations they've put down. They've now addressed Ben's lesson that if you're able to help others, you're morally obligated to do so. He's got that lesson down. Next, he has to be confronted with his own reckless nature, and learn how his actions, even when acting as a hero, can have consequences when you're not being careful enough.