Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Lightyear.
While Pixar's Lightyear promises a bustling space opera featuring action, exploration, and triumph, many viewers left the theaters brokenhearted over the tragic demise of one character, made even darker with a joke. Strategically, the version of Sox that faces annihilation is a duplicate of Buzz's best buddy; this fact does not lessen the pain of being so blindsided by the moment in question. In addition to being such an abrupt and shocking experience, Pixar seemed to be aiming for some crude satire with the pruning of the film's alternate reality Sox.
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The lovable yet lawful Sox is a companion assigned to Buzz Lightyear as a robotic emotional support animal. Buzz is distressed about the failure of his mission and is in need of some companionship. Star Command decides that a pet may be the best way to ease his struggle. Their unlikely pairing and ultimate friendship carry the film into being more than just a boisterous space romp. Sox is gentle, humorous, and often the heart of the movie. As such, audiences were excited to see a second, older iteration of Sox enter the story later on in the film. They had no idea it would end in such macabre humor.
In the third act of Lightyear, Buzz is facing off against Zurg. It's revealed that Zurg is an older Buzz Lightyear from an alternate reality. Old Buzz has his version of Sox. Old Sox is weathered, battered, and missing pieces of his outer structure. He is elated to see a younger, more friendly version of Buzz and assists in activating the self-destruct mechanism on Zurg's ship. During a brief moment of celebration, the furry feline is stomped to death by Zurg's giant mechanical boot. It is a curt display made all the more disturbing by the connection between his name and cause of death: A sock and a boot.
Why Sox's Death Is Lightyear's Darkest Joke
Sox, the character, is a reference to Jonesy from James Cameron's Alien. Jonesy is a little orange cat that is aboard the ship amidst all the murder, blood, and tragedy the film exudes. The cat is the one pure element of the film that carries this air of hope throughout. This comparison makes things all the more depressing when one realizes that Sox is that heart-filled vessel for Lightyear. The connection to such a gruesome horror sci-fi classic can lend insight to the reason behind having Zurg kill Sox in Lightyear's ending in such an off-putting manner.
The design of Sox has some comedic origins of a much happier tone. According to Director Angus MacLane, the design of Sox was also inspired by Garfield and cat food mascot Morris the Cat (via TheWrap). Of course, his name mainly refers to the white fur on his paws. It's that cute little gag that later becomes the terrifyingly morbid joke.
Lightyear ends with the original version of Sox alive and well. In retrospect, it makes sense that the alternate Sox needed to be removed from the timeline for a cleaner end. That will never change the fact that it hardened the hearts of a number of moviegoers to see it play out the way it did. In the event of a Lightyear sequel, Pixar should put more emphasis on Sox and his contribution to the team. If nothing else, at least it can be the peace offering the audience deserves for the macabre moment in the first movie.