Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth and final installment of the iconic adventure franchise, has finally hit the theaters and fans are eager to find out the secrets behind the mysterious Antikythera mechanism, also known as the Dial of Destiny. The film, directed by James Mangold, stars Harrison Ford as the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones, who is reunited with his goddaughter Helena Shaw, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, after 18 years of estrangement. But why does Indy call Helena “wombat” throughout the film? Here’s the explanation behind the affectionate nickname.
A Childhood Memory
The film opens with a flashback to 1951, when Indy and Helena’s father, Basil Shaw, a fellow archaeologist, and Indy’s old friend, are on a train in Germany, pursued by Nazi agents led by Dr. Jürgen Voller, a former rocket scientist who is after a mysterious artifact that Indy and Basil have discovered. The artifact is a bronze dial with intricate gears and symbols, which is later revealed to be part of the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek device that can predict astronomical events and possibly even time travel. Indy and Basil manage to escape with the dial, but not before Voller shoots Basil in the leg, causing him to drop the dial on the tracks.
Helena, or “wombat” as Indy calls her throughout, was just 12 at the time, and this was the last time she saw her godfather before her father died and Indy disappeared from her life. The nickname “wombat” comes from a stuffed animal that Helena had as a child, which she gave to Indy as a gift when they first met. Indy kept the toy as a reminder of his goddaughter and used the name as a term of endearment for her.
A Reunion And A Quest
In 1969, Helena, now a grown-up and a con artist, tracks down Indy in New York, where he is about to retire from his teaching job at Marshall College. She tells him that she has found the other half of the dial, which was hidden in a secret vault in the British Museum, and that she needs his help to unlock its secrets. She also reveals that she owes a lot of money to some dangerous people and that she hopes to sell the dial to the highest bidder. Indy is reluctant to join her, as he blames the dial for ruining his friendship with Basil and driving him mad with obsession. He also disapproves of Helena’s lifestyle and attitude and thinks that she has sold her soul for money.
However, Indy soon realizes that Voller, who is now working for NASA, is still after the dial, and that he has a sinister plan to use it for his purposes. Indy and Helena are forced to team up with Teddy Kumar, a young thief and Helena’s partner in crime, and embark on a globe-trotting adventure to find the truth behind the dial and stop Voller from unleashing its power. Along the way, they encounter old allies and enemies, such as Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s ex-wife and Mutt’s mother, who runs a bar in Morocco, and Rene Belloq, Indy’s rival, and former lover, who is now a wealthy collector of antiquities in Paris.
A Bond And A Choice
As Indy and Helena work together to solve the mysteries of the dial, they also rekindle their bond and learn more about each other. Indy discovers that Helena is not just a greedy and cynical crook, but also a brilliant and passionate archaeologist, who inherited her father’s love for history and adventure. He also learns that she was deeply hurt by his absence in her life and that she still cares for him as her godfather. Helena, on the other hand, realizes that Indy is not just a grumpy and obsolete relic, but also a brave and noble hero, who has sacrificed a lot for his ideals and his family. She also learns that he lost his son, Mutt, in the Vietnam War, and that he still grieves for him.
The film reaches its climax when Indy and Helena manage to activate the dial and open a portal to the past, where they witness the Siege of Syracuse in 213 BC, the historical event that led to the destruction of the original Antikythera mechanism and the death of its creator, Archimedes. However, they are also followed by Voller, who intends to use the dial to alter history and create a new world order. Indy and Helena manage to stop him, but not before he shoots Indy in the chest, leaving him fatally wounded. Indy decides to stay in the past, where he can die peacefully and be with his son in the afterlife. He tells Helena to go back to the present and live her life and gives her his hat and whip as a farewell gift. He also calls her “wombat” one last time, and tells her that he loves her. Helena, however, refuses to leave him behind and punches him out. She then drags him back to the portal and returns to the present with him and Teddy. She tells him that she loves him too and that she needs him as her father. She also says that money is not everything and that she wants to follow in his footsteps as an archaeologist. Indy, who is still alive but unconscious, smiles and holds her hand.
The film ends with Indy recovering from his wound in a hospital, where he is visited by Marion, who tells him that she still loves him and that they should get back together. Indy agrees, and they kiss. Helena and Teddy are also there, and they tell Indy that they have donated the dial to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be studied and preserved. Indy is proud of them and tells them that they are his family. He also gives them his hat and whip and tells them to keep the adventure going. He then calls them “wombat” and “kid”, and they all hug.
