Agent Spalko said:
Here's the problem I have with that. When she betrays Indy and he's tied up to the chair with his father she is toying with them both with a coy grin on her face even when she drives off from the castle there's not a hint of regret on her face. It was a job and her work was done.
Next we see Elsa wandering alone outside the rally sobbing when Indy finds her. Suddenly we are to believe she has a conscience and was depressed about feelings of guilt about what she had done and is now trying to "make up" for it? So she suddenly shows compassion for Henry when he gets shot and then takes out Donovan then attempts to make off with the grail and persuade Indy to follow "It's OURS Indy. Yours and MINE."
I didn't say she was well written.
I see your point. When she's first revealed to be a "baddie," she's an out and out baddie. Total b*tch. But after that scene, she is never shown to be like that again. She is shown to be compassionate, perhaps even in a little bit over her head. The desert scene gives me that impression. When she sees Kazim dead, she seems to be upset and truly concerned.
Her character makes too many transitions for me to like her too much. She starts off as a smart, beautiful archaeologist, then smart, beautiful villain, then a smart, beautiful depressed woman, then a smart, beautiful cunning woman, then a moron who ignores a specific warning, walks slowly backwards out of a collapsing temple and ignores yet another warning from someone trying to save her.
Like I said, not very well written.