The Androids in Raised by Wolves display a wide array of powers, but why can't people look at Necromancer eyes? Initially released via HBO Max on February 3rd, 2022, Raised By Wolves centers on two Androids, Father (Abubakar Salim) and Mother (Amanda Collin), who are tasked with raising human children on new planet Kepler-22b after a great war has destroyed the Earth. Raised by Wolves has received widespread acclaim across its initial two seasons to date, with critics enamored by the series' beguiling blend of sci-fi action and intriguing philosophical debate on the subject of artificial intelligence.
Raised by Wolves season 2 doubles down on its own philosophical questions, with Mother and Father learning that controlling the beliefs of humans is an increasingly treacherous and difficult task. These tribulations in controlling Kepler-22b's inhabitants as they raise their children have led to the androids clashing with disobedient humans, with both Mother and Father depicted as near-invincible entities in these confrontations. This statement is particularly pertinent to Mother, with the Necromancer built to exterminate entire populations should she deem it necessary.
The Necromancers in Raised by Wolves are shown to store powers in their eyes, which is why people can't look at them directly. The Necromancers' eyes emit sonic vibrations that cause humans to explode, with direct eye contact enhancing this power as seen in Raised by Wolves season 1, episode 2. Furthermore, the Necromancers were originally designed by pious Mithraic, who built the androids using biblical imagery akin to images of contemporary angels.
As early as season 1, episode 2, Raised by Wolves confirms how powerful the Necromancers truly are. In the episode "Pentagram," Marcus (Travis Fimmel) and two unnamed scouts are caught by Mother, with the two scouts immediately combusting as they make eye contact with her. Marcus, in contrast, is able to shield his eyes and escape Mother's powers, highlighting the potency of her eye contact with any given target. By extension, this means Necromancers store their powers within their eyes, with Mother also reactivating Father via eye contact in the same episode.
The Androids' ocular fixation is due to their creators, the Mithraic. The Mithraic imbued the Necromancers' designs with their ideas on faith, envisioning the Androids as otherworldly entities similar to angels. In the Bible, angels are said to be too pure a being to gaze upon directly, with people’s eyes bursting into flames should they attempt to make eye contact with them. The Mithraic marketed this Necromancer ability via war propaganda, deeming their cause rightful on behalf of their one god Sol.
As a result, humans not being able to look at Necromancers in Raised by Wolves boils down to a combination of the Android's designs, their power centers, and a long-held superstition dating back to Earth's days. Even the earliest episodes of the HBO Max series do not shy away from the Necromancer's incredible powers, with Mother melting several Clerics in season 1, episode 1, "Raised by Wolves," before also causing Marcus' companions to explode in the following episodes. Put simply, people can't look at Necromancers due to their powerful eyes, but in the Raised by Wolves canon, the epicenter of their powers also means so much more.