Friday, July 11, 2003
Iterations

I received an e-mail from Del talking about the different versions of the one and how, or if, they are able to exist in the newer versions of the matrix, which I touched upon a while ago in my post, Where'd the Ones Go? on May 26th, but here is a new interesting take on things.

Iterations
By: Del

As The Architect stated, Neo is the sixth emergence of The One... Version 6, if you will. From this, we gather that there are five previous iterations of The One who may or may not continue to exist within The Matrix.

Many have theorized that The Merovingian is one of these previous iterations. This theory is largely based upon Persephone's statement to Neo just before she kisses him: "He was once like you". Also, the Merovingian's restaurant is on the 101st floor. Remember, Thomas Anderson lived in apt 101.

If The Merovingian is one of the previous iterations of The One, then he cannot be from Version 5. Just before The Merovingian exits the chateau, he says to Neo: "I survived your predecessors, and I will survive you, as well." Because "predecessors" is plural and not singular, The Merovingian must be from Version 4 or earlier.

However, there may be more than one previous iteration of The One still within The Matrix. I'm referring to The Trainman. He was seen briefly in Reloaded, had one line in Enter The Matrix, and appears in the trailer for Revolutions. Before I talk about his brief appearance in Reloaded, his line in Enter The Matrix is: "72 hours...that's how long Zion lasted last time..."

From this, we gather that The Trainman is aware of what's going on. He describes himself as "Nobody... a spectator".

If we theorize that The Merovingian is one of the previous iterations of The One, then it is equally possible that The Trainman is another iteration. This is further enforced by his single appearance in Reloaded.

At the end of Neo's scene with The Oracle, she tells him to go to The Merovingian. She hands Neo a slip of paper with a location and time on it and says "Be there at that exact time, and you will have a chance." When the rebels arrive at the Merovingian's restaurant, at the exact time specified by The Oracle, we see The Trainman being escorted out by Cain & Abel.

Furthermore, in Enter The Matrix, The Oracle explains her new face to Niobe by saying "The Merovingian warned me that if I made a certain choice, it would cost me. He is, among other things, a man of his word." She then explains that the choice was to help Neo or not.

From The Oracle's new face, we gather that she did, in fact, help Neo. It is also worthy to note that both The Architect and The Merovingian display disgust and anger when they speak about The Oracle.

The Oracle describes The Merovingian as "a very dangerous program" who was "one of the first", and holds great power within The Matrix.

Given this fact, if we theorize that The Merovingian is a previous iteration of The One (possibly Version 1), then it must be postulated that all iterations of The One are, in fact, programs. As far as I know right now, this theory is the only current explanation as to how previous iterations of The One can continue to exist within a later version of The Matrix.

It is also worth noting that The Architect says Neo "carries code" that must be reinserted to create Version 7. I don't know how a human can carry code.

Given the following:

1. The Merovingian is a previous iteration of The One. 2. The Merovingian is a program.

Then how does Persephone fit? If The Merovingian is Neo, then Persephone is Trinity.

In the first film, Cypher tells Trinity that he used to be in love with her. Before Apoc dies, his last word was "Trinity"... not "Switch". I believe this alludes to the fact that he also was in love with Trinity. In Enter The Matrix, we learn that Ghost also loves Trinity and that his love will always be unrequited.

If Persephone is The Merovingian's Trinity, then it is logical to assume that Trinity, also, is a program. In Reloaded and Enter The Matrix, we see that Persephone likes to do a lot of kissing. She affects men in a certain way. It would appear that Trinity also has that effect among the men she serves with.

This leads me to one more conclusion:

The machines will succeed. All of the rebels will die. Zion will be destroyed. I came to this conclusion based upon what I've seen in the films. First, The Wachowskis are obsessive about numbers within The Matrix. In Reloaded, we learn that Neo is from Version 6.

That's the wrong number.

In the Bible, which the Wachowskis reference almost constantly throughout their films, 6 is not a good number. If Neo were indeed to save Zion and all of humanity, then shouldn't he be from Version 7? In the Bible, seven is a holy number. It is one of God's numbers. I do not believe that Neo being from Version 6 is a simple oversight, simply because such things are practically impossible to find within The Matrix.

The Wachowskis have made some oversights, but nothing major that would affect the story in any way. For instance, in Enter The Matrix, Sparks says "I don't think you're crazy... I think you have a death wish! A major, full-on Bronson!" The problem with this sentence is that Sparks is an operator. He has no plugs in his body, and has never entered The Matrix. He is a Zion native. If that's the case, then how can Sparks know who Charles Bronson is?

A minor glitch. Nothing that will affect anything. It was just a cute throwaway line that wasn't quite right.

I don't believe they'd make the same mistake with Neo's version number. I believe the fact that Neo is from Version 6 was intentional.

Given this, I believe The Matrix will still continue to exist after Revolutions. Perhaps there will be more Matrix movies, perhaps not.

Lastly, I believe Sparks, as a character, is an homage and/or direct copy of Sparks from Sealab 2021 on Adult Swim. Both are antagonistic assholes who are self-centered, nihilistic, and utterly lacking in compassion. They also both wear earpieces with boom mikes and function as operators.


Finally Some Answers

Over at Matrix Essays there is some interesting stuff involving the licence plates and such in Reloaded. For a time I have been trying to convince my friends that the plates have signifigance in the film, otherwise they wouldn't be in such plain view deliberately in the shot. They just thought I was overanalyzing, but alas ther is some light shed on it! For example...

"When Agent Smith pulls up in an Audi at the beginning of the film, his license plate is 'IS 5416'. In the King James Bible, Isaiah 54:16 says, 'Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.'"

That is just a little bit of it, so go and read that, good stuff. Another thing that comes right to mind is on the Ducati motorcylce that Trinity and the Keymaker ride in the highway scene. Its "ID" number is on the side of it in plain view quite a few times during the chase, I cannot recall what it is at this point in time so I am going to try and find some pictures of it, unless someone else knows what it is.
A Little Facelift

I was having some problems with the old template so I decided to try some things to see if I couldn't fix the problems that I was having. I'll be working a little on the new look with hopefully some new graphics and such, nothing important really, just changing the aesthetics of the site. If you think it it ugly or looking decent please let me know, justingauthier@mail.com
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Reasons Behind the Ethnicity of Zion

I've heard people asking about why is Zion made up mainly of darker skinned people and not caucasian people. I hadn't given much thought to it personally, but I stumbled upon an article that explains it. Here is the little snippet I am talking about...

People of color outnumber whites in the world's population, he noted. "It's not just the representation in numbers but the humanity displayed," said West, whose writings urge cross-cultural tolerance and a recognition of the power of diversity. "The acknowledgment of the full-fledged and complex humanity of black people is a new idea in Hollywood, given all the stereotypes and distortions," he said.

The article is rather interesting and it explains a little about the actor who plays Counciler Haman, Cornel West, who is actually a professor at Harvard University, and how he got the part and so on. You can find it here.