»Why is the Keymaker an Exile?«

Over on the Matrix Online forum, a user by the name of Jota posted this question:

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In Reloaded, one of the new agents is atop the the 18 weeler, in pursuit of the keymaker. Agent: "you are no longer necessary". Keymaker: "we do only what we are meant to." Agent:"then you were meant for one more thing, deletion" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- that being said, why do the machines want the keymaker deleted? is it because he was somehow tampered with by the Merovingian? or is it because the Merovingian kidnapped him and threw a loop into the process of him manufacturing the key that leads to the Source. However, the keymaker didn't create the key to the Machine mainframe yet, so i'm curious as to why he is considered an exile. we assume that his job is to make keys....obviously but his supposed purpose (guide the current anomoly to the machine mainframe and give him the key (ie. the access "key" to the mainframe). maybe i missed something.let me know what you think

I replied to it, but I'll post that separately below.

This is a topic that has been in discussion over at Matrix-Explained.com. As I was reading your thread, I had a thought. But first I need to explain a couple of other theories I have which leads up to my thought about the Keymaker.

1) The sixth One (Neo) was the only One who acquired the ability to see the code of the Matrix. The other Ones were powerful, to be sure, but none of them as powerful as Neo. This is evidenced by the Merovingian's surprise at Neo's ability to stop bullets. I came to this conclusion because stopping bullets is the very first ability Neo demonstrated when he gained the ability to see the code of the Matrix at the end of the first movie. In fact, I believe Neo can stop bullets BECAUSE he can see the underlying code.

2) The Architect, in response to finding out about Neo being more powerful than the previous Ones, decided that he didn't want to encounter him after all. He prepared himself just in case, but the meeting was something he was trying to avoid. One thing the Architect does not want to risk is for Neo to take control. The Machines believe that humans must be kept under subjection at any cost, and they are prepared to lose their entire source of power and live under horrible conditions before they'll allow humans to be in control ever again.

3) The Keymaker has basically the same understanding of the big picture that the Oracle does, and knows that the only chance for peace is for Neo to reach the Source. We all know what the previous Ones did when they reached the Source. And even though reaching the Source seems like a dead end based on past events, the Keymaker and the Oracle intuitively know that in order for change to occur, it will still be necessary for the One to reach the Source--just like the previous Ones always have. The Keymaker and the Oracle hope for change, but it is unchangeable and inevitable that every One must reach the Source--and that includes Neo. They may not know why, but they believe it to be true. This is why even though the Keymaker's actions on the surface make it appear as if he is simply preserving the status quo (i.e. helping Neo to get to the Architect just like he's done five times before), he knows just as the Oracle does that there is a chance that Neo will find a way to create a different result than the previous five Ones (hope that all made sense).

Okay! Now we're up to speed. So if I'm right about the Architect not wanting to be visited by Neo, then he would have told the Keymaker to sit out the sixth cycle and not give Neo the key. However, Neo is exactly what the Keymaker (and the Oracle) have been waiting for. And just as the Oracle tells Neo that he made a believer out of her, the Keymaker believes in Neo as well. He knows that it is vitally important that Neo get the key so that he can reach the Source and hopefully end the war somehow. He doesn't know how this can happen, but he believes in it. He believes it so strongly, in fact, that he disobeys the Architect's orders and enters the Matrix to bring the key to Neo. It is at that moment that he becomes an Exile. Chronologically speaking, this all probably happened very shortly after the end of the first movie.

In the video game Enter the Matrix, there is a flashback that shows the Merovingian locking the Keymaker in his little room. If you look closely, you can see that the room is empty except for a keymaking machine. But when we see the room again roughly six months later in the second movie, it is chock full of keys. As a side note, I find it interesting that the columns of keys very closely resembles the power plant, with each key being representative of a human connected to the Matrix. There's probably some deeper meaning to that, but I'm not sure what it could be. But in regard to the Keymaker, why do you think the Merovingian gave the him that keymaking machine? So he wouldn't be bored? I don't think so. Read on...

On his way to find Neo, the Keymaker is caught by the Merovingian. These two have never had to deal with one another, but they know all about each other. The scenario with the Merovingian kidnapping the Keymaker does not happen every cycle, but only happens this once. The reason the Merovingian wants the Keymaker is because he wants Neo's key for himself. All along the Merovingian has wanted control over the Source, and has tried unsuccessfully in the past five cycles to coerce the Ones to help him gain access to it. But now that he has the Keymaker in his control, he no longer needs Neo. However, he has to play it carefully so that the Keymaker makes the key and tries to give it to Neo. It is at that point that he will take it from him. When that plan is thwarted, the Merovingian knows that Neo will never help him, so Neo becomes expendable--hence, his orders to have Neo killed.

Everything else follows from there--the chase, the shutting down of the grid, and the access to the maintenance hallway leading to the door which the Keymaker's special key unlocks. Agent Smith, who knows all about the cycles and where the One will eventually end up, is already there waiting for him. Neo shows up as expected, but escapes Smith's wrath. The Keymaker is not as lucky.

I don't know how much of that is right or not, but it sure makes sense to me. Let me know if you agree or if you think I'm full of crap.

Regarding Mero you might be right. I have no idea so far why he captured the Keymaker. It sounds reasonable that he wants access to the Source. But on the other hand, if The One does not reach the Source, the Matrix, and hence Mero's empire will be destroyed. Therefore I think Mero has some interest in The One to complete the cycle. But I think capturing the Keymaker has something to do with Mero wanting to meet Neo.

The agents may see the Keymaker as an Exile. I don't think they know the full truth about his purpose. They are only told very little, just the things that are necessary for their purpose. I believe their main purpose is to push The One and advance the action. This is done through their obvious purpose - hunting down exiles and rebels, which serves their third purpose (deceiving the rebels).

So, from the agent's point of view, the Keymaker is indeed an exile. He wants to help Neo. And Neo is an (the) anomaly. Anomalies are generally a bad thing, thus they have to be destroyed. But as they cannot destroy Neo directly, they have to kill the Keymaker who wants to help him as without the Keymaker The One cannot proceed. The agents do not really know what is going on. If they should know then they are just playing a game and don't really want to kill the Keymaker.

I also think that the Architect does not want Neo to fail. For sure, he would like to avoid the scene in the chamber, as he cannot control Neo's desicion. But that is the very nature of the anomaly. The moment of truth. It cannot be avoided as this is the way to solve the 'problem' the Matrix has with human choice. And this choice has to be made by The One for the Matrix to continue. The only thing I don't fully understand is why Archi mentiones Trinity. It just seems to me that he is forced to mentioned her as she is part of Neo's choice and therefore necessary in the process to function properly.

Personally, I think the Mero may have played a big role, perhaps Oracle like role in the creation of the "hell" matrix. And since her world came after his, he's naturally not keen on what she has created, and the One he seems to really loathe. Note on seeing in code, I think every past One did this, as the Mero told Neo "you can see it Neo yes?" when he was talking about the cake. He knew that the One could see the underlying code of the matrix. He gets the keymaker and gives a giant FU to the Oracle and the architect seems just fine with it. Hell the agents want the keymaker dead, and in Mero's prison is almost just as good as far as Neo being able to use him. Maybe, if Neo fails to reach the source, it is not the end game many seem to think it is. And perhaps killing Neo... which by the way the Mero was more then happy to try to do... would not destroy the matrix. If the wachowski's could just clear up a few things here I think it would help, without giveing away all the secrets of the matrix. Cause either everyone is in a giant conspiracy, or I am right.

As for reasons to kidnap the Keymaker, besides the FU message it sends, is that he might get to make a deal. Like say for the eyes of the Oracle... but of course at that time he think's he's got her number anyway, literally in her termination code. So he has no reason, no reason at all, to give away the keymaker lol.

To me it seems more and more that the Merovingian does not really know what is going on. I think he knows that The One is expected by the Architect and the Oracle to go somewhere specific and that he needs the Keymaker for it. I also think he also knows that The One is responsible for restarting the Matrix. Furthermore I assume that everytime the Matrix is restarted, the Merovingian looses some part of his empire ("I have survived your predecessors, and I will survive you!")

But what he does not know is the thing about choice. He knows that the Matrix is providing some kind of fake choice ("Choice is an illusion, created between those with power, and those without."), but he does not know that choice is causing the remainder. He does not know that the Matrix will be destroyed if The One does not return. He does not understand the "why". Why does The One restarts the Matrix? All he sees is the effect (Matrix restarts) and the cause (The One). By eliminating the cause (holding the Keymaker hostage or killing The One) the effect will not occure.

If he knows about the real "why" of restarting the Matrix then I don't understand why he does not want The One to reach the Source.

I think the Merovingian hates the Oracle for two reasons. First, he believes that she is somehow responsible for restarting the Matrix as she guides The One. Without her, there would be no reset of the Matrix. Second, he hates the Oracle because she can see behind this version of the Matrix, while he, the Merovingian, is bound to cause-and-effect. So the Oracle knows more than him. He conly can get part of the information. ("I know everything I can") But not everything.

Maybe the Merovingian had something to do with the previous Matrix. Persephone as well. That's how they met. But since this old Matrix became obsolete, they had no real purpose any more and became exiles in this new Matrix.

The Keymaker only would be regarded as an exile, if he had no purpose any more. If that would be true, then there must be another way how The One can reach the Architect's chamber. If there is one, then indeed the Keymaker would be without purpose and would be scheduled for deletion.

But I think there is none. If the agents do not play some kind of a show, then they are the only ones who think the Keymaker has no purpose any more and has to be deleted.



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Just a side note: What confuses me is that everyone just seems to have waited for Neo (Merovingian, Keymaker, Architect...). It's like they are 'bots' of a First Person Shooter and as soon as Neo steps in, the scripted events take place.

Feral Boy wrote:

The scenario with the Merovingian kidnapping the Keymaker does not happen every cycle, but only happens this once. The reason the Merovingian wants the Keymaker is because he wants Neo's key for himself. All along the Merovingian has wanted control over the Source, and has tried unsuccessfully in the past five cycles to coerce the Ones to help him gain access to it. But now that he has the Keymaker in his control, he no longer needs Neo. However, he has to play it carefully so that the Keymaker makes the key and tries to give it to Neo. It is at that point that he will take it from him.

If Merv did this for Neo's key, how would you explain this part from the ETM script:

she can see Ghost strapped to a table, drifting in and out of consciousness. He looks battered and bruised. Surrounding him are Cain and Abel, and the Merovingian, who appears to have the key in his hand.

MEROVINGIAN: You have earned your keep today, mon ami. As for them, bon appétit!

He crushes the key to dust with his bare hands and lets the dust fall over Ghost's body, before turning to face his lackeys. He leaves through a side door. Once he's gone, Cain and Abel show their true colours.

CAIN: Idiot! Why'd you tell him about the key?
ABEL: What was I supposed to say? That we let the Keymaker out?

Also, the keymaker himself tells Niobe and Ghost:
He imprisoned me for my keys.

From that I gather that it's not Neo's key that Merv wants.


As for the keymaker being an exile, you should also consider this:

Apocryphe wrote:

I just realized... we saw Agent Jackson in the highway chase but he had been copied by Smith before the chase (during the burly brawl).

matrix-explained.com...

All good points in this thread, especially by starcrow.

Some reactions from me...

Feral Boy wrote:

1) The sixth One (Neo) was the only One who acquired the ability to see the code of the Matrix. The other Ones were powerful, to be sure, but none of them as powerful as Neo. This is evidenced by the Merovingian's surprise at Neo's ability to stop bullets. I came to this conclusion because stopping bullets is the very first ability Neo demonstrated when he gained the ability to see the code of the Matrix at the end of the first movie. In fact, I believe Neo can stop bullets BECAUSE he can see the underlying code.

Mero is not suprised about Neo seeing code. When he looks at the woman eating the cake he says: "you can see it Neo yes?", without a suprising tone.

The stopping of bullets might be new to the Merovigian because with the previous Ones a clash might not have happened.

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2) The Architect, in response to finding out about Neo being more powerful than the previous Ones, decided that he didn't want to encounter him after all. He prepared himself just in case, but the meeting was something he was trying to avoid. One thing the Architect does not want to risk is for Neo to take control. The Machines believe that humans must be kept under subjection at any cost, and they are prepared to lose their entire source of power and live under horrible conditions before they'll allow humans to be in control ever again.

Archie doesn't like it, but he has to! No need to stop Neo from reaching him. It's only needed to create the illusion that he doesn't want to be reached by the One.

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3) The Keymaker has basically the same understanding of the big picture that the Oracle does

I don't think the Keymaker knows all this. He just carries out his purpose with devotion and passion. The only thing he says in ETM is that if the One does not reach the Source, then it will bring on the end of everything! He never says anything about him believing in the One and that he is going to make a change.

starcrow wrote:

But what he does not know is the thing about choice. He knows that the Matrix is providing some kind of fake choice ("Choice is an illusion, created between those with power, and those without."), but he does not know that choice is causing the remainder. He does not know that the Matrix will be destroyed if The One does not return. He does not understand the "why". Why does The One restarts the Matrix? All he sees is the effect (Matrix restarts) and the cause (The One). By eliminating the cause (holding the Keymaker hostage or killing The One) the effect will not occure.

Neo and Mero about the Keymaker...

Neo: "you know why"

Mero: "yes, but do you?"

So he knows the why! And yes choice is an illusion, but Neo is going to change that at the end of M3.

starcrow wrote:

Just a side note: What confuses me is that everyone just seems to have waited for Neo (Merovingian, Keymaker, Architect...). It's like they are 'bots' of a First Person Shooter and as soon as Neo steps in, the scripted events take place.

That's because everything is planned and has a purpose in the deterministic Matrix. It's a loop that goes on and on and on and it always involves the main programs that 'call the shots'.

starcrow wrote:

The only thing I don't fully understand is why Archi mentiones Trinity. It just seems to me that he is forced to mentioned her as she is part of Neo's choice and therefore necessary in the process to function properly.

Only one choice is neccesary: go to the Source or back to the Matrix and your little Zion friends (although the reunion is going to be short).

He brings on Trinity because he is sure that Neo is not going to let her go. The Architect lets her die at the supreme moment so that Neo would not have a reason to return to her and so that he will comply to the reload.

What the Architect did not anticipate is that Neo's love is so powerfull that he can resurrect her.

tozy wrote:

As for the keymaker being an exile, you should also consider this: Apocryphe wrote: I just realized... we saw Agent Jackson in the highway chase but he had been copied by Smith before the chase (during the burly brawl).

Since the storyline of "Matrix Online" mentioned that the program structure of normal agents was infected by Smith, I also believe that this is a strong argument: Smith corrupted their mission parameters and let them go after the Keymaker.


Here's my take on the Keymaker...

His purpose is to make keys, nothing more. His finishing and most important work is the key for the One. The Keymaker does not neccesarily have to assist in bringing the One to the door, because he trustfully gives the key to Niobe and Ghost in ETM. I think he would have told Niobe and Ghost about the security meisurements they have to avoid, but they were interrupted by Cain and Abel.

That the Keymaker helped out when Morpheus and Neo were fighting the Smiths was fun and added a little to the tension, but I think that the One would have made it without the Keymaker too. He would have kicked the Smiths and stopped his bullets while Morpheus opens the door.

So conclusivley: he made the crown of his work: the key for the One and he brought it to his friends --> end of purpose --> "you are no longer neccesary!"

If the agents would not like it that he helps the anomaly, then they would say something like "no place here for exiles/traitors".

The reason why the Merovingian kidnapped the Keymaker is indeed to acquire the eyes of the Oracle. He knows how fond the Oracle and the Architect are about the reloading, so he figures that the Oracle will be willing to cut a deal when she becomes desperate. That's why the Merovingian explicitly sends them back to her --> "run back to the fortune teller and tell her that her time is almost up"

Now why would he do that if he risks his own death with it? Boredome? No progression of his power anymore? The only thing that he doesn't have yet are the eyes of the Oracle, so why not play a game? Take a risk? What does he have to loose?

those with power have much to lose..., yet they are always striving for more of what they already have.

Man, I'm getting tired of trying to figure this all out. Every time I think of a unified theory that explains everything, there's always one or two parts that contradict. I mean, I'm happy to find out about them in the sense that I don't want to be deluded in thinking that I figured it out, but I hate having to go back to the drawing board all the time. And after a while, my brain can't handle all the variables and possibilities and keep track of how one theory affects everything else. Arrrggghh!

First of all, I want to point out that tozy made an excellent point when he mentioned the scene from Enter the Matrix. I had only watched the live segments from the game on the DVD boxed set, but I should have read the whole transcript that included the computer animated scenes. It now appears that the Merovingian didn't want the key, but his two lackeys did (maybe as a power play against their master).

The thing that always screws me up is trying to figure out characters' motivations and how much knowledge they have.

The Architect's motivation and purpose is to balance the equation. Everything he does and thinks revolves completely around that. Based on that, the first assumption I make is that he will always want the One to make it to the Source, including Neo (despite my latest theory that he didn't want Neo to make it). That's the simplest explanation until proven otherwise. I would say that apart from the intuitive knowledge of the Oracle, the Architect possesses the most amount of knowledge of all. The Oracle knows everything he does, plus whatever she sees with the Sight.

The Merovingian is a powerful Exile who wants more power. His entire empire resides solely in the Matrix, and if the Matrix falls so does his empire. Therefore, it stands to reason that he wants the Matrix to continue. He is also a trafficker of information, so he would know quite a lot. There is no indication that he knows less then the Architect about the big picture, and if he were to find out about something the Oracle saw with her Sight, he would probably count that as valid information as well. Add to that his evil nature, and you're dealing with a very dangerous individual. But something that Mobil pointed out that is worth mentioning is that he is a consummate deal-maker. We never see him renege on a deal, even if it would give him the upper hand. And when he makes threats, he carries them out as well. This is part and parcel of his cause-and-effect mentality. But in regard to the deals he makes, he WOULD be perfectly willing to take a chance with his entire kingdom if he thought it could lead to more power. The Oracle described him perfectly when she said that this is his motivation.

The Oracle's motivation is an end to the war. She'll go as far as Neo is willing to go in order to get it. She can't see past the end of the path, but she also knows that the path must be taken--even though nothing impressive has happened in the past in regard to that same path. She'll keep trying until something different happens.

I can't figure out the Keymaker. The reason I say that he's like the Oracle is because he talks like her ("we do what we're meant to do" "I see such-and-such happening") and he also sees hope in the end of the path eventually leading to something more worthwhile than yet another cycle (his excited talk about Neo's key unlocking the future). But the part that confuses me is whether or not the previous Ones encountered him. If there was some other way to get to the Architect (possibly the reason for him being marked for deletion), then why would he bother trying to provide Neo with a second way to reach him? Why not just let Neo find the standard method of reaching the Architect? And if there was only one way to reach the Architect instead of two (or more), and he would therefore be necessary and have a purpose, then why would he be called an Exile? This crap is contradictory, man! I suppose having the agents being corrupted by Smith might be an answer, but the thing that bothers me about that is that Agent Jackson's reappearance smacks of bad continuity in filmmaking rather than a purposeful plot device.

I don't know. Maybe I just need to take a break from all this theorizing for a bit. My brain is full and I'm just getting ticked off.

Over in the same forum RainKing gave this simple but very informative answer:

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After he finishes the key to the source (he only makes one), the keymaker is no longer needed. "Useless" programs are exiles. As an aside, look at all the copies of keys the Merv has. Tumblers are only issued once, they never change.

His purpose to the path of the One was done. His purpose in the Path was not.

*Dying "He'll [Neo] know which door."

That's another reason why Inev says he "unlocks/ignites the future like a bomb!"

Mobil_Ave_Neo wrote:

starcrow wrote: He does not understand the "why". Why does The One restarts the Matrix? Neo and Mero about the Keymaker... Neo: "you know why" Mero: "yes, but do you?" So he knows the why! And yes choice is an illusion, but Neo is going to change that at the end of M3.

The "why" Mero knows is that Neo needs the Keymaker to go to the place where he reloads the Matrix (a thing that Neo does not yet know). But I think the Merovingian does not really know "why" the Matrix needs to be reloaded. If he would know, then he should have some vital interest in helping Neo to reach the Source and would not be trying to kill him. This makes no sense to me.

Mobil_Ave_Neo wrote:

The reason why the Merovingian kidnapped the Keymaker is indeed to acquire the eyes of the Oracle.

That is indeed possible and would make perfect sense. However, in M2 he does not mention the Eyes of the Oracle. He does not want to cut a deal in the restaurant ("The Keymaker is mine and I see no reason why I should give him up. No reason at all."). Instead, he gets the termination code for her shell from Ram-Kendra in M2. It seems that he is trying to harm her or force her to leave the Matrix, being unable to interact with Neo any more. And with her shell terminated, how could the Merovigian catch her to get the Eyes? In M2 it seems he just want to destroy her, to be the most powerful program in the Matrix. But indeed, getting the Eyes from her instead of trying to destroy her would make more sense as this would give him more power, allowing him to see beyond this version of the Matrix. But he does not mentioned it. Maybe the W's just wanted to strech this a bit to have something for M3...

The Frenchman I would say almost definatly knows why Neo needs the key, and that he is used to reload the matrix. He has after all survived multiple reloads, and his control of the trainman puts him in contact with information in the matrix and in 01. As for the possible curruption of agent thompson by Smith... you think the W's would not give us the clue to why everything was funky untill nearly a year after revolutions with just a small tid bit on one agents slight code corruption? Everything you need to solve most of the puzzles is mostly in the 3 films, with the rest from the animatrix and to a lesser degree Enter the matrix. While I expect some mysteries to be revealed through the MxO, I don't see them as greatly effecting how we interprit the trilogy, instead just adding new layers on an already large tapestry.

I have to agree with Ferral that the argument that thompson was currupted seems to me to make for awful continuity problems in the film, and it seems to imply way to much to be able to peice together the truth. I still think you have to consider workable alternatives of the One restarting the matrix. The Merovingian probably know's what that key opened, there is a reason he destroyed that one key and not the millions of keys in the keymakers room. If a key exists then Neo can potentially get around him without need of the keymaker. He wants to be in a posistion of power, which requires that others need things that he has.

As for the Architect wanting to balance the equation, reseting the matrix with the One surrendering his code temporarily is just one possible way to create that balance. You cannot know if through destroying the One he can also recycle the anomaly, although he probably knows. Besides that one moment, the only way to balance is to try to kill the anomaly. Create some counter weight to it. Thus the unexpected result of Smith. The keymaker was at one point needed, he is no longer needed. Perhaps the architect no longer needs the One to reach the source. Or perhaps agent Thompson is stoned, currupted, stupid, or ignorant.... but considering he is an agent of the system, in the service of 01 and the source, it seems unlikely.

hexediter wrote:

The Frenchman I would say almost definatly knows why Neo needs the key, and that he is used to reload the matrix.

I agree. But does he know why the Matrix needs to reload? According to his actions, he does not know.

hexediter wrote:

As for the Architect wanting to balance the equation, reseting the matrix with the One surrendering his code temporarily is just one possible way to create that balance. You cannot know if through destroying the One he can also recycle the anomaly, although he probably knows.

I don't think there is another way. This moment of truth, this choice is needed, as it is the very nature of the anomaly. If Neo had been killed, then my best guess would be that the remainder would spread again into the Matrix, maybe causing some undesired results.

Therefore, all that 'resistance' of the machines (including the agents) is just deception. Inside the Matrix, The One was never really in danger (maybe with the exception of the encounter with Smith in M2, but he belongs not to the normal path of The One).

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Inside the Matrix, The One was never really in danger

See, right there is the kind of thinking that comes a little easier if it's been a while since you've seen the movies. And what I mean by that is that as time passes, your mind starts thinking in generalities and you can more easily ignore or forget the intensity of import of certain key moments.

Let me give you an example that deals specifically with the quote from starcrow. I watched the first movie a week ago and was taking lots of notes (so I have no life, sue me). I tried to pay attention not just to key things that were spoken, but also the visual and emotional impact the movie had on me--which are just as important in this trilogy as the more technical information.

Before you read the rest of this post, you might want to stop for a second and watch the end of the first movie, starting with the agents chasing Neo after Neo's fight with Smith in the subway. You may not believe it, but having this stuff fresh in your mind gives you a different perspective than if it's been a while.



All done? No? Then go watch it like I told you to, turkey butt!

Okay, now that you've seen it, what did you think about the part where Smith shot Neo? What did you think when he unloaded his entire clip into Neo? How about when the agent checked Neo to make sure he was dead? How about when there was no look on any of the agents' faces on the order of, "Oh crap, we weren't actually supposed to kill him!"

How about when there seems to be no retribution for this atrocious act against the Architect's will, such as a booming voice saying, "Your erroneous action has irrevocably ticked me off. Concordantly, you shall be erradicated from existence! Ergo! Vis a vis!" followed by lightning bolts coming out of nowhere and causing the agents to explode.

How about when Neo comes back to life, and instead of being relieved that maybe their stupid mistake has been undone, they all (not just Smith this time) proceed to unload their guns on him.

How about when the only reason that the agents leave Neo alone is when they realize that they wouldn't be able to kill him?

Okay, I know I went a little overboard in trying to make my point. But when you watch this scene, you realize that the One's life was most definitely in danger--even to the point of death. And here's the kicker: if you believe that it was Trinity's love that brought him back to life (which I believe is the official explanation if I'm not mistaken), then this is not something that the Architect would factor in. He never would have thought of something like that happening. So it's not like he allowed the agents to go all the way and kill Neo just because he knew that good ol' Trin would save the day and set the One back on track.

What's my explanation for it? I don't have one! That's the problem! It makes absolutely no sense to me that the Architect needs Neo to make it to the Source and wants him to and can control what the agents do and yet allow something like this to happen. Putting on a good show to fool some Zion rebels is one thing, but actually killing the One is another. It's easy to forget that, because he came back to life. But at the time, the agents didn't know that would happen. And when it did, they tried to re-kill him. That's not about deception or putting on a show. They meant to kill him, and they accomplished it. And if Trinity hadn't been there, he would have stayed dead. I hate to start believing that the Wachowski Brothers are contradicting themselves, but I don't know what else to think!

@Feral Boy:
First of all, I wrote the The One was never in danger. Neo only became The One at the end of M1. But that is not my real point here (am not yet an old man )

We don't really know what happend between Neo being shot by Smith and his resurrection. There are various explanations.

1.) Trinity's Love rescued him. This would be quite spritual, but very much possible. Love saves the day. Nevertheless, this would have nothing to do with luck, because the Oracle has already foreseen that! ("Your next life maybe, who knows?" - Oracle") ("The Oracle told me that I would fall in love, and that that man, the man that I loved, would be the One." - Trinity).

So, what's the deal? Everthing is in the green! Don't panic! It was already known before! You even could say that Tinity's Love did choose The One! So, there's no reason for the Architect to get a heart attack.

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2.) Neo had to be shot to realize the truth about the Matrix and to turn into The One. ("You got the gift, but it looks like you're waiting for something." - Oracle). So, it would be possible that Neo has the potential to be The One. But to be able to unleash it, he has to make this (near-)death-experience. If, in this moment of death and resurrection, Neo catches the anomaly or the anomaly finds Neo and merges with him, we don't know. We don't know what is happening there. Maybe Neo already has/is the anomaly ("You got the gift" - Oracle) or he gets/becomes it in this moment. I have no clue about it.

Thus, killing Neo would be part of the path of The One. Also in this case, the Architect does not need to worry about anything. Everything goes as expected.

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3.) Neo needs to be in the moment of death so his consciousness can be altered in the way it is needed. ("the process has altered your consciousness" - Architect) Maybe only is this stage between life and death or in death the anomaly can be attached to Neo (by the Architect/Neo/itself/someone else) or this mind can be freed.

In this case... no problem at all! The Architect even intended to kill the one who will become The One .

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So, whatever is true, may it be one of the points above, a mixture of them or something completely different, the death and ressurection of Neo was part of the path of The One. It just happend as planned.

The agents, for their part, only know what they need to know to fulfill their tasks. They are not aware of the big picture, as I already wrote in other threads. They are just some pieces in the game.

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BTW: You also always have to keep in mind that M1 has to work as a stand-alone movie. Therefore, not everything always really fits absolutely perfect with the other two movies. But I think it fits quite good if you make some assumptions.

Ok this is going to be a spoiler for those who have not done the Pandora's Box Missions, because there is some important information there regarding The Keymaker.

The Keymaker and The Boxmaker were both created by the Machines to make special encryptions and codes to protect information from bluepills and redpills in The Matrix. The Keymaker also had an apprentice called Cleff, who worked on the encryptions for The Machines (Unfortunatly Cleff gets deleted). The Keymakers purpose was over, and was ordered for deletion, where he was kidnapped by The Merovingian, and taken as an exile. In Reloaded we see him in the dungeon forging a Key which is needed for a special encryption for The One - to return to the Source.

The Keymaker manages to get Neo and Morpheus to the destined door that is where the return to the Source. The Keymaker however dies (as we all know). In the Last mission for the Pandora's box, we speak with The Merovingian in Club Hell, and he explaines about The Boxmaker being angry with him, because of the death of his brother. My theory extends that to the Pandora's Boxes, where these are further encryptions from The Boxmaker - previous versions of the Matrix. This is a purpose that keeps The Boxmaker in business, because of the previous Matrices. He maybe making his revenge with the help of The Antedeluvian with the boxes.


Maybe The Boxmaker asked The Merovingian to look after The Keymaker, and maybe he found out his conditions from what he was living in at The Chateau?
Could The Boxmaker have visited The Oracle, and asked for the help to save his brother from The Merovingian from his prison? - in exchange for the encryptions needed to return to the Source?
Maybe now that with the death of The Antedeluvian, does this mean The Boxmaker will now be hunted down for termination?

*takes a deep breath and attempts a Zen-like calm*

Starcrow, I totally hear what you're saying. I do. I've thought a lot about this and I've proposed theories to try to cover all the bases (including what you said about death being necessary), but nobody liked it. I even came up with an analogy where the death and resurrection at the end of M1 had ties to Christ's baptism (where he received the power of the Holy Spirit--power of the anomaly, anyone?) more than it tied into Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb. No takers. I'm not saying that my opinion is necessitated upon others agreeing with me, but I do respect the opinions of the people in this forum and I don't wish to ignore them. I figure if I have stumbled upon the truth, it would be self-evident to a sharp group such as this one.

1) In regard to your idea that the Oracle has foreseen it, I totally agree with that. The problem with that in reference to the Architect, however, is that I don't think the Architect believes that the Oracle can see into the future (due to his apparent disdain of the name she gave herself), and therefore wouldn't count her "mad ravings" as something he could count on. That's why I think he only trusts his own calculations and observations--which I'm sure wouldn't include Trinity raising Neo from the dead. And I do believe that that is what happened, because when Neo returns the favor at the end of M2, she says that they're now even. Granted, she may be wrong about whether or not she was the one responsible for bringing him back to life, but at this point I don't see why I shouldn't believe her.

2) In regard to Neo needing to be shot, that is the ONLY way that I can make sense of this. That's why I suggested in another thread that ALL the previous Ones had been killed and resurrected in some way in order to help them progress on the path. I proposed that the anomaly was what made it happen, not Trinity's love. We know that Neo has been the only One who had a "love connection" and if the previous Ones had also been killed, they wouldn't have had anyone like Trinity to bring them back to life with their love--so it must have been something else.

3) And if there was something special about Neo to begin with, apart from the anomaly, that opens up another can of worms. That means that there just happens to be a special someone like Neo that pops up every cycle and helps the Architect balance the equation. In other words, Neo wouldn't be a result of the anomaly (as the Architect suggests) but would be a completely separate phenomenon that just so happens to also be able to help out the Architect with his little problem. And while I like the idea of someone who is born special and unique, it doesn't fit in with how the Architect describes him or the odds of it happening--especially when you consider that everyone talks about the appearance of the One being expected. If it's random and not the result of any external influence, then how can it be expected?

3) I like your description of Neo's consciousness being altered at the moment of death. Every time that happens in the trilogy, it is due to an event that is similar to death, such as his mind being separated from his body.

And though I understand what you're saying about M1 needing to be a standalone movie, then I'd also like to know how many other things should be ignored. It might clear up a lot. I guess I'll have to schedule a meeting with the Wachowski Brothers. I hope they're not too busy.

"Then something happened, something I knew was impossible but it happened anyway. You destroyed me Mr. Anderson." Considering Smith knows how this one thing has gone around in the past, I consider it unlikely that any past ones were ressurected in the way Neo was. We are told Neo was waiting for his next life, but this doesn't mean the others who went on to become the One were also waiting for their next life.

I still agree with Morpheous, if they knew what I knew, you would be dead. Thus they killed him, then tried to rekill him. The machines try to kill Neo, his partners, and his means to reaching the architect throughout the first two movies up until the very moment he enters the chamber. Then they continue to see him adversarily untill he speaks with duece. They are very consistent in this behavior, and I don't think it is some kind of game to make sure everyone believes what the machines want them to believe, although it does indirectly serve that purpose. While I am routinely dismissed, I still see no other way around this problem without it contradicting itself or taking giant leaps of faith that I don't think the W's intended. The meeting between the architect and the One is the last contingency, not the desired contingency, and that I think you must come to terms with, and also it's possible implications.

Quote:

While I am routinely dismissed, I still see no other way around this problem without it contradicting itself or taking giant leaps of faith that I don't think the W's intended.

I don’t have a problem adopting the idea that the meeting with the Architect is a final contingency, but we should discuss the implications if that’s true.

First off, there are two possibilities related to the stability of the Matrix. Either it’s unnecessary for the One to temporarily disseminate the code he carries for the Matrix to remain stable, or it is necessary but the Architect is very much ready to let everyone die and for the Machines to be without a decent power source.

1) UNNECESSARY

It could be that killing Neo takes care of the problem. He’s got the sum of the unbalanced equation with him and when he dies it gets deleted. This may not necessarily be too far-fetched, because the code ends up just getting deleted when Neo dumps it into the Source anyway. That’s what happens to code that gets dumped into the Source, whether it’s the unbalanced equation or sentient programs who no longer have a purpose. If that’s true that would make complete sense why the Architect allows the agents to do their job without giving them exceptions (kill everyone except the One). Zion’s existence would then be mostly to help find the One. And if the One manages to stay alive, then Zion would also function as a contingent affirmation. And whether the One lives or dies, Zion will be destroyed.

2) NECESSARY

If the Matrix will crash without Neo dumping the code into the Source, yet the Architect does everything within his power to stop him from accomplishing that, then that would seem as if the Architect prefers for all humanity to be destroyed. One of the problems with that is something that another poster pointed out, which is if it truly was the Architect’s goal to kill the One—there are many ways he could have done so. As the programmer of the Matrix and the one who makes all the rules, he could take whatever measures were necessary to kill the One. But instead what we see is that the agents are only a threat to Neo up until the end of the movie when he proves himself to be the One. After that, the agents are upgraded, but only to the point where they last a little bit longer in a fight against Neo—but still lose. It’s almost as if the upgrade was only for the purpose of making it look like they’re trying to beat Neo, rather than an actual effort.

Since I prefer the simplest explanation, it would seem that the theory that the integral anomaly can be deleted simply by killing the human carrier is the better theory. At this point, I am not as interested in theories that seem the most plausible and give you the warm fuzzies, but in theories that are simply possible at all. It’s one thing to say it’s unlikely and another thing to say it’s contradictory.

I want to touch on the Keymaker’s role in regard to the above theorizing. If the meeting with the Architect is a last contingency, then anything that leads the One to the Architect is not considered necessary. After all, if it’s not really what the Architect wants, then he’s not going to purposefully set up anything that causes it to happen. What that means for the Keymaker is that if he tries to help the One to reach the Architect by making him a special key, then this would be AGAINST the Architect’s wishes. Such an act of treason would definitely earn him the status of a traitor and would lead to his deletion. I’m trying to think of the best way this could have come about while still remaining harmonious with the movies. How about this:

Based on the number of keys in the Keymaker’s cell, I’d say he’s only been held in there for the duration of one cycle (100 years maximum). That’s assuming that the keys we see are the only ones he’s made, of course. That would mean the Keymaker was not in the Merovingian’s possession for the first five cycles. But it makes more sense if the Keymaker was an Exile in all five cycles—probably helping each One reach the Architect. Making a key for the One would be against the Architect’s wishes, and would therefore not be a valid purpose in the Architect’s mind. And since he probably made all the keys for the tumblers way back when the Matrix was first created, he probably served his purpose and was marked for deletion before the first cycle even started. But since he believed in a higher Path for the One, he avoided deletion and stayed in the Matrix to ensure that the One always got a key from him. And when the sixth cycle came around, he was unfortunately caught by the Merovingian, who wanted him for the keys he could make for him (giving him more power in the process). The Keymaker made the keys once when Matrix 3.0 was first created for the agents (they hold all the keys, as Morpheus stated in M1) and the Merovingian wants him to repeat that task.

If the Matrix can be reloaded simply by having the One be killed, this would also explain why the Merovingian destroys the key—knowing full well that it would help Neo reach the Architect. And why he ordered his men to kill Neo.

Hmm…..this is looking more and more like a better answer to the problem. Hexediter, sorry I didn’t listen to you earlier. I hope you’re right about this, because I’m getting very tired of trying to figure this all out.

I'm scared to say I'm right, and you made some good points. There are a few more possiblities however, or rather it may be more complicated then just the 1 and 2 option thing you presented. I think if the One is alive the choice is necessary. If he is dead, you don't need choice, you just take the code from his corpse. If you've blown him to bits, I'm not sure what the result would be, it could be that the anomaly stops with his death, or that it continues untill the system can no longer function. So in theory, I think it is possible to get the code from Neo by killing him, his brain should still be active for a short time after his death.

The other problem lies in your thinking of the architect being able to kill Neo if he wanted too, or that he indeed had opportunities that he might have wasted. "The matrix is a system, a system based on rules, because of that, they can never be as fast or as strong as you can be." When making agents, the architect is limited by the very rules of his programmed reality. To fundamentally change those rules is a very dangerous thing to do. If you make the impossible possible, people not only will begin to reject the matrix in greater numbers, but some of them (redpills mostly) may find they are able to reach these new limits of the system as well. The anomaly acts outside the system, the rules do not apply, he is special, the very nature of an anomaly. In truth he is empowered by a force outside of the matrix, and greater than the matrix in the sense that it is primary. The matrix is built on top of the machine world, and the source. I think the merovingian and Seraph, who seem to represent Neo's greatest physical challenges outside of virus Smith, also help explain perhaps why the architect doesn't make agents as powerfull as perhaps he could. These programs have strayed from his authority, yet retained much of their power (the Oracle included). Seraph has beaten agents, and protects that which matters most. He is a protector, something of an agent, and his name implies this too.

Just thought of something... perhaps the limits of the agents abilities lies in the fact that they are tied to software of the system. They are taking over avatars of blue pills, and thus are tied to the programing of the matrix in ways that other programs are not? The twins, the merv, Seraph, Oracle, keymaker, all independant programs in their own shell with the ability to free themselves from the system's control (obviously). Notice that Smith was not able to get free untill Neo had helped him achieve it by accident. So perhaps this limitation of freedom yet application of formidable power turned out to be the best way for regulating the matrix. Plus the agents have the added benifit of being the sort of shadow police, they are everyone, and they are no one.

Then of course, if you just think of the mere possability of creating something powerfull enough to kill Neo in the matrix when he is the One. Smith, in all of his power, could not destroy or kill Neo untill Neo chose to give in to him. Creating agents of that kind of power, and still not knowing if you can kill him. I do not think he would ever create a counter weight like Smith on purpose, far to dangerous. If they should disobey him they could potentially move against the machine world as well, much like Smith would have if he had been able to. Then there are also the consequences of having even more people reject the matrix because of these even more powerfull agents you have created. I'm sure the Merv/Seraph serve as reminders of this, especially the merv and his ghosts, vampires, and werewolves. They caused more problems then they solved.

Of course the biggest problem, is that it is not simple to kill the One. At least it isn't if you don't know who will be the One untill after he has been found like I suspect is the case.

Also a note on the meeting being the last contingency, while this is true, it is also the most probable contingency given the record of every past One reaching his chamber. And as a footnote I also need to add that he thinks the meeting is the last contingency, obviously the trilogy proved that the game was not over yet. And the matrix did carry on even though Neo died, or perhaps it is better to say it carried on because he died.

hexediter wrote:

"Then something happened, something I knew was impossible but it happened anyway. You destroyed me Mr. Anderson." Considering Smith knows how this one thing has gone around in the past, I consider it unlikely that any past ones were ressurected in the way Neo was.

This is not an evidence at all. Maybe Smith was not around the previous times to hunt The One. Maybe the other Ones resurrected but did not destroy Smith. There are many explanations.

Or you may be right. The other Ones were not killed because each One has his own unique way to realize the truth, unleach his powers and become The One. In case of Neo, it was necessary to do what has been done.

hexediter wrote:

The machines try to kill Neo, his partners, and his means to reaching the architect throughout the first two movies up until the very moment he enters the chamber.

This sems strange to me, for several reasons.

A) By just killing Neo, the problem could not be solved, as the problem is choice. If they kill Neo, there would be no moment of truth... nothing. Neo has to make this choice. If the Architect was not forced to let Neo choose, then there would be no reason at all to let him choose in the chamber! The Architect could just present one door to Neo... the door to the Source. "Congratulations for reaching this chamber... now, this way please." Why letting him choose if this was not necessary? There is no logic in that. Therefore I say that making this choice is necessary and unavoidable. And in addition, just like the Eyes of the Oracle, the Code of The One cannot be taken, it has to be given. Neo has to reach this point.

B) The machines aren't stupid. I mean, this is the sixth time they go through this cycle. If they really had intended to kill the One, then they should have found better ways to kill him. But they only have these few pitty looser-agents with those tiny crap guns around. They should at least have presented the upgrated agents already in M1 to kill some more rebels. They should have come up with something better. This just makes no sense to me. The One was never in danger inside the Matrix. But it is true that the agents try to kill Neo and his party as they do not know the truth. They only know what they need to fulfill their purpose. The agent's disadvantage is, that they were designed not to be successful in completing their (fake) mission.

C) If The One had been killed in the Matrix, there would be nobody to choose the 23 people, rebuild Zion and restart the next cycle. The Architect's speech gives me the impression that this just happens every time. It is the normal way the cycle goes.

BTW: Everything Morpheurs says (especially in M1) cannot be taken as true evidence or proof. Morpheus does not know the truth. he is deceived by the Oracle and the Prophecy. Morpheus sees this whole thing just like the audience does in M1. He just has no clue what is really going on.

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@Feral Boy:
I think the Architect believes the Oracle. He knows her powers. She came up with the right idea. And that fact is what bothers him. She did found the solution, not he. He now has to share his brilliant work with someone else. But as the Oracle is part of the cycle and does her job in every cycle, I think he trusts her that she is able to do what she is here to do.

And yes, the step from M1 to M2 is a bit confusing at first. Because M2 turns everything upside down. And as M1 could not be made the way the W's wanted it to do (being just a part of a triology), there are some compromises.

But you forget that there had to be a beginning somehow. This cycle started with a Oneless Zion coming out of nowhere. If it started that way, stands to reason they could do it again.

Also I'm well aware of Morpheous beliefs and his dogma, but I think he's right in some cases. I also agree that the code does have to be given by Neo, but if he is dead, why can't they just take it? Neo no longer has any will that is there to stop them? Right? I just think the odds of actually stopping Neo from reaching the source are so small, that it might as well be not an option to kill Neo or stop him from reaching the source, but I still don't think the architect is happy with the solution he is currently working. He's working on his end just as the Oracle is on hers. And it's not that they are stupid and thus can't kill him, it's that he simply has been unable to do so, he has not been able to avoid this anomaly. If he was confident he could stop it he wouldn't need to go to such great lengths to lead the One on a certain path. To make sure that he goes where he's "supposed" to go.

He still needs the rebels in M1 to help find the One. Once he is found he steps up his game in response. At that point zion is no longer needed, they are already digging. All that's left is for Neo to complete his random tasks to reach the source. He does indeed want the Oracle to lead him in this direction, but at the same time I still feel he's trying to play his side of the game. The arc is thinking something like I'll try to screw him up as much as possible, probably won't work, and given that reality he'll probably show up at my door step anyways and we can have our little chat and restart the matrix if he know's what's good for him.

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that fact is what bothers him. She did found the solution, not he. He now has to share his brilliant work with someone else.

No it isn't. It is why it needed her involvement. Some of you all make it sound like the Arch's main prob. is his ego. The problem is why his reasoning is not enough in itself to get the job done.

For what it's worth, hexediter, I think you have a very good grasp of what's going on. And while Loct's post went un-recognized it reveals that alot is now going on besides Zion's activities, which is also very significant.

hexediter wrote:

But you forget that there had to be a beginning somehow. This cycle started with a Oneless Zion coming out of nowhere. If it started that way, stands to reason they could do it again.

This is true, indeed. The Architect's speech just sounds like the five previous Ones just did that. It belongs to the cycle. You also could ask why The One is expected to choose the 23 individuals. The machines could just give him 23 people. Would be more control for them. But I agree, this might be a weak argument. I shall withdraw it...

hexediter wrote:

I also agree that the code does have to be given by Neo, but if he is dead, why can't they just take it? Neo no longer has any will that is there to stop them?

You answered this question yourself. The One has to make this choice out of free will. Free choice. It is vital for the process to fuction properly. Check my point A) above again. If this choice in the chamber is not necessary... then why oh why does the Architect present this choice to Neo?

I agree that the Architect does not want to give Neo this choice. He is not happy with this solution, but he just does not know another solution for the problem. he cannot avoid it. This is the moment of truth ("wherein the fundamental flaw is ultimately expressed" - Architect) There is no way around it.

hexediter wrote:

And it's not that they are stupid and thus can't kill him, it's that he simply has been unable to do so, he has not been able to avoid this anomaly.

Right, he cannot avoid it. But for killing The One... I offer you two alternative ways how they would be able to kill him.

i) Send a sentiel army / a special unit / a secret agent to stop him in the real world. Just look at this. The underground channels are just occationally visited by some poorly equipped sentinels. If I were a machine, I would flood these channels with millions of high tech robots and sentinels, to search and capture/destroy Neo and take his mind-code. Hell, the machines seem to have almost unlimited resources, just look at their army and city. This EMP-thing is also just lame. It was given to the rebels by the machines! So, they really do not intend to harm the rebels seriously.

ii) It would be no problem for the Architect to kill Neo in his chamber. This chamber is not inside the normal Matrix, just as the Trainstation isn't. Neo's powers in M2 are limited to the Matrix. In the Trainstation, Neo has no powers. The Trainman could easily beat him. Just the same way, the Architect could easily beat Neo in his chamber. They even were able to do that before! They could guide him to some place ouside the Matrix. Neo would go everywhere the Oracle wants him to go to.

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Besides (and this is for me the most important point), I don't think that just collecting the anomaly-code and inserting it to the Source would be enough to balance the equation, save the Matrix and reload it. There has to be this choice-element included. And this can only be given by The One, it cannot be taken by the machines. Thererfore, killing Neo would not help anything.