»How could there have been 5 before Neo?«

In reloaded when Neo is talking to the Architect he is told that he is in the 6th version of The Matrix. Then it is stated a couple of times that there were 5 One’s before him.
But he is also told that the first 2 versions were flawed and that it wasn’t until another program (the oracle) came up with a solution of given the humans the illusion of choice that this issue was resolved. But as a result of this resolution there was an unbalance that created the One.
If this is the case then how could there have been 5 before Neo? Could their not have only been 3 since the one is a result of the Oracle fix and this was not implemented until the 3rd version.?

for the longest time...pondered this ...i have...mmm...yes

Very good question. As you've stated, the Architect says to Neo that he prefers to look at as the emergence of one integral anomaly to the next. In layman's terms, that means he's not counting the previous versions that have failed. It makes even more sense that he's not counting those versions as he is someone who is "bound by the parameters of perfection."

So in essence, counting the two versions that have failed along w/the versions where the anomaly has emerged, the movies are showing the events in the 8th version of the Matrix.
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GPieters wrote:

Very good question. As you've stated, the Architect says to Neo that he prefers to look at as the emergence of one integral anomaly to the next. In layman's terms, that means he's not counting the previous versions that have failed. It makes even more sense that he's not counting those versions as he is someone who is "bound by the parameters of perfection." So in essence, counting the two versions that have failed along w/the versions where the anomaly has emerged, the movies are showing the events in the 8th version of the Matrix.

Correct, it's the 8th Matrix.

Hmm. I guess it would appear that the theories and philosophies surrounding the number 6 are out the window.

Whatever the truth may be, there is no chance that Zion has been rebuilt from 23 people five times in the years 1999 to 2199. Morpheus is wrong about this, as he is about Neo. by the way, this observation strongly suggests the matrix within matrix theory, and the theory that the whole human civilization evolved within the matrix (as does the fact that vampires and even angels are adapted programs). The question remains why Smith says "the Matrix was redesigned to this, the peak of your civilization" [Matrix 1]. That is a flaw already in the first movie, since the matrix would have to be reloaded constantly if it was not allowed to evolve.

*headdesk*

No, no, no, Exile -- Morpheus doesn't know about the other Ones. None of the humans did. Morpheus and the other freed minds THOUGHT it was the year 2199, but they really have no idea of what year it is. It all goes back to the Lie of the One.

Don't forget that several years passed between the release of the first Matrix movies and the sequels, so there is bound to be at least one continuity error. I thought the Wachowskis handled that issue rather skillfully.

of course. i forgot the fact that Zion is destroyed every time the path of the One is at an end. No need to destroy your furniture with your head

That was a light headdesk.

THe real headdesking is saved for bad fanfic and stupid people. ^^ Glad to have enlightened you!

Jay, there was never "versions" of the matrix the architect just uses that word, he counts each matrix from each anamoly. There have been 6th, the previous matrixes were not matrixes because they were not succesful. The matrix is a system, that system works on the rules of mathematics. Neo is an anamoly, the result of an unbalanced equation. If you know aljebra the equation must be balanced that why you isolate the variable by the inverse operation(s) on both sides to keep the equation balanced. The unbalanced equation is not equal, if it isnt equal it doesnt work, causes an Anamoly. The anamoly is inevitable whether in math or the matrix, it happens from time to time. The last 5 "ones" accepted what the architect had told them and went threw the right door to pick 23 indivisuals from the matrix to rebuild zion, neo didn't. Instead Neo choose the door one the left to Trinity, this was a turning point, that eventually ended the war.