T
THE S-MAN
Guest
I apologize if this thread is a repetition of another theory thread, but with as many as there are it seemed like it would be an almost obscene waste of time to coast through the numerous theory threads concerning quotes from and the general setting to the Half-Life series. Cut me some slack, it is--after all--my first post.
BASE CONCEPT:
Now as clich? as it sounds, and trust me I know it sounds clich?, I believe that the events taking place in the Half-Life saga, have been, besides the first few minutes of the original, all either A. A dream, B. A subconscious, self-created world, or C. A sub-reality manipulated and controlled by The G-Man.
ELABORATION:
There are three points at which this "dream world" could have begun. The first point is at the beginning of the Resonance Cascade, where reality
began to sort of "cave in" upon itself. The G-Man's clever manipulation of Eli Vance did NOT in fact open a portal to another point in space and time, but rather to another dimension. When reality began to collapse upon itself, true reality came to a halt, waiting for the sub-reality to finish itself. So, upon beating the entire series one might be treated to, oh say, a return to absolute normalcy. This point might be supported by the fact that The G-Man did not exhibit any sign of omnipotence before the Resonance Cascade, but once this sub-reality was created, seemed to hold free reign over all of time and space. Well almost free reign, but we'll get to that a little later.
The second point would take place at the end of Half-Life 1, as the G-Man puts you into 'stasis' (although the actual method used to preserve your conscious with no perceived passage of time remains unknown). At this point the 'it was all a dream' clich? becomes a possibility. Perhaps in your particular form of stasis The G-Man's superiors saw it fit to test you by forcing you into a dream-state, or perhaps the dream is all your own. This point is most likely supported by the 'Wake Up' theme in The G-Man's opening speech to Half-Life 2 (perhaps meant more literally than we at first perceived), and the fact that you are placed, without direction, in a seemingly random environment makes it seem a bit like a test environment.
The third and what I believe to be the final point at which the 'true' reality became fudged, so to speak, is when the Vortigaunts obstruct the ability of The G-Man to manipulate the events of "reality". Perhaps this sent "reality's" well-planned events into chaos, as The G-Man, a symbol of order and systematic calculation (one need only look at his style of dress) seemed extremely perturbed by this intervention. I, personally, believe this to be the least likely point of reality distortion, but perhaps someone infinitely more wise or better informed can argue this point.
IN-GAME "EVIDENCE":
"We see you still in Black Mesa. Clearly we see you in the Nihilanth's chamber." -Vortigaunt; It is my belief that the vortigaunts are mental manifestations of Gordon Freeman, which combat The G-Man in his attempts to remove Gordon Freeman from this fantasy world. The inverse may also be true, and it may be The G-Man, who is attempting to wake Gordon from this fantasy world, as the similarities can easily be spotted. This is further supported by the Vortigaunt line: "Could you but see the eyes inside your own, the minds in your mind you would see how much we share? We are you Freeman... and you are us." Which seems to suggest that there's more to the bond that Gordon and the vortigaunts share than he knows, and perhaps if he could see, he could "Wake up."
POST-SCRIPT AND REFLECTION:
Now keep in mind, it's a loose theory I came up with mostly on the fly. I am no expert at time-lines or the scientific repercussions of Resonance Cascades and whatnot, just a normal guy who got to thinkin' in his spare time. Be gentle.
BASE CONCEPT:
Now as clich? as it sounds, and trust me I know it sounds clich?, I believe that the events taking place in the Half-Life saga, have been, besides the first few minutes of the original, all either A. A dream, B. A subconscious, self-created world, or C. A sub-reality manipulated and controlled by The G-Man.
ELABORATION:
There are three points at which this "dream world" could have begun. The first point is at the beginning of the Resonance Cascade, where reality
began to sort of "cave in" upon itself. The G-Man's clever manipulation of Eli Vance did NOT in fact open a portal to another point in space and time, but rather to another dimension. When reality began to collapse upon itself, true reality came to a halt, waiting for the sub-reality to finish itself. So, upon beating the entire series one might be treated to, oh say, a return to absolute normalcy. This point might be supported by the fact that The G-Man did not exhibit any sign of omnipotence before the Resonance Cascade, but once this sub-reality was created, seemed to hold free reign over all of time and space. Well almost free reign, but we'll get to that a little later.
The second point would take place at the end of Half-Life 1, as the G-Man puts you into 'stasis' (although the actual method used to preserve your conscious with no perceived passage of time remains unknown). At this point the 'it was all a dream' clich? becomes a possibility. Perhaps in your particular form of stasis The G-Man's superiors saw it fit to test you by forcing you into a dream-state, or perhaps the dream is all your own. This point is most likely supported by the 'Wake Up' theme in The G-Man's opening speech to Half-Life 2 (perhaps meant more literally than we at first perceived), and the fact that you are placed, without direction, in a seemingly random environment makes it seem a bit like a test environment.
The third and what I believe to be the final point at which the 'true' reality became fudged, so to speak, is when the Vortigaunts obstruct the ability of The G-Man to manipulate the events of "reality". Perhaps this sent "reality's" well-planned events into chaos, as The G-Man, a symbol of order and systematic calculation (one need only look at his style of dress) seemed extremely perturbed by this intervention. I, personally, believe this to be the least likely point of reality distortion, but perhaps someone infinitely more wise or better informed can argue this point.
IN-GAME "EVIDENCE":
"We see you still in Black Mesa. Clearly we see you in the Nihilanth's chamber." -Vortigaunt; It is my belief that the vortigaunts are mental manifestations of Gordon Freeman, which combat The G-Man in his attempts to remove Gordon Freeman from this fantasy world. The inverse may also be true, and it may be The G-Man, who is attempting to wake Gordon from this fantasy world, as the similarities can easily be spotted. This is further supported by the Vortigaunt line: "Could you but see the eyes inside your own, the minds in your mind you would see how much we share? We are you Freeman... and you are us." Which seems to suggest that there's more to the bond that Gordon and the vortigaunts share than he knows, and perhaps if he could see, he could "Wake up."
POST-SCRIPT AND REFLECTION:
Now keep in mind, it's a loose theory I came up with mostly on the fly. I am no expert at time-lines or the scientific repercussions of Resonance Cascades and whatnot, just a normal guy who got to thinkin' in his spare time. Be gentle.
.
