you'll see some areas where Indoc Theory needs refinement.
If it's going to be proposed by Fans as a viable Ending for
Bioware to impliment, we'd best get our facts straight.
1. Shep's "Street Clothes":
This is melted N7 Armor. If you doubt that, please, play that sequence again and look at it carefully.
It is not a wardrobe change or a wrinkle in reality. It's simply melted N7 armor.
2. Squadmates Fate:
There is no indication whatsoever that your Squadmates were vaporized.
The running sequence where Harbinger zaps everything can be paused
and looking around at any point during that sequence, your squadmates
are no where to be found. Same goes for Anderson.
3. Unlimited Carnifex & Keepers:
If Shep's armor was melted onto him/her, it isn't a stretch that his/her guns
are also gone. Picking up a discarded Carnifex isn't far fetched at all.
It's unlimited ammo is odd but doesn't necessarily offer compelling
proof of Indoctrination. It's inability to shoot Keepers is also less
compelling proof of Indoc Theory & more a case of game design where
a decision is always made about who can be attacked/shot & who can't.
It is possible that this is Indoc Proof, but highly unlikely.
4. The Citadel's Processing People, Moving Walls, Shadow Broker Design, Direct Path:
The Citadel has hidden Reaper Intentions, Functions, Design.
It is quite plausible that people meant for processing would have a specific place that
they are beamed to. This place would logically not have been found previously as
Reaper Control would logically reformat parts of the Citadel to process races into Reapers.
The "Walls Moving" comment made by Anderson & the Shadow Broker Design of that area of
the Citadel don't necessarily support Indoc Theory. The Shadow Broker's ship was done by
an unknown ancient race, it could easily be a relic from the Reapers or borrowed design from
the Citadel from an ancient race in a previous cycle. The moving walls seem more a plot device
to A indicate the Citadel is reformatting itself under Reaper control & B explain the fact that
Anderson 'beams' to a different (albiet similar) processing room from Shep yet he arrives on
the terrace ahead of Shep. This is also likely the case with the direct path to the terrace.
5. Indoctrination's Beginning:
While Indoc Theory has a great deal of proof, it seems it's beginning is most likely NOT
Harbingers 'black out' Beam. The Whispers, Black Tendrils, & Shaky behavior of both
Anderson AND Shep on the Terrace is a blatantly obvious start of Indoctrination. It also
makes complete sense as the Reapers would most certainly have a hidden function in
the Citadel to (likely at certain public open places) Indoctrinate it's inhabitants. Not only
would their arrival through the Citadel as a portal as the start of their invasion be deadly
on it's own merit to the Race of that cycle currently living on the Citadel, but Indoctrinating
the inhabitants is a logical final deathblow that fits with the Reaper's being thorough.
Therefore Indoc begins from the Citadel, not from Harbinger in person, not from the Illusive
Man... who is already quite Indoctrinated & seems to be revelling in it rather than fighting it.
(until you convince him to kill himself that is)
6. Illusive Man on the Citadel:
The Prothean VI clearly stated (when accessing it in the Illusive Man's chambers) that
The Illusive Man had already fled to the Citadel & THEN informed the Reapers of the
Alliance's plan with the Crucible. Therefore his appearance on the Citadel is not really
support for Indoc Theory beginning at Harbinger's Beam. In full plausible plot TIM has
already arrived at the Citadel before the Reapers take it and if the Reapers DID clean
the Citadel out of potential resisters, TIM's obvious full Indoctrination would make him
easily overlooked.
7. The StarChild Ascension:
Indoc Theory proposes that the Final Terrace which is seemingly out in space &
rife with symbolism in the 3 Choices, is in fact a Mind-Scape inside Shep's head.
The point where Hacket is asking Shep 'what up?' with the Crucible because it's
not firing, & Shep can barely crawl or speak, likely indicates Shep is falling unconcious.
Shep's ascension, the breathable Space Terrace, & the StarChild clearly taken from
Shep's memory, are all indicators of a Mind-Scape. Shep's inability to argue with the
StarChild other than choosing 1 of 3 highly symbolic and role reversed (blue = 'good'
TIM while red = 'bad' Anderson, backwards) choices, (middle = the suppossedly
balanced choice even though it's what the Reapers DO, obviously in agreement with
their philosophy not Shep's) are also indicators of brianwashing.
The final disjointed cutscenes & Shep appearing to be sacrificed are indicators of
being brainwashed into thinking the fight is over & there is no longer any need to
Resist, thus giving in to being brainwashed. The StarChild's Reactions to these
choices also indicate it is an attempt at Indoctrination in Shep's Mind.
8. Rubble Awakening:
There is no clear way to determine WHERE Shep awakens, in WHAT rubble he/she is in.
The camera is too zoomed in & little else can be seen other than the melted N7 armor &
Shep's Alliance Dog Tags. Thus, Induc Theory isn't proven false if it's a miraculous fall
from the Citadel and the ruins of London or if it's somehow the remains of the Citadel,
because neither locale can be confirmed.
All that is known from this result of Breaking Indoc & choosing the Red Ending is that
Shep has awakened from previously being unconcious. End of Line.
9. Codex Entries:
Instances of Game Breaking, Plausibility Stretching, & Tacked On Context are already
rife within the Mass Effect Franchise/Trilogy.
Thermal Clips were added in ME2 as a game mechanic & explained into the Plot
to support this change from unlimited ammo vs overheating weapons in ME1.
Shep was brought back from the dead in ME2.
The Normandy was rebuilt from scratch w/some improvements.
Shipmates in ME2 were able to add improvements to the Normandy that were not only
experimental & top of the line, but this could instantly occur with a simple dialogue choice.
These things and many more are proof that, like all games, Mass Effect's own Game Lore
and Context can be bent and even broken to suit the needs of the story.
Insisting that Indoc Theory is impossible based on Codex Entries & what players know about
Indoctrination to date is a hollow & poorly supported assertion. While Indoc Theory could easily
be incorrect, it is not proven false by Game Lore & established Context in a story that has already
stretched and broken both of those things for the sake of 'what the creative team wanted' for a sequel.
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