They are not "given to you by the Catalyst." Or, to use anti-ender sensationalist/victim rhetoric, they are not "decrees forced down upon you by the evil, meglomaniacal warlord Reaper-AI dictator of the galaxy and his racist Nazi agenda."
The only things that people who make this claim base it on is the fact he's telling you what your options are and because of some "looks like"-nonsense from the cutscene itself ("looks like its part of the decision chamber.").
That's it. Two weak pieces of evidence to support that claim.
Now, let's try my explanation...
1.) It is clearly stated in the ending's in-game dialogue (EC more than original version) that the options come from the Crucible.
Relevant Quotes:
1.) Catalyst on finding a new solution: "You have altered the variables." (keyword: you).
2.) Catalyst, on finding a new solution: "I can't make them happen. If there is to be a new solution, you must act." (common sense: why design three choices that he "wants" -- some more than others -- but has to rely on someone else to activate? Also, why would he just "sit on" three solutions that -- by his admission -- are better than his own??)
3.) Catalyst on Destroy: "The Crucible will not descriminate." (keyword: the Crucible).
4.) Catalyst on Destroy: "Your Crucible device appears to be (state of device, EMS-dependent). However, the effects of the blast will not be constrained to the Reapers." (keyword: the Crucible).
5.) Dialogue Wheel, renegade response: "Then I won't use the Crucible." (I forget what the response is from Shepard after choosing this option, and youtube only ever has paragon dialogue selected by the uploader)
6.) Catalyst on Control: "You could instead use the energy of the Crucible to take control of the Reapers." (keyword: the Crucible... noticing a trend by now??).
7.) Catalyst on Sync: "Add your energy to the Crucible's. The chain reaction will combine organic and synthetic life into a new framework." (keyword: the Crucible).
8.) Catalyst on Sync: "The energy of the Crucible, released in this way, will alter the matrix of organic life in the galaxy."
... everything here works with the idea that the options are Crucible outcomes, not with pre-determined Catalyst choices.
And to preemptively respond to the two obvious responses...
"The Crucible is just a battery!"
No, it isn't. He calls it a "power source," which is a very broad term. One can accurately call anything from a battery to a nuclear weapon a "power source." That wasn't all he said, either. He also said (in the sentience immediately following it) that it is "adaptive in its design" -- meaning it can take on alternative functions (may not be the case in Low-EMS, however). Going hand-in-hand with that, the quotes above re-affirm the notion that the Crucible's energy can be released in ways that have different effects.
"I don't trust what the Catalyst says!"
Refer to quote #5. Shepard, even in objecting to the Catalyst, approaches the option as a Crucible outcome.
Do you not trust anti-Catalyst Shepard?
Also, there's more than just his quotes. Continue readan...
2.) Pic: Crucible/Decision Chamber Design Explained.
Consider this a response to the aforementioned "looks like"-nonsense.
Kudos to whoever made that. It definitely helped me better understand things with the ending. Generally speaking, the ending in general makes a lot more sense if you treat the options as Crucible outcomes, not the Catalyst's options (refer back to quote #2 and my notes on it in the above quotes section). If an explanation does not make sense, don't hold on to it because of "looks like" and "sounds like"-nonsense; discard it and search for a more sensible one.
3.) Solutions to Both Problems.
The only outstanding issue left is that the Crucible doesn't simply solve your problem (the Reapers) but it also solves the Catalyst's problem (tech singularity). 'Seems "all too convenient" that your options all seem to help him out.
It shouldn't. Your problem and his are one in the same. Catalyst/Reapers = manifestation of singularity.
I devoted an entire thread to this idea. I'll just re-post it here rather than repeat myself: [linky.]
So yeah, enough whining about "poor me having to capitulate to the agenda of the psychopathic, monstrous," ... ah hell, I can't even. Alllll the evidence points to those options as Crucible functions, which ofc, your allies built alone.
The Catalyst is only there to serve as an info-dump for the device and for the Reapers. Attacking him for the choices is just shooting the messenger -- it's misplaced anger and only an idiot thinks that will solve anything.
Don't like the ending? Fine. This thread is not for you to complain about it, though. You can always do that in a topic where the OP is sympathetic to your feelings, but odds are, I will not be and will actively challenge what you post.
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