Mass Effect 4 - The Dark Space Theory (Dark Matter, Conspiracy, Reapers)

[@gimli21]

idk dude I felt like the Catalyst and Reapers were completely full of it. The Catalyst tries to come off as the reapers are purely logical and hold no malice, but Sovereigns speech to Shep in ME1 is full of malice and distain for organics, and if you choose to reject the Catalyst his voice changes to demonic and angry. I think synthesis was just a clever way of indoctrinating the whole milky way at once. I seriously doubt they would be comfortable merging with beings they clearly thought of as beneath them.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya I actually think this is a really interesting take as well and could totally see it being this way and it being worked into the next story. The only reason I leaned more into liking synthesis is one of the main themes being that constant fight between organics and synthetics and one of my personal take always from the story was that organics and synthetics are doomed to always be in conflict, so only the synthesis ending results in a meaningful change otherwise you just wind up with the same issue of synthetics always rising to fight. The only other thing as well is that the developers have come out and said the indoctrination theories were not their intention even though they are cool, so I will just take their word for it on that one (and that is coming from someone that loves the idea of the indoctrination theories and indoctrination at the end)

[@FranklyGaming]

Also thanks so much for the support!

[@adamjrabil]

Ya the catalyst played on your heart strings to give yourself over for an idea and concept that my Shephard try to fight for. He brought the galaxy together, especially the geth and the quarians. Replaying over the years just feels like this is a main point and how the reapers indoctrinate their agents.

[@Rolf.Esbern]

@@FranklyGaming synthesis is a fate worse than eternal conflict in my opinion lolol

[@rjt201]

I didn't think of this, and now I feel bad about mindlessly thinking the synthesis option was the most paragon option.

[@karolinasvobodova3265]

"The correct ending is synthesis" I am done with you Saren!

[@FranklyGaming]

haha hes on to me boys

[@ramerino005]

🤣 my first play through I went with synthesis.. but then when I thought about it I was dam it .. I've been indoctrinated lol 😅

[@lolzyking656]

Yeah destroy was the only option for me, synthesis is rape, control will fail, and I don't believe the starchild, harbinger, it's lies.

[@thecircleoft.e.d2121]

Throw this indoctrinated traitor out the airlock!

[@FranklyGaming]

@@thecircleoft.e.d2121 forgive me father for I have sinned

[@petemarshall3512]

My Shepard reconciled the Quarians and the Geth after 300 years of hostilities, thus demonstrating that organics and synthetics CAN co-exist peacefully. Synthesis is the worst possible ending because not only does it spit in the face of that co-existence, it is a unilateral decision to reconfigure life itself without any understanding of the consequences.

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey man I like that idea too! I just vibe more with the idea that is just another example of organics thinking they can have the power when they cant. To me mass effect is about this never ending cycle between organics and synthetics and synthesis is the only thing that can break them from it. To me the quaran and geth Piece will eventually lead to the same doom. I do think it makes total sense though and know a lot of people see it that way. Thanks for taking the time to watch and support!

[@evanboll4651]

For me I got way too many Borg flashbacks the one time I did it. Destroy for the win, IMO. I'll just assume the Catalyst/Reaper AI/Starchild/whatever the Frack it was lied about it affecting EDI and the Geth in an attempt to preserve itself.

[@SamSam-hv5rf]

The fact that you think the Geth and Quarian’s making peace negates the reapers logic shows you are small brain status

[@Reimastered]

But can the consequence be worse than the cycle?

[@petemarshall3512]

@@Reimastered I think it could, yes. In fact I think it’s more difficult to imagine positive outcomes than negative ones. But the point is that Shepard has no real idea what it will entail, so assuming (or blindly hoping) it’ll work out fine is insanely irresponsible. It has the potential to damn all life present and future to an irreversible, nightmarish existence. And Shep’s supposed to make that gamble on the spot? Yeah, I’m sticking with worst possible option, haha.

[@Xtoffer87]

In synthesis, the husks gain back their self-awareness. Imagine living with that kind of body.

[@chaosgrunt9554]

Yeah... the sheer trauma of "wait a second... I got killed, stuck on a spike, turned into this zombie... thing and now I'm back. They'd all be insane.

[@fioafionawright8604]

@@chaosgrunt9554 *and potentially mown down again while attempting to kill my family and friends, before being once more resurrected with full recall of these things as a literal genderless featureless husk..

[@danentakoto2701]

@@chaosgrunt9554 they might get android bodies as compensation?

[@hajde8128]

Given the success of the Lazarus project I'm pretty sure there's a cosmetic fix for that

[@stevesmith42066]

@@hajde8128Imagine how would they pay for that, they’d have to get jobs, and I doubt they could get jobs, unless it’s like rebuilding everything

[@dungeonmaster9800]

So two things: 1) Dark Energy has been present in the games since ME1. The titular Mass Effect is the result of Element Zero generating dark energy when exposed to an electrical current. Yes, they leaned into it a little bit in ME2 because they were considering using it as a plotpoint in ME3, but it's always been there. 2) The primary reason the Dark Energy plotline was cut was because they realized it didn't make any sense. It was revealed in the very first game that the Reapers created the Mass Relays. If their entire purpose for harvesting organic life was to stop them from abusing dark energy because it was a threat to the universe, then why in god's name would they seed the galaxy with massive Dark Energy engines for organics to discover and then wait until they'd reverse engineered the technology to make it useable in everything from weaponry to transportation to toothbrushes?

[@KargothTheDark]

My questions exactly. It doesnt make sense in game. Still well written though.

[@МаксБурый-р2ю]

my favourite part is when quarians go back to their planet that killed you last time due to bad sun

[@mizzy8655]

Also how are you going to make an interesting game about a spectre trying to solve the sci fi equivalent of global warming?

[@stanislawstefanow6093]

Destroy the reapers is the way to go tbh. Synthesis takes away the choice from organics and machines, while Control doesn't break the cycle it just pauses it. It's more like a hard reset of the Reaper AI, and there's no guarantee that Shepard won't reach the same conclusion as the original reaper AI in a thousand, or ten thousand years time.

[@FranklyGaming]

hey man thanks a ton for watching and commenting! For me I guess I just see synthesis as the only that that "breaks the cycle". To me the mass effect story shows that ai and organics will always be in conflict, and to join is the only true way out. If shepard destroys everything years later someone else will make a A.I. and the same cycle would repeat, or at least that is how I see the story and why I find it so "poetic"

[@truthoftheuniverse4179]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLHfoeFpJV8nc0

[@devinqueen5776]

I actually think that the control ending is a subtle indoctrination path. You fight indoctrinated Saren who wants to coexist and indoctrinated Illusive man who wants to control. It's a hard steer left to control and synthesis after the entirety of the three games.

[@IamDavidHarris]

That’s why you Synthesize. If you destroy, organics would have created AI again. That was always the issue that was observed before the AI turned on the Leviathan. “Overtime, the species built machines that then destroyed them…” Destroying the reapers would also just pause the cycle until organics made the same mistakes.

[@johnhoran4245]

@@FranklyGamingyeah it breaks the cycle, but at what cost? Losing your free will eventually. Just talk to Javik about his cycle, he says a race merged with ai eventually gotten fully taken over by the ai.

[@Shawn4815162342]

Two words: Indoctrination Theory. The entire finale on the crucible isn't real; Shepard didn't make it to the teleporter. The finale is all in Shepard's head. 'Synthesis' is the lie Saren fell for, 'Control' is the lie the Illusive Man fell for. If you choose either of those, we see Shepard's skin burn away as he/she is turned into a husk. You gave in and are now indoctrinated. 'Destroy' breaks the indoctrination and we see that as Shepard wakes up, still on Earth. There is no controlling the reapers! There is no synthesizing all life! They are both LIES! 'Destroy' is the only ending that can move forward into a sequel. Andromeda avoided having to canonize one ending by setting it in another galaxy. But if ME4 is still in the Milky Way and after the events of ME3, then you have to canonize one of them, and the only logical one is 'Destroy'. Other threats could come from Dark Space or from other galaxies, but the 'Destroy' ending has to become canon and the reapers had to be defeated.

[@eugeneferguson5987]

Agreed. I thought everything after that suicide run to the Citadel was only in Shepherd's head.. On my first playthrough, I picked the "destroy" option and expected to see Shepherd waking up to bust out of captivity.

[@unclecomrade_yt]

Yes. Now tie that in with the some of original Carpyshyn ideas and you get the perfect franchise. Reapers harvest advanced species to rebuild them into a combination of synthetic and organic: themselves. They're doing that not to create a new life form but to improve their computing power. You see, as Leviathans have discovered in their time, the universe starts to fall apart due to intensive creation of dark matter or dark energy, which eventually brings universe to the Great Tear or the Heat Death. This excessive dark matter/energy is produced as a byproduct of mass effect technology, which is used all over the galaxy for all sorts of stuff. Some races even have an inborn ability to manipulate mass effect fields on will (such as asari, for example). As a great empire with almost unlimited resources and countless other species under their supervision, Leviathans tried to convince everyone to cease or lessen the use of mass effect technology while trying to find an alternative to mass effect or otherwise solve a problem of excessive dark matter/energy. They weren't able to do neither. But there was an idea: to create an ultimate AI, so advanced in its' computing power that it would overshadow anything else created before. It was also given all the resources Leviathans had and, as I might guess, almost (if not completely) free will, with the only limitation: its' task. The task being to find the solution to dark matter/energy problem and to save all life in galaxy and galaxy itself. After running countless models and strategies, it could not find the solution. It then decided that, for the time being, the use of mass effect technology has to be stopped completely. But that is not possible due to every species in the galaxy depending on it. The only solution to that, after much more models and strategies was to destroy organics that use the technology. But it interferes with task at hand, st least with some of the statements: preservation of life. So, the AI found a compromise that will, by machine standards, comply to all of the task's statements. That compromise: all species have to be harvested and rebuilt as a combination of synthetic part and organic part: a Reaper. That way, they are preserved in their biological aspect as the organic part of the Reaper, which is actual living flesh that looks like a specimen of that species, and in their cultural and technological aspect as the synthetic part. That way, the AI gained an unexpected edge: all of the species' knowledge can now be interpreted by the AI, giving it the possibilities to think differently, pick other patterns. As you might guess, the first species to undergo such a procedure were the Leviathans themselves. Willingly or not, they were rebuilt into a first Reaper, whose look was copied from species it was created from. That first Reaper was Harbinger. After that, all of the other races of the First Cycle were put under the same procedure. We hear from the Sovereign that Reapers are each a nation. That's the implication of his words. So, the use of element zero has ceased with the universe slowly restoring from crippling effects of dark matter/energy. But, in time, other species came into sentience, going out into space, discovering element zero, starting everything again... So, the Reapers came into the galaxy and did their harvest. It wasn't easy, as their number was not that great, but they did it nonetheless. After that they decided to simplify the process, making it to fall under 50000 years in terms of time. For that they built the Citadel and, possibly, the mass relays. They created the Keepers' species as the watchdogs, maintaining the Citadel and opening its' dark space mass relay when time of Havest comes. That went on and on and on... Each civilization harvested gave a new perspective to the Reapers and the AI, bringing it closer and closer to cracking the case. The Prothean cycle was given high hopes, as their influence and technological level, as well as their culture, were promising as a new perspective for the AI to latch on to. Alas, even they didn't provide the necessary information, actually making everything harder for the Reapers, as they disabled the Keepers' ability to receive signals of Harvest from Reapers and killed a lot of Reapers in their war with them. Remember, each Reaper is a nation, it's intolerable for the Reapers to lose any of the species, as it contradicts one of their tasks (life preservation). Anyway, it's our cycle now. After keeping track on all species of our cycle for thousands of years, the Reapers have decided that humans are most promising for the possible solution to the dark matter/energy problem. It became even more apparent after the rise of Commander Shepard, who became an idol and an icon for every other species in the cycle. The Reapers decided that Commander will become the "central unit" of thought of the Human Reaper. That's why he or she became one of their main targets. In the end of ME3, Reapers attempt to finally break Commander after years of indoctrinating him or her slowly but steadily (Commander is tough, he or she have fought it very effectively with just their will). That's when Indoctrination theory comes into play.

[@arcadis]

I guess the best thing about the destroy ending and the indoctrination theory is that Shepard only wake up if you get the *true ending* from the destruction ending. So, knowing that there's a lot of chance he wouldn't even survive the destroy ending, as it's easy to see he is part synthetic himself (let's remember the beginning of ME2) , it would make sense to go for the simple idea of indoctrination and that he was fighting all of this in his own head. By *destroying* the synthetic, he basically *destroy* the grasp of indoctrination.

[@hunterthewerewolf]

@@unclecomrade_yt Holyshit THAT'S a lot lol but very interesting though

[@cheekibreeki1983]

Dude, there's dead reaper lying around in next mass effect teaser, of course its red ending

[@sailorboy8314]

I’m sorry but control and synthesis both seem terrifying. I imagine what the soldiers on the ground would be thinking in those final moments. I doubt they would want to play nice with the reapers and husks that were just slaughtering them a moment ago.

[@FranklyGaming]

I imagine since they form one conciousness after that or rather fully understand one another they would be understanding haha. Either way though thanks a ton for taking the time to watch and comment man!

[@evanboll4651]

@@FranklyGaming So basically the Borg without all the hardware outside the skin.

[@LawfullSpook]

The destroy ending seems more scary to me tbh. as the game suggests it destroys all advanced technology and that includes faster than light travel, how do you propose feeding the 1000s of troops now stationed around earth with no way to get back home? Yes the Relays are eventually fixed but it wasn't done in aatter of days were talking on the scale of lifetimes 100s of years on the future. each species across the galaxy now cut off from it's military, cut of from any help if another threat came knocking, financial infrastructure gone the whole galaxy is centred around tech that was given to them by the reaper's. Once that's gone every civilization is now in a pre spaceflight era.

[@crums0nMyJ4cket]

@@FranklyGaming so it's an assault on freewill

[@drlukas4242]

Well couldn't Shepard use a reaper to talk to them? Well it's not like they can do anything anyway without the destroy ending.

[@OhDuhEh]

To me, control and synthesis represented different forms of indoctornation. Control equals power, absolute power over the universe - and absolute power corrupts absolutely, most likely resulting in an authoritarian dystopia. Synthesis on the other hand creates a seemigly perfect utopia - but one that discarded the free will and choice of individuals. Yes they all work together now, but none of them chose it. Nobody could be sure if they really want it, or if it was because the event changed them to act like that - altering their minds to fit the mold that achieves peace. Refusal on the other hand represents the breaking point. Near the end if you talk to Garrus he asks you how you are holding up and you can respond that there is only so much death one can see.. To me that ending makes sense for Shepard that didn't resolve the Quarian Geth conflict peacefully. Shepard finally realizes that none of the options presented result in what he sought, two for the reasons above and the third - destruction - because they believed the starchild, it would end with synthetics taking over and ending the organics for good. Shepard simply passed the baton to the next cycle, knowing that Liara had made sure the information would help those that followed to try and find a better solution. Destruction (Perfect) represents the true climax of the struggle. Defeating the reapers, like Shepard was always supposed to. Shepard knew they had brought peace to the Geth and the Quarians after 300 years of conflict - that alone proved false the claim that synthetics would always overtake their creators no matter what. They had ensured a cure for the genophage, brought forward the impossible Krogan Turian alliance. They procured every single capaple fighting force in the universe under the banner of hope. Shepard saw what they all were capaple of together. And with a heavy heart, knowing that the current synthetics would perish Shepard made the hard choice. All throughout the game the philosophy was present. Would you let 10 million die if that would mean 50 million would survive. Or would you save the 10 million even if it resulted in the deaths of the other 50 million beings. Shepard came to destroy the reapers and that's what they would damn well do - for every organic being in the universe. Regulal ole Destruction on the other hand seems the natural renegade choice, basically the same as above but without much weight on what Shepard had proven and seen - simply because they came to blow them up. End of story. TLDR; Control/Synthesis: Indoctornation 1984 happines drug. Refusal: Broken Shepard Destruction (Perfect): Proving them wrong, breaking free Destruction: F**k you reapers.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya I totally see this side too wouldn’t be surprised if they go this route, I guess to me the speeches with sovereign and themes of the trilogy represent why synthesis is the answer, there has been countless years of the same cycle and illusions to this being a unbreakable divide between organics and synthetics so I see synthesis as the two finally coming to evolve together. I think it makes sense from the other angle as well though of that being an indoctrination. My issue is “destroying” the reapers solves nothing AI will eventually be built again and the cycle will restart. It is inevitable. The only way to actually “solve” the problem is to synthesis, that is the thing mass effect teaches from one angle. Thanks for watching though I really appreciate the support!

[@EternalNightingale]

That’s deep but BioWare be like “we weren’t that smart to think of that” lol but it’s fun to see all these theories

[@BroozerCA]

@@FranklyGaming I get what your saying but the cycle was started by the reapers, so how can you say that there is a divide between organics and synthetics if the reapers see too it that they never get the chance to work it out. And even we have the chance to create peace with quarians and the geth but the reapers will still destory everyone still

[@jglerum94]

@@FranklyGaming I disagree with your take away - The series/Reapers preached the impossibility of cooperation... yet they were proven wrong on two fronts - 1. Friendly A.I. like EDI could be accepted and adopted by humanity and 2. Hostile A.I. like the Geth could evolve, forgive, and move forward alongside organic races. Synthesis isn't what the series was leading to. It's the easy way out. It's Shepard admitting that the fight for acceptance and equality is pointless, and forceful assimilation is the only/best solution for peace. You don't have to work for Synthesis. No matter how much effort you put in, it will always be an option. Perfect Destroy is a tough choice, but it's the only one that rewards and acknowledges all of the effort Shepard, The Normandy Crew, and the rest of the Milky Way put into uniting under one cause, putting aside old grudges and prejudices for survival. AI can be recovered/rebuilt. Hell, I won't be surprised if Liara backed up EDI somehow, and the Geth are known to have systems and hardware in dark space. But would you rather organics *earn* their path to peace, or have one flawed human choose the fate of all councious minds and violate the autonomy of billions after hearing a one-sided speech given by a cornered and prejudiced AI?

[@blacklightredlight2945]

@@jglerum94 It never says it harms their autonomy. The synthesis just lets organics and synthetics understand eachother. Aka why joker and edi look lovingly at each other after the synthesis.

[@leegaul2161]

Everyone knows that the new antagonist is going to be that sneaky space cow. Now that the Reaper threat is gone, it will wage it's campaign to pickpocket the entire galaxy.

[@FranklyGaming]

The one clue I missed, and the most important of them all. Haha thanks for watching man

[@Scottie_S]

I met that cow. I didn't go broke, but I didn't understand what the hell was happening. All I can say now is "avoid at all costs!" Reapers may have taken our lives, but they left our bank balances intact!

[@truthoftheuniverse4179]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLHfoeFpJV8nc0

[@Kenshiroit]

what cow?

[@itzryan1172]

Plot Twist, What if Dark Energy is the reason why the Milky Way finally merges with Andromeda as a result of warping time itself. It would open so many doors the possibilities would be endless. I'm probably wrong but hey one can dream lol.

[@FranklyGaming]

Exactly it just gives the writers essentially any possibility and sets up the whole universe to be explored yet again in an interesting way I think. Thanks a ton for watching man the support helps me a ton!

[@huanhoundofthevailinor2374]

You know when i first heard of andromeda i thought thats what they were goin to do have the galaxy's merging was disappointed when that was not the case although i still see huge potential in andromeda

[@guycopes9760]

Works for me. I've been thinking a lot lately about how the Scourge could open up time travel or gateways that defy known (within the game) physics allowing for much shorter travel times between galaxies.

[@Cryo_Gen]

Dark energy pushes things apart tho

[@huanhoundofthevailinor2374]

@@Cryo_Gen Not in mass effect universe we dont know what it does in mass effect but in real world we dont know for sure it even exists we think its the force responsible for the expansion of the universe but dont have enough data to be sure yet it might not do that at all

[@daredevilcammo]

Randomly searched for mass effect theorys, found this 4hrs old, not dissapointed at all, great vid man keep it up 👌👌

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that dude the support means a lot to me! Definitely will

[@Metroidhandler]

Ah ha that’s exactly what I did ! Great video

[@FranklyGaming]

@@Metroidhandler loving all the support on this video thanks a lot dude!

[@huanhoundofthevailinor2374]

Dark energy i like where you goin with this have a few ideas myself

[@huanhoundofthevailinor2374]

I will say i think they abandoned the dark energy thing because around that time science people started to say dark energy was only responsible for the universe expansion now though they not that sure thats fully right some new discovery's suggest it could play a much different role

[@matiasrisatti670]

So, the reapers were creating new reapers to gather enough processing power to discover how to stop the expansion of the universe due to dark energy

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya essentially I thought it would be a cool idea if the reapers kind of were the “good guys” all along because they know a lot more than we did and in order to preserve all life it was the only way, and it was even deeper than we thought. And it ties into andromedas storyline really well too

[@BorderLanderr]

I know I'm late to the party but here is my (admittedly long) take on the endings. Destroy is the only path to victory. Synthesis is a victory for the reapers. Control is the intelligence admitting to a draw. The Reapers are just as rampant and destructive as every other AI before them. Trying to prevent the destruction of organics by synthetics, by doing that exact same thing every 50k years? Absolutely not. The Catalyst admitted that it had made attempts at synthesizing all life in the galaxy, but had failed, even if it was the ideal solution. If you pick Synthesis, the reapers win. They have exterminated trillions upon countless trillions of people, and you end up giving them everything they want. Every life lost, every civilization destroyed, means absolutely nothing. The Reapers win. The Catalyst knows that its solution won't work anymore, and that Shepard standing in the energy room proves it. He says that the organics are more resourceful than its given them credit for. The reapers know about the crucible, and have been trying to destroy it for millions of years, but haven't been able to. Every time they think its gone, it pops back up the next cycle. And every time it shows up, it gets a little bit better. A little bit closer to destroying them. And now its here. Its been finished. And its about to kill them all. Offering Shepard control was an act of desperation. If by some miracle the crucible isn't activated this time, it absolutely will be in the next cycle. So the cycles won't work anymore. What is option 2, given that the Reapers aren't able to force Synthesis, and the next cycle will most likely see them destroyed? Control. But not Shepard controlling the reapers, but the reapers controlling the galaxy. Shepards mind becomes part of the Reaper gestalt. They know what he's gone through, and gained his understand of the life forms in the galaxy. The conflict between organics and synthetics will end by the Reapers imposing direct control, and intervening militarily when needed. Peace through superior strength. The reapers can't win, and choose a draw, instead of defeat. The Reapers will stop all conflict through force, but the cycles are halted. No winners, but the organics stop losing. Which brings us to destroy. The Reapers are defeated. And by who? Millions of years ago, a race knew it was going to die, but they had an idea. A dream. The crucible. A dream they never saw. But they wrote it down, and saved it for a people none of them would ever see. And the next generation did some math, and wrote a blueprint, knowing they could never hope to see it get past the drawing board. And the next generation made a schematic, and preserved it for the next cycle. Every cycle improved upon it as they could, and passed it on to future civilizations. Most knew full well that they could never hope to see it finished, and neither would the next thousand cycles. But still they persisted. They continued to improve and refine it because they hoped that *eventually*, a future cycle would be able to say "there will be a tomorrow". Something no other cycle had been able to say, but one eventually would. The Idea of the Crucible itself was beautiful. The one unifying experiece for all life for nearly a billion years, was working to defeat the reapers. Shepard was the culmination of hundreds of millions of years of hope, and despair. Suffering and dying, and fighting, knowing that every battle you fought meant nothing for you, but every moment bought with your blood was one more second that your people had to prepare the next generation. Like Javik said: every soul that had ever lived was watching Shepard in that moment. He was the one life out of uncountable trillions who could do what they had all been working for. Shepard was standing for all of them. He was the living fury of a galaxy of murdered souls. He stood on the edge of the abyss and screamed the defiance of a dead galaxy. He faced extinction itself, and struck it down. Shepard brought justice and victory for all who had ever lived. Destroy is the only true victory. Anything else is a betrayal to everyone the Reapers murdered.

[@mcrjb8867]

This is probably the best interpretation of the endings I have ever seen. Absolutely beautiful and perfectly written. Agree 100%

[@tylerchristensen1484]

Tbh, I’m looking forward to this next Mass Effect game because it MAY end up providing some context for the endings.

[@FranklyGaming]

My thoughts as well really just expanding our That rich world as well sounds right up my alley

[@x3wildcard]

Plot twist: the "Dark Energy" is actually the Unknown Aggressors from The Expanse.

[@SCRaetz]

DUDE! You're one of the few who bring up the #darkmatter storyline. That storyline would have made Mass Effect 3's final decision so much more compelling. If Shepherd terminates the Reapers, he is inviting whatever threat they were combating out in dark space into the galaxy. I really wish the development team went with this. Not only would it have been an better story, but really would have hammered in why player decision making was so important to the game.

[@FranklyGaming]

100% agree, and thanks for watching man!

[@KAYTRIOX]

This video got my imagination flying through deep space (Pun intended) I can only imagine how otherworldly or eerie organics and synthetics look after Synthesis. I love the idea of Synthesis merging two completely different entities to discover a cosmic horror threat within deep dark space with dark matter playing a major role in it.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya that’s the whole reason I made the video just to get excited for whats to come! Thanks for watching man!

[@blacklightredlight2945]

tbh, from the ending, it looked like synthesis mostly left organic design alone. It just gave everything the ability to communicate like a machine would.

[@petrusjnaude7279]

I like your theory since it has the possibility of tying in the events of Andromeda. I would love to see this actually happen.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya this would be my dream scenario kind of brings everything together and makes a cool overall story too. Thanks for watching!

[@music79075]

I feel like the control and synthesis ending was just the Starchild trying to save its skin while maintaining a percieved position of importance or power

[@sethprestenback7852]

Thats fair, but also head cannon. All of the endings were far too disappointing due to little elaboration. So all the endings really have to be taken at face value, because beyond that point all are kind of shit.

[@flamesarisen9446]

I don’t agree with your theory, but I must say it is well put together and it’s very compelling. Good job dude!!

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that man the support means a lot! I’m sure there are other awesome theories out there too just had to get my own out there, same with the Starfield one haha

[@TheMrgoodmanners]

The original storyline actually had something to do with dark matter. If you go through mass effect 2 where you meet tali on haestrom the idea is hinted at.bioware shifter from this arc in me3 unfortunately

[@TrailerNerds]

This is indeed probably one of the most impressive narratives ever created and i feel that the man who came up with it doesn't get enough praise for his efforts. It was captivating from every single aspect, great character development, amazing narrative, very good lore building, by the end of it the need to say goodbye to it was hearth wrenching and to all of those who appeared in this journey. Now the real question is how do you continue? cause it's really difficult to make something as relevant as this trilogy and make it as successful, serious shoes to fill, we never had a sci-fi like this series in more than 10 years now.

[@kylewhite8434]

Synthesis is the wrong, destroy is the right choice. Synthesis is the underlying theme of mass effect 1, mass effect 2 the underlying theme of control, even with Miranda telling Shepard that she wanted a chip in her to control her. Mass effect 3 the theme is destruction hence destroy.

[@sargepent9815]

Spot on. I feel there was so much more going on in the background than the story showed. After everything Shepard went through and learned, befriending Legion, convincing EDI and Joker to fall in love and then to throw it all away and destroy the Geth and disregarding the warning that Leviathan and StarChild told him. Also, destroy forever DESTROYS millions of harvested species essence and knowledge in reaper form. Either destroy ending is wrong or the scope wasn't as bad as StarChild said it would be

[@upmostanimal8265]

I know there's a lot of stuff that goes against what I think, but my headcannon ending is that the Catalyst is trying to manipulate you into doing what the Reapers want. So destroy is the only real option for me. It just feels nicer to me.

[@brostradamis]

Amazing video! I've played the trilogy at least 23 times, and this video totally makes sense. I really hope they go with this direction because holy hell that would be sweet.

[@FranklyGaming]

Tha ma so much for watching man really appreciate the support! And I’m really hoping they doing something similar to this would be amazing!

[@katie5998]

I debated for several days between the destroy and synthesis ending, control was never an option for me. On the surface, the synthesis ending is presented underneath the veil of peace and galactic-wide understanding. This sounds great, especially because Mass Effect 3's tone is a pretty helpless/desperate one. However, the reason I didn't pick it was because of Neon Genesis Evangelion and the way they viewed universal understanding and, well, singularity. The importance of identity, the importance of being individuals who come together rather than meld together. This, and the Catalyst's own shady response, "we have tried something similar in the past... it did not work, they were not ready for it". Synthesis is the final transcendence of human evolution--and yet, it gave me pause because...I honestly don't think anyone's ready for it. In the conversation with TIM before going and speaking with Catalyst, Paragon Shepard tells him that "no one should have that power" and "people aren't ready for it". I feel like this is a major hint that synthesis, why objectively good, will not keep peace. And once that peace ends? Shepard and the Catalyst are now programmed together. How much of Shepard is really there? How will they prevent the reapers breaking synthesis and killing everyone? The Catalyst has "tried this solution before" meaning he had to resolve it the way he's been resolving it for millennia--harvest. Control, well, straight-up sounds like indoctrination, and again I point everyone to the TIM conversation. All this, and it's worth pointing out that Catalyst was programmed to do this. Although I'm sure they've gone through evolutions themselves, having been introduced to so much information through the course of harvesting, and why I do believe he is being genuine in his conversation with Shepard--I do not feel he attempts to deceive them--I do feel his perspective is unobjective and more a product of those who programmed him, created him, that causes him to think *like an AI* and not an actual living thing--which leaves room for inevitable error. He is not perfect, if he has life, free will, free thought, then he could make a mistake. His knowledge is not absolute. So, it's worth doubting him, doubting the control and synthesis ending--it's better (imo) to end his program now and try something new without his influence. Having thought about all this, I came to the conclusion that the destroy ending was the only way to remove reaper control (for the time being at least). I also felt that the Catalyst was wrong, I had brokered peace between the qunari and geth, the geth were helping rebuild, and an understanding was being formed--already, I had proven him wrong. The geth did rebel, but through an understanding of ones motivations, they were able to come together and *rebuild*. This, to me, meant that it was possible for harmony (or at least as harmonic as the world can be) to be created without the involvement of singularity or the harvest. I don't know if this is the right decision at the end of the day. Maybe they would have been fine ascending to the final evolutionary stage, maybe time would be peaceful--but I have serious doubts.

[@liamw6295]

When playing through the Mass Effect games, I didn't feel like the overall theme was synthetics vs organics. Sure, there was the Geth storyline, but that was it. Literally. The ending was a hard pill to swallow for people because we couldn't relate to the reasoning behind the reapers motivation. If the games explored the synthetics vs Organics conflict (which isn't exactly a new sci-fi trope) a bit more I'd think to myself "ah fair play, I have spent the best part of 200plus hours experiencing these conflicts, I understand why the reapers were designed now. Although I don't agree with their calculations decisions, it's at least relevant to the theme of the games". Instead, we have an explanation completely out of nowhere.

[@ReviewGeek-eh2uu]

Indoctrination was the true ending that should have been incorporated in the game. At various intervals, stages from 2 through to 3 sheperd was indoctrinated by the reapers. So destroy was the only answer in the game. The illusive man was indoctrinated from 2 an you can see this in many stages. But also same to for sheperd. With mass effect 3 been the game where sheperd is fighting the indoctrination. Starting with the many hallucinations, then dreams sequences, the visions.. The ending been his only way out of indoctrination. The first two are the scary options because this would mean from my perspective that sheperd accepts defeat. An succumbs to the will through indoctrination like the illusive man did. But destroy option. He is free of the of the mind control. An destroys the reapers an saves the galaxy from further perile.

[@FranklyGaming]

I actually love the indoctrination theory and would love if they did that, sadly they came out and said it’s not their intention so I’m taking their word for it. Either way though thanks for much for the support!

[@FranklyGaming]

And I totally see your side as well and think it makes sense, I just interpret it a different way which is I guess what makes art so great

[@haydennoble9253]

The reapers were the friends we made along the way.

[@Av1cenna]

If the reapers wanted shepard to choose the sinthesis ending why the hell they gave him the other options? The sintthesis ending is the most ridiculous ending in the game, its simply illogical and moreover it changes the universe of mass effect drastically. Not an option

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey dude thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! I disagree here for sure but I see what others are saying. As I stated to me it’s the only ending that makes sense in the sense the other two just end with the same problem as before (organics vs sythetics). To me the games tell the story of how their is a never ending battle between the two, and controlling them would show how naive we are, and destroying them just means down the road we would create them again. Hence why at the end the game presents the choice as the “good option” through dialogue.

[@Av1cenna]

@@FranklyGaming it does make sense if you want to resolve the organic vs synthetics situation. But the thing that does not fit, is how the reapers did not do that before this cycle. If Shepard is so special and without him the synthesis is not possible, so why the hell a race of incredibly powerful machines who literally can brainwash organics does not simply, deceive shepard, saying that there is only one way to stop the cycles. The fact that they give the choice for the work they were doing for millions of years to some organic who is still organic, no matter how good he is. He is impulsive and irrational, he can be a tool for the reapers but not a man who can choose for them the fait of the galaxy. Imho

[@FranklyGaming]

@@Av1cenna I would say there you could just argue that they needed a being to finally be able to fully understand organics and synthetics to fully merge and it needed to be their choice because “love” etc etc was a key factor to synthetics merging. And more so it also I think is a reason this ending is not likely chosen for the next games because it takes away the center conflict of the entire first games

[@BlaBlaBla-76]

@@FranklyGaming But we proved it CAN be done. My Shep had made PEACE between the Geth and Quarians. Sadly, we can not mention that to the Starchild, but I was screaming it at my screen lol. It CAN be done, without synthesis.

[@FranklyGaming]

@@BlaBlaBla-76 hey dude! For me that would just be an example of organics thinking they can “tame” synthetics again, with time the cycle will repeat (or at least that’s how I like seeing it)

[@amjadbahnini3759]

this video deserves way more views than it currently has , high quality stuff man , keep up the good work

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate the kind words, thanks for watching!

[@hajde8128]

Seeing EDI's name on the memorial wall in the destroy ending, and knowing that destroy was also genocide against the geth after having worked so hard to broker a truce. Destroy is just all kinds of messed up.

[@seal3050]

The thing is about synthesis is that the Catalyst seems to want you to pick it, however... that's assuming reapers are not evil and want what's best for organic according to you and Harbinger, but you forgot the most important part, if you don't pick any option and choose to "fight" normally, the Catalyst will well, show Emotion a trait that isn't supposed to be carried by a program only designed to "save organic,", emotion of Hate saying "SO BE IT", that alone made me think that Repears are by default evil, so picking the option of synthesis you just accepted the bad choice, not the good one, but this is just my little theory a lot of people overlook the small tiny details of the Catalyst. (I know this isn't related to the video but i had to say this about synthesis since for me, Mass effect was always about the Destroy ending, the first thing your Shepard did is kill synthetics, Shepard will never bow to the Reapers.)

[@Aerophina]

I feel it’s possible a reaper could have survived after the war, pushing into dark space before the destroy ending (only ending that would result in Shepard not becoming indoctrinated) destroyed all of the other reapers. One reaper alone can cause such chaos that if used properly could make another worthy villain. After fighting the reapers I can’t think realistically of a villain that would stand up to that reputation unless it’s another reaper.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya that could definitely work as well whatever entity is out there. Thanks for watching and supporting!

[@jjankrom4398]

Leviathans

[@ivanbarroso865]

@@jjankrom4398 I doubt it maybe the leviathans knew more of darker entity I suppose

[@Hellohallo]

Everytime, the music is so beautifull

[@FranklyGaming]

appreciate that dude! one of my favorite parts of making videos

[@Molonlabe07]

We will have to see what the new game brings but I think it's likely that the perfect (7800) destroy ending will be canon considering that's the only ending in which Shepard survives.

[@SereneSimian]

Yooo the editing at the start with clips and voice lines from the game plus the music is 🔥🔥🔥

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate it! Ya been using this style in all my recent stuff too I love making em

[@SereneSimian]

@@FranklyGaming i enjoyed those contrasts with your slow and calmer speaking pace. The dynamic between intense and then peaceful energy and pacing is almost cinematic and not something I've seen many KZbinrs do (if any), keep it up!

[@vikashv1]

Were the Inusannon who proceeded the Protheans not a synthetic hybrid race, and the Reapers still wiped them out. The Reapers are not to be trusted.

[@Nmoren]

I know it’s probably the most realistic option that ME4 will take place like a hundred years in the future, but I really hope it doesn’t cause I want my Shepard and tali to finally get the happy ending they deserved

[@fioafionawright8604]

Oh Man the music in the original trilogy … Side note: nailed it in the outro, it’s that child like feeling of awe and wonder, the prospect of exploring a new universe filled with enough adventure, exotic beings and interesting people , to legitimately forget who or where you actually are at times.

[@FranklyGaming]

Music was really so good, one of my favorite parts of games and the videos I make, thanks for supporting my channel!

[@fioafionawright8604]

@@FranklyGaming fully, not even sure what it is, piano and flute or synth maybe? Is sad and hopeful at the same time, nostalgic hits, no sweat wasn’t expecting a reply, it’s cool you interact with folk .

[@FranklyGaming]

@@fioafionawright8604 try to as much as I can I appreciate everyone supporting my stuff

[@fioafionawright8604]

@@FranklyGaming we appreciate you making it.

[@Riiizun]

Quality as always, keep it up brother

[@FranklyGaming]

Appreciate it Glenn!

[@user-Zath]

You couldn't have said it better! The ME Trilogy takes me back to my younger years! I will re-re-replay it again someday :D

[@symol30872]

Great vid. Just finished ME Legendary and it's just as amazing as always (with better graphics and 60fps). Can't wait for ME4, I hope they confirm another trilogy

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey thanks a lot for the kind words! And ya it is one of my most anticipated games along with starfield, I just love big expansive sci fi universes

[@lxginventorymanagement1859]

holy fuckkk the production quality is insane. im watching all of your videos after this to see if you truly are the underrated goat this video leads me to believe

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate the kind words thanks for supporting the channel! ❤️

[@yamilink03]

Interesting theory, but you forget one thing..... reapers ARE a synthesis of organic and AI alway l already

[@SeverusHunt]

Many players do not understand something. The trailer shows a broken Relay. He's not repairing. In Control and Synthesis, Reapers repair all Relays

[@FranklyGaming]

Exactly, seems like destory is gonna be canon for sure, thanks for watching!

[@connor638]

If they do go the dark matter theory route how do you think they'll provide a central antagonist? Or do you think it should take a more star trek Avenue and have multiple smaller antagonists with the dark matter just in the background?

[@FranklyGaming]

That is the hardest thing to resolve in the whole theory I think honestly, because especially for the game I assume they would want an “antagonist”. It could just be some faction at the start and then slowly branch out into some “higher power” behind the dark matter I think. Either way though thanks for the support man!

[@SCRaetz]

@@FranklyGaming I think the players would need an antagonist.

[@AverageJohanson]

>The correct ending is synthesis You're committing genocide but you do you bro

[@FranklyGaming]

Haha people are not happy with me for this one

[@crunchycrouton8938]

Reapers are seemingly immortal, but surely they still need SOME form of energy to keep going. It’s entirely possible that they’re powered by dark energy, hence leaving the mass effect relays behind, if those create dark space when used. That’s why they wait each cycle in dark space, maybe it’s DARK space because of the dark energy. It’s a bit of a coincidence that the reapers showed up just as the dark energy is killing the star

[@AnthonyFrandsen]

Add to the mix, Liara would have access to Project Lazarus, no reason Shepard couldn’t be reborn the same way.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya I for sure could see Shepard coming back, I really hope it doesn’t happen tho I want all new characters, the trilogy was great but I want all new stuff not just a nostalgia fest. Thanks for watching by the way!

[@antieverything3162]

I loved your video and you captured my exact feelings for the trilogy perfectly! Everyone that truly loves this series is hoping for this!

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks for watching I really appreciate the support!

[@АлександърДелчев-ы3ц]

This video is amazing, its so well done and built, keep up the good work, you have potential to become a big KZbinr and you deserve a lot more subscribers. I am actually getting hyped, a feeling that I haven't experienced in a while. Keep going bro! :)

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that thanks so much! Support means a lot

[@TheMassacre1226]

This is Hands Down the msot thought out and interesting theory ive heard so far. Well done sir.👍

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that man thanks for watching and supporting!

[@noobslayer10101]

Indoctrination theory is still the best.

[@Peavey311]

That Blood Dragon armor was the business!!

[@OctopusWithNoFriends]

Brilliant video, man. New subscriber here! Anyway I've got all my human fingers and toes and tentacles crossed for ME4 to be as brilliantly epic in scope as possible. You've got great ideas in that respect.

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks so much for the support! And can’t wait to see what it actually turns out to be

[@Salt-Upon-Woundss]

The dark matter plot was basically a watered down noblebright version of Xeelee Sequence and the war between the Xeelee and Photino Birds. Just without fun things like the Interim Coalition of Governance and weaponized time travel, Along with hurling entire galaxies as point defense weapons.

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks for watching Bragg!

[@TypicalLuffy]

Videos where i keep looking to press the like button only to find i already clicked it are proof that it is a good video, good vid.

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that man! Thanks for supporting all the work I do ❤️

[@nils9397]

I very much enjoyed listening to you. This video was very well done. Have my sub x) Two questions: Who do you think will be the protagonist of the new game? And what do you think will dark matter be? Do you see it as a manifested threat like the reapers? Or more like dark matter that's being send out by some beings? Or just a "force" of the universe? But how would you fight that, right? Sorry if you mentioned that in your video. I'm no native English speaker so there might be a chance that I missed it. Looking forward to more Mass Effect content my guy!

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey dude thanks so much for the kind words that means a lot! And I think the protagonist could really be anything which is why I left it kinda blank, whether that is some sort of force at the start in the Milky Way, and that would likely branch out into some sort of entity trying to control dark matter and the universe that would be similar to the reapers like you mentionedpp

[@lomborg4876]

Would’ve been creepy if we’d have found a cave painting or even a dead reaper in ME:A

[@SeverusHunt]

Before the release of Andromeda, the developers said in an interview that the Reapers are not interested in other Galaxies

[@Knight1029]

I really doubt that dark energy would play a role in the games. It would feel to out of left field. Making it this. "Oh actually there is this bigger thing that has to be addressed." Same with the Reaper. I also don't think that Mass Effect 5 is going to be just the OT as Mike Gamble numerous amount of time suggested that the game will involve Andromeda somewhat. Also I like Andromeda and would like it to be continued.

[@FranklyGaming]

I think it would fit the games great and I talk about how andromeda ties in near the end I think this would be a great way to do it but honesty open to anything! Thanks for watching man!

[@Knight1029]

@@FranklyGaming I know you talked about it in the end. I just want the game that I care a lot. From the characters to the lore. To be expanded more instead of just being forgotten in favour for me what feels like nostalgic pandering.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya same here maybe I didn’t express that in the video well enough but for me that is what I like about the theory the most is takes the same themes from the first trilogu and kind of expands it

[@Knight1029]

@@FranklyGaming to me I always assumed that Ryder and crew would become mature and evolve into that role of Shepard. Like at the end of the game were Ryder is commanding forces was to me really seeing that development in action.

[@FranklyGaming]

@@Knight1029 ohh I see what you are saying more of a continuation of the andromeda storyline. I assume it’s not that since liara and reapers are in the trailer for the new game, but totally see that side I didn’t personal like andromeda so for me I would much rather have the themes of the old trilogy but honestly any high quality writing in this universe would be awesome. Thanks for clarifying

[@phifan-mia1503]

Just bring back Shepard. And not in some dumb way like he’s a clone.

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey dude thanks for watching! Ya honestly I’m kinda hoping they do a whole new cast I think the Shepard trilogy was amazing and kinda happy where it ended. I feel like another game with the same characters would be bland for me

[@frank031]

"synthesis is the correct ending" Yeah? Well uh, that's just like, your opinion man.

[@ComfortsSpecter]

That was one vibey intro

[@TFBlack-ix2cs]

I just like how you actually interact with the comments

[@drusik]

Personally, I always believed in the Synthesis ending, even before the Extended Cut was released. When EC was finally released, till this day, 11 years later, I have only watched the Control and Destroy extended endings once, but Synthesis I come back to every couple of years to re-watch it, because it is genuinely what I believe in. However, we all know the "secret" post-credit scene in the Destroy ending where Shepard takes breath. And as FranklyGaming pointed out, the dead Reaper in Mass Effect Next Teaser, I think this is a FINE THEORY! Where I would genuinely be frustrated of Shepard's "mistake", and will be more captivated of "cleaning up the pieces" so to say. It's been a long time since I was captivated by a game theorist on ME, I truly do hope that BioWare is listening! =)

[@Nautinthislifetime]

I always pick destroy. That's what Shepard has been working for the whole time. Who is to say that he wouldn't become corrupted in control and start purging people. Also, what would happen if people integrated with synthetic parts enter into some kind of psychosis due to what happened...kinda like cyber psychos in cyberpunk. So many unanswered questions with all endings. However, the video is very nicely put together and you make a compelling argument!

[@Python085]

I chose the 'DESTROY ENDING'. It just seemed like the CORRECT choice.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya I totally get that take too, thanks for watching python!

[@turtlegamez4274]

Apart from the refusal ending, destroy is the worst one lol

[@austinclark5278]

Yea but you kill the geth and Edi. Genocide of the geth doesn’t sit right with me. With control you could just tell the reapers to jump into a black hole or dive into a star to get a safer destruction ending.

[@Python085]

@@austinclark5278 I agree, but I thought I made a choice that would ALLOW the GETH and EDI to survive anyways I THINK?

[@TheMookie1590]

good quality for a tiny channel. youtube put this number 1 on my recommendations. must be doing something right.

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that it means a lot, ya this video is doing well compared to normal thanks for taking the time to support

[@Jaxom35x]

The ONLY reason I chose synthesis was because I just couldn't kill EDI. The moral arguments for all sides are all very deep, meaningful and none are wrong. The only right choice is the one that YOU made. Not the OP of this video, but you the player. The one who went through this whole series, who invested time and emotion into this world. The right choice was the one that you made.

[@aurelcorstan5242]

I personally liked the Control ending because I imagine that Shepherd uses the power of the Reapers to start fixing up the galaxy.

[@Cheeseptw]

this is the way to go! you've reignited my imagination for this universe love the video!

[@mikemcmullen5006]

I just want an optional mission to make first contact with a new alien species.

[@FranklyGaming]

Would be an awesome idea honestly, I talk about this In my upcoming Starfield theory video actually thanks a lot for the support man

[@QGarrison]

Did that in andromeda

[@viverasschweiz]

I also have the feeling that there is a bigger treat, behind the reappers existence

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

this guy channelling his "exploring series"

[@rhylin26]

I like the Milky Way versus Andromeda angle

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya figured it’s a good way to tie in andromeda and the original trilogy, thanks for watching Raul!

[@tragedyturnedtriumph4180]

Well Shepard... They got all summer & winter to figure something good.

[@FranklyGaming]

Hoping BioWare can return to form

[@deansheets]

Amazingly content man

[@FranklyGaming]

Really appreciate that thanks for the support man!

[@christophergroenewald5847]

My interpretation of the ending is that the Catalyst was designed to oversee the evolution of organics and synthetics and find a solution to the inevitable conflict. Finding this solution was beyond it's capability, so as a temporary solution it started the Reaper cycle. Preserving the bodies and minds of organics until a solution could be found. When Shepherd defeated Sovereign at the battle of the Citadel, he threw a spanner into the gears and interrupted the harvest. Believing the Shepherd to be a threat to it's plans, the Catalyst tried to eliminate Shepherd before the harvest began. It wasn't until near the end of the Reaper war that the Catalyst wasn't a threat to it's temporary solution, but rather proof that that solution no longer works. Shepherd was the first organic to ever defy the Reapers and win. It was also through his actions that this cycles organics and synthetics have found some semblance of co existence. Believing a new solution necessary, the Catalyst reached out to this exceptional organic for assistance. Presenting him with 3 possible solutions. 1) Control - Finding a new solution is beyond the Catalyst's capabilities, but maybe not Shepherd's. By replacing the Catalyst, it is possible that Shepherd could use it's resources to finally find a solution. 2) Destroy - Through the geth and quarians. Shepherd has proven that organics and synthetics can coexist and that the cycle of the Reapers may not be needed anymore. So, Shepherd is allowed to destroy the Reapers. Putting a permanent end to the cycle and allowing organics and future synthetics to find peace on their own terms 3) Synthesis - Shepherd can help enact a solution that the Catalyst has been working on during the entirety of it's existence. Merging the organic DNA of Shepherd with it's own synthetic code and dispersing that across the galaxy. Altering the matrix of all life. Combining organics and synthetics into a new form of life. The Catalyst believes this to be the inevitable outcome to the problem

[@areyouafraidofthedog]

Fantastic content. Subbed.

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@angel8fingers]

Great video! Great replay ability! This is a genius idea. If none of this makes it into the game, you should approach the property owner with this story! You could get published dude!

[@FranklyGaming]

Appreciate the support thanks man!

[@Supajack831]

Very well done video, loved it! Spot on. LETS GO ME4. Go hard!!!!!! The thing that ruined ME:A for me was the gameplay felt very repetitive, especially with the tombs. Devs! Keep the gameplay fresh and interesting while allowing us to continue learning as we play and we’ll be hooked for life!!!!

[@a-aron391]

This would be interesting to see if the dark matter issue was brought back as an issue.

[@FranklyGaming]

thanks a lot for watching and supporting the channel man!

[@The_Voice_Of_Osiris]

Not gonna lie this brought tears to my eyes

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks for watching man hahah

[@Ser-Lusacan]

Perhaps the scourge in andromeda is dark matter

[@FranklyGaming]

Exactly my thoughts how great would it tie the entire series together

[@Twist-The-Friendly-Hunter]

As someone who has never played the game before and went on a mass playthrough recently... The destruction ending is what seems to be the true ending, due to the perfect ending and mass effect 4 teasers that shows destruction. Though I do see what you are saying with this theory, the reapers aren't the end of us, but the vanguard holding off the big bad. But the whole harvesting us and creating new reapers doesn't necessarily fit personally.

[@povertybarnperformance]

Just because there's a dead reaper in the teaser doesn't mean that ME4 goes off the destruction ending. More than a few reapers were destroyed in the battle outside the crucible and elsewhere. Also, with they synthesis ending, and even the control ending, the reapers survive. In ME2 I believe, we learn that the reapers built the mass relays to speed up the harvests, so there's no reason why with the control ending they can't be ordered to rebuild them, and with the synthesis ending, everyone works together to rebuild them.

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya I guess that is just the main thing there is others like more posters of dead reapers, no green eyes, only organics shown etc

[@crums0nMyJ4cket]

The destroy ending should be the cannon ending. That's what Shepherd set out to do from the beginning - destroy the Reapers. Shepherd made many tough choices, and sacrificed people for the greater good on multiple occasions. Sacrificing machine intelligence would be a no-brainer

[@povertybarnperformance]

@@crums0nMyJ4cket nah, that would be cannon only if Shepherd, and the player, never learned about why the reapers were created, and what conflict they were meant to resolve. Both the control and destroy are simultaneously the height of paragon and renegade in that with control, you save the geth, which are guilty of only wanting to survive, but enslave them and the reapers. While with destroy, yeah you end the reapers threat, but also commit genocide to the geth while also ensuring that at some point in the future, there will be more ai, and more conflictswoth them. The synthesis ending is the only one you have to earn, solves the conflict the reapers were made to prevent, and retains the freedom of AI to survive with free will.

[@SpeedAnarchy]

A left field solution is most probable Company’s usually don’t lean into fanfare theory’s even if they are highly logical

[@FranklyGaming]

Ya we will have to wait and see I guess, either way thanks for watching I appreciate it!

[@CrackFoxtrot24]

The dark energy plot was scrapped not just because of time constraints. It was scrapped because the original script got leaked. The writing team then panicked and quickly came up with the half baked, incoherent synthetic vs organic ending we ended up with.

[@FranklyGaming]

Such a shame 🥺, thanks for supporting the channel by the way!

[@CrackFoxtrot24]

@@FranklyGaming it'll be really interesting to see where they go with this. I love how you tie in the milky way and andromeda stories together. Personally, a galactic dark age where colonies are isolated from each other, piracy is rampant, and the council races all eye each other with suspicion as they rebuild in a cold war scenario would be what I would envision.

[@robertchapman3522]

What’s the music at the beginning with all the sovereign quotes?

[@FranklyGaming]

Barely Sociable - The Dream Theme. Thanks for watching and supporting it means a lot!

[@normieg]

I chose synthesis because the Catalyst claims that synthesis is inevitable and it is the final of all evolution. I found that right when I thought about it. Even if Shepard doesn't choose synthesis at that moment, it will most likely happen some time in the future as that's where technology leads organics. So, it felt reasonable to make it happen as soon as possible.

[@johnny-brings-a-good-point]

Great video!

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks for watching!

[@MotherMantiss]

Well done video! I'm not a fan of the Synthesis ending so I don't agree with all your assertions, but I've been a fan of the Dark Energy / Biotics / Entrophy story premise for a while now, and I think it could work with any of the three endings (imagine Shep's horror at taking Control only to realize that the harvest was necessary after all, for instance.) Though looks like Destroy is going to be canon for ME4 so that Shep can have survived (and I get the appeal of that) I think it's a weaker starting point story-wise. Shep's story arc is already complete at this point.

[@FranklyGaming]

Hey thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! And ya I agree I hope they focus on a new storyline as well I think Shepard’s is already done and it was a good one

[@austinclark5278]

This theory is genius. The dark energy concept was a way cooler concept then the reapers simply existing for the sake of organic vs synthetics…. This is the best way forward and What the creator/Writer Drew Karpyshn wanted.

[@Sigma1976-SS]

Phenomenal video

[@FranklyGaming]

Thank you very much!

[@PressALPHA]

My thoughts exactly on my first playthrough of the trilogy.

[@FranklyGaming]

Glad to hear someone else agrees haha, thanks for the support on my channel!

[@PressALPHA]

@@FranklyGaming should have included after trilogy plus Andromeda... But yeah we're like 99% aligned.

[@FranklyGaming]

@@PressALPHA I actually just made a video on that! My thoughts on every mass effect game it just came out like a couple weeks ago you should check it out!

[@ezequielmorales4221]

Control doesn't leave the galaxy to continue the cycle. Renegade says "I will create an unstopable army and I will crush those who endanger others" and paragon says "I will guide the many". Only destroy leaves the galaxy open to future wars.

[@packlesswolf1]

I think the " Destroy " ending is cannon cause it's in human nature to be so destructive. Plus Shepard lives in that one ha ha.

[@jeremydillinger5762]

What a super theory !!! 😍

[@FranklyGaming]

Thanks for watching man! Appreciate the support