MovieChat Forums > ARQ (2016) Discussion > One Question about the ARQ

One Question about the ARQ

posted 8 years ago by prabhunster
8 replies | jump to latest

Newb here, so take it easy on me, but I'm just trying to understand one (simple?) thing about the ARQ. They may have explained it and I just missed it but please enlighten me either way. Thanks.

Resetting the ARQ = The end of that loop, begin a new one.

Destroying the ARQ = The same outcome as above? Or permanently ending the loops? (i.e. the linear timeline of that hypothetical loop begins, becoming the "official" or "real" timeline; anything that happened since awakening *in this specific loop* are now immutable, as are any post-ARQ destruction events?

[–] slartibartfast-62706 8 years ago

Resetting the ARQ begins a new series of loops, each series apparently having nine loops before he resets it again.

Destroying the ARQ would ostensibly result as you stated.

[–] Gurtinator 7 years ago

1. ARQ is turned on by guy electrocuting himself on it: Loop starts
2. The time loop stretches along the x-axis like a rubber band
3. The batteries on the ARQ die and the ARQ shuts off
4. The rubber band snaps back and the loop collapses
5. We are back to where the loop starts, so it begins to stretch again...

However, the characters do not realize until the end that the loop was also stretching on the y-axis:
1. ARQ is turned on by guy electrocuting himself on it: Loop starts
2. The time loop stretches along the y-axis like a rubber band
3. The ARQ is interrupted before the x-axis can reset, and then is restarted
4. The y-axis rubber band snaps back and the loop collapses
5. We are back to where the loop starts, so it begins to stretch again.

"So it goes" -Slaughterhouse Five

[–] prabhunster 7 years ago

Thank you Gurtinator, excellent analogy with the rubber band btw.

Just to clarify, the effect of the x-axis (linear time) not resetting within the confines of the house essentially makes the house and its contents into cryogenic chamber right? Everyone they knew outside the circle would have significantly aged or died, well, depending on how much linear time has passed.

I know I'm getting off topic, but I can't help but wonder what the POV would be when looking at the exterior of the house from outside the circle? A house that suspiciously never rusts with grass that doesn't grow?

[–] Gurtinator 7 years ago

No, the bubble only exists between those two points in time. To the outside observer, the bubble begins to exist with the machine turning on and ends with the batteries running out. It would look the same to the observers in ARQ as the time machine did to the observers in Primer. If you have seen that film, the characters intentionally create loops by turning the machine on at Time A, then turn off the machine while entering it at Time B, causing them to rubber band back to Time A and thus travel backwards in time (so they can cheat the stock market.) The same happens here, when the bubble collapses it collapses backwards in time, the world is not aging around it.

"So it goes" -Slaughterhouse Five

[–] prabhunster 7 years ago

Gotcha!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen or honestly even heard of Primer, but it sounds awesome. I'll def check it out.

I love such sci-fi movies set in the 'not-too-distant-future' based on theoretical concepts that could hypothetically work... and of course the consequences of their existence in society.

If there are any other movies like ARQ or Primer that you'd recommend, I'm all ears!

[–] minhas4 7 years ago

Sorry can you explain what the y axis is here? I understand that x is time and that rubber band is snapping back from 930 to 6 am (or whatever time it was), but what is y?

[–] Torrible_2013 7 years ago

Why is it that when Sonny stops Cuz from touching and electrocuting himself on the ARQ, the X-loop doesn't break and cause the same effect as resetting the ARQ (Y-loop)?

Edit: The question above just begs another question. Why is it that Sonny was able to save Cuz? Shouldn't every loop begin with Cuz already dead?

[–] king_of_bob 7 years ago

Resetting the ARQ only resets the loops, it doesn't actually stop the looping from occurring. It just starts a "new series" of loops, which repeats the previous 9 loops.

The new home of Welcome to Planet Bob: http://kingofbob.blogspot.ca/