JediHDM> I just read the post, in which you argue, that Neo collapses at the end of Reloaded for, essentially, the same reason he collapsed in M1, when realising the truth.
And you have a very good point.
I still loathe to accept the idea of a “Matrix within the Matrix” because it is too “simple”. It would turn Revolutions into M1 all over again, just with a new coat of paint.
The Machines DO have control over Zion, even if we accept it is the REAL world. For the machines have realised mans attachment to his/her fellow man. It is this trait the Architect has abused at every single conclusion of an anomaly cycle, when he gave Neos predecessors the choice (he had to give them): Go to the Source and save mankind. Return to the Matrix and every human will die. If it was possible, the Architect would of course rather not have to do this. But the Matrix only works as long as the humans are given a choice (even it its only at the near subconscious level). Machines, with programs, executive commands and purposes do not understand choice or free will.
That is why the program of the Matrix is flawed. Why the machines must give The Ones a choice.
The two worlds are, however, interwoven. The machines cannot exist without the humans, humans cannot survive without machines. And I think this intermixing has gone further now, without being metaphysical or occult in any way. That is what Neo realised. That is why he collapsed. Aside from his digital self being caught in Matrix there may be mor, but I don’t know what it is yet.