MovieChat Forums > The Time Machine (2002) Discussion > Another way to save Emma

Another way to save Emma

posted 13 years ago by machinehead_dp
12 replies | jump to latest

I get the need for Emma to die in every iteration/universe for the time machine to be built. However, I am still a bit confused about the vision shown to Alex by the uber Morlock. Why couldn't Alex be happily married to Emma and not have built the time machine as shown in the vision? Why was building the time machine such an important event that it could not be changed? (when we could delay even the judgement day!)

If we consider the paradox that it causes by saving Emma and endangering the existence of the very vessel that Alex uses to save Emma, then its fair that Emma dies and we have the cause-effect established as Emma's death=time machine. However, how about if Alex were to destroy the time machine as soon as he goes back in the past? Since there is no time machine in this universe, Emma's death doesn't need to happen and he could live with her happily in that universe.

[–] Gezinha 12 years ago

Well, but the point is that he doesnt save save her, and that is why he goes to the future in the first place. In no alternate version could he have kept her alive, she died everytime...and because she died, he built the machine, otherwise he couldnt have gone back to begin with it at all.

[–] be236 12 years ago

I still don't get it.

When he builds the time machine (TM) and goes back to save Emma the FIRST time, didnt he and her now exist in an "alternate timeline."

If so, then even though in this time he still has the time machine, he and her can still be together and have a family.

Unless it is fate (even in this new timeline) that still results in Emma getting killed.

Now that concept I can accept... but I dont accept/understand how the TM would cause the paradox...

[–] Otteryumyum 12 years ago

You can accept it being "fate"...?

They're not in a different dimension, they're just in the past. The earlier version of him is still wandering around in that time and still needs her to die to motivate him to build a time machine.

Considering all the giant flaws of this film, I'm surprised this is the premise that had attracted so much discussion.

[–] deanocean1960 11 years ago

The only way to save Emma is to take one of her iterations into the future. The time traveller simply has to pick up Emma in the past and take her to a future where she does not exist. Effectively exiting the time line. He cannot save her because the event has already happened - however, if the time traveller and Emma make a one way trip to the future they can be together.
Emma would still die in the past - but not her iteration that left in the time machine. Of course this is a conceptual exercise because time is a concept and not real...but the thought modelling does allow for Emma to survive. Or at least one Emma to survive.

[–] Hurry_up_N_buy 10 years ago

Good one, hadn't thought about that.

People hate what's popular and people jump on bandwagons. The rest of us are in the middle. Done.

[–] Smoke_With_Snoke 8 years ago

He could of gone back a 1000 times and she would die a 1000 times that he could go to the future and produce a 1000 ways to die
God Damn! We just had a near-life experience, fellas.

[–] Bubbathegut (18242) 8 years ago

great movie

[–] tinycatpenis (132) 8 years ago

I'm hoping for a remake of this one

[–] Bubbathegut (18242) 8 years ago

We are long overdue for another remake.

[–] tinycatpenis (132) 8 years ago

Definitely needs a better lead actor than guy peirce

[–] Bubbathegut (18242) 8 years ago

I thought Guy was perfect in this role. I didn't know who he was at the time so thats probably why I think he is ok.

[–] tinycatpenis (132) 8 years ago

I can't get over his bad old man makeup in prometheus