Merovingian (The Matrix)

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Merovingian
The Matrix character
Merovingian200px.png
Lambert Wilson as the Merovingian in The Matrix Reloaded
Created by Wachowski brothers
Portrayed by Lambert Wilson (The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions)
Robin Atkin Downes (The Matrix: Path of Neo)
Information
Aliases The Frenchman
Species Computer program
Gender Male
Spouse(s) Persephone

The Merovingian (also known as the Frenchman, and called Merv by Trinity) is a fictional character and the supporting antagonist of the films The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. He is portrayed by Lambert Wilson in both films and voiced by Robin Atkin Downes in The Matrix: Path of Neo. He also played a prominent role in The Matrix Online role-playing game.

The Merovingian provides a safe-haven for exiled or obsolete programs in the Matrix, as an alternative to deletion. Being an exile himself, the Merovingian's services are not condoned by either the "Redpills" or the Machines, but they are overlooked unless in direct conflict with either of their goals.

Contents

[edit] Backstory

There is not much revealed about the Merovingian's origin, but from what both he and the Oracle say, he was a program made to regulate behavior amongst the "Bluepills" and report back with results. After the collapse of the first Matrix, he became obsolete[1] as the newer versions presented an illusion of choice to the hard-wired humans, causing the behavioral manipulation to be more indirect than the Merovingian's more straightforward methods. Instead of accepting deletion, he retreated into the programming of the Matrix, disguised as a human, and resolved to aid other programs who have become obsolete.

He is seen as a hero to exiled programs and as an impulsive and selfish opportunist to others. He is disillusioned by the idea of choice amongst humans, and, in a speech to Neo, Trinity and Morpheus, he relates that everything occurs due to cause and effect, and that there is no such thing as choice.[1]

[edit] Cultural references

The Merovingian is named after the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish royalty. His wife Persephone is named after Persephone, the Greek goddess of renewal and companion of Hades, Greek god of the Underworld. The Merovingian has the role as the guardian of the virtual afterlife where exiled programs can seek refuge from deletion. He owns a nightclub named Club Hel, as a reference to the Nordic guardian of the afterlife, Hel.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links


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