Some have suggested that he was the previous “One” before Neo. Others think he is just another old man in Zion. Either way, the conversation between Councillor Hamann and Neo on the engineering level gives some food in The Matrix Reloaded.
But the bigger questions arise afterwards: Is Councillor Hamann a previous “One”? It would explain some of his philosophy on life, but it would be hard to believe so since the humans have been fighting the machines for “100 years”. And if Hamann is not a previous “One”. What is the point of the whole conversation? Just to make us think? I hope there’s more to it than that.
Whatever the case, here’s the complete transcript of the conversation.
Councillor Hamann: Care for some company?
Neo: Councillor Hamann.
Councillor Hamann: I don’t want to intrude if you prefer to be alone.
Neo: No, I could probably use some company.
Councillor Hamann: Good, so could I. It’s nice tonight. Very calm. Feels like everyone’s sleeping very peacefully.
Neo: Not everyone.
Councillor Hamann: I hate sleeping. I never sleep more than a few hours. I figure I slept the first 11 years of my life, now I’m making up for it. What about you?
Neo: I just haven’t been able to sleep much.
Councillor Hamann: It’s a good sign.
Neo: Of what?
Councillor Hamann: That you are, in fact, still human. Have you ever been to the engineering level? I love to walk there at night, it’s quite amazing. Would you like to see it?
Neo: Sure.
Neo and the Councillor walk out onto the engineering level.
Councillor Hamann: Almost no one comes down here, unless, of course, there’s a problem. That’s how it is with people – nobody cares how it works as long as it works. I like it down here. I like to be reminded this city survives because of thse machines. These machines are keeping us alive, while other machines are coming to kill us. Interesting, isn’t it? Power to give life, and the power to end it.
Neo: We have the same power.
Councillor Hamann: I suppose we do, but down here sometimes I think about all those people still plugged into the Matrix and when I look at these machines, I.. I can’t help thinking that in a way, we are plugged into them.
Neo: But we control these machines, they don’t control us.
Councillor Hamann: Of course not, how could they? The idea’s pure nonsense, but… it does make one wonder just… what is control?
Neo: If we wanted, we could shut these machines down.
Councillor Hamann: Of course… that’s it. You hit it! That’s control, isn’t it? If we wanted, we could smash them to bits. Although if we did, we’d have to consider what would happen to our lights, our heat, our air.
Neo: So we need machines and they need us. Is that your point, Councillor?
Councillor Hamann: No, no point. Old men like me don’t bother with making points. There’s no point.
Neo: Is that why there are no young men on the Council?
Councillor Hamann: Good point.
Neo: Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind, Councillor?
Councillor Hamann: There is so much in this world that I do not understand. See that machine? It has something to do with recycling our water supply. I have absolutely no idea how it works. But I do understand the reason for it to work. I have absolutely no idea how you are able to do some of the things you do, but I believe there’s a reason for that as well. I only hope we understand that reason before it’s too late.