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Why Neo Didn't Kill The Architect In The Matrix Reloaded
There is some speculation that Neo could have just killed The Architect in The Matrix Reloaded, but that would not have given him the result he was looking for. The Architect's speech to Neo is one of the most memorable scenes from the original trilogy, with him breaking down The One's true purpose. His goal is to coerce Neo into making one of two choices, leading to the eventual restructuring of the Matrix.
The Architect is a specialized program introduced towards the end of The Matrix Reloaded and serves as the end goal for those he refers to as the Anomalies. The program hopes to make the perfect world for humans to keep them occupied while the machines siphon their body heat. He has repeatedly failed and rebooted the Matrix to be more suitable for the machines' plans. Since The Architect is devoid of human emotion, he typically confers with The Oracle to help stabilize the Matrix. Together they formed The Prophecy, which would become the path of The One.
While The Architect is the designer of the Matrix, he is not the leader of the machines — as such, killing him would solve no purpose for Neo, which is why Neo didn't kill The Architect in The Matrix Reloaded. The Architect is just a program and fulfills his function. He created the prison, but he does not run it. This is why The Oracle encourages Neo to travel to the Machine City to confront Deus Ex Machina. Deus Ex Machina is the central interface in Machine City and its "Higher Power." Killing The Architect would not have given Neo the necessary answers to save Trinity and Zion from the machines.
What Would've Happened If Neo Killed The Architect?
As the designer of the Matrix, killing The Architect could have destabilized the construct, endangering everyone connected. If there were no collateral damage, the machines would likely replace the program with another like The Analyst. It is unknown if The Architect's death would result in a collapse of the Matrix construct. However, The Matrix Resurrections reveals that the machines are not above purging old programs that no longer serve their purpose, including important ones like The Oracle. It is also unknown if Neo could even "kill" The Architect in a traditional sense. Though The One is granted significant power, they are still also a program with a primary function.
Though Neo didn't kill The Architect in The Matrix Reloaded, the program's position has been usurped by The Analyst, played by Neil Patrick Harris. His true fate is unknown, with many programs being purged during the Machine Civil War, which happens off-screen. With no current plans to continue the franchise, The Architect's necessity for the Matrix construct's survival will likely remain under wraps.
