History Fridge / MetalGearSolidV

* Code Talker is very explicit in how he views the English language as a tool of colonization, which was used to rob him and his people of their heritage. It can actually be considered darkly fitting, then, that the method he creates to prevent death by the vocal chord parasites rings of ''another'' form of abuse usually utilized by colonizers. The fact that the ''Wolbachia'' bacteria causes sterilization, which rings of many colonizing powers who would have tried to forcibly "breed out the savagery" by forcing themselves on thcolonized, or, as is more fitting here, forcibly sterilize those they colonized. Either the soldiers keep their lives and their language, or their ability to reproduce.

** It also could have another meaning, considering this is the "Phantom's" first mission as Big Boss. More HilariousinHindsight since Ocelot has probably hypnotized himself already at this point, but you never know.

** Another interpretation is that [[spoiler:Big Boss knows what Skull Face did, but is working with him simply to get revenge on Zero/Cipher]] - which could be a MoralEventHorizon in and of itself.
*** Could make Miller calling Big Boss a monster in VideoGame/MetalGear2SolidSnake HarsherInHindsight, even though in original context it was simply referring to Big Boss's physical prowess.
*** All of that is subverted: [[spoiler:Skull Face had Venom captured but wanted him to duel the Man On Fire.]]

* Ocelot's words of a weapon that "surpasses Metal Gear" is horrifying. Metal Gear by default is one of the closest things we have to a weapon of ultimate destruction, so anything that surpasses it is not something anyone would be giddy or in a rush to meet.[[spoiler:It's a trained contagious parasite colony from primordial ages that can kill people who say a trigger phrase. One of ''thousands'' of trigger phrases, encompassing most of, if not all of, an ''entire language''. The parasite will, obviously, be deployed where the trigger language will be the same as the local language. To rephrase, ''speaking your native tongue is a death sentence by slow, painful death by larvae EATING YOUR LUNGS, THEN TURNING YOU INTO A ZOMBIE THAT CARRIES OUT THE PARASITE'S WILL''.]]. However, by VideoGame/MetalGearSolidRevengeance, the weapon isn't as apocalyptic as it was in the 1980s.

* Ocelot's words of a weapon that "surpasses Metal Gear" is horrifying. Metal Gear by default is one of the closest things we have to a weapon of ultimate destruction, so anything that surpasses it is not something anyone would be giddy or in a rush to meet.
** [[spoiler:Played horrifyingly straight: it's a trained contagious parasite colony from primordial ages that can kill people who say a trigger phase. One of ''thousands'' of trigger phrases, encompassing most of, if not all of, an ''entire language''. The parasite will, obviously, be deployed where the trigger language will be the same as the local language. To rephrase, ''speaking your native tongue is a death sentence by slow, painful death by larve EATING YOUR LUNGS, THEN TURNING YOU INTO A ZOMBIE THAT CARRIES OUT THE PARASITE'S WILL''.]]. However, by Revengeance the weapon isn't as apocalyptic as it was in the 1980s.

* Even though this game hasn't been released yet, so we don't yet know the full details of what Ocelot is talking about, the idea that there could be a weapon that "surpasses Metal Gear" is horrifying. Metal Gear by default is one of the closest things we have to a weapon of ultimate destruction, so anything that surpasses it is not something anyone would be giddy or in a rush to meet.

* [[spoiler: How is Snake able to overpower Quiet with CQC (even if he needed help from 3 others and sedatives to keep her down)? Well, remember in ''Snake Eater'' when both The Boss and Naked Snake used CQC to great effect on Volgin? And Volgin may have greater super strength then Quiet. The scene may also be suggesting that relying on Super Powers too much renders people more susceptible to more mundane techniques, like said CQC, which also explains how a non-powered Quiet was able to almost kill Big Boss in the hospital attack. Also, you know, Venom's Bionic Arm helps.]]

* How would Big Boss find the funding to start up his Outer Heaven without anyone knowing he has a body double doing the public work (and without Miller to do the business side of mercenary armies, he would be stuck at where he was in 1972)? [[spoiler: He would use the secret funds of Gene's Army's Heaven funds to set up Zanzibar Land.]]

* Ever pondered the relevance of butterflies to Quiet? So, this theory came upon after having found out that you can keep Quiet around by equipping butterfly emblem. At first it seemed odd to until thought was given about it. The game itself makes a big point about making you, the player, be in Big Bosses' shoes, you're given a choice to approach the missions how you see fit, and Quiet is a perfect testament for that. What's special about Quiet is that she's not like most of your game companions, who are forced upon you via exposition and while you may feel same attachment story wise, you won't feel it gameplay wise, since most of times they're invincible and everything is scripted. With Quiet however, YOU define what happens. You can skip her fight entirely, you can choose to kill her or to take her in, you can choose to take her missions, strengthen your bond. You're even given one ultimate choice. Another special thing about her is that much like BB himself, she's quiet, so it leaves up to you fill the blanks on what they really think. This is why her motives are left ambiguous, so that you fill the blanks on what she feels. This is where I go to point two. Which is the animal that has most relevance to Big Boss? it's the Butterfly. It seems to symbolize his phantom pain, or inability to cope with loss. In Snake Eater, when he loses his eye, he tries to catch a butterfly, to reassure himself he's still a capable fighter. He also forms the C3 plastic explosives used to destroy the Shagohad hangar in the shape of butterflies. In ''Peace Walker'', it's been 10 years since he had to kill The Boss and he didn't cope with the loss, which is prominent by the fact that he wears her bandana still. So when whole Mammal Pod thing happens, Big Boss encounters a much more vicious version of The Boss, and after grieving for her for 10 years, seeing her in such a vindictive state has released all pent up anger he accumulated. When you enter the AI pod itself, you see that it's SWARMING with butterflies, they most likely symbolize the anger he accumulated but didn't release. so when she drowns, he interprets it as her abandoning him, so he bitterly accepted the title of Big Boss. Now, onto ''The Phantom Pain''. There's 2 instances when Butterflies have a significance. First one is hallucination Paz, Big Boss felt such a guilt over her death he went into denial and made up consequences wherein she survived, even though it was obvious she didn't. When he realizes that she was never there, he blacks out, Upon waking up, he attempts to catch a butterfly with his prosthetic hand, but when he catches it, he realizes it was never there, much like Paz herself. And now onto 2nd one. Those who are aware of Emblem thing most likely know that she leaves, but they don't want to lose her, much like Big Boss didn't want to lose Paz. Then Quiet Exit mission happens and Quiet is gone forever, and unlike Paz in ''Peace Walker'', she won't be your staff member anymore. Due to you defining relationship with quiet and it being consequential, YOU too feel the phantom pain of losing her, you too want to return her, And since you define your relationship with Quiet it would make sense to present you with final choice: Accept the reality of what happens, or go into denial and catch a butterfly yourself. This is why her emblem is a butterfly. This is why if you equip it, she stays. The game makes a point on you being Big Boss, so you're given a choice to face the reality of losing her or going into denial by catching the butterfly yourself, much like Big Boss himself does with Paz. If you know about the emblem then you most likely know she leaves, making you similar to Big Boss' experience with Paz, choosing to go in denial and keep the butterfly. And judging by player responses, most of them have opted for denial, not wishing to go through the pain of losing her, just like Big Boss himself. While Paz is Big Boss' loss, Quiet is yours.]]

** If you want to get really granular about it, Venom Snake is the fifth iteration of Snake (Solid, Liquid, Solidus, Naked) based on game order, but he doesn't fit into the equation because he overlaps with Naked Snake. 2+2 now equals 5, just like in ''Nineteen Eight-Four''.

*** If you want to get really granular about it, Venom Snake is the fifth iteration of Snake (Solid, Liquid, Solidus, Naked) based on game order, but he doesn't fit into the equation because he overlaps with Naked Snake. Two plus two now equals five instead of four.

* In Hindsight, Ocelot's insane plan in [=MGS4=] to [[spoiler:convince himself and fool the Patriots into believing that he's Liquid makes far more sense. He already knows that he can hypnotize someone else to pretend to be another person (due to Venom) and he also knows that he can successfully hypnotize himself all to fool Cipher. His entire plan in MGS4 was basically to repeat what he did in this game: turn himself into another person to fool the Patriots/Cipher just as he turned the medic into Big Boss to fool them all those years ago.]]

* Ocelot's line in VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2 saying that 'anyone who got put into right situation can become Snake'' may have its roots in this game's timeline. Just look at you.

* The fictional XOF fighter jet that tried to shoot down Pequod is a weird fusion of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Siddeley_Harrier Hawker Siddeley Harrier]]and a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II McDonnell Douglas F-4.]] The former was likely used as inspiration as a [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2 call-forward to its use by Solidus.]] The latter? Likely because of its designated name: ''Phantom.''

*** Could make Miller calling Big Boss a monster in VideooGame/MetalGear2SolidSnake HarsherInHindsight, even though in original context it was simply referring to Big Boss's physical prowess.

* Venom Snake and Diamond Dogs, helped the Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War. Later this Mujahideen would become part of Al-Qaeda and attack the Twin Towers in 9/11.

* As an anonymous on [=4Chan=] pointed out; [[http://i.imgur.com/sM7dxU5.png Skull Face still got his revenge by keeping Big Boss and Zero apart.]] It greatly summarizes the nature of human conflict: "[[PoorCommunicationKills Maybe words that kill are the ones we never get to say.]]"

* In Hindsight, Ocelot's insane plan in MGS4 to [[spoiler:convince himself and fool the Patriots into believing that he's Liquid makes far more sense. He already knows that he can hypnotize someone else to pretend to be another person (due to Venom) and he also knows that he can successfully hypnotize himself all to fool Cipher. His entire plan in MGS4 was basically to repeat what he did in this game: turn himself into another person to fool the Patriots/Cipher just as he turned the medic into Big Boss to fool them all those years ago.]]

* There's loads of hints that Venom Snake isn't the real Big Boss and that Ishmael is the real Big Boss before the reveal if one is to look close enough.

* The game doesn't really have a QuirkyMinibossSquad. The closest it comes is the [=SKULLs=] Parasite units, who are actually EliteMooks and SuperpoweredMooks. They are very pointedly dehumanized, without individual identities or uniqueness (except for Quiet). Maybe the game doesn't have a real Foxhound equivalent because Venom isn't a "real" Snake.

* Venom being a BodyDouble for Big Boss explains how he could be running Outer Heaven and FOXHOUND at the same time by the events of ''VideoGame/MetalGear1''.

** It also provides an explanation as to how [[spoiler:Big Boss was able to be both the commander of FOXHOUND in the U.S. and also the unknown head of state of Outer Heaven in South Africa at the same time... according to ''The Phantom Pain'', Big Boss lead FOXHOUND under his official honorary title as "Big Boss" and his body double, under the moniker "Venom Snake" (or just "Snake"), was the leader of Outer Heaven. And it was only when Solid Snake had advanced too far into Outer Heaven to be stopped by other mooks that the contingency plan was activated and Venom Snake was given the green-light to identify himself as "Big Boss", right before he faced off against Solid Snake in ''VideoGame/MetalGear1''.]]
* Similar to the above, after the events of Outer Heaven, how did Big Boss ingratiate himself into Zanzibarland and establish a second major mercenary operation there in only four years after Outer Heaven's fall, especially since a portion of those four years would've been spent recovering from his injuries? You can assume that Big Boss, being Big Boss, had already cultivated contacts in that region prior to Operation Intrude N313, which is supported by [=MGSV's=] TwistEnding. After all, [[spoiler: you can get a lot done if there are two of you. Big Boss could've put Venom in control of Outer Heaven at some point before Intrude N313, freeing him up to establish contacts in other parts of the world. Big Boss, being at war with The Patriots, would've needed all the influence he could get.]]

** However, when talking to Ocelot about Cipher in some other tapes, he mentions Dr.Clark, so it is more likely that he was playing dumb as to not get Huey's hopes up, as he said that what Hury said about cloning "Made a nice story" or something along those lines, even though he was completely aware of [[spoiler: the Les Enfant Terrible project, in which the real Big Boss was Cloned.]]
* How would Big Boss find the funding to start up his Outer Heaven without anyone knowing he has a body double doing the public work, and without Miller to do the business side of mercenary army he would be stuck where he was in 1972. [[spoiler: He would use the secret funds of Gene Army Heavens funds to set up Zanzibar Land.]]

*** Ocelot mentions "Two plus two equals five" when you shoot him with a tranquilizer round on Mother Base. This is a reference to ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'', which uses 2+2=5 as an example of doublethink, or believing one thing while knowing in your heart another thing is true. This references the fact that Ocelot has convinced himself that Venom Snake is the original Big Boss via hypnotherapy, when he deep down knows it's not true.

* Just like ''Metal Gear Solid 2'', you play the first 20% of the game (Tanker Chapter/''Ground Zeroes'') as the real Snake (Solid Snake/Big Boss), then the rest of the game (Plant Chapter/''The Phantom Pain'') as a Snake who isn't the real one but believes he is (Raiden/Venom Snake).

* Just like ''Metal Gear Solid 2'', you play the first 20% of the game (''Ground Zeroes''/Tanker Chapter) as the real Snake (ie Big Boss), then the rest of the game (''The Phantom Pain''/Plant Chapter) as a Snake who isn't the real one (Venom Snake, Raiden) but believes he is.

*** When Venom asks Ishmael who he is after he disposes of the assassin, he replies "You're talking to yourself."

*** Ishmael advises Venom that "It's always good to try and mend your injuries while hiding from the enemy." Anyone who has played ''Snake Eater'' will instantly understand why he puts so much emphasis on this, even though the injury mechanic is very dialed-down in ''The Phantom Pain''.

*** Ocelot mentions "Two plus two equals five" multiple times, such as when you shoot him with a tranquilizer round on Mother Base. This is a reference to ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'', which uses 2+2=5 as an example of doublethink, or believing one thing while knowing in your heart another thing is true. This references the fact that Ocelot has convinced himself that Venom Snake is the original Big Boss via hypnotherapy, when he himself has already met the real Big Boss and he knows it's not true.
*** If you go back and listen carefully to the very first set of Ocelot's Briefing tapes in which he explains the hospital situation and Venom Snake's mental condition, there are a couple of things that stand out. When Ocelot calls Venom Snake a "regular Geppetto," the latter wonders about the identity of the man (later revealed to be Big Boss) who led him out of the hospital. But Ocelot completely - and deliberately - ignores the question and keeps talking about Cipher. And when Venom Snake admits that he's missing parts of his memory, Ocelot says, "All I can do is tell you ''the facts as they were told to me''." In the second Ocelot's Briefing set, he discusses how Diamond Dogs are willingly fighting for Venom Snake. When the latter expresses some doubt, Ocelot says, "''That's our reality here, whether it's real or not. If there's another truth, I don't want to know it''." Once you know Ocelot underwent self-hypnosis, these lines become ''much'' more interesting.
*** If you want to get really granular about it, Venom Snake is the fifth iteration of Snake (Naked, Solid, Liquid, and Solidus) to the audience based on game order, but he doesn't fit into the equation because he's basically the same person as Naked/Big Boss. Two plus two now equals five instead of four.
** When Snake rescues Kaz during the first real mission of the game, Kaz gives Snake a perfect setup to say his "Kept you waiting, huh?" catchphrase -- and ''Snake doesn't take it'', to Kaz's visible confusion and displeasure. Kaz ultimately ends up practically ''begging'' Snake to say the catchphrase, as reassurance that it's actually him, and Snake ''still'' doesn't say it, unless you the player [[GuideDangIt press the action button in order to do so, with no indication given that you can or should do such a thing]].
** The first time Huey meets Venom Snake, he takes a moment to stare at him as if in confused disbelief. While it's possible that he's in disbelief he actually came to rescue him, another possibility is that Huey doesn't fully recognize Snake because he's not the Big Boss that he remembers.

** Ocelot discusses secret Soviet research on psychics to Venom. The latter says he does not believe in the supernatural. This is just not something Big Boss would say - his encounters with The Sorrow in ''Snake Eater'' are reason enough to believe in ghosts and the supernatural.

** Venom Snake is only ever seen smoking the electronic Phantom Cigar. Big Boss has previously said that he only ever uses the "real thing." This is reinforced by the end of The Truth when Ishmael reveals himself, gets on a motorcycle, and starts smoking a cigar. A REAL cigar.
** The model for Snake sitting in the ACC is identical to the model used for Snake sitting in Morpho's chopper in ''Ground Zeroes''. The only thing that is missing is that Venom Snake isn't smoking a cigar like Big Boss was.

** During the opening credits of each mission, Snake is introduced as Venom "Punished" Snake. We already know that Naked Snake's name is John, not to mention that he's been going as Big Boss for quite a while now. Why introduce him using neither of these titles that we're all already familiar with?
** Venom Snake being unable to understand Russian without a translator while Big Boss spoke it fluently throughout the entirety of the events of ''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater''. This idea is discussed further down the page.
** Venom's personality is noticeably more quiet, observant, and serious, and he lacks the charisma and witty remarks of the true Big Boss.

** Slight differences in fashion choices may also count, including Venom's eyepatch having three straps while Big Boss' has two, Venom wearing his hair in a ponytail while Big Boss lets his hair flow freely, etc.
** Venom Snake's signature robotic arm was an oddity from the day it was revealed. While the sprites from the first ''Metal Gear'' are too small for us to tell, we get a good look in ''Guns of the Patriots'', where Big Boss clearly has no robotic arm at all. This could've been defended by saying it simply couldn't be seen under his sleeves and gloves, or that he got a new arm when his body was rebuilt with Solidus' parts. But this was still enough to tip some fans off though, even before the game came out.
** The ShipTease story of Venom Snake and Quiet can be interpreted as a sign that Venom Snake isn't Big Boss. Because the real Big Boss already has a serious love interest - EVA. Interestingly, while the events in ''The Phantom Pain'' are going on, the real Big Boss is somewhere being protected and recovering from his injuries with EVA.
** While explaining the Wolbachia solution to the vocal cord parasite problem, it's brought up that those who use it will become sterile. This is treated like a big deal, when in reality the real Big Boss was already rendered sterile by radiation in the past - that was the whole point of Les Enfants Terribles - so it wouldn't be much of a problem for him. Venom Snake, on the other hand...
** A very obscure one. During the scene where Venom enters the Quarantine Platform, Venom says that there's a very sweet smell. In an [[https://metalgear.fandom.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_3_radio_conversations#Snake_can.27t_smell optional radio conversation]] in ''Snake Eater'' with the Boss, soon-to-be-Big Boss says that he has absolutely [[SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration no sense of smell]].

*** This is the first Metal Gear game that lets you choose to play as different characters instead of featuring one protagonist at a time. Because Venom is just an imitator of the real Big Boss, so why shouldn't his team members get to do the same?

** Also, dead soldiers can't live to spread the word about you. Unconscious soldiers can.
* Just like Metal Gear Solid 2, you play the first 20% of the game (''Ground Zeroes'', Tanker Chapter) as the real Snake (ie Big Boss), then the rest of the game (''The Phantom Pain'', Plant Chapter) as a Snake who isn't the real one (Venom Snake, Raiden) but believes he is.

** Also, the lyrics to ''Only Time Will Tell'' foreshadows the twist: "There's no disguising it / It really comes as no surprise / To find you planned it all along... I see it now / Becomes so clear / Your insincerity / And me all starry-eyed / You'd think that I would've know by now... One thing is sure / That time will tell / If you were wrong... You're claiming victory / You were just using me... This lie is over..."