History Main / DrivingQuestion

*** In relation to countless other questions that may remain, those two questions are completely...and utterly...answered. In the most horrifying way possible, but their answered.

See TheUnreveal and TheReveal. LeaveThePlotThreadsHanging is what happens when the answers aren't all they are cracked up to be. Too many can lead to a KudzuPlot. TheChrisCarterEffect is what happens when fans give up on the writers' ability to answer these questions.

* "What is ''TheMatrix''?" and "It's the question that drives us." are two iconic phrases from ''The Matrix''. But even though Morpheus claims that "no one can be told what the Matrix is", he does exactly that very early in the movie, making the question completely pointless for the plot.

* ''CodeGeass'': In the first season, who killed Lelouch's mother and why? In [[OddlyNamedSequel R2]], it's just what ''is'' C.C.'s wish and, ultimately, where does Geass itself come from?

* ''Code Geass'': In the first season, who killed Lelouch's mother and why? In [[OddlyNamedSequel R2]], it's just what ''is'' C.C.'s wish and, ultimately, where does Geass itself come from?

* "What is ''TheMatrix''?" and "It's the question that drives us." are two iconic phrases from ''The Matrix''. But even though Morpheus claims that "no one can be told what the Matrix is", he does exactly that very early in the movie and the question completely pointless.

* As seen in the page quote, "What is ''TheMatrix''?" The true nature of reality is also a prevalent theme.

** Through all this, there's one particular question that the characters keep asking and doesn't get answered until late in the final season: "Why are we here?" Is it coincidence? Fate? Predestination? A higher power?

** There also used to be "Why is the Dark Tower and the rest of reality decaying?" but that ends up being answered by the simple partial answer already given. (It's [[spoiler:because of the Crimson King's actions.]])

* ''{{Lost}}'' thrives on this. The MythArc is about finding out what's going on behind all the scientifically impossible events happening. There are many, including...
** "Where are we?"
** What is the monster?
** Will they ever escape the island?
** Who are The Others?
** What's in the hatch?
** Should they keep pushing the button?
** What crashed the plane?
** What are the voices?
** Arguably the true, singular driving question is: "What is the island?" From the beginning this was a question the characters themselves constantly ask and it's only truly answered in the series finale.

* The first of the {{Otherland}} books uses several of these at once. What is happening with Rene's brother? Why is Paul switching dimensions? What is the purpose of this Grail organization, and who is their leader? What Mr. Sellars is up to, and many others. Of course, because this book is widely considered to be an oversized prologue to the later ones, [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready the answers are pretty well known.]]

See TheUnreveal and TheReveal. LeaveThePlotThreadsHanging is what happens when the answers aren't all they are cracked up to be. Too many can lead to a KudzuPlot. TheChrisCarterEffect is what happens when fans give up on the writers' ability to answer these questions.

* ''ThePrisoner'': Who is Number One? Who runs The Village?

** The ArcWords "What can change the nature of a man?" would also qualify. [[spoiler:Also a double subversion. Ravel tells you the answer doesn't matter, and it's your choice. At the very end, you find out it's Belief.]]

* ''PlanescapeTorment''. You wake up without knowledge of who you are, what you're doing here, and why you can't remember anything. The first order of business is to fix that.

When a core element of the plot is a mystery. The most common variation would be a detective murder mystery. Also very popular in {{Noughties Drama Series}}' and {{Jigsaw Puzzle Plot}}s. In many cases the question is equivalent to, "What the hell is going on and why?"

When a core element of the plot is a mystery. The most common variation would be a detective murder mystery. Also very popular in {{Noughties Drama Series}}' and {{Jigsaw Puzzle Plot}}s. In many cases the question is simply, "What the hell is going on and why?"

* ''TheUsualSuspects'': Who or what is Kaiser Shoze?

See TheUnreveal and TheReveal. LeaveThePlotThreadsHanging is what happens when the answers aren't all they are cracked up to be. Too many can lead to a KudzuPlot. TheChrisCarterEffect is what happens when fans give up on the writers ability to answer these questions.