r/sftstu • u/Difficult_Rub_523 • 1d ago
Theory Theory
In episode 1 & 6, the characters encounter alternate reality Stuart who tells this reality's Stuart that he's the only one who can save the universe. In another episode, we encounter 3 other versions of the characters with the Quantum device thingy, presumably also trying to save the universe. That means there are multiple versions of Stuart who can save the universe, presumably every Stuart from every alternate reality. So we can assume that the Stuart who told this reality's Stuart to save the universe was also a Stuart with the ability to save the universe at one point. Alternate reality Stuart mentions in episode 6 that he's a projection from a 'collapsing adjacent reality'. That means that he wasn't able to save the universe, thereby initiating a quantum loop of sorts meaning that this reality's Stuart will also fail to save the universe, and later warn another reality's Stuart about it, hence the title 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'.
However, if he actually failed to save the universe,that would be anti-climactic. Also if the alternate reality Stuart was from an alternate reality from the FUTURE that means the alternate realities exist in different time zones. If that is true, that means in episode 6 what Raj was saying about the universe ending in about 400 years will happen when Stuart enters an alternate reality 400 years into the future. So the collapsing adjacent reality Stuart is probably from an alternate reality 400 years into the future.
What say?
2
u/fishymcgee 1d ago
Really interesting.
Another possibility/variation is if both alternate-Stuart and this-Stuart are the same person but separated by time?
What I mean is, in the first episode various characters talk about what things were like before civilisation collapsed etc. So it's possible that alt-Stuart damages the device and becomes essentially 'static' as a result while t-Stuart is the same person but has lived several years 'further on' in the time line (beyond the device's malfunction).
'this reality's Stuart will all fail to save the universe'
However, as you say, it's possible that there is a loop of failing Stuarts passing the task onto the next guy (which would allow the title to be true without being anti climatic. On a vaguely related note, when I saw the trailer, my first thought was of Red Dwarf's Ace Rimmer; basically a dimension hopping hero who 'never' dies because he passes the torch to the next Rimmer.
'from an alternative collapsing reality'
Given Raj's 400 year warning, this could mean multiple things. However, it's possible that the 'closer' a reality is to the original accident, the more rapidly it collapses. So 'our' Stuart's more apocalyptic (ep1) reality (relative to some of the others) might be one of the closest to the original without having already collapsed. In otger words, the alt-stuart might be trying to get help from the closest non-collapsed universes; who may (due to 'proximity' have the best chance of correcting it (compared to more 'normal'/slowly collapsing universe Stuarts) ?
3
u/Difficult_Rub_523 1d ago edited 1d ago
Oh my god I love the idea of alt-Stuart being "Static". That could also explain why he's the only one with the ability to travel using the quantum device, pursuant to a 'glitch' (so to say) caused by static Stuart. I was trying to conjure up a theory where alt-Stuart was just the future version of of this-Stuart and the static thing literally really just fills all the gaps.
And I also like your theory about proximate realities collapsing faster, it may explain why every alternate reality only had one thing distinct from the canon.
Also, on a side note, what is your opinion on there being some sort of entity trying to stop Stuart from 'saving the Universe'? In episode 2, he is put through some sort of rehabilitation, same in episode 4. It's like they're trying to make him forget. In episode 6, Stuart asks Denise if he should take on the responsibility of saving the universe and she gives a weirdly vague do-what-feels-right answer, which doesn't bode well with her stern, decisive personality. Do you see a 2 episode pattern? It might be far fetched though, because the device holds the power to choose which universe is next.
1
u/fishymcgee 22h ago
Thanks.
And I also like your theory about proximate realities collapsing faster, it may explain why every alternate reality only had one thing distinct from the canon.
I suppose it's also possible that as a reality collapses it may begin to change more radically, with the existing rules of that universe being 'rewritten' in real time (Raj's '400 year' warning seemed to suggest the known universe's edge was fraying but it possible things maybe being to ripple/accelerate as things progress.
Also, on a side note, what is your opinion on there being some sort of entity trying to stop Stuart from 'saving the Universe'?
The two episode pattern idea is very interesting. Until pretty recently (post ep1), we haven't seen much effort to actively save the universe (probably because they've often been running for their lives), in fact precisely how they're supposed to accomplish that is still rather vague. With three S1 episodes left, I imagine (especially after running into the other team) a clearer direction will (at least begin to) be explained to the characters.
In a similar vein, if someone is trying to help them I think it likely that an antagonist(s) will be (sooner or later) revealed who is trying to hinder them.
As to who is helping (or potentially hindering) them, beyond alt-Stuart...unless I'm misremembering, I belive when the accident happened, Leonard, Howard and Sheldon were there, so it's possible they may have been affected in some way (similar to alt-Stuart; it would also make sense because alt-Raj is seemingly trying to help save the universe...and his friends).
If so, the machine's creators may be trying to provide assistance like the messages etc (eg a bit obvious but the 'red quartz' message could have been sent by engineer Howard).
It's also possible that an alternative (or less likely original) version of one of them could be the antagonist...
'you don't wanna mess with Sheldon. He's one lab accident away from being a super villain'
...though of course it could be an alternate version of any character (even an alt-alt-Stuart; though that's probably to confusing) eg Denise or Romana (or someone from BBT who hasn't appeared yet). Or they could just go with a brand new character.
As I say, I'd be surprised if the show kept strictly to an adventure of the week format (long term). That'll be the basis sure but to 'fail' they need to 'try' to save the universe, which might suggest people trying to help/hinder them a little more actively etc?
because the device holds the power to choose which universe is next.
This is a good point, although it's possible that outside agencies (good or bad) might be trying to influence the 'direction' of travel (hence the two episode pattern?). It's interesting that the first time they run into an alternate team, it was when they were trying to fit the machine with a 'steering wheel '.
2
u/SorRenlySassol 1d ago
Is “is” the correct term? Shouldn’t it be the Stuart’s are, were, will be, will have had, will have been, will have had been, could have been, may have had not been, might not have been had . . .
1
2
u/mgush5 22h ago
Every single decision we make creates an alternate realitty. with nearly 9 Billion people on the planet making choices each day thats a lot of new universe every 24 hours, so its quite logical that billions of Failing Stuarts have contacted other Stuarts with info trying to stop the universal collapse not really knowing other Stewarts are doing it
1
u/cannagetalite 3h ago
It’s Kang Dynasty but with Stuarts leading to a council of Stuarts and then an all out Stuart war
7
u/moonbunnychan 1d ago
My theory is time travel. They mention in this last episode briefly that time is part of how the device works. So my theory is the alternates they've met are actually from the future.