The Merovingian
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- "You see there is only one constant. One universal. It is the only real truth.
Causality. Action, reaction. Cause and effect." - ―The Merovingian [src]
The Merovingian also known as the Frenchman is one of the central characters in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions films of the Matrix film trilogy. In the theatrical releases he is portrayed by actor Lambert Wilson.
[edit] Biography
The Merovingian is an old, powerful program that resides within the Matrix. Self-described as a "trafficker of information," the Merovingian behaves much as a leader of a powerful, organized crime syndicate.
The Merovingian's history seems deeper than his appearances and material trappings. Described by the Oracle as "one of the oldest of us," the Merovingian came to the Matrix "long ago" with his wife, Persephone. Prefering to speak in French and live an opulent life, the Merovingian initially blocks the efforts of Neo, Trinity and Morpheus from obtaining the release of the Keymaker.
The Merovingian is a strong proponent that causality is the true nature of existence within the Matrix, and not choice. As a result, his ideology directly conflicts with the efforts of the Oracle. In fact, the Merovingian's behavior strongly suggested that he despised the Oracle so much as to want her termination, suggesting that Trinity can bring him the "eyes of the Oracle" as ransom for the later release of Neo from Mobil Station.
A connection to the Merovingian to the second failed Matrix may exist. The Merovingian surrounded himself with henchmen with remarkable abilities that other programs do not show. The Oracle, Persephone, and the Architect aluded to these programs in various conversations involving Neo. These programs inhabited the ill-fated second Matrix in an effort by the Architect to establish a primitive level of choice through cause-effect through frightening the human populace. When the second Matrix failed, the Merovingian kept many of these old programs for his own devices.
It has been confirmed that the Merovingian's prior purpose to exile was the Operating System for the Second Iteration.
Persephone has said that the Merovingian used to be "like Neo" when she speaks of initially falling in love with him. As the Merovingian's power lies more in subtle rather than gross manipulation of information, he is obviously not a previous One. Most assume Persephone is saying that the Merovingian was not always a cynical hedonist, but was once driven and purposeful.
