IT IS A JOKE

It was a joke. Shane told you upfront, and you still got fooled. Watch for the question, "How did you know it was a joke?" The technician looks to Aaron, who in turn gives a slight shake. No answer, not in front of Aaron. Blame Abe. He fell for the red herring, therefor everyone else did. Originally, Aaron may have put the fungus there as a joke. True, the original time line #2 has been replaced and the first play of it can not be truly known. The truth is, Abe discovered this that the box was causing time travel, built two boxes, and Aaron came out without Abe's knowledge. Very likely, Abe may not have even finished the second box yet. As soon as the first box is working and turned on, someone will exit. 

How did the fungus not prevent Abe from climbing in the box? It should have left Aaron in complete control. Granted, in an earlier concept, Aaron(1) could be clueless. The technician would not know that there is an Aaron(1) and Aaron(2). Thus, in front of Aaron, the technician does not give an answer to Abe’s question. In the original time line, Aaron(1) may have planted the fungus as "a joke." or Aaron(2) could plant the fungus which would make Aaron(1) innocent, surprised, and clueless.Since we don't know when Abe built the box, its hard to know for sure. We see, however, that Aaron is 'finding out' this information allegedly the day after Abe finds out. This is hard to believe Abe, since if he just found out, how would he have had time to build the box already? Abe is not being completely honest.

So Abe’s first reaction was correct, "What did you do to this thing?" Part of the proof that we are watching Aaron(2) or Aaron(3) is the joke that Aaron starts to tell in his office. Thus, proof of the time loop, whether Aaron repeats this joke from memory or a recording (in the time line, he hasn’t heard it yet). There can be no debate though, Abe is definitely talking to an Aaron who has traveled back in time.

What does the fungus accomplish? It insures that Abe will build and store his boxes in the U-Haul storage center, a climate-controlled environment.(Since no fungus is found in the larger boxes, one can say that it was not in the experiment from the time travel itself.) It is certainly safer out of town so that no one may see them and their doubles. This step is essential to their success. It may also be an attempt to convince Abe not to get in the box (from Aaron’s perspective). This would allow Aaron sole control over the boxes. It is easy to believe that Aaron hasn’t traveled in time yet, because Abe is still under that belief. It is very hard for many people to grasp this on their first viewing, even after reading the explanation. But, Abe built a box early on. Long before most fans realize it, even after several viewings. How else would he know about the shock and other details if he had only made one experimental trip? When would he have had the time to make rules and plan the oxygen and the timing? Abe is tricking the audience, because he is misleading Aaron.

THERE'S ALWAYS LEAKS

Abe has been working on the small experimental box. Aaron balances the feed. Abe learns of its function for time travel. He builds a large box. He does not use it. He plans on building a second box. Unbeknownst to himself, the first box actually works, Aaron has exited the box. This is Aaron(2) who has been convinced by Aaron(3) to leave. He calls Abe and tells him about the time travel boxes. Now Abe uses the fail-safe box,.only it is after Aaron(3)and(2) already arrive.

First, we have to understand that Abe was capable of building the boxes, even if he thought it was for gravitational experiments. He made the first time travel box. It is possible that he turned it on and his future self exited. Actually, nothing happened according to what Abe says. He viewed it as a time machine and installed the timer to prevent ever meeting his future self (or his past self). Otherwise, he would get in the box at 3:00, and then a stunned Abe(1a) met the exiting Abe(1b). That makes Abe(1a) a temporary Abe, as long as he repeats himself from the former time line and gets back in the box at 3:00.

If Abe recognized that he built a time machine, he may have decided to keep it secret for a little while, learn control, make rules, then let Aaron know. But, since the time lines overlap, as illustrated above, then, as we see in the end, Abe builds the box and gets a call from Aaron(2). Now even if Abe(2) sabotages the box, Abe(1) will not stop until he experiences making and using the box.

Abe should recognize that, since he got a call from a future Aaron, that the cycle is repeating itself. But instead of calculating that there is another Aaron running amok and that he can not gain the upper hand, Abe assumes with the knowledge he gets from Aaron(2), that he will get and keep the upper hand over Aaron(1). And this could be true, unless Aaron(1) gets thrown into the attic and escapes to find the fail-safe. Or if Aaron(3) meets Abe, which puts Aaron(1) into the attic just as Aaron(2) had done the time before. Poor guy. In Abe's defense, it would be a lot to absorb. This is probably why Abe feels he can keep Aaron from causing such a disruption by slowly guiding and teaching him. (If it was only Aaron(1) but, of course, it isn't.)

Is this already a paradox? It may seems to be because of the overlapping of the time lines. It seems almost like Dr. Brown's line in Back to the Future, "Time machine? I haven't invented any time machine yet." And this is Abe, only there is a four day gap instead of thirty years. Since Abe is unable to comprehend that Aaron exits the first box turned on, he doesn't understand how the Argon is leaking out. Obviously, some leaks out when Aaron gets in at the B end and opens the door once again when he arrives at the A end.(plus any residual leaks over an eight day period. This is why Abe is concerned, "There's always leaks." Aaron is truly surprised by this, "There's leaks!". Since neither of them takes an Argon bottle to replenish, one must assume that there is enough Argon in the box at the B end to facilitate the full trip back to the A end. It should also be noted that the fungus is never brought up again.

THE PHONE CALL

Who is the narrator? Aaron. Undebateable. Who is he calling? Why is he calling? Let's start with which Aaron is calling. It is Aaron(2). Aaron(3) is trapped playing any number of past Aarons, whichever ones he has on his recording.(More about him later.) Aaron(2) is the one who fights with Aaron(3) and decides to exit. He leaves to go to France, which is shown only at the end of the film. (This way, we don't find out about Aaron(3) until the film's grand revelation.)

Aaron(2) calls Abe(1). He does not need to identify himself, Abe knows his voice. Abe listens. He does not interrupt. (Something Aaron could never do.) Aaron is clearly attempting to control Abe. Why would Abe believe that Aaron is a real time traveler? It is due to Abe being gassed, drugged, and locked in a bathroom for at least a day. If Aaron is hoping that Abe will be content to know that he already built a time machine and not go any further than that, he should realize that it is beyond man's ability to retreat so near to such an achievement. Aaron(2) has learned that Abe(2) may have corrupted Abe(1)'s box."He's got it wired wrong. It doesn't work." Abe is attempting to prevent time travel from occurring in the current time line. "You can't watch them forever." Abe(1) will work in secrecy, rather than in the open. Sounds like the beginning of our story, doesn't it?

"They'll be building their own boxes in another day. And yours already knows what they've built. You're not going to be able to watch them forever." Here Aaron is relating that Abe knew it was capable of time travel long before Aaron did. Thus, Abe(2) can not travel back to the moment before time travel occurred to stop it. He can fail-safe, corrupt the box, and delay events; but prevention is out of his control. Abe can only perform damage control. Aaron(2) is indebted to Abe(1) for his creation of the box and he seems instrumental in overseeing its recreation. (Call it a Safety Paradox: One exists and insures their own future existence) Aaron is angry at Abe(2) and recognizes that Abe(2) has already attempted to prevent Aaron(2) from existing. Abe(1) made Aaron(2)'s life possible. The debt has been repaid.

When I first started to discuss this topic on line, I was the only source. Everyone was determined to believe that Aaron(3) was calling Aaron(1). I didn't have the book written back in those early years. When the book was released, more and more fans started to grasp the significance of this detail. Some refused to accept this. Later, while promoting the DVD release of Primer in France, Carruth actually admitted that the narrator was the second Aaron. Asked if he was calling Abe, Shane replied that it could only be Abe. End of discussion.

THE DIFFICULTY OF PERFECTION

If you can understand that from Abe's perspective in the second time line, he turns on the fail-safe and 15 minutes later Aaron(2) pops out (but he is not identified as a time traveler until later). This immediacy helps us to see how Aaron(3) and Abe(2) are present simultaneously as well (from an outside perspective). So as Abe builds the box, it is quite possible for Abe(2) to try to sabotage it. Also, Aaron(3) can act to repair the box. So the box can work for a few hours, then suddenly not work. In the second time line, it seems that Aaron(2) was capable of repairing the box, even if Abe(2) had tried to contain future time travel (or at least the box Abe(1) constructed).

Aaron(3) seems to feel that his survival is dependent upon not creating a paradox, especially since he personally experienced the Granger incident and fears something similar could happen to him.. If Aaron(2) will not get back into the box, then his survival could be threatened. Aaron(3) could also be just a past rendition of Aaron(4). Aaron(2) realized, as he stated at the gas station, that he is living in a repetition where all of his actions are virtually programmed. Even if he would alter his course from the previous unremembered time line (now in revision), then Aaron(3) could always just reset the day and insure that Aaron(2) is not able to disrupt his plans again. Perfection has a high price.

(I'm adding some information here 5/13) I was asked how would it be possible for Aaron to 'redo' the party 20 times without creating 20 Aarons? This is something that confuses everyone. What we see Aaron(2) and Aaron(3) do is just the opposite. But, perhaps Aaron(3) learned that drugging Aaron(1) wasn't the best idea. Except now, he can not "go back and tell myself not to." Aaron(3) confronts and struggles with Aaron(2), but perhaps he learns a valuable lesson. That being: to relive the timeline, he must be humble enough to believe his future self and quietly leave the timeline by getting back in the box.

So, exit the box at 9:15, turn it off, turn it back on again because if this version doesn't work out as well as you want, you can go back to 9:30 and get the 9:15 version of you to get back in the box. As long as he gets back in the box and disappears, then you are in sole control with all of the knowledge of the past timelines. (It isn't necessary to turn the box off and on. But that would mean you would have to use a different box because when the self you supplant leaves, he has to turn off the box. I would keep the number of boxes to a minimum and risk the loss of 15 minutes.)

ABE AND AARON

Abe and Aaron have a unique friendship. They are computer geeks with shirts and ties to prove it. Abe typically is uneasy around sport jocks. These guys have to try to fit in. It is much easier for the average kid to identify with these two than with some ‘hero’ like Rambo or Rocky. There is a strong bond between Aaron and Abe; a deep trust, ripe for exploiting. Carruth has created two great characters and friends. I put them right up there with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Hawkeye and Hunnicut, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Like the boys, Primer fans often obsess over minor details, agonize about technical terms. They study deep paradox theories and plot intricacies. To some, reading this is cheating, admitting mental defeat. It is in the true spirit of Abe and Aaron. Use your mind and try to figure it out yourself.

I must admit, once you learn the solution to Primer, it is easy to lose perspective. Carruth said he never intended Primer to be so difficult to solve. Remaining objective is difficult. A lot of fans have been misled into believing well-intended but flawed theories. Others have become disillusioned and feel that the answer is unknowable.

What is complicated is that Abe and Aaron play against each other. There are a lot of dishonest statements. Some of it is hidden by future versions repeating lines from past versions. Also, some of your future selves can be your ally or your opponent. They might even travel back, punch you in the nose, and erase your memory of the whole ordeal. Either way, it is very easy to get a bit dazed when trying to break the whole timeline down. I will try to go one step at a time.

MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE

In the same manner in which a released hostage has to be debriefed, you may need some time to adjust to the bright light of the cause and effect timeline. It was described as a feedback loop. When you look into a series of mirrors, you will see an infinite number of reflections.

So, if Abe told Aaron about the box and it turned out to be a bad decision, he could go back and change that event. This new cause will produce a new effect as, Aaron’s response to not being told about the boxes. Aaron may attempt to steal them or use them in an unsafe manner. If Abe goes back and tries to relive the first timeline, he may unwittingly be starting a loop where he continually tries to change that event. Even if Abe has a third or fourth option, it just complicates matters if the final option leads back to reliving the first option.

But, you may say that Abe would be aware of the infinite loop. Aaron would not be aware of it. Remember though, that very quickly, both Abe and Aaron are using the boxes. Thus, neither one is aware of what the other is doing. This allows both of them to be in a continual loop without recognizing that fact. There are much more than one or two events in Primer. Keep your sunglasses on.

Both Aaron and Abe are controlling time. If everything was discussed openly and honestly, there would be no problems. Every time one of them uses the box, they erase the previous timeline from the others memory. They need to trust one another. It is hard to prevent the other person from using the box. So they continue to deceive one another, pretending to be their past self. Abe doesn’t realize at first that when he exits his fail-safe, Aaron(2) is already in the timeline.

GROUNDHOG DAY

Phil is in a continual loop of the same day, over and over. He can learn from his errors, anticipate what others will do, and continue his path until he finds success. Rita and Larry are stuck too. However, each day erases the previous one for them. While each rewrite is unique, they react in a similar fashion, even saying the same exact things. They are completely unaware of the repetitions. For them, it is one day.

Knowing Rita’s personality allows Phil to manipulate events, earning her praise and affection. Phil also learns how to help others despite his selfish personality. Aaron displays some of the same emotional conflicts, loneliness, fate and destiny. He has become untethered. Phil would understand.

When Aaron uses the time machine, he carries the knowledge of the previous timeline with him. At the same time, he will erase Abe’s memory of that timeline. When Aaron relives the party 19 times to get it just about perfect, Abe remembers only one time, the 19th version for Aaron. When Abe uses his box, it has the same effect on Aaron. They continue to learn and erase the others learning process. This is why their use of the boxes leads to actions and reactions that allow them to relive the events over and over again without realizing it.

Abe and Aaron need to understand that this is the cause of the feedback loop. Only then can they begin to figure a way out without causing a paradox disaster. There simply is no way to control the power of the boxes. It is quickly becoming like an arms race between two superpowers, each one trying to achieve and maintain superiority over the other. It seems the only way to win is not to play the game. The scene where Aaron is talking to Abe at the gas station shows he is beginning to gain valuable insight that he is living in a revision caused by himself or someone else.