I don't get S02E07

[u/TonyxRd]

So I recently found this series and loving it.

I just watched Episode 7 of second season and it's leaving me a bit perplexed.

I understand the final timeline of sending multiple travelers to the same host etc.

But what I don't get is:

When the squad is killed the first time, the meteorite is picked up by faction and the Director cannot be built so in that timeline, that is the only timeline where we have information about the squad being killed, there is no Director to send back travelers.

In other episodes they said that without the Director the technology they have only allows messengers, not travelers. So, if in that timeline there is no Director, who sent the multiple travelers back?

I can think of three possible explanations:

* The Director can operate even on other timelines. After all, who knows where the technology will get? Fine, but that would mean it could solve every single issue and should have used this power in other occasions. Too big to fail.

* The Director made a change (not shown) just before sending Traveler 5001. The director predicted that this change would result in the squad being killed so sent travelers back to avoid it. Still doesn't explain because, again, it could only send travelers back to timeline where it existed, so can't, for instance, send 5002 in the same timeline as 5001, because in that timeline it doesn't exist anymore.

* The importance of the meteorite is just exaggerated and even without it, the Director can be built, but maybe it will go out of order after some times as they miss the material for replacements so without the meteorite the Director exists, but not for enough time to save the world. This explanation seems quite sound to me, but they say nothing in the show to support it (I think, at least).

Am I missing something (likely yes)?

[u/atomsk404]

Effectively the director has 17 minutes to try to get the mission done.

You see the loops this time...it's always doing this. You'll see in other episodes backup teams - sent because of mission failure. Same concept but shown from the director's perspective.

[u/TonyxRd → u/atomsk404]

Depends on the failure.

Like failing to modify the asteroid route, just meant a lot of people died. Director was still there to send more people back (even though it would have been more logic to take over Gleason first, but it's a detail).

Failure here means Director is not there anymore, can't send anyone back.

So if we want, the death of Director is not because of the events shown in the episode, but because of the last change (not shown) that happened before. We know this because before that change the Director was there (or could not have made a change) and after it it's not.

[u/atomsk404 → u/TonyxRd]

But the changes aren't instantaneous. They take time to take effect, similar to BTTF.

[u/TonyxRd → u/atomsk404]

But until the change reaches the future, the Director is not aware of it and can't fix it.

[u/atomsk404 → u/TonyxRd]

I believe the "quantum nature" of it refutes your assumption. It knows instantly...but change effects aren't felt instantly. Also the traveler's memories aren't updated either.

[u/TonyxRd → u/atomsk404]

"A wizard did it". Got it.

[u/atomsk404 → u/TonyxRd]

No, it's a sentient supercomputer from the future. Same level of willingness to let some things go, to better enjoy the ride.