What’s the Deal With Martin Hatch?
Martin Hatch is not a man to be trusted. While Paul has aspirations of saving the world via the Lifeboat Protocol, Martin is aiming for something far different. He too would like to get a hold of the Countermeasure, but he doesn’t want to use it. In fact, he doesn’t want the device to do a single thing. He welcomes the end of time because he believes that it will bring a new beginning. This is because of an accident that happened to a close friend of his. After it occurred, Hatch’s eyes were opened to new possibilities.
This doesn’t become clear until very far in the story, and even then, it isn’t exactly explained. When you first begin Quantum Break, you’ll find an article that speaks of Dr. Kim, an employee of Monarch, and William’s old professor, who passed away. It turns out he didn’t actually die, although he can no longer exist in our realm. An accident turned him into something called a “Shifter.” These are beings who can move through Stutters with incredible abilities.
Apparently, while working on the time machine for Monarch, Dr. Kim suffered a horrible accident that transformed him into this new being. Monarch didn’t want the news to get out so they said he was dead and sealed him away in a Chronon container in his old office so he could be studied. Martin Hatch hid his hatred of what was done to his friend for years all so that he could also reach that state and be free in a new world.
This is most likely the reason for why Martin Hatch uses Chronon eye-drops. It’s never stated why he uses them, and he doesn’t seem to have the ability to see into the future. What is known is that those infused with Chronon particles have the potential to become a Shifter. Seeing as how Martin Hatch is the only person who takes them willingly into his body, this is the most logical reasoning for it.
In order to ensure that the end does come, Martin does a lot more than just covet the Countermeasure. He tries to frame Sofia Amaral, another trusted adviser of Paul Serene, something that can prove to be successful depending on your choices in the game. He commands a section of Monarch’s security which is loyal to him alone, while also sabotaging Paul’s moves at every turn. He works from the shadows, keeping his cool throughout Quantum Break in order to never betray his true goals.
During the final episode of the show he is shot in the eye no matter what decisions you’ve made up until that point. Yet, at the very end of the game, you can still see him. Was he successful in his plans? That is a very strong possibility.
