How Does This All Play Into the Final Encounter?
How did Paul Serene and Jack Joyce end up at the exact same place right before the end of time? Well, it wasn’t a coincidence.
Throughout every twist and turn, and as Jack jumped from timeline to timeline, he was able to piece together the bigger picture. Paul’s plan, Beth’s mission, and his brother’s research all centered on one thing: the Countermeasure. Every move that was made by each major party ensured that the device would be in one place: Monarch HQ. This made it possible for Jack to retrieve it and to head back in time once more to save his brother in order to learn how to use it.
At this same time, Paul Serene’s condition is growing worse. Jack’s interference throughout the game served as the perfect distraction for Martin’s sabotage to take hold, even if he ultimately failed to obtain the CFR. This leaves Paul in a weakened state where he is at his deadliest. He pinpoints Jack’s next move through the multitude of timelines converging on him.
Now, Jack and Paul are both headed to Bradbury Swimming Pool. This was the extra Time Machine that was built thanks to Beth’s advice to William after traveling to the past. It contains a place for the Countermeasure to be used. All of the pieces have fallen perfectly into place for this very moment.
Just like dominoes, everyone’s separate motive created a chain that all fell together. Either Paul would win and activate the Lifeboat Protocol, or he would ensure the end of time (depending on your choices in Quantum Break), or Jack would win and fix the Fracture. The confrontation was decided the moment Paul made the first move when he traveled to the future and saw hell.
