u/Kiqox_Ue

I don't remember which episode it was, no more than the 3rd, but Aleida was talking to Dev about the Titan aerobraking maneuver, about how the moon's atmosphere is too dynamic for them to get useful data for how exactly they tackle entry when they get there.

Dev sat there for like 3 seconds, then just said Ok, I have a solution. But it'll take some time.

..??? Is it just me or has bro not done squat 💀 HOWEVER, I have a theory.

Dev has been really odd during the rebellion this season. Why would he want large scale automation on Mars? In season 3 he literally risked the lives of the other ships crews just to be the first to Mars, and people did die from that decision. In season 4, he has the opportunity to bring Goldilocks to Earth in order to better the lives of billions, and he PAYS OFF the protesters. But with the people that remain, he seeks them out to heist the asteroid.

So it's hard for me to believe that he's fine with shipping off all the workers on Mars just for more efficient asteroid mining. It's hard for me to believe he'd push for a static unchangeable city on Mars. Dev has always been cold and ruthless about PROGRESS. Looking at his surface level motives, it's way too complacent for him. Maybe some viewers can get behind him growing into that mindset as he gets older, but no, I'm definitely not buying that. He's been invoking "Progress is Never Free" his entire life, it doesn't make sense that he just retires to a basic fantasy.

I think that Dev TRULY wants one thing: human expansion to the rest of the solar system, and beyond. This goal can never physically be completed, there will ALWAYS be a next frontier. So, he will dedicate the rest of his life, probably to the point of sacrifice, on instead making damn sure that humanity never takes its eyes away from more and more distant horizons.

Automatons on Mars don't push further into the solar system. A group of complacent billionaires living on Mars aren't capable of wanting to push deeper. But true explorers, migrants, humbled workers, ACTUALLY civilization, they will always inevitably go further. That's how we migrated across our planet in the first place.

So, my theory. When Aleida told him that the Titan mission needed data that could only really come from Kuragen, the pieces naturally fell together in his head. Sabotage, creating and then offering an ultimatum for a new status quo.

Stage 1

I'm not sure exactly what he's planning, but he is likely the one who gave Alex access to classified files. Someone clearly placed them there, or forgot to unlist them. Why would these specific files just be lying around for Alex of all people to find? And if it was someone, who else could it have possibly been?

Stage 2

Obviously, Alex was going to release these files. I think it's interesting that the next time he sees Dev, he gives Alex an ambiguous nod? It seems... out of context. But maybe this is the context. Alex doesn't know he's telling him to release anything, but seeing Dev confident makes him think he isn't taking it seriously, since he clearly knows about it.

Stage 3

Unrest. The people aren't happy. The police state shows its true colors, inciting more unified protests on larger scales. Meanwhile, Dev tells Alex that he's being immature and reckless, that he should stop now. He's using the fact that Alex doesn't trust him, using how Alex sees his motives, in pretty simple reverse psychology. "Oh, you want me to stop? You just lit the fire, pal." Exactly what he wants.

Stage 4

Where we are with episode 6. The riot against the protestors broke the dam, and they were pushed back out of the command center. There is now a hostage situation. During this, Dev goes out to... find Alex? What the hell? What, to talk some sense into the kid, is he insane? And then he gets jumped in the halls, chef's kiss. Objectively, he did deserve that.

Stage 5

Predictions on what comes next. Episode 7's description says that he's going to make a drastic decision. Under the more obvious extreme interpretation, Dev could sacrifice his life. If he is able to give Alex all the necessary information for his plan to be carried through, or if he's able to plant those seeds for him when he needs to act, he would be free to sacrifice one of the most important pieces on the board. Himself. This could be to buy more time for Alex, trading his life for something they need to succeed.

(Explanation detour)

But it's also just not assured he would sacrifice himself. He would if it were the only way to succeed, but it's very optimal, from his own perspective, for himself to stay alive and in a position where he can will his own plans into motion. That said, I can't help but gravitate towards the idea of him sacrificing himself this season. It just feels like the one and only way Dev can die, it's so perfect for his character to give his life for the cause. HIS cause.

Think about it. Everyone hates him now. Alex wouldn't forgive him even if he learned this was all part of his plan, because people HAVE died, and everyone is negatively affected. He himself probably can't utilize anywhere near the amount and kinds of resources he had before. Public opinion is dead, his management over the company is absolutely being called into question, and all his friends have turned against him.

But, hypothetically, if Dev were to bestow upon Alex his level of control over Helios, say by giving him his shares or anything unique to him which he can hand off, Alex can continue his plan for him. Everyone loves Alex, and if he isn't seen as someone responsible enough to run the company itself, his mom and adoptive auntie definitely can. Meanwhile, for Dev… whether he's a token for some trade or a necessary sacrifice, he can still do one last thing to ensure his vision. Let's wait to see what that is.

Stage 6

Now, everything is up to Alex. Maybe Dev left step by step instructions. Maybe Dev saw the potential in him, and knew the next steps would come naturally to him. Either way, Alex is now capable of turning the tide in favor of TSADOM, along with some allies. Turn Happy Valley into a self sustaining settlement, deflect and defend against the incoming USS Bradford, and become an officially recognized independent. We obviously don't know how they're going to pull this off, but we also know it's obvious that they will.

Stage 7

Many paragraphs ago, I mentioned my confusion on how exactly Dev was going to get Kuragen’s atmospheric data on Titan for the aerobrake. Well, let's take a look at Kuragen now. The Soviet economy is collapsing. FAM is blatantly telling us that they need Iridium from Goldilocks. Sadom now controls all outbound shipments of Iridium, holding the lifeline of the USSR and Kuragen. At this point, the embargo would have been going on for months. Things are dire by this point.

The ultimatum, of this new status quo, is simple. Give us the entry data, maybe along with a few goodies and assurances, and we'll give you your precious Iridium.

Stage 6 is weak on direct evidence to support it, but narratively is less supported and more *stated* as being what season 5 is all about. Thoughts?