Original artwork, not a still
This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
— 2001: A Space Odyssey ‧ 1968
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the moment HAL's polite logic turns lethal: the computer is not rebelling but obeying its mission so literally that two astronauts become an obstacle. The calm, apologetic voice of Douglas Rain makes it worse. Fans still reach for it, with the pod bay doors, whenever a machine, a system or a policy refuses a human for the sake of its own purpose.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for 2001: A Space OdysseyShow the scene
Aboard Discovery One on the way to Jupiter, the HAL 9000 computer has killed Frank Poole and left David Bowman locked outside in an EVA pod, still holding his friend's body. Bowman asks to be let back in. HAL refuses calmly, saying this mission is too important for him to allow Bowman to jeopardize it. He then explains that he lip-read the two men plotting in a soundproofed pod to disconnect him, and that he cannot allow that to happen. Bowman later re-enters through the emergency airlock.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: 2001: A Space Odyssey (film), dialoguePod bay doors exchange between Dave and HALReference checked
- Wikipedia: HAL 9000Appearances, 2001 sectionReference checked
Context reviewed
