Metropolis Series Analysis

Story by Dream Theater
Analysis by David Hammond

Introduction

This is an analysis of one of the most elaborate stories ever written in song format: the Metropolis series by Dream Theater. This analysis contains spoilers, so if you don't want the ending ruined for you, I recommend listening to the albums first.

John Petrucci first wrote Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper in 1991 as part of the Images and Words album. A major theme of the story was that the three Dances — Death, Deceit, and Love — go on for eternity. Because of this feeling of neverendingness, he decided to entitle the song Part 1, even though he never had any intention of making a second part.

However, over the years more and more fans wanted to see a second part to this mysterious tale, and Dream Theater finally decided to grant their wishes. John Petrucci and the rest of Dream Theater wrote the amazing Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory album in 1999. The story was written not to be a continuation of the original story, but to take the original story metaphorically in a more modern setting.

Part 1 was based loosely on the legend of Romulus and Remus, two twin gods who fought over a great city. According to the story, Romulus won and so the city was named Rome. This is simply what inspired John Petrucci to write the song, and the story is different in many ways.

Common Metaphors

There are several metaphors that are used commonly throughout both the Metropolis series and Mike Portnoy's The Glass Prison series (which some believe was intended to be compatible with, although not necessarily a part of, the Metropolis series). Here are some of them and what they mean:

Home

The home is the primal self without influence from logic or morals. In Freudian terms, it is the person's id. The home often refers to the object of desires, or to the source of one's being. In both Metropolis and The Glass Prison, pursuing the home inevitably leads to ruin.

Door

The door is the gateway to or from the home. To walk through the door is to either begin pursuing the object of desire or to stop pursuing it and begin using rational thought. To close or lock the door is to resolve oneself to or from the pursuit.

Mirror

The mirror is used in Metropolis and The Glass Prison similarly to the way it is used in most literature. Looking into the mirror is looking into oneself, often in attempt to resolve some internal conflict.

Reflection

As with the mirror, the reflection is a relatively common metaphor. In Metropolis and The Glass Prison, the reflection is often an alternate self. Characters who look at their reflection don't see the same person that everyone else sees.

Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper

Vocals

James LaBrie

Guitar

John Petrucci

Drums

Mike Portnoy

Bass

John Myung

Keyboard

Kevin Moore

Written by John Petrucci

The Smile of Dawn arrived early May
She carried a gift from her home

We are introduced to Metropolis, not yet called by its name. We are immediately given a feeling that Metropolis is friendly and innocent, and offering the gift of love. In Part 1, Metropolis is a city that is sometimes talked about figuratively as a woman. In Part 2, she will be a woman (Victoria) that is talked about figuratively as a city.

The Night shed a tear
To tell her of fear
And of sorrow and pain she'll never outgrow

Although it is unknown who or what the Night symbolizes, it is clearly something that foretells the coming events. We are told here that Metropolis will be afraid and in pain, and that her life will end before it is resolved.

Death is the first Dance, eternal

This is the first reference to the three Dances of Eternity, which establish the theme for the Metropolis story. The three Dances of Eternity are, in order: Death, Deceit, and Love. These are the forces that the three figures of the story — The Miracle, the Sleeper, and Metropolis — will be forced to struggle with for all of eternity.

There's no more freedom
The both of you will be confined
To this mind

Both the Miracle and the Sleeper will be set on winning the love of Metropolis, and they will be unable to escape it.

I was told there's a miracle
For each day that I tried

This is the Miracle talking. He is called the Miracle because it seems as though he succeeds at whatever he decides to pursue.

I was told there's a new love that's born
Through each one that has died

This line is repeated in Part 2 when Edward decides to pursue Victoria after she and Julian had a fight. Likewise, the Miracle will pursue Metropolis when it starts to drift away from the Sleeper.

I was told there'd be no one to call on
When I feel alone and afraid

The Miracle has always been self-sufficient and has never had to rely on anyone before. If he was to fail at something, he wouldn't know where to turn. This provides background that leads up to the decision he makes when Metropolis returns to the Sleeper.

I was told if you dream of the next world
You'll find yourself swimming in a lake of fire

This literally means that if you dream of heaven, you'll get hell. If you try to obtain something that is forbidden to you, you will suffer for it eternally. This is more foreshadowing.

As a child, I thought I could live without pain
Without sorrow

Now the Sleeper is narrating. He used to live a sheltered life, rather spoiled, and never really got in touch with reality. He is called the Sleeper because he never pursued anything for himself.

As a man, I've found it's all caught up with me.
I'm asleep, yet I'm so afraid

He is now given responsibilities that he doesn't know how to handle. He tries to escape from reality, but it just makes the problem worse. This is what drives Metropolis away from him.

Somewhere, like a scene from a memory
There's a picture worth a thousand words
Eluding stares from faces before me
It hides away and will never be heard of again

We're back to the Miracle, and he pictures himself taking Metropolis from the Sleeper. He feels that he is somehow destined to do this, but at the same time he's ashamed for his thoughts. He tries to hide his feelings from everyone.

Deceit is the Second without end

Here we're told the second Dance of Eternity: Deceit. The Miracle will betray his brother and take Metropolis for himself.

The city's cold blood teaches us to survive
Just keep my heart in your eyes and we'll stay alive

The Sleeper realizes that he's losing Metropolis. He decides that he has to wake up and fight for it. He asks Metropolis to give him another chance and that everything will be alright.

The Third arrives

This is the third Dance of Eternity, which we will be told is love.

Before the leaves have fallen
Before we lock the doors
There must be the third and last Dance
This one will last forever

Metropolis has returned to the Sleeper. However, before the story is over, love will come into play once more. Love is a force that will never go away.

Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles
She's taken you to your home

The Miracle and the Sleeper are both strongly in love with Metropolis, and it touches the darkest parts of their hearts. They will fight for the love, and it will destroy them both.

It can only take place when the struggle between our children has ended
Now the Miracle and the Sleeper know
That the Third is Love
Love is the Dance of Eternity

Metropolis will never be free until the Dances of Eternity are stopped. Love will forever lead them all to ruin.

Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory

Vocals

James LaBrie

Guitar

John Petrucci

Drums

Mike Portnoy

Bass

John Myung

Keyboard

Jordan Rudess

Cast of Characters

• Nicholas/Victoria Page (Metropolis)
• The Hypnotherapist/Senator Edward Baynes (The Miracle)
• Nicholas' wife/Julian Baynes (The Sleeper)
• The Old Man (The Night?)

1.1: Regression

Written by John Petrucci

Close your eyes and begin to relax. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Concentrate on your breathing. With each breath, you become more relaxed. Imagine a brilliant white light above you. Focus in on this light as it flows through your body. Allow yourself to drift off as you fall deeper and deeper into a more relaxed state of mind. Now, as I count backward from ten to one, you will feel more peaceful and calm. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. You will enter a safe place where nothing can harm you. Five. Four. Three. Two. If at any time you need to come back, all you must do is open your eyes. One.

The story begins in the year 1999, when Nicholas is being put into a state of hypnosis. As you will learn, his whole life he has been haunted with dreams of a strange other world where something terrible happens. The man who is regressing him to an earlier time is known simply as the Hypnotherapist. One particular thing to note from this introduction speach is the last phrase, open your eyes. This is the same phrase that Edward will say to Victoria before he murders her.

Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My subconscious mind
Starts spinning through time
To rejoin the past once again

Nothing seems real
I'm starting to feel
Lost in the haze of a dream
And as I draw near
The scene becomes clear
Like watching my life on a screen

Hello Victoria, so glad to see you
My friend

This is Nicholas describing how he feels as he's being regressed to a previous time, in 1928. Nicholas will learn throughout the story that this is actually a past life of his, and hints are given that Nicholas was actually Victoria in that life. One interesting thing to note is how his knowledge in this scene is more advanced than in the next couple of scenes, which has made some people guess that this scene actually takes place later in the story. For example, he doesn't know Victoria's name, or that what he's seeing is his own past life, until a few scenes later.

1.2: Overture of 1928

(Instrumental)

Although it never says in the lyrics what time Nicholas is regressed to, this title says it pretty clearly.

1.3: Strange deja Vu

Written by Mike Portnoy

Subconscious strange sensation
Unconscious relaxation
What a pleasant nightmare
And I can't wait to get there again

Nicholas continues to narrate. He describes the scene as a pleasant nightmare, describing the mix of love and pain that he feels every time he dreams this. He knows that something terrible is going to happen, yet he is eager to figure out just what it is that has been haunting him all this time. It is possible that this is a dream, not a hypnotherapy session.

Every time I close my eyes
There's another vivid surprise
Another whole life's waiting
Chapters unfinished, fading

There is still so much about this other world that he has yet to learn.

Closer now, slowly coming into view
I've arrived, blinding sunshine beaming through

He is now entering the scene from his dreams.

There's a house I'm drawn to
Familiar settings, nothing new
And there's a pathway leading there
With a haunting chill in the air

There's a room at the top of the stairs
Every night I'm drawn up there
And there's a girl in the mirror
Her face is getting clearer

Young child, won't you tell me why I'm here?

He comes to the house of Victoria Page. He looks in the mirror and sees her face, the first hint that Nicholas was actually Victoria in the other life. At this point, he doesn't appear to know who the girl is, but something is seeming familiar about her. He knows that she is a major figure in this conflict.

In her eyes, I sense a story never told
Behind the disguise, there's something tearing at her soul

He senses that there's something Victoria is keeping locked inside of herself.

Tonight I've been searching for it
A feeling that's deep inside me
Tonight I've been search for
The one that nobody knows
Trying to break free

This is Victoria talking. She feels something inside of her that she can't describe. It is likely that she is experiencing the same thing that Nicholas is experiencing: that a tragic event happened in some other life and that it holds great significance in her own. She feels that someone is trying to tell her something, but she can't determine what it is.

I just can't help myself
I'm feeling like I'm going out of my head
Tears my heart into two
I'm not the one the Sleeper thought he knew

This is the first reference to a character from Part 1. In this world, the Sleeper is Julian Baynes, her lover. This hints that this scene takes place after Victoria started cheating on Julian with his brother, Edward. She wants to end this love affair, but she feels she can't help it. She seems to blame herself more than she blames Julian.

Back on my feet again, eyes open to the real world
Metropolis surrounds me, the mirror's shattered the girl
Why is this other life haunting me every day?
I'd break through to the other side if only I'd find the way

Nicholas is awake again. Metropolis here has a double meaning: it means both literally the city and Victoria. He feels Victoria's spirit inside him, even though the reflection of her in physical form is gone. This piece adds more support to the idea that the scene he just experienced was a dream and not a hypnotherapy session, which in turn supports that Regression takes place sometime later.

Something's awfully familiar
This feeling's so hard to shake
Could I have lived in that other world?
It's a link that I'm destined to make

He's starting to realize that this is a past life of his.

Still searching, but I don't know what for
The missing key to unlock my mind's door

Nicholas wants to uncover the truth to this, but he isn't sure where to start.

Today I am searching for it
A feeling that won't go away
Today I am search for
The one that I only know
Trying to break free

He feels that someone is trying to tell him something. This is the same feeling that Victoria had, and Nicholas also feels that it's very important that he solves this mystery.

I just can't help myself
I'm feeling like I'm going out of my head
Tears my soul into two
I'm not the one I thought I always knew

I just can't help myself
I'm feeling like I'm going out of my head
Uncanny strange deja vu
But I don't mind
I hope to find
The truth

He knows there is a big secret to his past that defines who he really is. He no longer cares that the dreams are disrupting him. He's set on solving this mystery. This is actually the beginning of his decline. This is Nicholas' equivalent of Victoria running off to Edward, and it will have similar results.

1.4: Through My Words

Written by John Petrucci

All your eyes have ever seen
All you've ever heard
Is etched upon my memory
Is spoken through my words

Nicholas realizes that he has locked inside his head the memories of Victoria, and that everything he says and does has a piece of Victoria in it.

All that I take with me
Is all you've left behind
We're sharing one eternity
Living in two minds
Linked by an endless thread
Impossible to break

He sees that the spirits of Victoria and himself are one, and that there is a link between them that cannot be broken.

1.5: Fatal Tragedy

Written by John Myung

Alone at night
I feel so strange
I need to find
All the answers to my dreams

When I sleep at night
I hear the cries
What does this mean?

He continues to be haunted by the dreams of this other world, and he is determined to solve the puzzle.

I shut the door and travel to another home
I met an older man, he seemed to be alone
I felt that I could trust him
He talked to me that night

The old man is a great mystery of the story. Many believe that he is the reincarnation of Julian, but that creates some holes in the continuation of the theme. The old man seems to know who Nicholas is and what he's looking for, and helps point him in the right direction. In Part 1, the Sleeper had no such role. The only character that comes close is the figure the Night. It's possible that, like the Night, the old man is simply a secondary character that foreshadows events for Nicholas/Metropolis.

Lad, did you know a girl was murdered here?
This fatal tragedy was talked about for years
Victoria's gone forever
Only memories remain
She passed away
She was so young

This is the first time that a murder is actually mentioned. This scene is important because Nicholas is now starting to apply real facts to the figures of his dreams.

Without love
Without truth
There can be no turning back

Without faith
Without hope
There can be no peace of mind

He will continue to search for the truth. He is sure that if he just keeps pushing, he will find the answers he's looking for.

As the night went on
I started to find my way
I learned about a tragedy
A mystery still today

Nicholas learns that the murder was never completely resolved, and that many believed there was more to the story than the newspapers said. The first line of this part is interesting: As the night went on. I think this lends support to the idea that the old man represents the Night in Part 1, which would mean that this line has a double meaning.

I tried to get more answers
But he said, You're on your own
Then he turned away and left me
As I stand there all alone
He said, You'll know the truth
As your future days unfold
Unfold

It seems as though the old man knows more than he's saying, and he's leaving it up to Nicholas to figure out the rest of the mystery.

Without love
Without truth
There can be no turning back

Without faith
Without hope
There can be no peace of mind

The chorus again.

Now it is time to see how you died. Remember that death is not the end, but only a transition.

Nicholas is back with the Hypnotherapist, and Victoria's death is about to be discovered (more or less).

1.6: Beyond This Life

Written by John Petrucci

Headline: Murder
Young girl killed
Desperate shooting
At Echo's Hill

Dreadful ending
Killer died
Evidently
Suicide

Nicholas reads a newspaper article about Victoria's death in the January 28, 1928 issue of the Daily Times. This hardly seems like something one would experience during a hypnotherapy session, so it's possible that this scene doesn't immediately follow the last scene. It is important to note that this is the newspaper's account of the story, and not necessarily how the event actually happened. We learn that Victoria was shot to death at a place called Echo's Hill, and the newspaper says that the killer then committed suicide. The three figures in the newspaper story are: the girl, the killer, and the witness. These translate to Victoria, Julian, and Edward, respectively. As we find out later, of course, it was Edward who murdered Victoria and Julian.

A witness heard a horrifying sound
He ran to find a woman dead and lying on the ground

Standing by her
Was a man
Nervous, shaking
Gun in hand

Witness says he
Tried to help
But he turned the weapon
On himself

His body fell across that poor young girl
After shouting out in vain, the witness ran to call for assistance
A sad close to a broken love affair

This is the newspaper's account of the murder, with information provided by the witness. It says that Edward found Victoria dead with Julian standing by her, holding a gun. Julian then shot himself and fell onto Victoria's body. It hints that Julian may have discovered Victoria's love affair with Edward and chose to end both his and Victoria's life over it.

Our deeds have traveled far
What we have been is what we are

Our deeds have traveled far
What we have been is what we are

The deeds of their ancestors continue to plague their lives. They can't escape their destiny.

She wanted love forever
But he had another plan
He fell into an evil way
She had to let him down
She said, I can't love a wayward man

Victoria truly loved Julian, but, as detailed by a sound bite in Home, Julian became addicted to gambling and drinking (a possible link to the Glass Prison series). The description here appears to be what the general public thought of him. In reality, he was trying to escape his problems, but it eventually drove Victoria away to Edward.

She may have found a reason to forgive
If he had only tried to change
Was their fatal meeting prearranged?

Nicholas plays with the following idea: Julian contacted Victoria, asking to get back together again. Victoria, truly wanting them to be together and hoping that he might have changed his ways, agrees to meet. But Julian planned the meeting to be a murder-suicide from the start.

Had a violent struggle taken place?
There was every sign that lead there
Witness found a switchblade on the ground
Was the victim unaware?

Nicholas begins looking at the crime scene described in the newspaper article. There seemed to be a fight, and either Julian or Victoria pulled a switchblade on the other. Nicholas finds this odd. Why would Julian carry a switchblade if he already had a gun? He guesses that it was Victoria who had the switchblade, anticipating malicious intentions from Julian. We find out later that all of these guesses are wrong.

They continued to investigate
They found a note in the killer's pocket
It could have been a suicide letter
Maybe he had lost her love

They found what appeared to be a suicide letter in Julian's pocket. We discover later that the letter was planted by Edward, but Nicholas currently assumes that this is just support for the murder-suicide account.

I feel there's only one thing left to do
I'd sooner take my life away than live with losing you

This is what the suicide letter said. In the interest of making the quote fit in the songs, the quote differs slightly between Beyond This Life and Finally Free, but it basically says the same thing. The note is meant to imply that Julian would rather die than lose Victoria to Edward.

Our deeds have traveled far
What we have been is what we are

Our deeds have traveled far
What we have been is what we are

All that we learn this time
(What we have been is what we are)
Is carried beyond this life

All that we learn this time
(What we have been is what we are)
Is carried beyond this life

More emphasis on the theme of the story.

1.7: Through Her Eyes

Written by John Petrucci

She never really had a chance
On that fateful moonlit night
Sacrificed without a fight
A victim of her circumstance

Nicholas believes that Victoria got caught up in something that she couldn't escape from, and that her death wasn't her fault.

Now that I've become aware
And I've exposed this tragedy
A sadness grows inside of me
It all seems so unfair

Nicholas believes at this moment that he knows the truth, or at least enough of the truth to be content with. However, he feels that a great unjustice was done against Victoria.

I'm learning all about my life
By looking through her eyes

In learning about Victoria's death, he's achieving a greater appreciation for his own life.

Just beyond the churchyard gates
Where the grass is overgrown
I saw the writing on her stone
I felt like I would suffocate

In loving memory of our child
So innocent, eyes open wide
I felt so empty as I cried
Like part of me had died

I'm learning all about my life
By looking through her eyes

Nicholas visits Victoria's grave and reads the words on the tombstone. This helps detail her image as she died, eyes open wide, as if she was taken by surprise. Nicholas feels like he's watching the grave of a part of him, which is actually true.

And as her image wandered through my head
I wept just like a baby as I lay awake in bed

And I know what it's like to lose someone you love
And this felt just the same

She wasn't given any choice
Desperation stole her voice
I've been given so much more in life
I've got a son, I've got a wife

The dreams continue to haunt him in his sleep. He mentions his wife and son, which serve no other role in the story. This leads me to believe that he feels somewhat detached from them, just as Victoria felt detached from the Sleeper, which adds to my belief that Nicholas' wife is the reincarnation of the Sleeper. At this stage in the story, Nicholas is still obsessed with the truth of his past, and inherently the Hypnotherapist (Edward). When he finally understands the whole truth and his nightmares finally go away, he will leave the Hypnotherapist and will be with his family again. This will be the equivalent of Victoria leaving Edward to get back together with Julian, and we all know how that turned out...

I had to suffer one last time
To grieve for her and say goodbye
Relive the anguish of my past
To find out who I was at last

Nicholas is saying his final goodbye to the spirit of Victoria. He now feels ready to put the issue at rest. It's interesting that he uses the phrase one last time, which is significant only because of the other times that it's used. Victoria uses it when she's finally leaving Edward, and Julian uses it when he finds Victoria dead and he himself is dying. The irony is that in none of these cases was it actually the last time.

The door has opened wide
I'm turning with the tide
Looking through her eyes

Nicholas has gained a new insight into Victoria's life, and it has helped him understand his own life. And so the first act closes in a rather optimistic light.

2.1: Home

Written by Mike Portnoy

Shine, lake of fire
Lines, take me higher
My mind drips desire
Confined and overtired

The second act opens with Julian being consumed by his obsessions. He is a complusive gambler, and there is some indication that he is also an alcoholic.

Living this charade
Is getting me nowhere
I can't shake this charade
The city's cold blood calls me home
Home, it's what I long for
Back home, where I belong

Julian realizes that he is being consumed and that he's losing Victoria over it. He decides that he has to go back to Victoria and try to rekindle their relationship.

The city, it calls to me
Decadent scenes from a memory
Sorrow, eternity
My demons are coming to drown me

He wants to be with Victoria again, and his memories of her are but decaying memories. He knows he'll never be happy without her, but he first has to overcome his addictions.

Help, I'm falling, I'm crawling
I can't keep away from its clutch
Can't have it, this habit
It's calling me back to my home

He's struggling to break free from his addictions. The home is representing two conflicting desires: Victoria and his gambling and drinking obsessions. He knows he can't have both, and he has to hold on to Victoria.

I remember the first time she came to me
She poured out her soul all night and cried
I remember I was told there's a new love that's born
For each one that had died

Now Edward is talking. Some time ago, Victoria came to him in tears, presumably about fight she had with Julian regarding his addictions. Edward feels a desire to take advantage of their damaged love and take Victoria for himself. Their love affair begins.

I never thought that I
Could carry on with this life
But I can't resist myself
No matter how hard I try

Edward knows that what he is doing is wrong, but he can't stop himself. He is becoming obsessed with Victoria.

Living their other life
Is getting them nowhere
I'll make her my wife
Her sweet temptation calls me home
Home, it's what I long for
My home, where she belongs

He tries to justify the affair by telling himself that Julian and Victoria were going nowhere with their relationship, and he decides that Victoria belongs with him.

Her ecstasy means so much to me
Even deceiving my own blood
Victoria watches and thoughtfully smiles
She's taken me to my home

Help, he's my brother, but I love her
I can't keep away from her touch
Deception, dishonor
It's calling me back to my home

He feels that her love is worth betraying his brother over. Victoria has captured his heart. This part of the song is followed by a two scenes that you can hear at once. One is a casino, and the other is a woman making love to a man. This shows that while Julian is out drinking and gambling, Victoria is with Edward.

Her story, it holds the key
Unlocking dreams from my memory
Solving this mystery
Is everything that is a part of me

We're back to Nicholas, who is still seeking for more truth.

Help, regression, obsession
Can't keep away from its clutch
Leave no doubt, to find out
It's calling me back to my home

Nicholas realizes that he's becoming obsessed with his past and the hypnotherapy sessions, but he can't stop himself.

2.2: The Dance of Eternity

(Instrumental)

2.3: One Last Time

Written by James LaBrie

It doesn't make any sense
This tragic ending
In spite of the evidence
There's something still missing

Since his visit to Victoria's grave, he has been thinking about the newspaper story and can't make sense of it. He sees holes in the story, and he feels the need to uncover the mystery. Note that he didn't witness most of what was said in Home — that was for your own information.

Heard some of the rumors told
A taste of one's wealth
Did Victoria wound is soul?
Did she bid him farewell?

There was talk about Victoria having an affair with Edward, some saying it was for the money (he's a senator after all). Nicholas is starting to wonder if she might have broken up harshly with him, and if that could have played a role in the murder. He's starting to get on the right track now.

One last time, we'll lay down today
One last time, until we fade away
One last time, we'll lay down today
One last time, we slowly fade away

Away

Victoria is telling herself that this is the last visit to Edward's house, and that she will end the affair.

Here I am inside his home
It holds the many clues to my suspicions
And as I'm standing here right now
I'm finally shown what I have always known

Nicholas goes to Edward's house, certain that more of the story will be revealed there.

Coincidence, I can't believe
As my childhood dreams slowly come true

Are these her memories
Awakened through my eyes?
This house has brought back to life

Memories begin flooding in, and he sees the house as it was in 1928.

An open door
I walk on through
Into his bedroom

Feeling as cold as outside
The walls disappear
To some woman who's screaming
A man pleads forgiveness
His words I cannot hear

Nicholas sees Victoria telling Edward that it's over. Edward is in denial and refuses to let her go. His words mean nothing to Victoria, and so Nicholas cannot hear them.

2.4: The Spirit Carries On

Written by John Petrucci

Where did we come from?
Why are we here?
Where do we go when we die?

What lies beyond?
And what lay before?
Is anything certain in life?

They say, Life is too short
The here and the now
And, You're only given one shot

But could there be more?
Have I lived before?
Or could this be all that we've got?

If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on

Nicholas is reflecting on the lessons that he's learned from Victoria.

I used to be frightened of dying
I used to think death was the end
But that was before
I'm not scared anymore
I know that my soul will transcend

I may never find all the answers
I may never understand why
I may never prove
What I know to be true
But I know that I still have to try

If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on

He realizes that he may never fully understand what happened to Victoria or how it ties into his life, but he decides that he won't give up. He'll keep Victoria in his heart and continue to learn from her.

Move on, be brave
Don't weep at my grave
Because I am no longer here
But please never let
Your memory of me disappear

Victoria tells him to move on and stop obsessing over the past, but at the same time not to forget what he has learned.

Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My questioning mind
Has helped me to find
The meaning in my life again

Victoria's real
I finally feel
At peace with the girl in my dreams
And now that I'm here
It's perfectly clear
I found out what all of this means

If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on

We are brought back to similar lyrics as those in Regression, but now Nicholas feels complete. He is ready to stop obsessing about his past and return to normal life, wiser from what Victoria has taught him. The song closes as though the story is finished, but there is still one last scene to play out. The Third arrives.

2.5: Finally Free

Written by Mike Portnoy

You are once again surrounded by a brilliant white light. Allow the light to lead you away from your past and into this lifetime. As the light dissipates, you will slowly fade back into consciousness, remembering all you have learned. When I tell you to open your eyes, you will return to the present, feeling peaceful and refreshed. Open your eyes, Nicholas.

Nicholas is brought out of hypnosis for the last time. The hypnotherapist repeats the phrase, open your eyes, foreshadowing the final event.

Friday evening
The blood still on my hands
To think that she would leave me now
For that ungrateful man

We return to Edward, just after he murdered Victoria and Julian. He still feels bitter about the both of them.

Sole survivor
No witness to the crime
I must act fast to cover up
I think that there's still time

He'd seem hopeless and lost with this note
They'll buy into the words that I wrote

This feeling inside me
Finally found my love, I've finally broke free
No longer torn in two
I'd take my own life before losing you

Edward plants the note on Julian to disguise the murder as a murder-suicide.

Feeling good this Friday afternoon
I ran into Julian, said we'd get together soon
He always had my heart, he needs to know
I'll break free of the Miracle, it's time for him to go

This feeling inside me
Finally found my love, I've finally broke free
No longer torn in two
He'd kill his brother if he only knew

This is only a few hours before the murder. Victoria is excited about getting back together with Julian, and they agree to meet at Echo's Hill. However, she knows how obsessed Edward is with her, and she seriously worries that he may kill Julian. It is likely that she told Julian something of her concern, and that Julian in response brought a switchblade in his pocket to the meeting place.

Their love renewed
They'd rendezvous
In a pathway out of view
They thought no one knew
Then came a shot out of the night

They meet at Echo's Hill, thinking it would be a secret place. However, Edward somehow found them. Here follows a sound bite of a struggle, which is detailed in the Metropolis 2000 DVD. Edward hits Julian. A bottle of alcohol falls from Julian's coat pocket and shatters on the ground. He pulls out his switchblade and slashes it at Edward, but Edward pulls out a gun and shoots twice, hitting Julian once in the stomach. Victoria screams. Edward walks up to her and says:

Open your eyes, Victoria.

He then shoots her twice and runs off.

One last time, we'll lay down today
One last time, until we fade away
One last time, we'll lay down today
One last time, we fade away

Julian, still alive, drags himself to Victoria's still, lifeless body, her eyes wide open. He pulls his body over hers and there he dies.

As their bodies lie still
And the ending draws near
Spirits rise through the air
All their fears disappear
It all becomes clear

A blinding light comes into view
An old soul exchanged for a new
A familiar voice comes shining through

This serves as a transition back to Nicholas.

This feeling inside me
Finally found my life, I'm finally free
No longer torn in two
I learned about my life by living through you

This feeling inside me
Finally found my life, I'm finally free
No longer torn in two
Living my own life by learning from you

We'll meet again, my friend
Someday soon

Nicholas once again reflects on what he has learned, and feels comfortable with his knowledge. He tells Victoria that they'll meet again soon.

...news in London, France, Russia and Italy have deleted their lead story, all anticipating the outcome of the man considered to be a member of American nobility. And as you can imagine, as the skies have grown darker here over Washington, and more importantly over the waters of Martha's Vineyard, the mood has grown darker as well and people here are beginning to resign themselves to the possibility that they are witnessing yet another tragedy in a long string of misfortunes. Reaction from everywhere — from Washington and certainly from around the world — has guess–

Nicholas pulls his car up to his house and walks in. The television is on, with a CNN report of John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s death. (This was an actual report that happened while the album was being recorded.) He turns off the TV and gets himself an iced beverage. He turns on an old record player and sits down on a chair. The door opens and the Hypnotherapist walks in quickly.

Open your eyes, Nicholas.

Nicholas lets out a yelp and the Hypnotherapist shoots him and runs out the door, knocking over the record player on his way. The sound of static plays until the end of the track. It is assumed that either the Hypnotherapist has already killed Nicholas' wife or that he will do it shortly. He will probably use his professional relationship with Nicholas against him, saying that he had feared that Nicholas might be suicidal or homicidal.

Summary

The following is a summary of the plot in the three timelines that exist in the story. I have titled them based on the central figure of that timeline: Metropolis, Victoria, and Nicholas.

Metropolis

The Sleeper rules Metropolis and the people love him. However, the Sleeper feels overwhelmed and starts ignoring the people. They turn to his twin, the Miracle, who, reluctantly at first, begins caring for the people. He knows that it isn't his city, but he begins to love the city and can no longer help it. The Sleeper realizes that he is losing the city, and so he decides to change and he asks the people for forgiveness. Metropolis forgets the Miracle and celebrates their returned ruler. The Miracle feels betrayed and he wages a war that ends up destroying the city along with the Sleeper.

Victoria

Victoria and Julian are in love. Julian gets caught up in gambling and drinking, and he begins to drift away. Not knowing what to do, Victoria goes to his brother, Edward, in search of comfort. Edward gradually falls for Victoria, and they have a secret love affair. Julian realizes that he is losing Victoria, and so he decides to clean up his habits and ask Victoria for forgiveness. She breaks away from Edward and returns to Julian. Edward, in an act of desperation, murders both Julian and Victoria.

Nicholas

Nicholas is happily married to his wife, but he is haunted by nightmares of another world. The problem goes on, and his wife seems unable to help him. He leaves and finds the Hypnotherapist, who helps give him what he is searching for. Over time, he begins to understand his past and the problem starts to go away. He finally feels at peace and he leaves the Hypnotherapist to return to life with his family. The Hypnotherapist, who presumably knows about his past life as Edward and is still bitter, then murders Nicholas and his wife.

Works Cited

Some ideas from the following works were used in this analysis.

• dreamtheater.net - Massive Metropolis Part I/Scenes From a Memory Lyric Analyses (SPOILERS!)
• DTFAQ.com - Song Analysis (Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory)

EXCELLENT ANALYSIS! I must say, I do enjoy figuring out a story line on my own, but this is almost perfect! I now can truly appreciate the album now that I fully understand the album.There's just one thing that i dont understand--what would make the hypnotherapist kill Nicholas?

A recurring theme in this story is that the characters are bound to relive the events of their past lives. It's possible that the hypnotherapist has already explored his past life as The Miracle and continues to be angry at Victoria (Nicholas) for leaving him. My take on it is that the hypnotherapist realized early on who Nicholas was and probably began plotting his death from that point. He made Nicholas go through the hypnotherapy sessions and lead him to discover his past life so that he would understand the reason he was going to be killed when that time came.

Super cool, man XD And all three thumbs up ;) You've cleared quite a number of cobwebs I couldn't dust out myself after countless re-readings of the lyrics.

One thing though, I could never really think of the Hypno killing Nicholas, because I think the static comes straight after Nick goes "AH!", so not really sure where you got the gunfire bit. Another place says that Nick hit the phonograph himself while turning or something like that.

Those are small details though, and rather irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things. Once you pointed out the "Open Your Eyes" theme though, it was fairly obvious that the Hypno DID kill him XD A real "AH Haaa~!" moment for me.

If you watch the Metropolis 2000: Live Scenes From New York live concert video, it shows the hypnotherapist character walk into the room with a gun.

Really good analysis. Much like everyone else, I'm having a hard time understanding WHY he would shoot nicholas. It's obvious that he does, and we know "why" in the sense that it's fate reliving itself infinitely or whatever you wanna call it. But would you say the hypnotherapist somehow already knew his previous life? It's not a stretch to think he did, I suppose, but would simply knowing your past self shot this person's past self really make you want to shoot him? That's where it falls apart for me. I'm sure there's an explanation somewhere, I just haven't seen it.

A friend and I suggested that possibly the hypnotherapist had regressed himself, or had himself regressed (whatever, not very important) and the feelings and experiences that rushed back into him weren't ones of regret or sorrow like nicholas/victoria, but could be ones of anger and hatred and that could account for why the hypnotherapist shoots nick. Basically... he went crazy with rage from the emotions that washed over him. (like the emotions that washed over nick in the cemetary)

Either way, it's a brilliantly written piece of work, musically and lyrically. Continues to be my favorite album ever. (and only recently did I ever actually actively seek to smooth out the rough edges :P)

For those confused, I believe this may help. This is going along with what nanobot said, but with a few things that I think are true.

First of all, though, I would like to say EXCELLENT analysis, although I think a couple things are wrong. Or, I am wrong, but I'll post it anyways. I think that the Hypnotherapist is the reincarnation of Edward, while Nicholas is the reincarnation of Julian. Hence the part after Julian gets shot, where he hears a "Familiar voice [coming] shining through" in Finally Free. I believe it was Nicholas' voice.

And being that Edward hated Julian for being the one Victoria truly loved, it would give him plenty of reasons to kill him, and it would only make sense that the reincarnation would do the same. Also, keep in mind that the Hypnotherapist says "Open your eyes, Nicholas" as he kills him, and Edward says "Open your eyes, Victoria" as he kills her. They seem like they are the same person.

But yeah, I think that Nicholas is Julian, not Victoria. But, besides that, this analysis is perfect (or, I am wrong, and it actually is perfect)!

ok so i'll try and get this out before my head packs it in and i forget the thread of what i'm trying to say...ERIC, i believe you're right and wrong. You make a very good observation regarding the part in "Finally Free" when Julian hears the familiar voice, I also believe that this is Nicholas' voice.
However, isn't what you say a little contradictory? You highlight the parallel between the deaths of Victoria and Nicholas where Edward/The Hypnotist uses the same phrase "Open your eyes, *****" (*****=Victoria/Nicholas). But immediately after, in your next and final para., you tell us that you think that Nic represents Julian and not Victoria. Why the immediate contradiction of the prior paragraph?? But now I believe i've forgotten the point of this comment, crap. Still, props to the blokes who wrote the songs, they've caused this much discussion. Anon. 1.