Unveiling the Truth: How Taylor’s Revelation Would Impact 'Planet of the Apes'

In the iconic 1968 film 'Planet of the Apes', Dr. Zaius and Colonel Taylor's journey to uncover the truth about human existence on Ape City has been a topic of intrigue. A pivotal moment in the movie could have been Taylor leading the apes to the location of the space shuttle at Lake Tungusten. The event culminates with Taylor pointing at the shuttle and declaring, 'There it is! I told you so.'

Reprieve or Recrimination?

Would the discovery of the space shuttle on the lake serve as a reprieve for Taylor or lead to recriminations against him? Dr. Zaius, who has always believed that the apes are superior and that the presence of humans on their planet is an anomaly, might not respond positively to the evidence that contradicts his theories. If Zaius and Taylor had brought the space shuttle to Ape City, Zaius might have been stunned by the sight of it. However, his disbelief and fear of revealing the truth about human capabilities would have rendered any action on his part ineffective.

Conflict within the Ape Hierarchy

Dr. Zaius, the self-proclaimed arbiter of truth, would be in a difficult position. If the space shuttle were visible and not just a memory, Zaius would have to confront the reality that the apes' understanding of their place in the universe might be disrupted. Showcasing the space shuttle would be a formidable challenge to Zaius' authority. He would need to think of a way to maintain control, but given the apes' abilities, simply retrieving the shuttle would be a herculean task. Instead, Zaius might have opted to destroy the space shuttle immediately, swearing the apes to secrecy about the discovery. This course of action would be similar to how he handled the cave where Cornelius made important archaeological discoveries about human history.

Dangerous Consequences

If Zaius did not act quickly, the implications could have been dire for the apes. If he decided to kill Taylor or render him unconscious to prevent him from spreading the truth, the apes who witnessed the act might internalize the message that revealing the truth is dangerous. However, Zaius might have gone even further by eliminating political opponents who could potentially undermine his authority. This historical hypothesis aligns with the approach suggested in the novel 'Conspiracy on the Planet of the Apes,' where Zaius would be willing to eliminate key figures to protect the truth about human history.

Reinforcing Ape Society's Order

The discovery of the space shuttle might have caused a significant shift in the storytelling of the ape society. The evidence would challenge the established order and potentially alter the course of the narrative. The implications of such a discovery would resonate deeply with the themes of evolution, civilization, and the cyclic nature of history. Taylor’s revelation would be a critical moment that could either reinforce or destabilize the apes' perception of their place in the universe.