Determinism is defined as the doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes regarded as external to the will.
Though determinism is not a strong aspect of the philosophy of Lain herself, it is evident that it ties in with the main plot of the series, that, despite how Lain acts or thinks, she will ultimately have the same fate. It is visually portrayed many times that regardless of how she gets there, the ending will remain the same as that is how the Wired must continue to exist, with her at the head of it, as its God and provider of life
Determinism is one of the more easily observable philosophies in Lain, especially considering that despite the day or time the viewer is consuming in, the show states that the plot applies then, in this alternate science-fiction world. For Lain, there is no escaping her fate, that she is the incarnate ruler of the Wired. No matter what action she takes in the real world, there is no deviance from her evolution into solely an entity of the Wired.
Lain also mirrors humanity on a broader scale, showing that despite the materialistic comforts and/ or distractions humans may have in the physical world, we may have greater realisations and goals that physical comfort may need to be shed for, and can only be achieved or even aspired to in this hypothetical world of the Wired where anything is possible with the right amount of effort produced from the avatar.
Aware that the ending will remain resolute, the Knights use their authority to accelerate Lain’s ascent into the Wired, by aiding in breaking her away from reality and making her question it increasingly.
Due to Lain’s observable fate and there being no escape from it, I found it really interesting to recognise that Serial Experiments Lain has no need for a villain or any form of antagonist as their actions would be unquestionably feeble and useless. Lain’s only enemy is fate itself.
Though Lain is first unnerved by the thought of ascending into the Wired, the viewer is able to visually follow her on the journey in which she makes peace with it, as all beings may be expected to do with their fate.
The Knights can additionally be interpreted as an extension of Lain and her conscious as Lain likely knows that she must complete the final evolutions of the Wired, and due to her nervous thoughts, is thrown off from going through with it until the Knights give her the push she needs to be fully convinced with ascending, which also takes place in her mind.
Determinism in Serial Experiments Lain
