Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Institute episode 3.
InThe Instituteepisode 3, Luke intentionally lies about not seeing the dots when he actually sees them, raising many questions about his motives. After starting slowly in episodes 1 and 2,MGM+‘sThe Institutegradually amps up its pace in the third installment by revealing several dark truths about the central facility.
Although many aspects of The Institute and the people who run it are shrouded in mystery, the show’s episode 3 not only adds a new character to the mix but also hints at how Luke will eventually plan an escape. A primary story beat also revolves around “dots” the children in the facility are expected to see when they are experimented on.
Since theStephen King TV adaptationnever explicitly mentions what the dots mean and why the kids are expected to see them, many viewers may be curious about their purpose. Luke also seems to lie about not seeing them in episode 3, which further makes one curious about their significance.
Seeing The Dots Indicates Stronger Telepathy In The Institute
It Confirms The Experiments Are Working
InThe Institute’s opening moments, Luke ends up inside Dr. Hendricks’ lab again, where he is tied to a chair and injected with an unknown green fluid. Hendricks specifically asks him to notify him if he starts seeing dots. Soon after being injected, Luke stares at a white screen in front of him.
As Hendricks had anticipated, a few colored dots emerge before Luke’s eyes, whichseems to confirm that the experiments are working and he is exhibiting strong telepathic abilities. Despite seeing the dots, however, Luke fails to pass the next test, which involves reading Hendricks' mind and guessing what’s behind a set of cards.
Even though Luke was asked to inform Hendricks if he spotted the dots, he holds himself back from revealing the truth. His lie seems to point towards his long-term plan of escaping the facility.
Why Luke Lies About Seeing The Dots
He Realizes Telling The Truth Could Cause More Harm Than Good
Luke seems to realize that complying with Hendricks and others who run the facility may not be a good idea. Since his arrival, he had been told that he would be sent to the “Back Half” of the facility, which would serve as his graduation from the first set of experiments.
Once the “back half” experiments were done, he was promised he would be sent back home to his parents and allowed to live the rest of his life with no memories of his time in the facility. Luke, however, cannot help but question the tall claims made by the facility’s authorities.
…By not disclosing he saw the dots, he even tries to stall them to have more time on his hands to plot his escape from the facility.
Therefore,instead of blindly complying with their rules and orders, he decides to defy them by withholding information. At the same time, by not disclosing he saw the dots, he even tries to stall them to have more time on his hands to plot his escape from the facility.
What Happens When Kids Start Seeing The Dots In The Institute
They Are Seemingly Put Through A New Set Of Experiments
Once the dots emerge, the children get to graduate to the “Back Half” of the facility, which brings them one step closer to returning home.The Institute’s episode 3, however, suggests thatsomething even more sinister happens in the back half.
While the true nature of the activities unfolding in the back half is yet to be revealed, episode 3 suggests that the kids are forced to endure even more brutal experiments and perhaps even asked to pull off real-world missions using their supernatural powers once they make it to the back half.
Luke understands that he cannot trust the people running the facility and cannot risk being thrown into the back half, where his escape plan may never work. Owing to this, inThe Instituteepisode 3, he does not tell Hendricks about the dots and buys himself a little more time to plot his way out.
The Institute
A kidnapped prodigy with special abilities, Luke, ends up at The Institute, while Tim, a former cop, seeks a new life in a nearby town. Their fates are inevitably linked.
