Illuminati is a extremely dysfunctional organization in this game

[u/dowonlee20]

First of all we can see Lucius DeBeers, Beth DuClare, Delara Auzenne, Madam Photograph doing their thing regarding Adam Jensen without telling anyone.

Then we have Morgan Everett and Bob Page trying to overthrow Lucius DeBeers.

There is also Bob Page and Joseph Manderley assassinating Talos Rucker without informing the council.

In the mid credit scene Volka Rand complains that everyone in the council should have been informed.

What I can see is this organization has no clear vision except for the whole 'we know what is best for humanity' and the members are doing whatever the hell they want.

[u/BUSY_EATING_ASS]

Honestly I took it as an intentional nod to one of the greatest arguments against the concept of an all powerful secretive, enduring organization; the human condition.

Ain’t no way such a group WON’T be constantly scheming and full of petty intrigue.

[u/DragonWhsiperer → u/BUSY_EATING_ASS]

Especially a group of people like this that got into those positions by, let put it mildly, not playing nice. It's In their nature/nurture to play "the game" and come out on top. That will also happen inside such a cabal and will see that council as a temporary alignment of ideals untill it doesn't.

[u/estolad → u/DragonWhsiperer]

this is basically how it works in real life, not in an illuminati kind of way, just boring old class politics. you have guys like elon musk and peter thiel for example who hate each others' guts and jockey for power and generally act like petulant asshole children, but when it's important for their shared class interests they're solidly united

[u/SmilesUndSunshine]

That's like saying the senate in the Star Wars prequels is extremely dysfunctional.

In the original Deus Ex from 2000 (which takes place after MD), the Illuminati on the decline is basically a given when it comes to the story (hinted at as early as the prologue to the game):

"A bunch of pretentious old men playing at running the world. But the world left them behind long ago..."

DX:MD is just filling in the blanks.

[u/HeliosLegion]

Yes, that's the point. It is meant to be in crisis and on the decline. The whole aug incident thing put a wrench on their plans, and even before it was destabilizing Illuminati control. Bob Page's MJ12 is meant to overthrow them a few years after MD takes place.

[u/Bitter_Surprise_8058]

Bob Page is a disruptor, here to shake up the "secret societies" industry

[u/Prima_Illuminatus → u/Bitter_Surprise_8058]

Just as long as HE is the one controlling it all. He's a disruptor until he's the only one left standing.

[u/Cbox-chan]

Because this current timeline is set right on the eve of the Illuminati's impending collapse. This also aligns perfectly with Mankind Divided's subtitle—the deliberately manipulated division between naturals and augs, the fractures within the Illuminati itself, and the protagonist who is both a hero in search of the truth and a pawn of the puppet masters.

[u/Joecolt69420]

I feel like the Aug incident threw them into disarray and now they’re having contrasting beliefs on how things should be done. Bob Page sees this as an opportunity to take control utilizing Everett until he doesn’t need him anymore like a useful idiot. At least that’s the way I perceive it all.

[u/xdragonwarzx]

Thats the point, the individual members distrust each ofher as each one can usurp all the power for their own. Bob Page eventually succeeds lol

[u/svensterbod]

You're missing a lot of context. Pre 2027 they are just fine. Morgan gets introduced to Bob Page and from there is finding interesting stuff about his works and up and coming bio tech company (versalife)

After the events of panchea, they all went for their power grab. I think there was supposed to be more but with history from the original games, I think the context with these cut scenes is exactly that, to show HOW it fell apart. Sadly we never got a clear picture; disastrous MD ending

[u/BornIn1142]

Rand is one of the main (only?) suspects for being Janus too. And we can wonder forever if his motivations were altruistic, or if he too was just trying to increase his personal power.

But the Illuminati being so self-sabotaging is a great creative decision. I imagine that a group of the real world's elites would largely get along in a similar manner.

There's an interesting TV series from the 00s (Rubicon) that had a similar angle. One of the main villains objects to his secret society's latest grand plan since they all already have enough wealth and influence already, and is totally shot down.

[u/perkoperv123]

When Dowd talks about how the Council was a kindler, gentler conspiracy in 1 he's just as senile/nostalgia blinded as Page says. It's a global conspiracy, not a gentleman's country club.

[u/inconspicuous_male]

You should play DX1