Origin

Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of semiotics (religious symbolism) explores the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, curious to soon hear Kirsch’s big announcement in person. He has been invited personally by his one-time student. A year prior, Kirsch asked Langdon to explain the creation story from various religious perspectives, which he did. Now Kirsch’s invitation claims Langdon’s stories helped inspire his big announcement.

Spanish Naval admiral Luis Ávila is almost a year sober as he sits in an empty pub, recalling the disaster at Cathedral of Seville five years prior when his pregnant wife and son were killed in an explosion. In the present, two inebriated men enter the bar and confront Ávila, inquiring about the symbols on his naval medals and a tattoo on the palm of his hand. He is special operations and quickly defuses the situation with the two men.

The narration switches to the perspective of a swooning Spanish barmaid, who watches Ávila handle the two drunk men while admiring his uniform.

Narration moves back to Ávila, who leaves the bar and walks to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum. He knows tonight’s mission will be deadly, but he believes it is righteous to attack the ungodly.

Langdon gets a specialized bone-conducting earpiece at the museum and heads inside with an audible guide named Winston, whom he can freely interact with. He passes two people with the “A” symbol for “atheist” on their hats and realizes he, as a professor of religious symbology, is an outlier.

An statement from ConspiracyNet.com reveals that Kirsch will soon be making a major announcement.

Rabbi Köves has been thinking about his meeting with Kirsch, Bishop Valdespino, and Allamah al-Fadl. He knows Kirsch’s impending announcement will shake the world, both the religious and secular. The three leaders had departed their meeting with a plan to call in two days, only now Valdespino informs Köves that al-Fadl is missing. Further, they now know Kirsch will announce his news that night.

At the Guggenheim, Langdon and Winston discuss modern versus classical art. Kirsch has a piece on display, mud bearing etched symbols, which Langdon explains is the symbol for fish consuming the symbol for God, which he interprets as “evolution consuming religion” (39). Winston then directs him down a dark corridor and into a private room containing a piece called The Matter of Time, which Langdon observes with awe.

Admiral Luis Ávila goes through security at the Guggenheim, putting his heavy rosary beads beside his phone. He plans to now call the Regent and report that he is safely inside the event and ready to be a tool for God.

In the desert outside Dubai, al-Fadl is crawling through sand, aware that vultures are beside him. He was kidnapped and driven into the desert by a Spaniard with a tattoo on the palm of his hand that matches that of Ávila. Al-Fadl’s heart gives out, and he collapses knowing there is only one person who would want him dead: Kirsch.

At the Guggenheim, Langdon explores the massive exhibit featuring twisted metal shapes. Winston reveals that he is actually AI—artificial intelligence reacting in real time to Langdon’s inputs. Kirsch has used Langdon in an elaborate Turing test to assess if Winston could pass as human.

Winston directs Langdon inside a massive metal spiral sculpture. Soon after, Kirsch enters and they discuss Winston, the AI guide, and then Kirsch asks Langdon for advice.

Kirsch claims humankind has been asking two questions since the dawn of time: “Where do we come from? Where are we going?” (53). Kirsch claims to have found the answers to both questions. He explains to Langdon how he told the heads of three religions about his discovery, and that Bishop Valdespino was particularly upset. Finally, Kirsch asks if Valdespino is dangerous. Langdon says he is well-connected to the Spanish crown and politicians and is very powerful, but he is a centerpiece in Catholicism and likely harmless. Kirsch leaves, giving Langdon a business card and asking him to go to that address after the announcement.

Bishop Valdespino is late for mass, announcing last minute that someone junior will lead mass in his place.

Meanwhile, Ávila is walking through the Guggenheim comforted by the fact that he will take revenge on the godless—those responsible for his wife and son’s deaths. He looks at the tattoo on his hand, recalling how the Regent told him that their organization had infiltrated the government and he would be protected by the mark. He calls the Regent from a remote bathroom inside the Guggenheim.

In Sharjah, UAE, a vigil is underway for al-Fadl, who went missing the day prior after an agitated phone call about Kirsch.

In the Guggenheim, Langdon leaves the spiral art structure, and Winston guides him towards the hall for Kirsch’s announcement. They discuss art along the walk, including a modern art piece by the AI creation, and then Langdon enters a bustling galley to hear the revelation that will purportedly change the world.

A teen in a dune buggy finds al-Fadl’s body in the desert. His friends are called over and one recognizes him as a speaker at the university. They photograph the body.

Langdon watches an elegant woman approach the podium as the countdown clock nears zero; she is museum curator Ambra Vidal. Langdon spots two of the king’s royal guards in the room, which he considers odd because the royals are deeply Catholic and no actual royals are present. The king is ill, and soon his son Julián will assume the crown. The beautiful curator ushers everyone through wide doors into a dark tunnel.

In the same room, Ávila waits at the back with his fingers on the rosary.

In the tunnel, everyone takes off their shoes and approaches a curtain. They are given a blanket and pillow and ushered into a wide field under a starry sky. Langdon realizes it is a simulation and not an actual outdoor area.

Ávila steps into the space between the real walls of the structure and the scaffolding holding up the projected nature scene for the guests. He takes out his rosary.

Rabbi Köves gets a call from Bishop Valdespino informing him of al-Fadl’s “suicide” in the desert. Further, he warns Köves that they might be in danger, and asks him to stay inside and stay safe.

Langdon sits in the artificial meadow, unaware of the lurking danger as Kirsch’s voice floats over the scene, asking the audience to keep an open mind. Kirsch introduces Langdon, shocking the professor. A video of Langdon teaching appears on the dome as Langdon explains the origin of religion as a means of explaining the mysteries of the natural world. As intellect expanded, the need for a “God of the Gaps” evaporated, and gods faded away (83). Langdon’s recording asks the audience to imagine future humans looking back at their fixation on contemporary religion in the same light as modern humans look back on Greek gods as myths. Kirsch asks why intelligent modern humans refuse to banish religion. He concludes that it is because humans crave order that they sought out religion. He pits science against faith, which he sees as trust in the unverifiable. The presentation makes Langdon uncomfortable.

A post on ConspiracyNet concerns the Kirsch announcement, claiming over seven million people are live-streaming the event.

Admiral Ávila stands between the dome and the exterior wall, listening to the presentation. He removes a razor from the crucifix on his rosary and cuts through the dome’s lining. He breaks apart the crucifix to reveal two bullets and pulls a 3D printed gun from his belt. He believes the Regent’s assertion that Kirsch means to destroy religion and knows he will be forgiven for his impending crime.

Perspective moves to Vidal, who worries that the anti-religious sentiment in Kirsch’s speech will have negative repercussions for the museum and for herself. She was unaware of the content of the presentation.

Perspective moves to Bishop Valdespino watching the live-stream. He worries that Spanish Prince Julián will be forced to comment on his fiancée’s role in the anti-religious propaganda stunt. His fiancée is Vidal, museum curator.

Langdon sits in the artificial meadow, growing concerned about the blowback Kirsch’s presentation will elicit. Kirsch thanks the three unnamed religious figures he met with and then launches into a long explanation about Arabic contributions to math and science before the area’s conversion to religion. He turns to Christianity and explains a similar historical path. Now, he says, scientific advancements are happening rapidly. Kirsch appears on stage just as Winston, the AI device in Langdon’s ear, switches on and says, “We may have a serious problem” (99).

Kirsch feels content standing at the front of the dome, prepared to announce his discovery.

Perspective moves to Vidal, who watches Langdon push his way through the crowd towards her. She looks up at Kirsch, but his eyes are vacant as his head snaps back.

Perspective moves to Langdon, who is horrified as he watches his friend on stage. Langdon rushes to Vidal, but a guard tackles him, pinning him to the ground and demanding to know how Langdon knew the assassination was coming.

Perspective moves to Guardia Real agent Rafa Diaz, who rushes towards the slit in the dome where he’d seen a flash. He spots a man in a white navy uniform and pursues but does not catch the shooter because a string of rosary beads bolts the exit.

Perspective moves to Admiral Ávila, who is in the back of a car and safe from his pursuer. He recalls an old hymn, “for God, for Country, and King” and is happy with his mission’s success (104).

Prince Julián’s history and legacy is explored in this chapter, revealing a young man eager to come to power once his conservative father passes. Handsome, smart, and patient, he is the dream of every bachelorette, though he only has eyes for Vidal. Rumors circulated that Vidal, rather than being with the prince, was spending her time with Kirsch, which embarrassed the prince and the royal palace.

Langdon is pinned to the ground inside the dome as he makes a promise to uncover who killed his friend. The guard interrogates him, and Langdon says the headset AI told him a retired admiral was not on the original guest list. The guard releases him after confirming the assassin was in naval uniform, and Langdon directs Winston to bring up the lights. When Langdon reveals the killer’s name, Vidal is stunned. Winston tells Langdon that Vidal added Ávila to the list herself.

Prince Julián calls via Diaz, and Langdon realizes Vidal’s connection to the church and the palace and recalls Valdespino’s voicemail to Edmond Kirsch. He is suspicious of Vidal and Valdespino, and the Spanish crown.

Bishop Valdespino watches the fallout from the assassination and calls Köves, who wants to share Kirsch’s discovery with the authorities. Valdespino begs him to come to Madrid under royal security. Köves agrees. After the call, Valdespino thinks of his friend, the king, and the king’s displeasure with his son’s secular fiancée. The king had asked Valdespino to keep the country, and his son, safe from influence, especially Vidal’s, before falling extremely ill.

Prince Julián demands Vidal return to Madrid, but she refuses. Winston whispers in Langdon’s ear that security teams have found the getaway car with the chemical symbol of amalgamation on it. After looking at the symbol, Langdon realizes it is actually two symbols. One for the papal cross, one for Uber.

The guards walk away, leaving Vidal and Langdon alone. She tells Langdon she added Ávila to the guest list because Prince Julián asked her to. She whispers something to Langdon and he asks Winston if he knew the hushed information, which he reveals he did not. Langdon asks Winston to be loyal to his creator.