Dr. Manhattan's Departure: Dr. Manhattan, feeling burdened by his godlike powers and the impact on humanity, decides to leave Earth. He travels to another dimension, leaving behind a message for his former lover, Silk Spectre.
The Creation of "The End is Nigh" Prophecy: Adrian Veidt, aka Ozymandias, reveals his elaborate plan to the reader. He orchestrated the attack on New York City, using a genetically engineered squid to create a devastating attack that would unify the world against a common enemy (himself). He believed this would prevent a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The Aftermath: The world is united in mourning and anger, but they're also united against a common enemy. Veidt's plan ultimately works, and the threat of nuclear war is averted.
Silk Spectre's Revelation: Silk Spectre, now in her 70s, realizes the truth about Veidt's actions and that she was a part of his plan all along. She is left with the agonizing choice of whether to expose his secret, knowing that doing so will likely spark another war.
The Ambiguous Ending: The last page of the comic shows Silk Spectre in bed with her former lover, Nite Owl, and a scene of their shared life together. The story ends with a powerful image of the two of them "living the dream" in a world seemingly free of violence, but also a world where the truth is hidden and potentially dangerous.
What's open to interpretation:
* Silk Spectre's choice: Does she reveal the truth about Veidt, or does she choose to keep it hidden for the sake of peace?
* The consequences of Veidt's actions: Does the world truly remain peaceful, or is there a hidden cost to Veidt's deception?
* The nature of Dr. Manhattan's departure: Did he truly leave to another dimension, or is there another reason for his absence?
The ending leaves readers with a sense of unease and ambiguity. It forces us to question the true cost of peace and the morality of achieving it through deception.
It's important to note that the Watchmen story continues in the sequel series, "Before Watchmen," and the HBO series "Watchmen." These works further explore the events and characters of the original comic, adding new layers of complexity to the narrative.