You could issue it but they would resist that command same as any other.

And I think any GM can tell when you're issuing more than one command at once regardless of run on sentences.

The only loop I see in it is casting a second version of the spell while the first is still sustained. Not that they will roll to resist both every force combat turns but this could let you lock someone down for a long time. Of course at some point you're going to start racking up drain, they'll use edge and blow all the spells, or you'll throw a bunch of ones.

...and from personal expereince I can say that is not a fun type of campaign to run...

I agree with that.

but you commanded him to do something...
but he didn't break control so he had to do it...
but he didn't...
<time paradox detected initiate purge procedures>

He's still going to do it. He just hasn't gotten around to it yet. Where's the paradox?

Controller - "Bite your shoulder Johnny! Do it" [force 4 control thoughts]

Victim (Failed initial resist, Resisting again after 12 seconds, on his Action Phase)

"Araaagggghhh!, Get out of my head you freak" <Clutches head for whatever fraction of 3 seconds his passes let him act on this turn as a complex action, Begins gnawing on his shoulder on his next action phase/initiative pass>

Interestingly, a character with more initiative passes only gets the same amount of chances [combat turns] to resist AND gets to act [under your control] with his remaining passes on that Combat Turn.

A slow character with only 1 pass would fight you for still just a few millisecs but wouldn't get to act again until a full 3 seconds later.

In saying the victim MAY spend a complex action, he is actively struggling as your spell attempts relaxes slightly and clamps back down every force in turns (its not a constant iron grip)

If you think about it. The intent of the rule is to prevent long term mental manipulation so that you don't get to enslave anyone (as Charm spells in D&D caused all kinds of problems that way). If he does break free you can just cast it again on your next Action Phase anyway.

Edit* Thus the benefit of a higher force spell is the longer duration between resist. Otherwise force means nothing

The issue is can the mage command the subject not to resist every (force) combat turns by giving them a command to do another complex action during there resist turn.

To me its simple to say the resist overrides the command, like in those films where the mind controlled subject grabs his head and moans as he tries to shake of the control.

Frankly there should have been a line in the spell to make obviously self destructive orders aren't followed, such as shoot yourself in the head or

I'd allow self-destructive orders, but only because influence specifically states that they get to break out if confronted with the wrongness of a suggestion, and control thoughts says nothing like that. The difference between influence and control thoughts is CT lets you send the impulse to his arm to load and cock the pistol and put it to his head, while influence gives him a suggestion that it was his idea to do it (life just isn't worth living, wait what am I saying..)

Influence is like the low grade of just implant a suggestion. (Your awfully tired..)
Control Actions lets you make do the physical stuff directly (Lay down!)
Control Thoughts makes them think it, total control (Go to sleep).

In all cases though the force of the spell determines how often they get to resist and get back up.

With influence its less drain and they may or may not go to bed depending on the noise, circumstances, and alternatives. (I need coffee!)

With Control Actions its slightly more drain but they'll lay down on the street even though they're wide awake.

With Control Thoughts theres the greatest drain but they'll go to sleep wherever they were standing until they subconciously resist in Force combat turns

Only reason I can see is the drain of the spell. The DV for control thoughts to control actions is 2 higher. Not a big deal to a magician with a good magic rating, but some characters only use a little magic and blend it with something else.

I think its awesome they distinguished between types control as individual spells and didn't just say you control the target (but how do you control him exactly)

For instance why have Orgasm spell if you can control actions or thoughts to the same affect? is it just fluff? Nope its specialized control (one type of controlled action) for a lot less drain

Wow great point thats easily overlooked. Pages 173 Area Spells, and 174 Ongoing Effects.

Also because of the high drain value, and spellcasting test hits being limited by force. Its not so easy to just dominate anyone for super long periods either.

Example: A force 4 control thoughts at best can get 4 net hits. And a drain of 4 (hopefully stun if you have Magic rating of 4 or higher, we'll assume he has magic 6 and spellcasting 6). The target resists with willpower 3 for a average of 1 hit. Everytime the magician issues a command he uses a simple action (it took him a complex action to cast the control spell so he cannot command him until his NEXT action phase). At this rate the target WILL break free in 16 combat turns (or 48 seconds of RP time, not that long outside combat).

This can mean a decent amount of lost time if the mage went last, though I doubt the controlled (yet uncommanded ganger) would do anything with his turn (as he's waiting for orders). If the ganger wins initiative and for simplicity only has one pass. It might look something like this.

Combat Turn 1
Ganger - Shoots at mage (we'll pretend he's a crappy shot too)
Mage - cast control thoughts force 4 (complex action) 4 hits
Ganger - fails to resist with willpower 3 and 1 net hit
is controlled but not commanded yet.

Combat Turn 2
Ganger - Grabs his head
Mage - commands "shoot at that pedestrian" (simple action)
Mage has another simple action but for simplicity say he ready's a
weapon

Combat Turn 3
Ganger - ready weapon and shoots once at some old lady (2 Simple actions)

Of course this is very simplified but it was the third combat turn before the ganger could comply (and 14 more turns until he breaks free) and the third turn before the mage could cast another spell. Obviously the more IP's the target has the better off you'll be in making use of him (but chances are he'll be going first).

Also the mage would be better off with a force 5 spell than a force 4 (same DV) as it would allow more Spellcasting Test hits (thus lasting longer) and lengthen the number of rounds before the target could try to resist again.

On average:
Force 4 CT (4 hits) vs Willpower 3 Lasts 16 combat turns. DV 4
Force 5 CT (5 hits) vs Willpower 3 lasts 25 combat turns. DV 4