Valentyna wrote...
I always liked her answer to the sick batarian who asks why she would help him. "I help people. Its what I do." Its such a simple, matter of fact delivery for such a profound statement that it rally sells the characters sense of altruism for me - like the idea of letting him die at her feat just wouldn't ever have occured to her.
Yes, this! In addition to what you've already said, consider the fact that there has been, for quite some time, a great deal of resentment, scepticism and outright hostility between humanity and the batarians. What Shepard has just done with that simple act of kindness and compassion is forever change a batarian individual's perception of humanity as a species. It's such a powerful, well written piece of dialouge and scene in general. Through her Paragon actions, Shepard is helping to build bridges and improve relations with the batarian species as a whole. That one batarian may make all the difference, maybe not. But, the principal of helping out those that are needy regardless of race or creed is still evident, and it warms my heart every time.
Seriously. Hale's VA is freaking awesome.