fourstringwizard wrote...
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1:st, I don't know what a Mary Sue is. Could probably google around for it but I'll do that later.
2:nd, as a response for the post:
All of the characters in your roster are virtual demigods where their abilities are concerned. Garrus is a virtual legend as Archangel, Grunt is supposed to represent the ultimate Krogan, and knowing what some of the most powerful Krogans have been, that's saying something. Thane is among the best assassins in the galaxy, etc. This is not the first game where cutscenes and story imply power that you don't gain access to once they join you, simply because balance demands it. We overlook it, because it's more cool this way than representing each of your companions as people who depend on teams and even then die 1 on 1 against any common grunt in hardcore + difficulties.
The specifics of what and how Liara survived were never shown. You have no idea where she was during the explosions, or the details on how the assassination attempt played out. As an information broker she was likely very aware of potential information leaks. I mean, if she had any talent at all (and we know she did, a lot in fact), she would have assumed that the SB was onto her as she got closer even if she had no definite info suggesting that. Just to be sure. So she would have kept her barriers on her at all times just in case.
Also it serves to remember that Liara was the "Asari scientist" in ME1. Not just any archeologist, but an extremely intelligent Asari, daughter to one of the most powerful matriarchs (and as such, one of the most powerful biotics) in the galaxy, at a very young age. Her connection to Shepard what with the mind melding and all would also have given her information and insight both Prothean and military with Shepard's own experiences, beyond what most her age could possibly have known. Add to this that it was always in her base nature to be extremely focused on whatever she was doing, that's why she was sort of a hermit so completely focused to the Prothean research. Compared to many other Asari who seemingly take mundane roles and spend their time on leisure among their duties, Liara was the kind of personality to focus her full attention every single minute of every single day, to Shepard, then information, and finally getting to the Shadow Broker.
Two years is not much, I can agree on that. Considering no matter how few, there are other Asari with her intellect and hundreds of years more experience and more time to do what she had done. But circumstances aren't always the same for everyone.. so while searching for realism is just redundant as eventually it all comes down to the story being done at the expense of said realism - not the other way around -, I still believe Liara's development is quite realistic and believable. Which is why I count LotSB as the best DLC to date, despite its short duration. Because LotSB isn't just a DLC, it connects to - and draws from -, all that happened in ME1 and ME2, and will happen in ME3. It's the missing piece of a puzzle that while small, is completely essential to the story of ME as a whole, and especially for a Shep who's romancing Liara.
Liara was never a simple do-goody girl, and now we understand that. She was naivé, inexperienced and socially awkward. She had dedicated so much of herself to Prothean research almost alone, that she hadn't had a chance to develop her personality socially. Her infatuation to Shepard and the sudden and complete change of her entire life in ME1 led her to come off as a simple weak goody good character. Now we know better. The events in ME1 and the following death of Shepard gave her new focus to the world of people she'd now been introduced into, and a reason to care: the Reapers, and Shepard herself. When Shepard died, Liara felt betrayed, alone and helpless in a world she didn't know. And so she did the only thing she knew to do: studied, gathered information like an ingenious archaeologist, peeling at the layers of information, lies and deceit in the society to find answers, eventually giving her what others needed: information. To do that, she undoubtedly had to learn quickly, and would have experienced quite a few losses and betrayals as well, forcing her to harden her outside personality.
Ultimately her base nature remains the same as in ME1. She is an ingenious scientist who would much rather study, learn and acquire information than play it social with other beings. The difference to ME1 is that in ME2 she has learned to operate in the world of people, forcing her to keep a cold and hard exterior to maximize her efficiency. Information is still a priority, just not Prothean. The exception though is Shepard. Ironically, people speak of the scene with Shepard after LotSB as something that develops Shepard's personality when Liara is the only person she has a chance to open up to. The irony being that Shepard is also the only person Liara can confide in fully, the only true friend, and more if you let her be.
This is the way I understand her, at least. TBH right now with the LotSB DLC, if ME was one movie, it would be clear that Shepard was meant to be with Liara. The other romanceables are optional choices, but right now it seems so clear who the original soulmate is. It's a story that isn't always easy and perfect, a relationship that doesn't go Walt Disney, as none of them do in real life. But one that is nevertheless meant to be, and hopefully will still end up in a happily ever after.
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