I'd like to say that this neither an attack nor defense of Bioware. This simply
my opinion presented in as neutral and as respectful fashion as possible.
Comments and questions are very much welcome and I am no way opposed to
friendly mature debate. I look forward to the conversation.
***SPOILER***ALERT***SPOILER***ALERT***SPOILER***ALERT***SPOILER***ALERT***SPOILER***
To begin I'd like to say just how amazing the writing has been over the past 3
mass effect games. If it wasn't for such a captivating story and unavoidable
attachment to the characters I wouldn't be nearly as invested in the outcome of
the trilogy nor as hurt by it.
Yes,I say hurt, simply because after finishing the game for the first time all I
could do was stare at the rolling credits with a pit in my stomach. I did my
best to shake the feeling off, walked away from the game and went about my
daily activities as if the emptiness I was feeling was simply a reaction of
having unrealistic expectations for the series. I even reached a point where I
was grasping at any explanation of the endings I could find. Even an
indoctrination/dream possibility crossed my mind, prior to reading the forums
believe it or not. Then it slowly occurred to me that my expectations had not
been that high and I was plainly in denial and grasping at straws to make sense
of what, at the time, I thought was a sham of and ending.
How could the writers have done this to their loyal fans? Or rather, how could
they have done this to their own story? I felt betrayed for both myself and for
Shepherd. If I didn't deserve better, then she sure as hell did. The thought
that just maybe Bioware would fix its grave mistake kept me from becoming truly
rageful. At that time I would have gladly paid for a dlc if it was offered
and forgiven them completely. And then there was sadness, a weighted grief as
realization sunk in that this wasn't some clever writing device to hide the
true ending, nor was it an intentional slap in the face by the writers. It was
simply the end, whether I liked it or not. And as this moment of near
acceptance sank in, I finally realized that I had effectively gone through all
5 stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally
acceptance.
Above all else, the range of emotions I felt surprised me more than the ending
itself. The writers made me care that much that I felt as though I truly lost
something with the conclusion provided. So, thank you Bioware and all those who
made the Mass Effect universe into what it was. You pulled me in and made me
feel for the galaxy as a whole and for the characters on a very personal level.
If nothing else, my response is a testament to your talents and effort.
Having said that, I can't say in good conscious that I am
content with the ending. What I can say is that I understand it. Once the
emotions subsided, I watched it again objectively and came to several
conclusions of my own. They are as follows:
1. The choices themselves were not meant to be vastly different
in presentation, but in execution. Everyone had their own reasons for selecting
their ending and, if I'm correct, that is the variance that the writers were
hoping for.
Sadly, not even I received it that way. I for one was infuriated
that this 'Reaper god' would impose on me only 3 options in which two had me
more or less 'cooperating' with the Reapers as a whole. I for one hadn't come
all this way to make nice with the sentient starships that murdered my people
and friends under the guise of salvation. This being my stance, I felt almost
forced to pick destruction even though it would result in mass genocide and the
death of a friend. Even given the high cost, I reminded myself that though I
worked so hard to bring peace to the geth and quarians, that the newly
individual AI were aware, as were all the species, that this was war and
sacrifices were unavoidable. Was it fair? No. But who was I, rather who was Shepherd,
to undermine the sacrifices already made when there was an insurmountable faith
placed in her to bring about the Reapers destruction.
As you can see, my reasoning is my own and more than likely not
yours. So if the writers were trying to evoke a wide range of thought and
emotion, which I believe was exactly their intent, then they more than
succeeded.
2. The ultimate sacrifice of our hero was intended to bring an
emotional weight to the climax. This I believe most everyone can agree was
accomplished one way or another.
I cared deeply for Shepherd and those close to her. I felt her
pain and emotion as if they were my own. The cruel fate of the galaxy was mine
to bear with her. Her sacrifice was mine to make. I personally never felt
closer to her than at the end. I'm sure not everyone, maybe not even a
majority agree with me. Yet regardless, we all felt very strong emotions tied
to what we believe our Shepherd deserved out of an ending. And even I don't
believe she got it, but I felt it none the less.
3. The Mass Relays and Citadel were symbols of both connections
and Reaper control.
The obvious symbol being connections as that is the intended
purpose of the relays period. And I think that's why it upset me so much when,
regardless of my choice, they were destroyed. Over three beautifully immersive
games, I built relationships and alliances large and small. Then at the
precipice of the culmination of all my time and effort, I was to see it
destroyed, by my own hand no less. I not only sympathize with those who felt
that their seemingly important choices meant absolutely nothing, I completely empathize.
Talk about feeling betrayed and led on, believing that what you did mattered
only to realize at the very end that you had no power. No one wants their power
taken away, especially when it was very nearly promised to us by spokesmen of
this franchise.
And for the less blatant symbol: Control. It has been mentioned
several times previously throughout the trilogy that the Reapers themselves
built both the relays and a citadel as a means to confine organics on a set
path of development. It seems to me that the writers were showing (beautifully
in my opinion) the casting off of Reaper manipulation and control.
If this was their true intention, then I understand and very
nearly applaud it. However, I believe the same effect could have been achieved
if just the citadel had been destroyed and the relays served as a conduit for
the energy without being destroyed by it. This would cast off the shackles so
to speak without burning the bridges you built. The intent was admirable but
poorly executed in my opinion.
4. Yet another symbol is the catalyst itself which I think was
intended to be more a representation of fate vs. destiny rather than an
irritating starchild with space magic.
Now bear with me. Fate and destiny are different, if only
marginally.
Destiny is typically defined as: The predetermined, usually
inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
And Fate is considered to be: That which is inevitably
predetermined
Yes, I know. The definitions are very nearly the same, except
for destiny not being set in stone. 'Usually inevitable' does not mean always.
And as the starchild says, "You have choice, more than you deserve. The
fact that you are standing here, the first organic ever, proves it. But it also
proves my solution won't work anymore." And though your options for a new
'solution' is painfully slim, considering the very definition of destiny,
at least you have that many.
Now does this explanation make it all ok? Yes and no. Yes, for
the number of choices. No, for the number of outcomes. After all, we were led
to believe we'd have very diverse endings based on decisions and play-through
thoroughness. Did they lie to us? Depends on your definition of a lie in my
opinion. And yes I feel lied to. But was I? Just food for thought.
5. Alright, now let's get to some plot holes shall we? Although
I said the purpose of this was neither to defend nor attack Bioware or the
writers, but to give my perception...some things even I can't explain away
without some farfetched creative license. So here goes.
5a. Organic life is fated to create synthetic life which will
eventually destroy all organic life so the best solution was to annihilate/preserve
all advanced life with...guess what...Synthetics.
First time I heard starchild say this, my jaw dropped. Did the 'Reaper god' just contradict
himself? Initially I was convinced he had until I listened to it again. He went
on to explain, "We harvest advanced civilizations, leaving the younger
ones alone [...] Without us to stop it, synthetics would destroy ALL
organics." I know it's not much of an improvement but I least the
starchild isn't a straight-up hypocrite. Right? Don't get me wrong, I still
think the reasoning is loose at best considering how 'beyond our comprehension'
they're supposed to be. Personally, I think this could have been handled way
better.
5b. Mass Relays are destroyed but did they go supernova?
Well, to me it sure looked like it but for my own peace of mind,
I'm going to say it was a different sort of explosion. Supporting evidence?
Yea, I have none other than destroying other systems would achieve no literary
or plausible purpose other than to make what we already feel as pointless, more
pointless. If they did go super nova then what was the point of the game?
Congratulations, almost everyone dies anyway? Please, Bioware say it's not true
or for goddess-sake clarify so we aren't left hanging.
5c. Why did the Normandy and the squad I had with me at the beam
ditch Shepherd?
Oh, I'd love to know. Anyone figure it out? No? Well I could
speculate all day but I can't read the writer's mind no matter how much I wish
I could, so I won't waste your time with my thoughts. Is it too much to have
had a few second long scenes that explains that journey from point A. Fighting
the Reapers to B. Out running the Crucible's energy during a Mass Relay jump?
5d. What was the purpose of the Normandy crashing on Gilligan's
Island planet?
Well of course it's because...umm...to show...uh...if you
consider...hmm...wait! Maybe it symbolizes new life and new beginnings. Sigh,
even if this is true, that's not what we wanted as an audience. Personally I
wanted to see the Normandy in an air/space assault and ALL of my crew, past and
present, fighting the good fight as I made my sacrifice. Watch them die even,
if I was lazy with my play-through. Is that too much to ask? For initial
release, it appears so.
5e. What happened to the intergalactic fleet we spent the whole
game building?
I saw a couple explode in the initial blast but does that mean
they're all gone? Who knows? What I really wanted to see were some cut scenes
throughout the battle for Earth, not just at the beginning even though it was
awesome. Spread the awesome! And while you're at it focus on the fleets and
ships we gathered so it feels like we did the side missions for more than just
a number.
5f. I AM KROGAN! Okay, not really but please tell me the two or
three Krogans and Turians we see in the cut scenes aren't all that showed up
after all that peacemaking we did. Mordin sacrificed himself for crying
out loud. He deserves a cut scene with a Krogan/Turian charge. Yes? YES!
Speaking of peace making and sacrifice; Legion deserves some
joint flotilla and geth fleet cooperation. A coordinated team take down of a
Reaper? Short, sweet and satisfying.
5g. In the destruction ending, exactly how did Shepherd survive?
I know she's stubborn but whoa, I didn't know she could make
re-entry with no armor to speak of after surviving the Citadel explosion on
sheer will alone! Needless to say I'm impressed if that's the case but in no
way do I find it believable. Did she get beamed back down? Or never get beamed
up? Once again, who knows? And of course
with this question I know I'm going to attract the ever popular yet
controversial question of... (DRUM ROLL)...
6. Has Shepherd been indoctrinated?
If you want my honest opinion, which for
the moment I assume you do, then my answer is that I want to believe she is,
but honestly, if we look hard enough we will all see whatever we're looking for.
However I don't believe she is indoctrinated because the player can't see her
feet when you aim the camera downward, or because Anderson beat me to the
control panel, or because that's not the pistol I had equipped nor the armor I
had on, or any other of the easily desperate attempts to find proof that can be
chalked up to cinema-graphic oversight. I'm not saying those that believe such
things to be valid support are wrong per say. What I'm saying is that I need
that deep substantial literary proof to back my Shepherd, not circumstantial
evidence. I'm skeptical and I'm ok with that and since I am offering my own opinion,
I of course welcome yours. However, if this assumption, belief, flight-of-fancy,
pipe dream, or whatever else you wish to call it, is not baseless and turns out
be more or less accurate then I question the motives behind the with-holding of
the true ending from its loyal (or once loyal) fan-base. Is it a ploy for more
money via DLC that should have been included with release of the game? I'd very
much like to think that is not the case. I'd rather believe that the writers
and developers decided on a total emersion approach where they wanted us to be
'indoctrinated' right along with Shepherd. If that is the case then I look
forward to being pleasantly surprised by the brilliance and bravery of
Bioware's Mass Effect team. If on the other hand this ending is the true final
ending then, Bioware, please start taking notes from your fans. Some of us have
an imagination that can carry you past the linear ending provided us. You truly
have a faithful fanbase that has placed a great deal of faith in you, even now.
You have lost many, and as Commander Shepherd so eloquently put it "There
will be casualties. I just wonder how many."
All in all though the ending is not what I
expected, I have finally pushed past most of the emotion and am happy to say I
reached a relative acceptance of the conclusion. However, just because I
understand it doesn't mean I have to like it. The climax has many issues, but
in the end the story was never mine to tell. It is the writer's tale. Too bad they
made it feel like I had more power than I truly had. Even as an illusion, the
overall story was beautiful and I loved all but 5 minutes of it. Understanding
may be the best closure we can give ourselves if Bioware will not oblige us.
Modifié par Tyrsah, 15 mars 2012 - 05:19 .
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