Godot-vision version below the cut (eyestrain warning):
just finished aa3 and I can't stop thinking about how Godot can't see himself anymore without the visor. when he looks in the mirror does he still try to find the man Mia fell in love with.
Heya besties, I’m back again with another meta post! Since I’m noticing that this topic is kinda becoming relevant again, I’m gonna talk about it!
Major spoiler warning for aa3
CW: Ableism, death, death penalty
I’ve seen too many people say that Godot should just be dead after aa3 because he only had Mia so he might as well die with her. Not only that, but he has so many health issues that he would be better off dead since it’s not worth living that kind of life.
If you genuinely think like that, do you have any idea how ableist that is?
Like sure, Godot would have those kinds of thoughts about himself, but straight up saying that him being dead is the best kind of “happy” ending for him is a very disgusting mindset to have. It tells me that you don’t think disabled people should even bother living their lives every day because their lifestyle is just too depressing for you; that it’s impossible for disabled people to do well for themselves and be happy — so it’s better for them to die instead. This devaluation of disabled life is at the core of ableism.
For Godot, after the end of aa3 you really don’t think he’s able to get help from Phoenix or Maya or anybody else? This is the point where he’s finally able to let go of the past and move on, because he finally put his trust in Phoenix; someone who is more than willing to help a man in his position. I’m sure Godot, or rather Diego, still hates himself more than anything, but that doesn’t mean he can’t try to get help. He’s finally on good terms with Phoenix, so at this point I’m sure he’s willing to talk to him about his issues; especially considering he sees Mia’s spirit in him. If he’s wanting advice from anyone, it’s Mia’s spiritual successor. Like yeah, Diego is in prison, but he can still get visitors. There’s even an animal therapy program there too.
With Phoenix’s help, he’ll be able to make friends with not only Maya, but Pearl, Gumshoe, Edgeworth etc. That friendship circle can keep expanding and that means he’ll find more reasons to live and be able to get more help. It’s really not that hard to imagine that he’ll get better after the events of aa3, even if he does have a lot of health issues and disabilities. Diego does have medication that allows him to live to a ripe old age, as he’s said so himself. As long as he keeps taking his meds, he’ll be fine. Plus things get more advanced in the future, so I’m sure he’ll end up getting better support too. Perhaps Athena can be his therapist when he eventually finishes his prison sentence. Given his circumstances, he would definitely be given a lighter sentence since it’s clearly manslaughter, not murder. (And don’t even give me that “he got executed” bs.)
And why would it be better for Diego to reunite with Mia in Heaven? If that’s what you want to happen, then you’re not allowing Diego to fully move on. You’re making him regress that way. The whole point of his character arc is that he realised that he was too scared to accept Mia’s death, and the ending showed that he finally accepted it. Why then, would it not be better for him to move on without her? If anything, he would prefer to keep her memory alive but not let his fears get in the way anymore. Diego moving on from Mia’s death is a crucial step for him to grow and heal. It makes a whole lot more sense than “Bro got executed! He’s got too many health problems to live long after all that! There’s no way he’ll last long with that big wound on his face! He’s got nothing else to live for now!”
I’d love to see this beautiful blind comatose survivor do well for himself, so let’s stop being negative about it simply because he’s disabled, okay? There’s so much potential with a character like him, exploring the life of a disabled person and all the struggles we go through. It would have such a positive impact if done right.
PS: I am also so sick of being labelled as the “delulu” one just because I believe he gets to live life after aa3. I’ve gone over the whole death penalty thing before, but how can you possibly believe someone who committed manslaughter will be given the death penalty? Like just because it exists, doesn’t mean every killer gets it. It’s one of the dumbest misconceptions in the entire fandom, and it needs to be dropped ASAP. 😭
Here’s my death penalty meta post if you’re interested: https://www.tumblr.com/bagelbun333/754725218437709824/the-death-penalty-in-ace-attorney-the-fandoms