My best attempt at a character analysis for Bi-Han
The more I think about it, the more I understand his decision to side with Shang Tsung.
It's easy to tell he didn't trust Liu Kang from the beginning. He watched him recruit two farm boys to fight for earthrealm, then the absolute clown that is Johnny Cage. That was the final thing that pushed him over the edge.
It all makes sense if you think about it. He had doubts before and not only that, but he felt betrayed too. His clan's entire existence revolved around serving and helping to protect earthrealm. He trained all his life for that, you could tell he was yearning for kombat, only to have Liu Kang give him tasks that were not worthy of a man with his skills and expertise. His pride was hurt, but more importantly than that, he wanted more for his clan and can you blame him? Can anyone blame him? They devote their entire lives to protecting the realm and get nothing in return, not even the respect Bi-Han clearly expected and deserved in his role as grandmaster.
His ambition doesn't make him evil.
I said it before in another post and I will repeat it here. Bi-Han could have killed Kuai Liang. Instead of cutting him across the face with that ice blade, he could have slit his throat, stabbed him in the eye or the neck, anything. This guy is the grandmaster of a clan of assassins, he could have found a million ways to end both Kuai Liang and Smoke had this been his true intention. But it isn't and it never was.
Look at his dialogue with his brothers, especially Kuai Liang. He was ready to offer him a place at his side, for them to lead the Lin Kuei together. He wanted to share the power with him. Kuai Liang's betrayal hurt Bi-Han and I'm telling you, this man is only used to suppressing his emotions. He doesn't know how to deal with them in a healthy way. He's blinded by anger and that's why it seems like he wants Kuai Liang dead. He probably believes so himself but if it came down to it, I doubt that he would follow through.
Let's look at why he accepted Shang Tsung's offer so easily.
He was this close to taking that sorcerer's head and he would have done it if Shang Tsung's minions hadn't stopped him. He didn't hesitate at all. Shang Tsung tried to tempt him even before their fight and Bi-Han showed no interest in it whatsoever. It was only after Kuai Liang and him got captured that he reconsidered. It was not seeing Shang Tsung's army that made him betray his brothers, it was the position they were in. What else was he supposed to do? These events took place after Reptile joined their side. There's a possibility that Bi-Han met him, heard his story, knew what happened to his family and how Shang Tsung used them against him to make Reptile his slave. I bet he would sooner die than admit it, but he likely feared that the same thing would happen to him and his brother.
Bi-Han sided with Shang Tsung to save Kuai Liang's life and his own.
If there's one thing the game made clear from the beginning it's that Bi-Han hates being someone else's servant. He wants to lead, he wants the Lin Kuei to stand on their own instead of serving Liu Kang, but joining Shang Tsung would have made them servants yet again, just under a different master. It makes no sense, right? Bi-Han would be smart enough to know that. But then why did he ultimately join Shang Tsung?
When Kuai Liang said that Bi-Han "abandoned all reason", he didn't know how right he was. Bi-Han threw reason out the window the second his brother was in danger. He would never admit that or show it, but there's only one logical explanation to why he acted in the way he did. He was terrified out of his mind for his brother's life.
Shang Tsung would have likely killed them both, had he rejected his offer. Bi-Han's betrayal gave Kuai Liang the chance to escape. Having his brother potentially hate him for the rest of his life was a sacrifice Bi-Han willingly made to see him walk out of that situation alive.
Later in the final battle, Bi-Han doesn't appear. He's not on Liu Kang's side, but he's not fighting against him. He's staying out of this entirely because he has no interest in the conflict and he never had any interest in serving Shang Tsung. Why did he choose not to help if he was only trying to save Kuai Liang before? I can tell you.
It's Bi-Han. He doesn't admit when he's wrong, he doesn't apologize or show regret. His pride doesn't allow it and pride is what killed him in previous games. It's his curse. He's likely aware that he made a mistake he can't easily come back from, he made himself the villain and now that he made that bed, he's going to lie in it, for better or for worse. He doesn't try to seek forgiveness but there's no way he doesn't miss his brothers.
Why did Bi-Han cause Kuai Liang and Smoke to flee then? This is complex. There could be many reasons for that. First and foremost, he's the Lin Kuei's grandmaster and his brothers betrayed the Lin Kuei. He's likely forced by tradition to banish them since they officialy became traitors. He might also not know how to face them again after his betrayal, he likely feels shame and guilt over it and Kuai Liang and Smoke are walking reminders of that. He probably wanted them as far away from his as possible. I'm sure he's also still hurt, angry and disappointed that his brothers don't understand his ambition, that they think of him as evil because he wants something better than servitude for all of them.
Bi-Han is not the one dimensional villain he appears to be at first glance. Most of his story becomes clear when you read between the lines and through subtle hints, like him asking if Smoke and Kuai Liang were unharmed after a battle. Bi-Han isn't good, but he was also never evil. He's still neutral. He's a beautiful, complex and tormented character that I cherish more than anything. He deserves redemption. He deserves to be reunited with his brothers and mend their relationship.
Bi-Han is and always will be my favorite character and I hope this helps more people to truly understand him.
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